Xi'An China
Our Short Visit to visit Xi"An
My son and I flew from Beijing to Xi’an, the largest town and capital of Shaanxi Province in central China.
You can travel to Xi’an for 72 hours without a visa.
We arrive at the end of the day, to be able to visit The Terra Cotta Warriors the next day.
This is one of China’s most popular tourist destinations, it is most famous for its Terracotta Warriors, which have become an international symbol of China’s history. You cannot simply miss the museum and the whole site that surrounds it.
Be patient, the lineup is very long under the hot sun, and to my surprise, you have to take a little train up to the main entrance on top of that. It’s worth waiting for, though.
The most significant excavation of the 20th century in Xi'An
One of the most impressive and significant archaeological discoveries of the 20th century is the Terracotta Warriors and Horses located in Xi’an, China.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts a remarkable collection of life-size terracotta statues that depict soldiers, horses, chariots, and weapons. The construction of the Terracotta Army began over 2,000 years ago under the direction of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who was just 13 years old at the time. The army was built to protect the emperor in the afterlife, and it took over 700,000 laborers and craftsmen to complete the project.
The complex consists of three separate pits, with the largest pit containing over 6,000 figures, each with unique facial expressions and features. This discovery is truly breathtaking, housing around 8,000 life-sized figures of soldiers, horses, and chariots, all made of terracotta. It is a testament to the remarkable craftsmanship and engineering skills of the ancient Chinese civilization that dates back to the third century BCE.
The sculptures were discovered by chance in 1974 when farmers were digging a well behind their home in the Shaanxi Province. The story of the excavation is fascinating, and the sheer number of figures and their individuality continue to intrigue and inspire people from all over the world. Historians, archaeologists, and art enthusiasts worldwide have celebrated, studied, and admired this significant excavation.
Witness the grandeur of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses and be amazed by this incredible archaeological wonder.
The story is about a farmer who finds some of the graves while digging in his garden. The Chinese government stole his land and took everything he had.
I was lucky to meet the farmer, he was kind enough to autograph my book.
It is very impressive to see. You cannot find two identical faces among the excavated terracotta warriors.
We did not have time to visit everything in the town area.
Someday, I will come back and visit more of this amazing place.
What made the terracotta warriors significant?
The Terracotta Warriors are a collection of life-size terracotta sculptures created more than 2000 years ago to be buried with Emperor Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor.
They were discovered in 1974 by farmers who were digging a well in the Shaanxi Province, near the emperor’s mausoleum at Mount Li. They are part of a massive burial tomb complex that encompassed 50 km² (20 mi²).
The Terracotta Warriors are significant because they are an important part of the mausoleum of the first emperor in Chinese history. The Terracotta Army has been proved to be a part of the first emperor’s mausoleum by archaeologists.
Good To Know
*Our Short Visit
Xi’an is often called the birthplace of Chinese civilization. Capital of Shaanxi Province and the eastern end of the Silk Road, the history and cultural significance of Xi’an stretches through China’s ancient past and into its bright future.
It was the capital city of 13 imperial dynasties, the most for any city, and many ancient structures are preserved. “The First Emperor” united China from his base in the Xi’an area, and he has left a mighty legacy.
* This is one of China’s most popular tourist destinations.
Listed as one of the “Must Visit” cities of China, Xi’an.
The place is the most famous for its Terracotta Warriors, which have become an international symbol of China’s history.
A visit to this museum is viewed as something that simply cannot be missed if you’re planning a trip to China.
*The cuisine cannot be missed.
Being near the central part of China, Xi’an is a crossroads for many of the great Chinese cuisines. Restaurants range from Cantonese to spicy Sichuan styles.
*The taste of local street selling is cheap and very good.
*Stroll on the ancient City Wall.
*The best time to visit is the spring and autumn during the cool, but not too cold, seasons.
The place is also known for dust storms in the spring and early summer. The rainy season occurs from July to September, though there isn’t much rain.
The climate temperate and semi-arid. The temperatures range throughout the four seasons at fairly moderate levels.
We visit in the wrong season, the weather was very hot.
*Try to avoid the Labor Day holiday (May 1 — 3) and the National Day holiday (October 1 — 7) when all tourist sites are crowded with Chinese people
Remember
*Xi’an is home to unique souvenirs and local products.
Perhaps the most popular items to buy in Xi’an are the reproductions of In Xi’an, you can find a variety of local products and souvenirs that are unique to the region.
One of the most popular items to purchase is the Terracotta Army Figurine reproductions, which are available at reasonable prices throughout the city.
However, it’s important to note that prices can vary greatly between different sellers, even if they are located next to each other.
My purchase is an authentic replica from the warrior soldiers.
