The Terracotta Army

History of the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army was created over 2,000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE). It was built by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, who was the first emperor to unify China and create a centralized state. The emperor believed that the Terracotta Army would help him rule the empire in the afterlife, just as he had in life.

The construction of the Terracotta Army began in 210 BCE, soon after Emperor Qin Shi Huang ascended to the throne. It took over 720,000 workers and craftsmen more than 10 years to complete the army. The Terracotta Army was buried with the emperor in a massive mausoleum complex in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.

Discovery of the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers who were digging a well in Xi’an. The farmers stumbled upon a large number of terracotta statues, which they initially thought were ancient Buddhist statues. However, upon further inspection, they realized that the statues were actually soldiers and horses.

Excavation of the Terracotta Army

The excavation of the Terracotta Army began in 1975, and it took over 10 years to uncover the entire army. The excavation process was slow and painstaking, as the statues were fragile and had to be carefully removed from the soil.

The Terracotta Army is divided into three main sections: the Infantry Army, the Cavalry Army, and the Chariot Army. The Infantry Army consists of over 6,000 soldiers, each with a unique facial expression and clothing. The Cavalry Army consists of over 1,000 horses and riders, while the Chariot Army consists of over 100 chariots and horses.

Features of the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is known for its life-sized statues, which are between 1.8 and 2.2 meters tall. Each statue is made of terracotta, a type of clay, and weighs around 100 kilograms. The statues are intricately detailed, with each soldier having a unique facial expression, clothing, and weapons.

The Terracotta Army is also known for its impressive military formation. The soldiers are arranged in a formation that resembles a real army, with soldiers standing in ranks and files. The formation is designed to protect the emperor’s tomb from evil spirits and invaders.

Significance of the Terracotta Army

The Terracotta Army is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it is a testament to the advanced craftsmanship and engineering skills of ancient Chinese civilization. The Terracotta Army is a remarkable achievement, given the technology and resources available at the time.

Secondly, the Terracotta Army provides valuable insights into ancient Chinese history and culture. The statues are based on real soldiers and weapons, which provides a glimpse into the military tactics and strategies of the time.

Thirdly, the Terracotta Army is a symbol of China’s rich cultural heritage and is considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. It has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and attracts millions of visitors each year.

The Terracotta Army is a remarkable archaeological discovery that provides valuable insights into ancient Chinese history and culture. The life-sized statues of soldiers, horses, and chariots are a testament to the advanced craftsmanship and engineering skills of ancient Chinese civilization. The Terracotta Army is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in Chinese history and culture, and it continues to fascinate visitors from around the world.

A thousand years ago China’s civilization towered over those of the peoples of Europe. China’s history began either about 4,000 B.C. or about 2,700 B.C. with a succession of wise emperors who introduced the elements of a civilization. They instructed their people, and prudently positioned China, as early as in the third millennium B.C., to an astonishingly high cultural level.

The Peking Man makes his appearance in the Far East at a time when remains in other parts of the world are very rare and are disputed. The Peking Man lived in caves; no doubt he was a hunter, in possession of very simple stone implements and also of the art of making fire. At the time of the Peking Man there must have been a warmer and especially a damper climate in North China and Inner Mongolia than today. Historical accounts have recorded, for instance, that stone implements were still in use in Manchuria and eastern Mongolia at a time when metal was known and used in western Mongolia and northern China.

Agriculture sector

About 4,000 B.C., we can trace in North China a purely Mongoloid people with a Neolithic culture. In place of hunters we find cattle breeders, who are to some extent agriculturists as well. In the west, in the present provinces of Szechwan and in all the mountain regions of the provinces of Kansu and Shensi, lived the ancestors of the Tibetan peoples as another separate culture. They were shepherds, generally wandering with their flocks of sheep and goats on the mountain heights. Farther east is the Yao culture, an early Austronesian culture, the people of which also lived in the mountains, as collectors and hunters, some engaging in simple agriculture. They mingled later with the last great culture of the south, the Tai culture that is distinguished by agriculture. The people lived in the valleys and mainly cultivated rice.

