Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses

Last Update : 7/23/2008 4:6:03 PM: In 1974 a group of peasants digging a well, made what was to become the greatest archaeological find of the 20th century when they unearthed fragments of a life sized Terra Cotta Warrior made in Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC). Excavation of the vault revealed thousands of warriors and their horses, an entire army designed follows its emperor into eternity. Hence, the Qin Terra Cotta Army are over 2,200 years old.

The site is located 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) east of the Qin Mausoleum. The emperor's terra cotta army was found in three underground timber lined vaults. Pit 1 contained chariots and ranks of six thousand soldiers. Pit 2 held fourteen hundred figures of cavalrymen, horses and infantrymen, along with ninety wooden chariots. Pit 3 contained about seventy figures. Excavating them has been a massive undertaking. To date, more than a thousand warriors have been reassembled.

The Qin Terra Cotta Army Museum, a hangar-like building constructed over Pit 1, place of the original discovery in 1974 opened in 1979. Later in October 1994, Pit 2 opened to the public. Now the museum is a stunning display that every visitor to China should see.
Last Update : 7/23/2008 4:7:10 PM: Bronze Chariots and Circle Vision Theater

Two bronze chariots housed in the Multi-Exhibition Hall were unearthed 20 meters east of the mausoleum. The chariots, which are half the actual size of real ones, were made of bronze with some golden and silver decorations. No. 1 Chariot is 225 cm (7.38 ft) long and 152 cm (4.99 ft) high, with a weight of 1,061 kg (2399.1 pounds). The four horses drawing the square chariot are muscular and vivid. A big umbrella situated in the chariot shelters the lifelike wagoner. No.2 Chariot is 317 cm (10.4 ft) long and 106.2 cm (3.48 ft) high. Weighing 1,241 kg (2735.9 pounds), the chariot consists of two parts: the wagoner who sits outside the carriage and a carriage where the master could sit inside. Each of the two chariots is made of more than 3,000 accessories and decorated by geometrical images or clouds.

Besides visiting the pits and exhibition hall, visitors can also go to the Circle Vision Theater. In the 360o movie, visitors can stand in the theater and 'travel' back to the past. By watching it one can have a better understanding of the history of Qin Shihuang as well as the discovery, repair and protection of the terra cotta warriors. A shopping center nearby also provides visitors a good chance to buy copies of the warriors, horses and chariots as souvenirs.

Admission Fee:	CNY 90 (Mar.1 to Nov. 30), CNY 65 (Dec. 1 to Feb. 28/29)
Opening Hours:	08:00 to 18:00
Recommended Time for a Visit:	Three hours
Bus Route:	306