Xian – 西安

Tuesday 31/07/2012: Xian - 西安

We left West Capital International Hotel  西京國際飯店 Xi1jing3guo2ji4fan4dian4 at 8:30 am and arrived at 11:40 am at the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum – 秦始皇帝陵博物館.

The site was discovered in 1974 and opened to the public in 1979. It has become part of the Unesco World Heritage in 1987.

Emperor Qinshihuang

 

Museum

This was my 2nd time to visit the terracotta warriors’ site. The complex is much larger and cleaner (especially the toilets) than in 1986. They are plazas, coffee shops, lots of souvenirs shops (no more hawkers displaying their wares on the parking lot), lawns, trees and even benches for sitting down and relaxing. Wheelchair service is also provided (free of charge for those aged 60+).

We visited 3 pits and the museum where we saw the "real" bronze chariot inlaid with gold and silver. At the end of our guided tour we were directed to the gifts/souvenirs shops (of course!)

UNESCO plaque

Bronze chariot

with bronze handle inlaid with gold and silver

Archaeologists at work



Terracotta soldiers

Pit no.1 with part of the army unearthed

 

The sky was covered but it did not rain. In the afternoon, on our way to the airport, the sun came out. Quite pleasant temperature for visiting otherwise it would have been too hot (especially when visiting the pits!)

Note: The guide told us that pomegranate 石榴shi2liu0 (this fruit with a thick reddish skin and many seeds) and persimmon shi4zi0 柿子 (looks like a ripe tomato) were 2 famous local products. Guava alcohol - 石榴酒 - is also quite popular.  We did not buy any. 

It was to see the terracotta warriors again. Unfortunately we did not have enough time to see more of Xian (one of the oldest cities in China).

Next time!