▲ The bronze chariots and horses of the Terracotta Army are crafted with exquisite skill. Utilizing advanced alloy proportioning techniques and casting processes, they employ complex techniques such as solid casting, joining, welding, wire drawing, inlaying, and polishing. The entire chariot is painted with vibrant colors and diverse patterns, using pigments extracted from minerals. They embody the grandeur of Qin Shi Huang's imperial chariot and reflect the achievements of ancient Chinese culture and art. They are of significant value for studying Qin Dynasty metallurgy and bronze manufacturing techniques, as well as vehicle structure. In 2000, they were listed as one of the first batch of cultural relics prohibited from leaving the country for exhibition.
▲ The Terracotta Army fully presents the organization, equipment, and tactics of the Qin army, serving as important material evidence for the study of Qin Dynasty military affairs. Its bronze casting technology and painted craftsmanship also reflect the high level of technology in the Qin Dynasty. At the same time, the hairstyles and clothing of the terracotta warriors reflect social information such as the regional origins of the Qin people, making it a valuable window into understanding the history of the Qin Dynasty. In 1987, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Army were listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hailed as "an irreplaceable treasure in human history." It receives more than 8 million visitors every year, becoming a "golden name card" for showcasing Chinese civilization to the world.
▲ Experiencing the art of crafting terracotta warriors by hand is a cultural dialogue across millennia, brimming with novelty and a sense of accomplishment. When kneading the clay by hand, you must painstakingly shape the contours of the figures and carve the patterns on the armor, truly appreciating the dedication of Qin Dynasty artisans in the meticulous attention to detail in each unique aspect of the terracotta warriors. The process of mixing and painting colors demands even more patience; watching the unglazed clay gradually absorb the ancient hues feels like awakening a slumbering history. The moment you complete your piece, you not only receive a unique handmade souvenir but also gain a deeper understanding of the craftsmanship and historical weight of the terracotta warriors. Unlock a new crafting skill: making terracotta warriors! The texture of the clay under your fingertips feels like touching the winds of war from a thousand years ago—it was so meaningful for our perfect trip.
▲ Terracotta Army Restoration: The Ingenuity of Craftsmanship in Bringing Millennia-Old Fragments Back to Life and the Enduring Legacy of Technology: A Historical Dialogue Within the Fragments The restoration work demands immense patience and perseverance. Lan Desheng, a restorer with 24 years of experience, said he once considered giving up due to the tedium of piecing together the fragments, until a colleague told him to "read the small fragments like history books." The older generation of restorers once pieced together over 3,000 fragments of bronze chariots and horses; the current team has taken up the baton, ensuring each fragment is returned to its rightful place. In the eyes of the staff, restoration is not just a technical skill, but also a dialogue with history. When you run your hand under the tongue of a restored terracotta horse, you can almost feel its "breath"; gazing into the eyes of the painted terracotta warriors, you can almost hear the stories of a thousand years past. It is this combination of craftsmanship and technology that allows the Terracotta Army to transcend time and present itself in its complete form.
▲ A rich and distinctive lunchtime food showcase, a culinary delight not to be missed.
▲ The Xi'an Bell Tower, located in the heart of Xi'an, is one of the largest and best-preserved bell towers of its kind in China. A brick-and-wood structure, the Xi'an Bell Tower stands 36 meters tall and consists of a base, the main body, and the roof. It exhibits typical Ming Dynasty architectural style, with double eaves, bracket sets, a soaring pyramidal roof, and slightly upturned eaves, creating a magnificent and solemn appearance. The external double-eaved, three-tiered hip roof not only enhances the building's aesthetic appeal but also mitigates the impact of rainwater running down the eaves. The roof is a four-cornered pyramidal roof with four diagonal ridges that gradually taper from the eaves to the top, contributing to its dignified and stable appearance.
▲ Xi'an boasts many spectacular large-scale tourist performances. ***The Song of Everlasting Regret*:** Based on Bai Juyi's narrative poem of the same name, this performance takes place at Huaqing Palace. The 70-minute dance drama, comprised of ten acts, uses landscape scenery and classical music and dance to showcase the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty and the legendary love story of Li and Yang. Since its premiere in 2006, it has been performed over 6,500 times, attracting 12.9 million audience members. **Dreaming of the Tang Dynasty:** Performed at the Tang Paradise, this is a Tang Dynasty water dance and light show. Utilizing the natural landscape of the Tang Paradise as its stage, the performance employs an interactive "boat viewing" model. Inspired by Li Bai's poem "Drinking Alone Under the Moon," it incorporates numerous classic Tang Dynasty verses, leading the audience on a journey through the culture of the Tang Dynasty.
