Xi'an, or Chang'an as it was known in Chinese history, is one among the seven ancient capitals of China. As the capital of Shanxi Province and the largest city in northwest China, it has a population of 1.77 million. A history of 1160 years had altogether been experienced by it since its functioning from 1122 B.C. onward as the capital of eleven dynasties, including the Western Zhou, (11th century--770 B.C.), Qin (221--207 B.C.), Western Han (206 B.C.--A.D.24), Sui (581--618) and Tang (618--907). As early as in the Tang, Chang'an was already a metropolis with a population over a million. It had served as the starting point of the Silk Road, a famous route leading to the Western Regions from China.

  Some famous Tang poets, such as Li Bai, Du Fu and Bai Juyi, wrote indelible poems in Chang'an. In present-day Xi'an there still stand the Greater Wild Goose Pagoda, Lesser Wild Goose Pagoda, the Forest  of Steles and the ancient Bell and Drum towers as witnesses to the past prosperous culture of ancient Xi'an. In addition, Xi'an remains the only city with ancient city walls still well preserved in China. The present-day city walls were built in the Ming Dynasty (1375).

  Ancient cultural remains are numerous in Xi'an. Adding to its fame are several dozens of renowned tourist attractions, such as the remains of the primitive settlement at Banpo Village, Mount Lishan, tomb of the Yellow Emperor, Tomb of Qin Shi Huang, Museum of Qin Terra-Cotta Soldiers and Horses, Zhaoling (tomb of Tang Emperor Tai Zong), Qianling (tomb of Tang Emperor Gao Zhong with Empress Wu Zetian) and Maoling, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, Small Wild Pagoda, Bell Tower, the Forest of Steles and Grouching Dragon Temple. 35 kilometers to the east of Xi'an towers the magnificent Mt. Huashan, and 15 kilometers to the northeast of the city lies the excavation site of the fossils of Lantian Man.

  Many modern tourist facilities have been built in Xi'an for receiving visitors from home and abroad, including the People's Hotel, Xi'an Guest House, Jinhua Hotel, Zhuque Hotel, Zhonglou Hotel and Shanxi Guest House. Fast and convenient is urban traffic in Xi'an; there are direct flights from Xi'an to scores of other major Chinese cities, including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Nanjing and Guilin.

  Of great renown are Xi'an's arts and crafts, including its Tang tricoloured glazed pottery imitations, northern Shanxi papercuts, coir matting and other coir articles from Hanzhong. Edible fungus, Chinese prickly ash, musk, Chinese angelica and Xifeng Spirit are specialities commanding wide demand among the customers. Xi'an is also famed for its local food, Griddle Cakes in Mutton Soup.

  Built on the ruins of Qin terra-cotta warriors and horses, the museum is grand in size, and lies to the south of Mountain Lishan and north of Wei River, 35 kilometers east from Xi'an.
  The museum is the largest of its kind built on the ancient ruins in China. With its quiet and peaceful surroundings, the museum is magnificent and attractive.
  Besides the exhibition of the three Qin terra-cotta pits, the museum has other displays introducing Qin Mausoleum, the cultural relics from Qin terra-cotta pits, and the bronze chariots and horses. Many years of hard working has made the museum one of the most famous museums in the world.

  The most important part of Qin Shi Huang mausoleum is the terra-cotta warrior and horse pits situated in the south of Xi-yang Village, 1.5 kilometers from the tomb.
  On east side of Pit 1 stands three rows of war-robed warriors, facing east. They are the vanguard of the army with bows and arrows in hands. On the south side stands a row of warriors, facing south, which are considered to be the right flank of the army.

  On the north side stands a row of warriors facing north, which are the left flank. On the west end of the pit, stands a row of soldiers, facing west. In the middle stands 38 rows of soldiers facing east.
  Among every 4 rows is a war chariot. All together there are about 6000 terra-cotta warriors and horses forming the main body of the army.

  Pit 2 consists of four parts: in the east end stand the crossbowmen surrounding this contingent, composed of 160 kneeling and 172 standing crossbowmen. On the south side of the pit is the chariot formation, consisting of 64 war chariots. In the middle, is the combination the chariots, infantrymen and cavalrymen, and at north side stand 108 cavalrymen with the chariots and horses, as their vanguard.

 

  All these parts can fight either independently or cooperatively. There are about 1300 warriors and horses in the pit serving as the flank army force in reserve. In Pit 3 stands 68 armored warriors and a four-horsed chariot, which serves as the command headquarters. Based on the materials gathered so far, the three pets are expected to have housed more than 130 war chariots, 150 horses, 116 cavalry saddled horses and more than 7000 armored warriors, suggesting a realistic view of Qin army.
  Terra-cotta warriors and horses are not only of a treasure house of art, but also a grand display hall of all kinds of weapons in Qin Dynasty.

  The Bronze chariots and horses were unearthed 20 metres west of the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum in 1980, two sets in all. After restoration, they are settled in a special hall and open to public.
  Chariot No. 1 was called Liche--a battle chariot with people standing on it for protection in ancient times. Chariot No. 2 was called Wenliangche, the chariot for tour and inspection. They are both symbols of the grand of honor of Qin Shi Huang during his life-time.

 

  The two sets of bronze chariots and horses are regarded as "the best bronze" or "the gem of China", which are the only perfect one in structures of ancient chariots unearthed so far in China.

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