Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum
Seeing the Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an has always been our bucket list. So we chose to escape the winter chill and headed for Xi’an. Big mistake. It was hot hot hot in Xi’an! Nonetheless, we managed to have a good time while ticking off our bucket list.
We hopped on a tour bus that took us to Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, with a lunch included after the visit. However, you can easily get there by public transport (train/bus), taxi or ride share (DiDi).
What are the Terracotta Warriors?
The Terracotta Army, also known as the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, consists of thousands of life-sized terracotta figures, each with a unique expression.
They were accidentally discovered by a group of farmers who were digging a well. They unearthed several figures before realising the significance of their find, which they then reported to their local county government. Archaeologists were appointed by the government to inspect the site, which led to the official excavation and discovery of the Terracotta Warriors. A museum complex has since been constructed over the area, the largest pit being enclosed by a roofed structure.
The terracotta sculptures depict the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. They were buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE in his mausoleum with the purpose of protecting him in his afterlife.
Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s tomb has been found and located but the central burial chamber itself remains completely unexcavated and sealed, mainly for fear of biohazards and potential damage to the artefacts upon exposure to air and humidity. It is understood that the terracotta warriors were originally painted in vibrant colours but upon exposure to air, the paint layers curled up and flaked off. The Chinese authorities are still working out how to excavate the remainder of the site while preserving the paint colours on the terracotta warriors.
Terracotta Warrior Army Pits
There are 3 main pits at the site.
PIt 1 is the the largest pit covering an area of 14,260 square meters (3.5 acres or about 2 football fields) and is closest to the entrance. It contains the most terracotta warriors and horses, estimated to be around 6,000 figures, arranged in a rectangular battle formation.
Pit 2 has a more complex formation containing infantry, cavalry, archers, and chariots representing an elite military unit. The pit occupies a space of 6,000 square meters (1.48 acres). It contains all currently discovered types of terracotta warriors. It’s unique with the “excavate-conserve-display” approach, which offers visitors the opportunity to witness on-site excavation and restoration. There are also 5 meticulously restored terracotta warriors displayed in glass cases at Pit 2.
Pit 3 is the smallest pit at the Terracotta Warriors Museum, measuring 520 square meters (0.13 acres). However, it appears to have served as the military command centre that directed the army in Pit 1 and Pit 2. Some of the warriors are headless and it’s believed that their heads were taken by tomb raiders in the past.
The sheer scale of the site blew us away. What we saw was what has already been discovered and excavated. We imagine the emperor’s tomb itself to be of even grander scale with a lot more yet-to-be-discovered features.
Tips on Seeing the Terracotta Warriors
Bring passports:
There are security checks requiring foreigners to present their passports. So ensure that you have them with you, otherwise you will be turned away if you are unable to present official ID.
Dress to suit the weather:
It’s worth noting that while there are large protective hangars built over the pits and air-conditioning within the hangars, the massive open-air scale of the space meant that it was very hot in summer during our visit.
Bring hats or umbrellas for shade:
There are barely any covered walkways outdoors, so it was rather scorching. We recommend bringing hats or umbrellas for sun-protection.
Head over to the other end of the pits:
It tends to be more crowded at the entrance to each pit, with crowds jostling for space to get the best shot. Just by moving further down the pit, you’d find yourself in a better position to enjoy the visit while still being able to get decent shots.
We are glad to have made our trip to Xi’an for this must-see attraction. We may find ourselves back again in cooler weather to have a second look someday!
