Terracotta Army
FAQFrequently asked questions
What is it anyway?
An underground army of burnt clay that was placed in the tomb of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huangdi, to guard him in the afterlife. It is estimated that there are more than 8,000 life-sized warriors, and each face is different.
Where is it located (for sure not in Nepal)?
Near the city of Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, in the east of China, Lintong District. Nepal is several thousand kilometers from here, so the entry in the card clearly confused the country.
How did you find it?
By chance: on March 29, 1974, local villagers were digging a well and came across clay figures. It turned out that for several thousand years, no one suspected a whole army under their feet.
What exactly can be seen on site?
A museum with three main pits was built above the excavations: pit 1 - the main army with more than 3,000 figures in a large covered pavilion, pit 2 - cavalry and infantry with chariots, pit 3 - a command post with officers. The emperor's tomb itself has not yet been excavated due to the risk of spoiling the contents.
Is it worth paying attention to?
Since 1987, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Most of the army is still underground, so even what has been dug up is only a part. The figures were once brightly painted, but the paint quickly crumbles in the dry air of Xi'an.