A group which occupied the higher altitudes and practiced hunting or slash-and-burn agriculture came into closer contact with another group in the valleys which practiced some form of higher agriculture. The result, as a rule, was a stratified society being made up of at least one privileged and one ruled stratum. Thus there came into existence around 2,000 B.C. some new cultures, which are well known archeologically. The most important of these are the Yang-Shao culture in the west and the Lung-Shan culture in the east.

Chinese historical tradition

Chinese historical tradition has it that the semi-historical rulers, Yao and Shun, and the first official dynasty, the Hsia dynasty ruled over parts of China with a centre in southern Shansi. The central territory of the Shang realm lay in north-western Honan, alongside the Shansi Mountains and extending into the plains. It was a peasant civilization with towns. The Shang state had its centre in northern Honan, north of the Yellow river. Silk was already in use at this time. The invention of sericulture must therefore have dated from very ancient times in China. It undoubtedly originated in the south of China.

The intellectual level attained in the Shang period was very high. With these 3,000 characters the Chinese of the Shang period were able to express themselves well. In the field of material culture, horse-breeding becomes more and more evident. With horse-breeding the two-wheeled light war chariot makes its appearance. A Shang-time chariot was manned by three men: the warrior who was a nobleman, his driver, and his servant who handed him arrows or other weapons when needed. Families of artisans and craftsmen also were hereditary servants of noble families–a type of social organisation which has its parallels in ancient Japan and in later India and other parts of the world. We find in the early Chou time the typical signs of true feudalism: fiefs were given in a ceremony in which symbolically a piece of earth was handed over to the new fief holder, and his installment. The Chou had no priests. As with all the races of the steppes, the head of the family himself performed the religious rites. The feudal lords and nobles were occupied with their own problems in securing the submission of the surrounding villages to their garrisons; they soon paid little attention to the distant central authority. Much of the bronze, and later all the iron, for use in northern China came from the south by road and in ships that went up the rivers to Ch’i, where it was distributed among the various regions.

We must consider the intellectual history of this period, for between 550 and 280 B.C. the enduring fundamental influences in the Chinese social order and in the whole intellectual life of China had their origin. China’s best-known philosopher, Confucius was one of these scholars. He was born in 551 B.C. in the feudal state Lu in the present province of Shantung. Confucius gave up his wanderings, settled in his home town of Lu, and there taught his disciples until his death in 479 B.C. Confucius’s importance lies in the fact that he systematized a body of ideas, not of his own creation, and communicated it to a circle of disciples. His teachings were later set down in writing and formed the moral code of the upper classes of China.

Significant changes

The introduction of cavalry brought a change in clothing all over China, for the former long skirt-like garb could not be worn on horseback. Trousers and the riding-cap were introduced from the north. The new technique of war made it important for every state to possess as many soldiers as possible. The technique of cultivation underwent some significant changes. The animal-drawn plough seems to have been invented during this period, and from now on, some metal agricultural implements like iron sickles and iron plough-shares became more common. Manuring of fields was used in Shang era. The increased use of metal and the invention of coins greatly stimulated trade. Iron which now became common, was produced mainly in Shansi, other metals in South China. The rulers of the various states entrusted the merchants with the collection of taxes, and this had great advantages for the ruler: he could obtain part of the taxes as the merchant usually had grain in stock.

Recent findings in Central Asia indicate that direct connections between India, Persia, and China may have started at a time much earlier than we had formerly thought. Sogdian merchants who later played a great role in commercial contacts might have been active already from 350 or 400 B.C. on and might have been the transmitters of new ideas. The most important philosopher of this school was Tsou Yen. Its opined that Tsou Yen’s basic ideas had their root in earlier Chinese speculations: the doctrine that all that exists is to be explained by the positive, creative, or the negative, passive action (Yang and Yin) of the five elements, wood, fire, earth, metal, and water.

