Xi’an and the Terra-cotta Soldiers

Today we got a very early start so that we could be first in line at the terra-cotta soldiers museum. It was a great idea as it became very busy very fast. We got good views of the enormity of the place.  Thousands of terra-cotta warriors, who were built solely for the purpose of being buried to protect the Emperor in death, yet they were destroyed before serving their purpose.  Such a massive undertaking both to construct, but also to destroy!  Tour guide Ray confirmed that to date, not a single warrior has been found in one piece. The people revolted as soon as they heard the Emperor was dead, and they stole all of the weapons these soldiers held and smashed everything. They are still uncovering many new pieces daily, and putting together possibly the biggest jigsaw puzzle known to man.

After the museum, we went to a local restaurant that also worked in terra-cotta and the constructed their own warriors!  You could even get one modeled after your own face. I neglected to see what that honor would cost. 🤪 we were then showed the burial mound where the Emperor still rests, and they do not plan to excavate. 

We then had a few hours to relax back at the hotel before our evening excursion of dinner theater telling the story of the only female Emperor who took the throne upon her husbands death. It was nice, but soooo tired and we have an extra early wake up call tomorrow as we must leave the hotel by 6am to catch our flight to Tibet.  I’m excited, but now very nervous about my naivety about elevations and what can happen at high altitudes. Fingers crossed I don’t experience altitude sickness.