May 20, 2013 Xian - City Wall and Terracotta Army.

May 20, 2013

Xian - City Wall and Terracotta Army.

Our guide, Britney picked us up at 9:00 AM and our driver, Jia took us to the City Wall that was started to be built in 194 B.C. The wall is 25.7 KM in length and is 12-16 meters in the base. Bicycles can be rented to ride around the wall and it takes about an hour to do this. The wall encloses a city area of 36 square kilometers. It is well maintained. We walked to the top of the wall and along the top of the wall for about ¼ of a kilometer. At night the wall is lit up with lanterns and makes a beautiful night scene. All the watch towers on the wall are lit up as well. This is a real tourist attraction for this city.

After the wall, we went to the factory that makes full size and small sized Terracotta soldiers. This is for sale only. The real ones are put together from the original broken pieces that the Terracotta was found in. This is pains taking work. Next we drove to the Terracotta Museum that houses the worriers in 3 separate buildings. All the 3 buildings are still being worked on. We were fortunate that our guide, Britney had worked at the museum and was familiar with all the items in the 3 buildings. What was amazing was that the emperor Qin Shi Huang who was the first emperor to unite China in 221 BC started to build his own mausoleum 35 years before his death. His son finished the mausoleum after his death. The Terracotta Army was to protect him after his death. Only a small part of the Terracotta Army has been restored. The museum shows different stages in the slow restoration process.

We purchased a book and CD on the Terracotta Army and it was signed by the farmer who discovered the Terracotta Army in March 29, 1974 when he was digging a well for water. We also had our photo taken with him after he signed our book.

Dorothy and Con standing before the main guard tower on the wall  surrounding  the old part of Xian

The guard tower over the entrance gate and on the other side of the square to the main watch tower.

Our Guide, Britney and Dorothy shopping in the store in the  main guard tower.

The wall surrounding the old section of the city of Xian and a  small guard tower on the wall.

A large building near the city wall at Xian and inside the old part of the city.

Dorothy and Con standing before a  watch  tower on the old city wall. of Xian.

Our Guide, Britney and Dorothy on the top part of the old city wall of Xian. The wall has been restored and bicycles can be rented for riding around on the top of the wall.

Britney and Dorothy walking on the top of the old city wall of Xian.

Dorothy and Con at the bottom of the staircase that took them to the  top of the  old  city wall  of Xian.

Con in the terracotta dress of the Emperor.at the Terracotta Factory

Dorothy in a terracotta dress of a general at the  Terracotta  Factory

Various full sized terracotta statues that can be purchased and delivered anywhere in the world for about $6000US at the Terracotta  Factory.

The oven to bake small terracotta statues at the Terracotta  Factory.

A medium sized terracotta statue being completed at the at the Terracotta  Factory.

Completed terracotta statues at the Terracotta  Factory.

Dorothy, the saleslady and our Guide, Britney admiring the small  statues for sale at the Terracotta  Factory.

Various sizes of terracotta statues for sale at at the Terracotta  Factory.

Dorothy in front of the full sized terracotta statues at the Terracotta  Factory.

Dorothy and Con standing before the full sized terracotta statues.

Dorothy and Con standing before Building No.1 that houses the  terracotta  warriors  at  the  Terracotta  Warriors  Museum.

The terracotta warriors in Building No.1  at  the  Terracotta  Warriors  Museum.

Dorothy and Con admiring the terracotta warriors that were made  in  about  220  B.C.

The terracotta warriors standing on guard before a wall to protect their Emperor.

The original brick wall the the terracotta warriors stood  before.

A charioteer holding the reins of his horses.

One of the many areas that have still to be uncovered at Building  No.1  at  the  Terracotta  Warriors  Museum.

The area in Building No.1 where the terracotta warriors are being restored.

Some of the Terracotta warriors that have been nearly restored.

Restored terracotta warriors.

Outline of the logs that at one time covered the pits that the  terracotta  warriors were  buried  in.

Pits that are being recovered. in Building No.1/

On March 29, 1974, this farmer from the village of XiYang was attempting to dig a  well and discovered  the  site that the terracotta warriors were buried in. He signed the book that we bought and allowed Dorothy and Con to be photographed with him.

In Building No.2, were the administrative head quarters of the terracotta warriors  that were uncovered  and  are now being restored.

A restored terracotta archer behind a glass case in  Building  No. 2.

The archers area still to be uncovered in Building No.2. Outline of the logs covering the pits can be seen.

A restored cavalry man with his horse.and behind a glass case in Building  No.2

Pits opened up that held the archers. Pieces of  terracotta are  in the bottom of the pits.

The beautiful grounds at  the  Terracotta  Warriors  Museum.

The restored 1/2 size brass chariot that the Emperor traveled  in.

Back view of the Emperors chariot.

Inside view of the Emperor's chariot.

Dorothy and Con in front of Building No.3  at  the  Terracotta  Warriors  Museum.