China Post #28 Terracotta Army

On our second day in Xi'an we packed our bags and hired a car to take us out to the Terracotta Army and from there to the airport. Here is the family in front of the building that houses Pit #1 where the first soldiers were rediscovered in 1974 by a local farmer digging a well for water during a time of drought.

We hired an english speaking guide when we arrived at the park which was very worth while and about 150 yuan. Here is the first thing that you really see when entering Pit #1, the soldiers.
However it is difficult to miss just how big the building is that houses Pit #1.
230 meters by 70 meters wide or so. The place is huge, and at one time was filled with terracotta warriors in underground tunnels. The warriors in the front have been reassembled and stood in the proper location. While their comrades in arms are still in broken piles behind them. A closer view of some of the soldiers.
Here is a sideways view of the front line. You can also see the location of the well that was being dug on the right side of the shot.
At the back of the Pit #1 building, archeologists have set up the infirmary, where they bring the bits of broken soldiers to reassemble. Here a statue gets put back together and some casting.
Pit #3 is more of a headquarters. Here they are holding a meeting of sorts or ceremony.
Of the more than 6,000 soldiers only one has been found that did not need the be put back together. This is the "lucky" one, a kneeling archer.
The army was built by the first emperor of China for him to take into the after life and continue to rule. A late ruler came along and smashed the army with his own living one and burned the underground tunnels that housed the army, presumably so that the first emperor would not pose a threat to him when he made it to the after life.

So much history and an amazing sight. This was Linda's favorite thing she saw during her time with my parents in China.