Panoramic view of Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army Pit 1, showing the magnificent pottery warrior formation demonstrating the powerful military strength of the Qin Dynasty
The Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum Site Museum is located in Lintong District, Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, approximately 35 kilometers from the city center of Xi'an. It is the burial pit of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang (Ying Zheng), and is known as "the Eighth Wonder of the World." In 1987, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Army were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Terracotta Army pits were discovered in 1974. In March of that year, villagers from Xiyang Village in Lintong County accidentally found some pottery fragments while digging a well. Subsequent large-scale excavations by archaeologists revealed three pits (Pit 1, Pit 2, and Pit 3). Covering a total area of 25,000 square meters, these pits contain approximately 8,000 life-sized pottery figures and horses, as well as hundreds of thousands of bronze weapons.
The Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army Museum officially opened to the public in 1979. It consists of two main parts: the archaeological pits and the cultural relic exhibition hall. Its discovery is of extreme importance for the study of ancient Chinese military history, sculpture art history, and ancient science and technology history, representing an outstanding example of ancient Chinese civilization.
Pit 1 is the largest of the three pits, covering an area of 14,260 square meters. It is rectangular in shape, 230 meters long from east to west, 62 meters wide from north to south, and about 5 meters deep. The pit contains over 6,000 pottery figures and horses, as well as dozens of chariots, forming a large military formation primarily composed of infantry, combined with chariots and cavalry.
The military formation in Pit 1 is divided into four parts: the vanguard, the main force, the flanks, and the rear guard. Arranged in neat and orderly rows, it presents a magnificent scene. The vanguard consists of 204 warrior figures arranged in three horizontal rows, with 68 figures in each row, all holding crossbows and facing east. The main force is composed of 38 columns, all combinations of infantry figures and chariots. On the north and south sides and at the western end, there are columns of warrior figures facing north, south, and west respectively, serving as flanks and rear guard.
Pit 2 is located northeast of Pit 1, covering an area of approximately 6,000 square meters. It contains a mixed military formation composed of cavalry, chariots, archers, and infantry, making it the most valuable for military research among the three pits.
Pit 2 consists of four parts: the archer formation, the chariot formation, the cavalry formation, and the mixed chariot-infantry-cavalry formation. This multi-arms mixed formation reflects the complex tactical system of the Qin army. A large number of precious cultural relics have been unearthed from the pit, including general figures, kneeling archer figures, and cavalry figures, among which the kneeling archer figures are the most well-preserved and represent the finest examples of the Terracotta Army.
Pit 3 is located northwest of Pit 1, covering an area of approximately 520 square meters. It has a concave shape and is the smallest of the three pits. Pit 3 is believed to be the command center of the army, known as the "military tent."
Inside the pit, a four-horse chariot, 68 warrior figures, and 34 bronze weapons were unearthed. The warrior figures are neatly arranged around the chariot, holding ceremonial weapons, and have solemn postures, as if they were performing guard duties. The discovery of Pit 3 proves that ancient Chinese armies had already established a "command center" system, providing important materials for studying ancient Chinese military systems.
The Mausoleum Mound of Qin Shi Huang is located approximately 1.5 kilometers west of the Terracotta Army pits. It is the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang (Ying Zheng) and is one of the largest, most complex, and most abundant imperial mausoleums in Chinese history.
Construction of the mausoleum began in 246 BCE and took 39 years to complete, employing over 700,000 laborers. The mound is shaped like an inverted bucket, originally about 115 meters high. After more than two thousand years of weathering, it now stands approximately 76 meters high. According to the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji), the interior of the tomb was "decorated with mercury to represent rivers, lakes, and seas, with mechanical devices to circulate them; the ceiling was painted with astronomical phenomena, and the floor depicted geographical features," reflecting its extraordinary luxury.
Currently, the main tomb of Qin Shi Huang has not been excavated, but through remote sensing and geophysical exploration techniques, the structure and layout of the mausoleum have been preliminarily understood. The mausoleum area covers a total of 56.25 square kilometers, and in addition to the main tomb, there are numerous subsidiary pits, tombs, and various architectural remains.
The Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army is an outstanding representative of ancient Chinese civilization, reflecting the highly developed civilization and powerful national strength of the Qin Dynasty. Its discovery has provided valuable material for studying ancient Chinese history, military affairs, art, science, and technology.
Qin Shi Huang (Ying Zheng, 259 BCE-210 BCE) was the first emperor to unify China. After unifying the six states, he implemented a series of reforms, such as standardizing writing, currency, and measurements, which had a profound impact on Chinese history.
To maintain his supreme power even after death, Qin Shi Huang ordered the construction of a magnificent mausoleum and used pottery army figures as burial objects. The construction of the Terracotta Army took approximately 39 years and required a large amount of human and material resources, reflecting the powerful organizational capability and material foundation of the Qin Dynasty.
The discovery of the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army has rewritten the history of Chinese sculpture art. Prior to this, it was generally believed that realistic sculpture in China began during the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties after the introduction of Buddhism. However, the excavation of the Terracotta Army proves that China already possessed highly developed realistic sculpture capabilities during the Qin Dynasty.
At the same time, the Terracotta Army provides valuable materials for studying the military system, army organization, and weaponry of the Qin Dynasty. The bronze weapons unearthed from the pits, such as swords, ge (dagger-axes), spears, and ji (halberds), are exquisitely crafted. Some of them were even chromium-plated, and they remain sharp even today, indicating that the metallurgical technology of the Qin Dynasty had reached a very high level.
The Terracotta Army is not only awe-inspiring due to its grand scale but also remarkable because of its exquisite details and craftsmanship. Each pottery figure was meticulously crafted, showcasing the extraordinary artistic talent of Qin Dynasty craftsmen.
Each Terracotta Army figure has distinct facial features. According to statistics, there are over 100 different face shapes. Craftsmen created soldier images of different ages and personalities through subtle differences such as eyebrow height, cheekbone contours, and eyelid shapes. These differences reflect the characteristic that Qin army soldiers came from different regions.
The gestures and postures of the Terracotta Army figures are also meticulously designed. Based on their positions and responsibilities, their hand gestures vary—some hold weapons, while others make commanding movements. Kneeling archers kneel on one knee with their bodies leaning forward in a natural stance; standing archers stand with legs apart and bodies slightly sideways, capturing the moment of preparing to shoot an arrow.
The clothing of the Terracotta Army reflects the military rank system of the Qin Dynasty. Ordinary soldiers wear simple war robes, while officers wear more elaborate armor. The size, quantity, and arrangement of the armor pieces follow strict regulations to distinguish officers of different ranks. Additionally, soldiers have different hairstyles—some have their hair tied in topknots, while others wear helmets.
The terracotta horses in the Terracotta Army are equally exquisitely crafted. The horses' muscle lines are clearly visible, with ears perked up and eyes wide open, vividly showcasing the alertness and strength of war horses. Inside the horses' mouths, there are neatly arranged teeth, and even the hoof nails on the horseshoes are distinctly discernible—craftsmanship so fine it inspires admiration.
The Bronze Chariots are among the most important cultural relics unearthed from the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum, known as the "Crown of Bronze." They are the largest, most structurally complex, and exquisitely decorated ancient bronze carriages and horses ever discovered in Chinese archaeological history. In 1980, the Bronze Chariots were found 20 meters west of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum. A total of two chariots were unearthed - the Standing Chariot (High Chariot) and the Enclosed Chariot, which are now on display in the Bronze Chariots Exhibition Hall of the Terracotta Army Museum.
Both Bronze Chariots are single-shaft, two-wheeled vehicles drawn by four bronze horses. The craftsmanship of the Bronze Chariots is extremely exquisite, utilizing various techniques such as casting, welding, inlaying, pinning, and articulated joints. The decorative elements on the carriages are primarily made of gold and silver, including cloud patterns and geometric designs, which are remarkably beautiful.
The Standing Chariot is an ancient light vehicle, primarily used for leading the way and security. The carriage body is horizontally rectangular, with a circular canopy standing on top. Below the canopy stands a bronze charioteer figure, 91 centimeters tall. The charioteer wears a long robe, a leather belt around the waist, a headdress with a pheasant feather, and carries a bronze sword. The Standing Chariot is 225 centimeters long, 152 centimeters high, and weighs approximately 1061 kilograms.
