Xi'an:Terracotta Warriors stand strong after 2,000 years

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 ◆ Xi'an:Terracotta Warriors stand strong after 2,000 years

Where is the location of: (a) the most important archaeological discovery of the 20th century? (b) the Eighth Wonder of the World? (c) a museum visited by 40 million tourists since 1979? If you answered "Xi'an" to all three questions, take a bow. If not, you should make plans to visit China's first capital city to see an amazing treasure house of Chinese history and culture.

Qinshihuang was the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). During his 15-year reign, he built many colossal projects, including the Great Wall. Obsessed with immortality and a fear of death, he maintained an army of 1 million soldiers. To protect himself after death, he ordered skilled potters to create clay replicas of some 8,000 soldiers and officers to escort him into the afterlife.

Excavations in 1976, 1989 and 1994 unearthed the 2,200-year-old terracotta army from three rectangular pits along with more than 50,000 weapons and cultural artifacts.

The first and largest pit, which covers a 16,000-square foot area, holds more than 1,000 life-sized figures facing east to counter enemy attacks. Each has a different facial feature and expression but all appear ready for Qinshihuang's marching orders. A few of the warriors hold crossbows, and the charioteers have their hands outstretched as if they were clutching reins.

The second pit contains more than 1,000 terracotta warriors, and the third, which was probably the emperor's command post, houses 68 officers and two bronze war chariots, each with four horses and a driver. The chariots took eight years to restore and are now on display in a small museum near the pit. Former US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, has visited the area three times. "A nation that could create such a great history and culture will certainly create a bright future," he said during his last visit.

Set aside at least a day to visit Qinshihuang's Terracotta Museum. Be aware that the surrounding area is crowded with vendors hawking postcards and miniature terracotta figures. Also, no photographs can be allow to be taken in the pits.

If time permits, there are many other interesting areas to visit in Xi'an, the capital of Shaanxi Province. They include a wall around the city that was built in 1370; a Muslim quarter; Banpo village, a 7,000-year old settlement; the 200-foot tall Big Wild Goose Pagoda; Huaqing Pool, where water from hot springs is directed into public bathhouses; and Famensi, one of the earliest places of Buddhist worship in China.