Terracotta Warriors - The Eighth Wonder of the World
Synopsis
The Terracotta Warriors are located in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, serving as the burial pit for Emperor Qin Shi Huang. Known as the "Eighth Wonder of the World," this underground army slept for over 2,000 years before being discovered in 1974.
Basic Information
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Name | Terracotta Warriors Museum |
| Location | Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
| Construction | 221-206 BC |
| Discovery | 1974 |
| Opening | October 1, 1979 |
| Heritage Status | UNESCO World Heritage (1987) |
| Ticket | 120 CNY (peak) / 90 CNY (off-peak) |
Historical Background
The Terracotta Warriors are burial pits for Emperor Qin Shi Huang, China's first emperor. After unifying the six states, Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a grand mausoleum. The total area of the warrior pits is approximately 22,000 square meters.
Three Main Pits
Pit 1
Pit 1 is the largest, measuring 230m long, 62m wide, and about 5m deep, covering 14,260 square meters. It contains approximately 6,000 terracotta figures, with about 2,000 currently restored and displayed.
Pit 2
Pit 2 is L-shaped, covering about 6,000 square meters with approximately 1,300 figures and 80 chariots. It features the greatest variety of military units.
Pit 3
Pit 3 is the smallest, covering about 520 square meters with 68 figures and 1 chariot. It is believed to be the command headquarters.
Artistic Value
Each warrior has a unique face, standing about 1.7-1.9 meters tall. Originally painted in vivid colors, the pigments faded quickly after exposure to air. The craftsmanship demonstrates exceptional sculptural art from the Qin Dynasty.
Visitor Information
Recommended visit: 2-3 hours. Multilingual guides available. Book tickets online during peak season (March-November).
References
- Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Records of the Grand Historian
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