The Terracotta Warriors in Xi’an, China, are one of the most remarkable archaeological discoveries of the 20th century and a must-see for anyone visiting the region. Dating back to around 210 BCE, these life-sized figures were created to accompany China’s first Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the afterlife, reflecting both his power and the artistry of the period.
Each warrior is unique, with distinct facial features, hairstyles, and expressions, and they are arranged in precise military formations that include infantry, cavalry, and chariots. The sheer scale of the site is staggering, thousands of warriors, along with horses and weapons, were buried in massive pits near the emperor’s mausoleum, offering a glimpse into ancient Chinese craftsmanship, military organization, and ritual practice.
Discovered in 1974 by local farmers, the Terracotta Army has since become one of China’s most visited cultural attractions. The site is meticulously preserved and includes several excavation pits that allow visitors to see the warriors in varying states of restoration, highlighting the painstaking work required to bring them back to their former glory.
Visiting the Terracotta Warriors is an awe-inspiring experience, combining history, artistry, and a sense of human scale that is difficult to convey in words. It’s not just a display of ancient skill, but a vivid reminder of the ambitions and legacy of one of China’s most influential emperors.
Trip date
12/06/2011
Where we stayed
7 Sages (Qixian) Youth Hostel
Courtyard 5 of QiXianZhuang, Xi’an, China
3 nights (12/06/11 – 15/06/11)
What we saw and did
The main reason for going to Xi’an was to see the amazing Terracotta Warriors; a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang who was the first Emperor of China.
It’s estimated that there are around 8000 warrior sculptures, 130 chariots, 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses.
When they were created they would have been painted decoratively and would have carried weapons.
Each of the sculptures is unique and it’s said that each one was sculpted in the likeness of its creator.
Beautifully sculpted horses.
As expected not all of the warriors are complete.
Not all of them made it.
Put yer spuds in. You won’t get this unless you were an 80’s child and were born in the West Midlands, UK (probably).
We visited during the Chinese holiday season so it was absolutely rammed and incredibly noisy in there. My advice would be to try and visit at a time that isn’t a Chinese holiday so it’s not so crazy. It didn’t detract from our enjoyment but I would have preferred a visit when it was less busy.
Doing my thang. Always on the lookout for the angle.
Not all of the warriors are standing; many adopt various poses.
Serena trying to blend in with the locals.
Learn more about the Terracotta Warriors and Xi’an
Some interesting facts about Xi’an
1. The Silk Road starts from Xian City. It also happens to be home to the Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang.
2. With the revival of Chinese Mainland economy, Xian has seen increasingly become a center for culture, industry and education for the central northwest region.
3. Xian is home to China’s research and development facilities, national security and China’s space exploration program.
4. Xian is the capital of the Shaanxi province and a sub-provincial city.
5. With a landmass of approximately 16,808 km² of urban area, Xian is one of the averagely populated cities in China. It is surrounded by 8 rivers, the biggest of which is River Wei.
6. Amazingly, you will find an unlikely feature in the heart of Xian – the 1250 year old Great Mosque of Xian.
7. Xian is the birthplace of Chinese civilization as attested by museums such as Shaanxi History Museum, Xianyang Museum, Banpo Museum, Forest of Steles Museum, and Fule International Ceramic Art Museum.
8. If you are a visitor, make sure you get to sample foods such as Roujia Mo, Xi’an Kabobs, Guan Tang Baozi, Biang Biang Noodles, and Yang Rou Pao Mo that are served in the Xian restaurants.
9. If not for anything else, visit Xian to learn China’s history. It was a capital for 13 empires under 70 emperors.
10. The name Xi’an, as it is written in Chinese has a meaning. ‘Xi’ means west and ‘an’ means peace. In full, it is translated as peace in the west.
