fun2rv: IMPERIALS JEWELS OF CHINA

DAY 9 - Xian

Xian's history stretches back more than 3100 years, and it was the capital city for 12 imperial dynasties. It reached its peak during the glorious period of Tang Dynasty rule. Once one of the world's biggest and richest cities, Xian is the geographic beginning of China's fabled Silk Road. The city is encircled by the most complete ancient city wall in China. With deep moats all around it, the wall has four gates and is more than 90 miles long. As with the Great Wall, the Xian city wall ramparts are spaced the length of two bowshots apart. Many ancient Chinese cities have two towers -- a bell tower and a drum tower. The purpose of the two towers was to signal the time to open and close the city gates each day. The morning bells singled the opening and the dusk drum indicated the closing of the gates. Xian boasts two of the best examples. The city's Bell Tower is a beautiful 282-foot-high wooden structure built entirely without the use of nails, and contains an enormous ming Dynasty bell. Not quite as tall the Drum Tower is also an elegant pagoda-like building.

Xian City Wall at night

Xian is home to what is possibly China's greatest archaeological treasure, the Qin Mausoleum When he was only 13 years old (246 B.C.) the future first emperor of the Qin Dynasty Qin Shi Huang, had work begun on his mausoleum. In 1974, local farmers digging a well uncovered the first evidence of the extraordinary lengths the emperor went to in order to ensure his protection in the afterlife. More than 7,000 life-sized terra cotta archers, infantrymen, soldiers, horses and chariots in full battle gear and standing in formation were buried along with the emperor. Each figure is depicted in incredible and individual detail. This remarkable find is known as the Terra Cotta Army, and today walkways provide a bird's-eye view of the stunning sight. Nearby is a factory that recreates the ancient process used for producing the original figures. This has to be the most magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site were have experienced.

Cool golf carts that transported us from the parking lot

One of the three major building in the complex

Beautiful flower gardens. An implacably clean site

Our first view of the Terra Cotta Army as we entered the building. Absolutely breathtaking!

Each solider is unique.

The archaeologists usually work during the night, but a few were working while we were there

Gives an idea of how deep they had to dig

Army horse, still under construction

They transported us in, but we had to walk out, through many vendors stalls.

The "mound" where the emperor is buried. Many square miles still not dug up.

Pomegranates were grown in this area and were covered with plastic while they grew. This is how they were sold. This protected them from disease.

Pomegranate grove

In summary, the Terra Cotta soldiers had to be absolute highlight of our trip. We have several hundred photos and it is still amazing to look at them. We will never forget our first view of them.

We next drove to a local restaurant for lunch and this actually turned out to be a buffet lunch.

Before we ate lunch though, we stopped in the lower level of the building to tour the factory where they make Terra Cotta soldiers. It is owned by the Chinese government and they sure must sell a lot of these! We could have bought a full sized soldier and it would be transported free of charge to anywhere in the world. If you wanted, you could have a photo taken of your face and a perfect replica of your face would be turned into a Terra Cotta soldier.

Don't think there were too many female Terra Cotta soldiers!

Some of the replicas. Ours are proudly displayed on our living room mantle, somewhat smaller in size. Come on by to see!!

Replicas for sale

We had a bit of time to rest when we got back to the hotel before were driven to the Tang Dynasty Dinner and Show. This show included replica costumes from the Tang Dynasty along with a beautiful dinner. We got our first and last taste of rice wine .... it was served hot and really did taste nasty. Thank goodness there was good old beer available.