Saturday morning we set off to see the terra cotta warriors. We had set up a tour for the three of us and left the hotel bright and early at 8:15 am. Our first stop was the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built in 652 to collect Buddhist materials that a monk brought back from India.
Next we went to a factory where they make recreations of the terra cotta warriors. It was interesting to watch how they make them now and hear how it differs from the way they were originally made. After pulling the warriors out of the molds, the clay is trimmed and details are added to individualize the soldiers. Then it was on to the Terra Cotta Soldier Museum (and time for a little nap in the van along the way). Here is a link to some information about the warriors: http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/shaanxi/xian/terra_cotta_army/index.htm
It was amazing to see something so old (around 200 BC) that had only been found in 1974! There is still a lot that has not been dug out. The soldiers, when first found, still had brilliant colors. Exposure to air stripped the paint off. Much is left covered until technology can protect the treasures that are yet to be seen. The soldiers are all different, varying in height, weight, and facial features. When they were crafted, the artist had to sign his work. If it did not meet up to the Emperor's standards, the artist would be killed.