The Enclosed Chariot is an ancient passenger vehicle, mainly used by nobles. The carriage body has two compartments - a smaller front compartment for the charioteer and a larger rear compartment for the owner. The Enclosed Chariot has an oval canopy on top, with side panels around the body, a window at the front, and a door at the rear. It is 317 centimeters long, 106 centimeters high, and weighs approximately 1241 kilograms.
Each Bronze Chariot is pulled by four bronze horses, divided into two inside horses and two outer horses. The horses have strong, muscular bodies. Their heads are adorned with gold and silver bridles and bits. The horses have different postures - some with heads raised as if neighing, others gazing straight ahead - showcasing the majestic appearance of war horses. Each horse is approximately 90 centimeters tall, 110 centimeters long, and weighs around 200 kilograms.
The production of the Bronze Chariots demonstrates the high level of Qin Dynasty bronze casting technology. The carriages consist of over 3,000 individual parts, including 14 kilograms of gold and silver ornaments. The windows have a hollow structure that can be opened; the wheels have spokes and can rotate; the axles have bearings that allow for flexible rotation. These details all reflect the Qin Dynasty's outstanding achievements in mechanical manufacturing.
The excavation of the Bronze Chariots provides valuable physical materials for studying ancient Chinese vehicle systems, metallurgical techniques, and ritual systems. It is not only a masterpiece of ancient Chinese bronze art but also a treasure of world bronze culture. Through the Bronze Chariots, we can understand various aspects of Qin Dynasty transportation, military equipment, and ritual systems, which are of great significance for researching ancient Chinese history.
Yangrou Paomo is one of Xi'an's most representative traditional dishes and a must-try delicacy when visiting the Terracotta Army. It features lamb soup and crumbled bread as the main ingredients, supplemented with vermicelli, chopped green onions, cilantro, and other condiments. The dish is delicious and nutritious.
There's a proper way to eat Yangrou Paomo: you need to break the bread into small pieces by hand (the smaller, the better), then give it to the chef who will cook it with lamb soup and other ingredients. There are many time-honored Yangrou Paomo restaurants near the Terracotta Army scenic area and throughout Xi'an city.
Rougamo is a famous snack in Shaanxi Province, known as the "Chinese Hamburger." It consists of specially-made Baiji馍 (a type of flatbread) stuffed with lacquered meat. The bun is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, while the meat is fragrant but not greasy, making it very popular among tourists.
There are different types of Rougamo, such as lacquered pork Rougamo and minced meat Rougamo, with lacquered pork Rougamo being the most famous. Authentic Rougamo can be tasted at restaurants around the Terracotta Army scenic area and in food streets throughout Xi'an city.
Terracotta Army-related souvenirs are popular purchases for tourists visiting this area. These include Terracotta Army models, replicas of Qin Dynasty weapons, bronze vessels, and more. These souvenirs are exquisitely crafted and hold high collection value and commemorative significance.
Various Terracotta Army souvenirs can be purchased at the souvenir shops inside the Terracotta Army Museum and in shopping areas around the scenic spot. When purchasing, it is recommended to choose formal stores to ensure product quality.
Lintong is famous as the "Land of Pomegranates." The pomegranates produced here are large, with thin skin, abundant juice, and sweet taste. They are a national geographical indication product. Lintong has a long history of pomegranate cultivation, which is said to have been introduced during the Western Han Dynasty when Zhang Qian traveled to the Western Regions.
September to October each year is the harvest season for Lintong pomegranates. If you visit the Terracotta Army during this time, you can taste fresh Lintong pomegranates. Additionally, processed products such as pomegranate juice and pomegranate wine are also good choices.
Visiting the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army Museum is a breathtaking experience. The massive array of pottery figures makes one feel as if they have traveled back to the Qin Dynasty more than two thousand years ago. To make your visit smoother and more meaningful, here are some visiting suggestions:
When visiting the Terracotta Army, it is recommended to wear comfortable shoes as you will need to walk a lot. Pay attention to sun protection in summer and keep warm in winter. The scenic area has restaurants and rest areas where you can rest and eat as needed.