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Terracotta Warriors; The Silent Guardians

Terracotta Warriors; The Silent Guardians

Imagine the surprise of the Chinese peasant who, while digging a well in 1974, stumbled upon a vault filled with 6,000 life-size terracotta soldiers and horses. Each piece was arranged in a striking formation of 38 columns, 16 feet deep. A second vault contained another 1,000 soldiers and 500 horses while a third one featured an exquisitely detailed war chariot.

No two figures are alike. They all have distinct features and expressions. They all stand in precise military formation according to rank and duty. Most carry weapons ready for battle…

The Terracotta Warriors is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. The army of underground warriors has silently stood guard over the tomb of China’s first emperor for more than two millennia.

 

 

Rich History Etched in Every Figure

It’s said that Emperor Qin Shih Huang (259 BC – 210 BC) was only 13 when he ordered the construction of the Terracotta Army. He ruled as the first emperor of China for more than 36 years. During his reign, the emperor drove a number of innovations and feats that would become known as Chinese iconic landmarks. He designed a universal system of weights and measures, incorporated a single, standardised writing script across the country and began construction of the towering, Great Wall of China.

The emperor was obsessed with immortality and searched far and wide for elixirs of life. He believed that after death, he and the army he had built would help him continue to rule.

 

 

Standing Tall Today

You can see the monumental and slightly eerie 2,200-year-old funeral honour guard in situ near the tomb of the emperor. Apart from soldiers, horses and chariots, there are figures of military officials, acrobats, strongmen and musicians, and an entire man-made afterlife city for the emperor as well.

The Terracotta Army is estimated to have over 8,000 soldiers, and many archaeologists believe that there are still more pits to be discovered. A strong contender for the Eighth Wonder of the World, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 

 

‘A Tale of 3 Cities’ China Golf Tour

Discover the Terracotta Army while touring on Go Golfing’s Tale of 3 Cities China Tour in September 2010. Plus you can discover more of China’s history, rich culture, mind-blowing attractions, exotic cuisine and golf that’s as good as you will find anywhere in the world.

 

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Discover our ‘Tale of 3 Cities’ China golf tour here

 

DOWNLOAD THE TALE OF 3 CITIES CHINA TOUR BROCHURE 

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