The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an, Shaanxi province of China is better known by the common name "The Terracotta Warriors" or "Terracotta Army." These clay soldiers are just one part of a much larger complex that made up the tomb for the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty of China, Qin Shi Huang. It was Qin Shi Huang who first conquered and unified the kingdoms to create China in the year 221 BC. Thus he is styled as the first emperor of China. The terracotta soldiers date to just after the time his death, 210 BC. They were discovered by some workmen in 1974, who were digging a well. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. Many believe that this is just part of the full wonders of the tomb. The main tomb lies behind the warriors. Under a large mound of earth is the location thought to be the resting place of the emperor. The mount remains unexcavated  and archaeologists hope that it is still intact. If so, the treasures found within will be amazing. However, there are no plans to open the main tomb. The Chinese believe that we do not have the technology perfected yet to preserve any artefacts  found and so it is best to leave the site undisturbed for later generations to explore. 

Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum

 The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an, Shaanxi province of China is better known by the common name "The Terracotta Warriors" or "Terracotta Army." These clay soldiers are just one part of a much larger complex that made up the tomb for the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty of China, Qin Shi Huang. It was Qin Shi Huang who first conquered and unified the kingdoms to create China in the year 221 BC. Thus he is styled as the first emperor of China. The terracotta soldiers date to just after the time his death, 210 BC. They were discovered by some workmen in 1974, who were digging a well. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. Many believe that this is just part of the full wonders of the tomb. The main tomb lies behind the warriors. Under a large mound of earth is the location thought to be the resting place of the emperor. The mount remains unexcavated  and archaeologists hope that it is still intact. If so, the treasures found within will be amazing. However, there are no plans to open the main tomb. The Chinese believe that we do not have the technology perfected yet to preserve any artefacts  found and so it is best to leave the site undisturbed for later generations to explore. 

 The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an, Shaanxi province of China is better known by the common name "The Terracotta Warriors" or "Terracotta Army." These clay soldiers are just one part of a much larger complex that made up the tomb for the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty of China, Qin Shi Huang. It was Qin Shi Huang who first conquered and unified the kingdoms to create China in the year 221 BC. Thus he is styled as the first emperor of China. The terracotta soldiers date to just after the time his death, 210 BC. They were discovered by some workmen in 1974, who were digging a well. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. Many believe that this is just part of the full wonders of the tomb. The main tomb lies behind the warriors. Under a large mound of earth is the location thought to be the resting place of the emperor. The mount remains unexcavated  and archaeologists hope that it is still intact. If so, the treasures found within will be amazing. However, there are no plans to open the main tomb. The Chinese believe that we do not have the technology perfected yet to preserve any artefacts  found and so it is best to leave the site undisturbed for later generations to explore. 

Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum

 The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an, Shaanxi province of China is better known by the common name "The Terracotta Warriors" or "Terracotta Army." These clay soldiers are just one part of a much larger complex that made up the tomb for the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty of China, Qin Shi Huang. It was Qin Shi Huang who first conquered and unified the kingdoms to create China in the year 221 BC. Thus he is styled as the first emperor of China. The terracotta soldiers date to just after the time his death, 210 BC. They were discovered by some workmen in 1974, who were digging a well. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. Many believe that this is just part of the full wonders of the tomb. The main tomb lies behind the warriors. Under a large mound of earth is the location thought to be the resting place of the emperor. The mount remains unexcavated  and archaeologists hope that it is still intact. If so, the treasures found within will be amazing. However, there are no plans to open the main tomb. The Chinese believe that we do not have the technology perfected yet to preserve any artefacts  found and so it is best to leave the site undisturbed for later generations to explore. 

Cities in Shaanxi

Shangluo

Shangluo

Hanzhong

Hanzhong

Ankang

Ankang

Xi'an

Xi'an

Tourist Sites in Shaanxi

Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum

Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum

 The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an, Shaanxi province of China is better known by the common name "The Terracotta Warriors" or "Terracotta Army." These clay soldiers are just one part of a much larger complex that made up the tomb for the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty of China, Qin Shi Huang. It was Qin Shi Huang who first conquered and unified the kingdoms to create China in the year 221 BC. Thus he is styled as the first emperor of China. The terracotta soldiers date to just after the time his death, 210 BC. They were discovered by some workmen in 1974, who were digging a well. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. Many believe that this is just part of the full wonders of the tomb. The main tomb lies behind the warriors. Under a large mound of earth is the location thought to be the resting place of the emperor. The mount remains unexcavated  and archaeologists hope that it is still intact. If so, the treasures found within will be amazing. However, there are no plans to open the main tomb. The Chinese believe that we do not have the technology perfected yet to preserve any artefacts  found and so it is best to leave the site undisturbed for later generations to explore. 
Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum

Qin Terracotta Warriors and Horses Museum

 The Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor in Xi'an, Shaanxi province of China is better known by the common name "The Terracotta Warriors" or "Terracotta Army." These clay soldiers are just one part of a much larger complex that made up the tomb for the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty of China, Qin Shi Huang. It was Qin Shi Huang who first conquered and unified the kingdoms to create China in the year 221 BC. Thus he is styled as the first emperor of China. The terracotta soldiers date to just after the time his death, 210 BC. They were discovered by some workmen in 1974, who were digging a well. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. Many believe that this is just part of the full wonders of the tomb. The main tomb lies behind the warriors. Under a large mound of earth is the location thought to be the resting place of the emperor. The mount remains unexcavated  and archaeologists hope that it is still intact. If so, the treasures found within will be amazing. However, there are no plans to open the main tomb. The Chinese believe that we do not have the technology perfected yet to preserve any artefacts  found and so it is best to leave the site undisturbed for later generations to explore. 

Intro to Shaanxi

The heart of ancient Qin dynasty China, Shaanxi is steeped in history. Here the first emperor of China, 2200 years ago, ruled the new empire. He is entombed near Xi'an city. Alongside him stand the world famous Terracotta Warriors, set to guard the tomb for all eternity. The city walls of Xi'an are the best preserved in all China.

History of Shaanxi

Shaanxi is considered one of the cradles of Chinese civilization. Thirteen feudal dynasties established their capitals in the province during a span of more than 1,100 years, from the Zhou Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty.
The province's principal city and current capital, Xi'an, is one of the four great ancient capitals of China and is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, which leads to Europe, Arabia and Africa.

Under the Han Dynasty, the Northern Silk Road was expanded to advance exploration and military purposes to the west. This Northern Silk Road is the northernmost of the Silk Roads and is about 2600 kilometres in length. It connected the ancient Chinese capital of Xi'an to the west over the Wushao Ling Pass to Wuwei and emerging in Kashgar before linking to ancient Parthia.

Under the Ming dynasty, Shaanxi was incorporated into Gansu but was again separated in the Qing dynasty.
One of the most devastating earthquakes in history occurred near Hua Shan, in south-eastern part of Shaanxi Province on January 23, 1556, killing an estimated 830,000 people (see 1556 Shaanxi earthquake).

The end of the short-lived Jiangxi Soviet signalled the beginning of the Long March by Mao Zedong and the Chinese Communists to the Shaanxi Soviet at Yan'an.

Culture of Shaanxi

Nearly all the people in Shaanxi are ethnic Han Chinese, with pockets of Hui population in the north western region (adjacent to Ningxia). The southern part of Shaanxi, known as Guanzhong, where the provincial capital Xi'an is located, is more populated compared to the northern part.

Industry of Shaanxi

Shaanxi's nominal GDP for 2008 was 685.1 billion RMB (98 billion USD) and GDP Per Capita was 18,246 RMB (2,627 USD). It ranked 22nd in the PRC.