Terra Cotta Soldiers In Xian Awaiting A Call To Arms
Xian and the Terra Cotta Soldiers are now famous almost worldwide all because a Chinese peasant decided to do some digging in the earth! Xian also has the peaceful scenic garden of Hua Qing Hot Springs where the Emperor Xuan Zhong was filled with remorse after killing Lady Yang, and there is a white marble statue of her standing in the main pond. Xian people's skills are being used in producing models of the Terra Cotta Soldiers, which are on sale almost everywhere, and this is a means of supplementing their income. Xian has benefited from the discovery of the Terra Cotta Soldiers, a boon for the city, attracting tourists from all over the world, and there is much to see there. It is believed that the soldiers, now on show, are only a small part of the thousands awaiting to be unearthed, so it remains to be seen what other spectacular discoveries will be made in Xian in future years.
Destruction
'' There is evidence of a large fire that burned the wooden structures once housing the Terracotta Army. The fire was described by Sima Qian who described them as the consequences of General Xiang Yu who raided the tomb less than five years after the death of the First Emperor. It is said that the effects of General Xiangs army included looting of the tomb and structures holding the Terracotta Army, as well as setting fire to the necropolis and starting a blaze that lasted for three months. Despite this fire, however, much of the remains of the Terracotta Army still survive in various stages of preservation, surrounded by remnants of the burnt wooden structures.
Today nearly two million people visit the site annually, and almost one-fifth are foreigners. The Terracotta Army now serves as both a phenomenal archaeological discovery as well as an icon of Chinas distant past recognizable the world over. The power and military achievement of the First Emperor Qin Shi Huang is evident in the massive and monumental achievements present throughout his tomb complex, most notably the 8,000+ terracotta figures eternally serving to protect their leader.
In 1999, it was reported that pottery warriors were suffering from "nine different kinds of mould", caused by raised temperatures and humidity in the building which houses the soldiers, and the breath of tourists.[1] In addition, South China Morning Post reported the figures have become oxidised grey from being exposed to air, which may cause noses and hairstyles may disappear, and falling arms.[2]. However, the officials dismissed the claims.[3] In Daily Planet Goes to China, the Terracotta Warriors segment reported the Chinese scientists found soot on the surface of the statue, concluding that the pollution introduced from coal burning plants was responsible for the decaying of the terracota statues.
Src: Wikipedia ''
Ancient City Wall Protects Xian and Attracts Tourists in China.
This Chinese city of Xian has many historic attractions but a walk through the streets is equally enjoyable, and you will see how the ordinary people go about their daily lives, working, shopping, eating, and sometimes even sleeping! Language is never a problem when you want to travel or buy something, but the difference becomes frustrating when you wish you were able to have a conversation with the many different people you meet during your visit. Xian has a city wall of impressive proportions, a construction not presenting too much difficulty in this modern age,  but this one was built some 600 years earlier, without the use of the modern equipment we take for granted. Unfortunately I do not know enough about Chinese history to be able to give the reasons for its construction. Perhaps it was built to protect Xian city from gunpowder rockets. There is a much older city wall at Qian Chen in Hunan Province, which I visited a few years later, and I think this might have been built as a protection from bows and arrows !
Chinese Cooks Prepare Chinese Food Served at Tables on the Streets of Xian.
Xian is a city where you can walk through the gardens of Hua Qing aka Hot Springs, and through the immense exhibition hall protecting the Terra Cotta Soldiers; have your evening meal of Chinese noodles freshly made by hand, at a street table while the mouth watering smells of hot Chinese food fill the air; walk along the top of the Xian city wall and be amazed at its construction without the use of modern equipment; whatever your interests may be, you will be sure to find something to fascinate you in Xian
Wild Card
Chinese New Year celebrated by Chinese people in Beijing. "Bringer Of Prosperity" for the Chinese New Year in lobby of China hotel. Traditional savory dumplings on eve of Chinese New Year. Chinese children receive Fun Bao at Chinese New Year. No fireworks for Chinese New Year in Beijing. Chinese New Year aka Spring Festival.
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The Chinese paper cuts included in Robert's wild cards, were distributed by the China National Tourism Administration in the form of a special twelve picture calendar for the year 1999. The work of cutting and mounting all the Chinese Paper cuts was carried out by farmers in the Shanxi Province of China. |
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| Wild card picture of Shaolin Temple boy sleeping after active day preparing to become a kung fu student. The boy sleeping with his head resting on table, perhaps dreaming of Kung Fu, could not be tempted by the Chinese food on the supper table. |
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| Three Times Cooked Pork: Pictures of Chinese food includes belly pork boiled, fried and steamed with preserved dried vegetables, Chinese style. The three times cooked belly pork in the wild card picture is a savoury Chinese food to melt in your mouth! |
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| On arrival at the Peking Duck restaurant, we were ushered to our table near the tableau of models of the founder of the Qian Men restaurant, together with a model of a chef carrying a Qian Men Roast Duck on a tray. A short time later, the 5th generation owner of the Qian Men restaurant, Madam Yang, joined us at table. |
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