Some people place the beginning of the Ch’in dynasty in that year, 256 B.C.; others prefer the date 221 B.C. It is believed that strong relations with eastern Turkestan began in this period, and the state of Ch’in must have drawn big profits from its “foreign trade”. The merchant class quickly gained more and more importance. In 221 B.C. Shih Huang-ti had become emperor of all China. The trading colonies that gradually extended to Canton and still farther south served as Chinese administrative centres for provinces and prefectures, with small but adequate armies of their own, so that in case of need they could defend themselves. This first realm of the Hsiung-nu was not yet extensive, but its ambitious and warlike attitude made it a danger to Ch’in. It was therefore decided to maintain a large permanent army in the north. In addition to this, the frontier walls already existing in the mountains were rebuilt and made into a single great system. Thus came into existence in 214 B.C., out of the blood and sweat of countless labourers, the famous Great Wall.

In 206 B.C. Liu Chi assumed the title of Emperor and gave his dynasty the name of the Han Dynasty. After his death he was given as emperor the name of Kao Tsu. The period of the Han dynasty may be described as the beginning of the Chinese Middle Ages, while that of the Ch’in dynasty represents the transition from antiquity to the Middle Age. Wang Mang’s dynasty lasted only from A.D. 9 to 23; but it was one of the most stirring periods of Chinese history. Wang Mang’s great series of certain laws has brought him the name of “the first Socialist” on the throne of China.

The famous Shih Chi, is the first historical work of the modern type and it was also the model for all later official historiography. Most of the painting was done on silk, of which plenty came into the market through the control of silk-producing southern China. Paper had meanwhile been invented in the Second Century B.C by perfecting the techniques of making bark-cloth and felt. Sculpture and temple architecture received a great stimulus with the spread of Buddhism in China. All the dynasties of China can’t be captured in one article, as their regal splendour requires volumes. China has grown over the centuries and its heritage will last for many more centuries.

With so many remarkable options to choose from, both man-made and natural, it was always going to be a hard task narrowing them down to just a few top choices, but it had to be done. So if you’re planning on ticking a few off your must-see UNESCO list, these are the sites you absolutely can’t miss.

The Great Wall of China

Is there any other way to start this list than with one of the truly great wonders of the world? Of course not! As China’s most famous attraction, no trip or tour is complete without visiting the Great Wall of China. Construction on this behemoth began in 221BC, and work continued well into the year 1644, when it was finally deemed complete during the Ming dynasty. An incredible feat of defensive architecture, its main purpose was to protect the Chinese people from northern invaders and to shield the Silk Road trade. One of the most popular and best place to see the Great Wall of China is at Juyong Pass, located just outside Beijing. Other locations where you can clamber up the steeps steps and go for a stroll are at the Mutianyu portion, which has been recently restored, or the Jinshanling section, which is renowned for its spectacular views. Ever wondered how long is the Great Wall of China? Stretching 21,000 kilometres it’s officially the longest wall in the world. Talk about impressive!

Forbidden City

Journey into the very heart of Beijing and you’ll find the city’s most revered site. The Forbidden City China is the largest and best-preserved Imperial Palace in the world, and was home to 24 emperors – 14 from the Ming dynasty and 10 from the Qing dynasty. Venture over the moat and through the scarlet 10-metre-tall walls and you’ll find 74 hectares of stunning ancient buildings, traditional gardens, three great halls and more than a few bronze lion statues. Built in 1406 and named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, the purpose of the Forbidden City was to act as the royal residence for the in-power emperor, and its name was derived from the rule that it was forbidden to enter the palace grounds without special permission from the emperor.

Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

While its official name might be the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, most people know this historic site as the Terracotta Army. An amazing archaeological discovery when it was first stumbled upon in 1974, the 76-metre deep tomb dates back to 246BC, and it’s not hard to understand why this is one of the best things to see in China. Housed inside the mausoleum are more than 8,000 eerily realistic and life-size terracotta figures, ranging from soldiers to chariots and horses. It’s believed the figures were placed there in battle-like formation to act as guards for Emperor Qin in the afterlife. What’s even more astonishing is that each warrior is different and boasts unique facial features, haircuts, outfits and expressions. That’s not all though, in other vaults within the tomb you’ll also find weaponry and bronze chariots – no wonder it’s one of the top sights in China.

Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area

Want to know where James Cameron got his inspiration for the mystical-looking world he created in the blockbuster movie Avatar? Then head to Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Area in China’s Hunan Province. Encompassing the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Suoxi Valley Nature Reserve, Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve and the newly added Yangjiajie Scenic Area, this unbelievably picturesque region is dominated by more than 3,000 sandstone pillars, deep ravines, dense forests and limestone caves. Highlights also include the Tianmen Mountain Cableway, which is the longest in the world, and the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge, the longest and highest glass-bottom bridge in the world. With more than 560 different sites to visit though, make sure you allow yourself at least three to four days to fully immerse yourself in this mind-blowing environment.

Fujian Tulou

A fairly recent addition to the list of UNESCO Heritage Sites in China, the tulou or earth buildings of the Fujian Province were only officiated in 2008, despite mostly being built between the 12th and 20th centuries. These round, fortress-like houses were constructed by the minority Hakka people, who were driven south from their northern homeland because of civil war. Made from a mixture of packed earth and clay, the distinctive high walls and circular opening in the centre of the tulous provided safety and security, and would traditionally house whole family units. These impressive structures are completely different to any other kind of Chinese architecture, and you can actually stay in one if you visit the Fujian Province. Now if you ask us, that would have to be up there as one of the top things to do in China.

Mogao Caves

Whatever name you choose to call the Mogao Caves by (the site is also known as the Mogao Grottoes, Thousand Buddha Grottoes or Cave of the Thousand Buddhas), there is no denying just how special this cultural site is. Situated along the Silk Road, this system of 492 caves holds some of the most precious examples of Buddhist art, including coloured statues, painted murals, silk banners and printed images. Carved into the sandstone cliffs between the fourth and 14th centuries, it’s believed the caves were also used as places of pilgrimage, worship and meditation. In 1990 the discovery of the Library Caves unearthed a treasure trove of manuscripts and relics, providing a new insight into the practices, traditions and lifestyle of this rather secretive culture.

Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries

As the country’s much loved national animal, giant pandas are synonymous with China, so it makes sense that the giant panda sanctuaries of Sichuan have found themselves on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Roughly 30 percent of these highly endangered creatures are found within the Sichuan sanctuaries, which comprise seven nature reserves and nine scenic parks. These dense bamboo forests form the largest remaining habitat of the giant panda, and also act as some of the most important captive breeding sites. The Sichuan sanctuaries don’t just protect the giant pandas though – the endangered red panda, snow leopard and cloudy leopard also roam safe in the region, benefiting from the conservation efforts that have gone into safeguarding the giant pandas.

China Danxia Landforms

With so many of China’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites being man-made, it’s often easy to forget just how naturally beautiful the country is. Well, a visit to the Danxia landforms in China’s south-west is a good reminder. The remarkable geological occurrence is characterised by sandstone cliffs, natural pillars and rainbow-coloured canyons, mountains and valleys. With rusty brown rock formations and steep ravines, it’s easy to draw comparisons with America’s Red Rock Canyon and Australia’s Purnululu National Park, however some of the landforms do transition into watery and more leafy terrain in certain areas. Hiking through the Danxia is the best way to witness the jaw-dropping phenomenon for yourself, and make sure you have your camera at the ready – the rainbow mountains are made for Instagram.

Hero image: Hall of Supreme Harmony, Forbidden City. Credit: Justin Lim on Unsplash.

Well… why not work your way around China’s World Heritage-listed sites? China has more heritage-listed attractions than anywhere else in the world, and they are so jaw-dropping you might forget to take a photo.

1. The Great Wall of China

The name tells you everything you need to know – the Great Wall of China really is a great wall, a massive expanse of brick and stone, with gatehouses and passes, extending for 21,000 kilometres across China (good news for us – there’s plenty of wall to visit). Construction on the wall started around a thousand years ago, with the aim of protecting China’s borders against enemies like the Huns. Even though it’s not needed for defensive purposes anymore, much of the wall is still standing. It’s only when you’re standing on the wall, looking at it extend as far as you can see in both directions, that you can get any sense of its truly mighty scale.

