My happiest journey - Travel in Xi'an

[Lina Dong]

Xi’an City is located by northwest of China, is the capital of Shan xi province in China and a sub-provincial city. As one of the most important cities in Chinese history. Xi’an is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China for it has been the capital of 13 dynasties, as early as Qin dynasty, the king of Qin built his policy in this land. He started up the war, then he unified seven countries’ words, metrology, numismatology, and so on. To build the Great Wass was what the king of Qin was the greatest contribution for our generation and generation. Another the greatest one is Terracotta Army which were made by tomb and they were under the land in Xi’an City, this is the purpose what I traveled for.

22ed Dec, in 2006, my whole family have traveled Xi’an by plane. That was really nice to visit the Terracotta Army, and it took us a whole day cause it’s far from the city. We drove not quickly as the thick of brume. When we at the front of the museum of Terracotta Army, it was nearly at noon, I was exciting walk into the museum, but the guider told me there has grimly checkpoint. Not hard to known, how important the Terracotta Army is for Xi’an.

The guider was talking the history of Terracotta while we were visiting the museum. The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 by local farmers drilling a water well to the east of Mount Li’shan. Mount Li’shan is also where the material to make the terracotta warriors originated. In addition to the warriors, an entire man made necropolis for the emperor has been excavated.

The terracotta figures are life-like and life-sized. They vary in height, uniform and hairstyle in accordance with rank. The colored lacquer finish, molded faces (each is individual), and real weapons and armor used in manufacturing these figures created a realistic appearance. Unfortunately, the coloring has mostly faded, most archaeologists are saving these terracotta figures. According to the Grand Historian Sima Qian, there were thousands upon thousands terracotta figures were sanding under the land, to protect security of Qin Shi Huang. But the government just opened four main tombs which include hundreds of terracotta figures and hours, some of Qin’s woods and bricks. They worried the dacoity and nature destruction. Much of the remains of the Terracotta Army still survive in various stages of preservation, surrounded by remnants of the wooden structures.

In the museum, I found a interesting thing, there were no two life-sized figures are alike in the tomb. “You will find the similitude into real people.”- the guider said with smiled. Another surprised thing was the worthiness of Terracotta figure, some one said, one of Terracotta figure’s head valued 100millions, which was nearly the top of value.

Of course, The Terracotta Army is not the greatest place to visit, but for me, there is a losing if I been to Xi’an but not visited to The Terracotta Army. Another good places like Da Yan Pagoda which began in 652 and was measured 64 meters in height; the Huaqing Palace which is famous for hot spring water; the Hua Shan Hill which is famous for precipitous and good-looking. Xi’an not only has centuries-old histories, but also has delicious foods let you to try. Jia San restaurant’s steamed stuffed bun, De Fa’xiang restaurant’s dumpling, lamb skewers were sold beside the road and spicy soups.