Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shihuang and Terracotta Warriors

Emperor Qin's mausoleum is the largest of ancient China, situated at the northern foot of Mt. Li, Lintong County, some 30 kilometers east of Xi'an City, facing Weishui River in the north, close to the tourist resort Huaqing Pool in the west.

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum Carriage Xian

The huge and amazing satellite pit of terracotta warriors is 1,500 mere eat of the mausoleum, discovered in March of 1974, by a group of farmers drilling a well against the drought. Archaeologist the unearthed the treasure of Qin Dynasty has hidden for over 2,000 years.

The pit is an underground military museum largest worldwide. Its design is rational and unique with a weight wall every 3 meters, dividing the 5 meters deep pit into lanes of warriors neatly arrayed. 

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum Lifelike Terracotta Warriors Xian

The satellite pits are 1,500 meters to the east wall of the mausoleum, right at the north side of the main road to the east gate. The pottery warriors were imitations of military arrays, the imperial guards of the underground royal city. Judging from the pit designs and warrior equipment, PitⅠis that of the main force of infantry and chariots, PitⅡthe compound of infantry, cavalry, and chariots, and Pit Ⅲthe headquarters of them all. 

The life-sized pottery army, thousands in number, was deployed in practical battlement formation, hidden 5 to 7 meters underground in the three pits of varied sized and shapes.

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum Terracotta Warriors Site Xian

Its discovery is a major achievement of the world's archaeology. Praised as world's 8th wonder, it well matches the pyramids in Egypt and the Greek sculptures as the precious wealth of human culture.

Due to its hugeness and the lack of written data, Chinese archaeologists and historians have worked on the mausoleum for decades. Full scale excavation is left to the future, except some scientific unearthing of a few satellite pits, and visitors to the tomb see only a hill like mound, under with lies the emperor in his meticulous underground palace free of disturbance for over 2,000 years.

Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum Xian

In 1981, the State Council recognized it as a historical site under state protection, and in 1987 UNESCO inscribed the mausoleum and its warrior pit in World Heritage List. 

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