Why build yourself and army made of terracotta? Ego perhaps, to look after you in the after world or just for the sake of it. Who knows what inspired Emperor Qin Shi to have this army of 8,000 or so soldiers and cavalry constructed but it sure makes an interesting tourist attraction.
The army built around 200 BC was the work of 700,000 workers for 38 years. 2000 years later and only a small part of this army is visible, much of it destroyed by fire and flooding. You can see about a hundred or so warriors that have been restored, whats amazing is that no two warriors were identical.
Another great Chinese construction can be found near the exit of the site, a large shopping complex, 90% empty with about 20 shops all trying to sell you, yes you guessed it miniature terracotta warriors. I guess they overestimated the appetite for tat that the 2,000,000 visitors a year here have.
Highlights: Pottery followed by tea
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