Xi’an

Day 14: Terracotta Warriors

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When we started looking at our China travel options, I had two requirements: the Great Wall and the Terracotta Warriors. Both requirements have now been satisfied!

The terracotta army of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China's first dynasty. He ordered the construction of the army during the third century B.C. to protect his tomb in the afterlife, but three years after his death, his empire was overthrown. The warriors were heavily damaged in the revolt and buried later as the wooden support beams rotted away. The army was rediscovered in 1974 by farmers who were digging a well.
The terracotta army of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China’s first dynasty. He ordered the construction of the army during the third century B.C. to protect his tomb in the afterlife, but three years after his death, his empire was overthrown. The warriors were heavily damaged in the revolt and buried later as the wooden support beams rotted away. The army was rediscovered in 1974 by farmers who were digging a well.
Qin's terracotta army was created in the same manner as a human army, complete with generals, infantry, horse-drawn chariots and social structures. Each warrior was dressed in bronze and leather, and held different weapons. The bronze swords were still sharp enough to cut paper when they were rediscovered thanks to a chrome-plating method that died with the empire and would not be re-invented for another two millennia.
Qin’s terracotta army was created in the same manner as a human army, complete with generals, infantry, horse-drawn chariots and social structures. Each warrior was dressed in bronze and leather, and held different weapons. The bronze swords were still sharp enough to cut paper when they were rediscovered thanks to a chrome-plating method that died with the empire and would not be re-invented for another two millennia.
Qin's tomb was discovered two kilometers to the west of the army in a man made mound of earth the size of a small town. It's surrounded by rivers of mercury and the gas is so toxic that it has not yet been exhumed. His army faces east to draw life from the rising sun.
Qin’s tomb was discovered two kilometers to the west of the army in a man made mound of earth the size of a small town. It’s surrounded by rivers of mercury and the gas is so toxic that it has not yet been exhumed. His army faces east to draw life from the rising sun.

   

The faces and bodies of each soldier in the army is unique. They were constructed using extra-strong local clay that could be fired at twice the temperature of clays imported from Beijing. The resulting soldiers weigh between 200-300 lbs. each. Archeologists are still piecing together the soldiers and have restored around 2,000 of the 6,000-plus member army.
The faces and bodies of each soldier in the army is unique. They were constructed using extra-strong local clay that could be fired at twice the temperature of clays imported from Beijing. The resulting soldiers weigh between 200-300 lbs. each. Archeologists are still piecing together the soldiers and have restored around 2,000 of the 6,000-plus member army.
 

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Day 13: Xi’an

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On our first day in Xi’an, we visited the City Wall and rented bicycles to ride around the top of the 8.6 mile-long wall. Originally constructed in the 1300s, it was restored in the 20th century using bricks donated from the homes of the local people who volunteered to rebuild it. Throughout, you can see the names of the bricks owners carved into the wall.

 

Our fellow travelers mounted up and ready to ride around the Xi'an City Wall. We're joined on this trip by Australians, Canadians and a Swiss.
Our fellow travelers mounted up and ready to ride around the Xi’an City Wall. We’re joined on this trip by Australians, Canadians and a Swiss.
  

Xi'an's lively Muslim Quarter is full of both local specialties and traditional Muslim snacks. This sweet treat looked like yellow cake or pineapple on a stick, but was actually yellow glutinous rice mixed with honey and coated in a syrup. It tasted a lot better than it sounds!
Xi’an’s lively Muslim Quarter is full of both local specialties and traditional Muslim snacks. This sweet treat looked like yellow cake or pineapple on a stick, but was actually yellow glutinous rice mixed with honey and coated in a syrup. It tasted a lot better than it sounds!
Our time in the Muslim Quarter was cut short by a freak rainstorm that sent everyone scurrying for cover. on our rain-soaked walk back to the hotel, we picked up dinner from various local food stalls... a great way to get to know the local culture.
Our time in the Muslim Quarter was cut short by a freak rainstorm that sent everyone scurrying for cover. on our rain-soaked walk back to the hotel, we picked up dinner from various local food stalls… a great way to get to know the local culture.

More Photo of the Day posts from Taiwan, China, Hong Kong and Vietnam