▲ The kneeling archer is a masterpiece among the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang and an outstanding representative of Qin Dynasty sculpture. Standing 128 cm tall, it was unearthed in 1976 from the eastern part of Pit 2 of the Terracotta Army and is now housed in the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum. The archer wears a round topknot, a knee-length robe with a cross-collar and right-fastening closure, over which is armor, and square-toed shoes. His right knee is kneeling, with his right toes touching the ground perpendicularly. His left leg is bent, and his upper body is slightly turned to the left. His hands are positioned on his right side, one above the other, as if holding a bow, depicting a single soldier practicing archery. It is one of the best-preserved terracotta warriors, and among the thousands excavated so far, it has not undergone artificial restoration. The folds of his clothing, the strands of his hair, and the stitches on his shoes are all clearly visible, and the original paint is also well-preserved.
▲ A view of a corner of the North Gate of Xi'an City Wall at night. A perfect blend of modern urban life and ancient civilization.
▲ Looking up at a corner of the city wall at night, its ancient charm is full of representative Chinese style.
▲ Overlooking the bustling night view of the Bell Tower in the beautiful ancient capital of Xi'an.
▲ Xi'an City Wall is the largest and best-preserved ancient city wall in China, and one of Xi'an's iconic landmarks. The wall has a closed rectangular outline, with a perimeter of 13.74 kilometers, a height of 12 meters, a top width of 12-14 meters, and a base width of 15-18 meters. There are 18 gates: the main gates are Chang'an Gate (East Gate), Yongning Gate (South Gate), Anding Gate (West Gate), and Anyuan Gate (North Gate). Each gate is equipped with a barbican, arrow tower, and outer wall, forming a triple-layered defensive system. In addition, there are moats, drawbridges, gate towers, corner towers, and other defensive structures. The overall cross-section is trapezoidal. The foundation is composed of loess and lime, while the wall itself is a combination of rammed earth and bricks, resulting in a robust structure.
▲ Located at the foot of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda in Yanta District, Xi'an, the Tang Dynasty Never Sleeps City is a large-scale pedestrian street featuring Tang Dynasty-style architecture against the backdrop of the prosperous Tang Dynasty. Covering a total area of 9.36 million square meters, it includes four major squares: the Big Wild Goose Pagoda North Square, Xuanzang Square, Zhenguan Square, and Innovation and New Era Square; four major cultural venues: the Xi'an Concert Hall and the Shaanxi Grand Theatre; and five major cultural sculptures, such as the Tang Dynasty Buddhist Culture and the Tang Dynasty Heroes' Chronicle. Featuring themed sculptures like "Paying Tribute from All Nations" and the Zhenguan Memorial Monument, it is a popular destination for experiencing and showcasing Xi'an's Tang Dynasty culture. At night, the street is brightly lit, and various exciting performances, such as the "tumbler doll" performance, are held, making it a national leader in immersive Tang Dynasty experiences and a pioneer in the nighttime economy.
▲ The Big Wild Goose Pagoda, also known as the Ci'en Temple Pagoda, is located in the Jin Chang Fang (south of present-day Xi'an, Shaanxi Province) of Chang'an City during the Tang Dynasty. Construction began in 652 AD (the third year of the Yonghui era) to preserve the Buddhist scriptures and statues brought back to Chang'an from India by the monk Xuanzang via the Silk Road. Standing 64.517 meters tall, its design is simple yet imposing. The seven-story pagoda is a square pyramid, tapering from bottom to top. Wooden stairs inside allow access to the top, and each of the four sides of each story has an arched doorway offering panoramic views. The base is approximately 4.2 meters high, 48.8 meters wide (north-south), and 48.4 meters long (east-west). The lowest story has sides measuring 25 meters, with each subsequent story gradually tapering to form a pyramidal shape. The Big Wild Goose Pagoda is the oldest and largest existing square-pavilion-style brick pagoda from the Tang Dynasty and a symbol of cultural exchange along the Silk Road.
▲ Pit 1 of the Terracotta Army of Qin Shi Huang is located about 1.5 kilometers east of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. It is a large-scale main force formation. It is 230 meters long from east to west, 62 meters wide from north to south, and about 5 meters deep, covering an area of 14,260 square meters. Thousands of terracotta warriors and horses of various types have been unearthed from the pit. According to exploration and estimation, the total number buried underground may exceed 10,000. The military formation layout of Pit 1 is rigorous. At the eastern end, three rows of 204 archer figures form the vanguard for long-range strikes. Behind them is a mixed square formation of chariots and infantry driven by 38 columns, which is the main force. There is a row of crossbowmen figures on the north and south sides and at the rear, forming the flanks and rear guard. This layout conforms to the ancient military principle of "there must be a vanguard and a rearguard."
