Xian, China’s first emperor, and his Terracotta Warriors
The first place is near Xian, which was the capital of thirteen of China’s dynasties.
In 1974, Chinese farmers digging a well near Xian discovered the first of the terracotta warriors guarding China’s first emperor, Shi Huangdi, of the Qin Dynasty (221 – 207 BC).
The terracotta warriors are one of China’s most popular tourist attractions. About 10 million tourists visit annually. No two terracotta soldiers look alike.
The first emperor centralized the government, standardized the written language, currency, and weights and measures. With these changes, he created China’s national identity. Forcing hundreds of thousands of workers, he also had The Great Wall completed.
Most Chinese believe in the immortality of the spirit and life after death.
It is a tradition that most Chinese believe there is continuity between life and death, and people may take things with them for comfort in the spiritual world, which explains why the first emperor had such an elaborate tomb built.
Continued with Part 2 on February 28, 2018
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Lloyd Lofthouse is the award-winning author of My Splendid Concubine, Crazy is Normal, Running with the Enemy, and The Redemption of Don Juan Casanova.
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[…] and I have been to four of the top ten: the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Warriors. I have also been to the Ming and Qing Dynasties Imperial Tombs, South China Karst region along the […]
Xian was the first city I visited in mainland China! After that wonderful experience, I moved here and never looked back. Looking forward to your next post.
Thank you. Do you live inside the walls? Last time I was there was in 2008, and they were still working on the new subway system. How are the subways in Xian now?
Actually, I live in Shenzhen. The subway was nice when I visited 3.5 years ago.
I’ve used the subways in Shanghai and Beijing and find that its easier to get around the city when you do. Taxis are way to slow because of the thick traffic. Sometimes, it was faster to walk than take a taxi.
I agree. And walking within the walls of Xian is a treat for the eyes.
Taking a walk on the wall is a treat too and if you stay in a hotel outside of but in sight of the wall, you get to see them at night when they light up. A stunning view.