CHINA

XI'AN. SIGHTS OF INTEREST. Terra – Cotta Warriors and Horses
 

The museum of Terracotta Warriors and Horses is located in Lintong County, 40 km to the east from Xi’an and renowned as the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. It covers 20 000 square meters. It consists of 3 sections: No.1 Pit, No.2 Pit and No.3 Pit respectively. 

Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the replicas of the imperial guard of those days. The terracotta soldiers are remarkably realistic sculptures. The figures are mostly of 1.8 - meter height with low part of the body being solid and the upper part – hollow. Originally the figures were painted in bright colors however they faded and worn off during 2000 years. The squarish faces of the warriors feature broad foreheads and wide, thick-lipped mouths. The warriors look far a away. The muscular horses have big bright eyes, large nostrils, stout legs, plump waists and hips. They are poised to gallop.  

The first pit is the largest one. It covers 14 260 square meters and includes the lines of soldiers at the front followed by war chariots at the back. It’s cavern-like and constructed from earth and wood at the depth of five meters. Ten partitioning walls divide the underground army into different columns. The walls are reinforced by stout beams covered by reeds and earth. The floor is paved with black bricks.  

Some of the warriors hold crossbows, others keep spears, wear armors and drive the chariots. It looks like a large body of troops, more than 6000 terracotta warriors and horses, marshaled in battle order. Three columns facing out to the east act as vanguard. Tunic infantrymen wear knee-length tunics, short trousers, puttees and curved shoes. The clothes allowed to get freedom of moving. Their hair is wound in topknots, some of them have beards.  

The second pit covers 6 000 square meters. It includes lines of cavalrymen with clear foot prints in the muddy ground, horses and wooden chariots subdivided into 4 sections. It reflects a vibrant and dynamic atmosphere. The first section is 334 archers armed with crossbows, kneeling in the front line and standing in the next line. The second section is 64 chariots, each of them has its own archer, soldier and infantryman. It’s an improvement of chariot tactics. The third section is 19 war chariots and 100 warriors. Messengers and archers hurry on their business. And the forth section is just six chariots and 124 vaulting horses and men. There is a charioteer and a scout in every chariot. The cavalrymen look ferocious and hold bows in their hands. 

The third pit covers just 520 square meters. It’s not a battle formation. You’ll find 68 warriors, four horses and one chariot here. It looks like the command center or headquarters of the underground army.