2. Fujian Tulou

The tulou did communal housing before it was a buzzword for architectural types and politicians. Built in Fujian province for over 500 years, these multi-storey buildings have both a defensive and social purpose. Constructed in a circle, with tall mud walls presenting an easily defendable face to the world, the tulou function as mini villages, sometimes housing up to hundreds of people. The living quarters are all in the circle, with a village ‘square’ in the centre. These buildings have a look of an amphitheatre or bull-fighting ring – big, impressive, notable – and very surprising amidst the rural farmland.

3. Forbidden City

Imperial China did things on a big scale – you could live your entire life in the Forbidden City, and not see it all, as the palace complex has almost a thousand buildings. It was built in the 15th century, when the capital of China moved from Nanjing to Beijing. Constructed on a rectangular site in the political and ceremonial heart of Beijing (Tiananmen Square is just outside one of the gates), the Forbidden City is an overwhelming display of ornamented and mighty wooden buildings crafted and landscaped with the highest skill. It was meant to represent the power of the emperor and the empire – and by the emperor’s robes does it deliver.

4. Hongcun Village

We don’t know why Hongcun Village in Anhui Province isn’t big on Instagram – this graceful and well-preserved Anhui village is ridiculously picturesque. The village is constructed around two pools, with canals that run throughout town. The pools are lined by two-storey buildings, painted in white with dark detailing and tiles. It’s so peaceful you might feel time stop. Traditional villages are disappearing quickly in China, which makes this village all the more notable.

5. The Old Town of Lijiang

The Old Town of Lijiang in Yunnan might just seem like a pretty historic town built over hills and rivers on first glance – but take the time to explore and you’ll find a town in remarkable harmony with its surroundings. From above, the town looks like a bunch of grey shields facing the sky, but down on the streets you’ll find a town of colour, with architectural styles that draw from a range of influences. There are canals flowing throughout the town, a still-working aqueduct system providing water to buildings throughout the town. We hesitate to make the comparison to Venice, but if the shoe fits…

6. Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

It’s not everyone who gets sent into the afterlife accompanied by a terracotta army of over 8000 warriors (plus terracotta horses and chariots). But then, the first Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huang, was the man famous for first conquering and unifying China – so it’s pretty fitting. Although these terracotta warriors were made over 2000 years ago, the faces almost seem alive. It’s not just a historical record, but a record of craft and skill.

7. Longmen Grottoes

Like a treasure chest carved into cliffs, the Longmen Grottoes protect one of the most remarkable collections of Buddhist art in the world, carved over hundreds of years in the Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. These grottoes, which extend for a kilometre along the river cliffs on both sides of the Yi River, hide thousands upon thousands of intricately carved stone statues, which used to be painted. It’s a bit of a hike to see them all, but so worth it.

8. China Danxia

Although China is rich in man-made beauty, it’s even richer in natural beauty. Outside of the polluted main cities is a landscape that Hollywood dreams are made of – particularly China Danxia, a geological occurrence that results in dramatic red sandstone landforms in all sorts of strange shapes (some of them a bit rude). These formations form mountains and pillars, surrounded by suitably dramatic landscapes of plunging waterfalls, deep ravines and verdant forests. It looks like the land that time forgot, and the protected areas extends across 1200 kilometres.

At many sites you can see Mao’s shame, but you can’t blame him entirely. A major thrust of the May 4th Movement which broke out after 1919 was the rejection of China’s traditional culture, given the convenient label of ‘Confucianism’. China could not become modern, and thus the leading power again until it had been destroyed.

It is ironic therefore that the government refuses to restore the Yuanmingyuan, the Old Summer Palace, destroyed by French and British troops in 1861, as a monument to the evils of Western Imperialism, when the Red Guards sacked thousands of such sites, especially religious sites, all over China.