The Terra Cotta Warriors

Any trip to China should include the Terra Cotta Warriors. They aren't the only thing to see in Xi'an but what an experience!

It was a full day. The first stop was the Terra Cotta Warrior Factory where warriors in all sizes can be purchased. They are made exactly like the ones found just over twenty years ago when a farmer was digging a new well. After that, the actual Museum, which is a misnomer as it means the site where excavation continues to unearth more buried treasures from this dynasty. The whole complex is about an hour out of Xi'an. Words don't do it justice and I don't believe that pictures can really capture it. Speaking of pictures, the book I bought to prepare for China, said no pictures were allowed. WRONG! Nothing like updating your material Mr. Fodor. And fall was in full bloom as well and only diminished by overcast skies.

Statue by the entrance to the museum.

Pit number one; the largest of three.

Reassembled warrior and horses.

Chariot horse in a display case.

Young monk by archer warrior.

Some assembly required.

After the warriors it was back to Xi'an for the Old City Wall, The Bell Tower, The Drum Tower, and the Grand Mosque.

On the Old City Wall

Bell on the wall.

Looking down the wall.

The rabbit; my Chinese Zodiac sign.

The Dragon; Debbie's Chinese Zodiac sign

I was able to buy Meagan a fake Longchamp bag for $7.90. The woman gave me a calculator and I put in the amount I was willing to pay. Not a bad way to do business. Maybe that would make buying a car easier.

We were taken to a Tang Dynasty Cultural performance of traditional dance and music followed by a dumpling dinner. The dancing was much better than the food as one can only eat so many dumplings.

Back to the hotel and off to bed with another early pickup and a flight to Chongqing and the Yangtze River.