In 1974 farmers near the city of Xi'an were digging a well when they discovered some broken pieces of pottery. What they stumbled across would soon become China's third-biggest tourist attraction.
The First Emperor of China began construction in 246 BC of an army to serve him in the afterlife. It's estimated that 700,000 workers were enlisted to build the army and the emperor's tomb, which is nearby and has not been excavated.
There are three pits (the picture above is from Pit 1), most of which are still being excavated. There are clay sculpures of 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses buried here, along with their weapons and wooden chariots.
From a distance the Terracotta Army may look like dolls but they're actual size. This is a kneeling archer.
The level of detail is astonishing. They're all unique. The facial expressions, clothing, hair, weapons -- everything is different.
Sadly, the complex itself is a tourist hell. Though there are only the three pits and a museum to visit, a lot of walking is necessary, much of it through what might diplomatically be called an open-air mall. Translation: Dozens of souvenir stalls selling the same crap. If you're thirsty you can buy a Coke about every 50 feet. Hustlers literally spring out of the bushes to sell you replica statues for a buck.
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