| They have stood in rows for centuries, warrior | | | | bell tower and city walls would be a worthy |
| sentinels of an ancient culture. Time and vandals have | | | | adventure in itself. Like many of the cities in China, |
| taken their toll; the uniforms are dulled, but their | | | | the sight of western tourists walking around on the |
| weapons are still sharp. Many now come from around | | | | streets with out chaperones is a novelty and they go |
| the world, to see this awesome testament of faith | | | | out of their way to be helpful. |
| to life eternal, of the first emperor of China! | | | | Xian was the home of the first emperor of China |
| Discovered well into the 20th century while China | | | | that had succeeded in unifying the 7 kingdoms of |
| was still isolated and ping pong diplomacy was getting | | | | that time into the beginnings of modern china. He built |
| its start, they were only visited by scholars and the | | | | for himself a large number of burial chambers the |
| Chinese. National Geographic did a major story on | | | | total number still unknown as they are still discovering |
| them and really brought the immensity of this | | | | them today. 3 of the larger burial chambers include |
| archaeological find that would rival the tomb of King | | | | among other things a complete army exactly |
| Tut in significance, into the public consciences. For | | | | duplicating the individual features of all of the soldiers |
| many, myself included, our first glimpses of these | | | | and their equipment as well as horses and sprit carts |
| ancient warriors were at museum expositions in the | | | | to take the emperor to the next world. |
| US, a few years after they were first discovered. | | | | Anticipated find's yet to be uncovered, is a complete |
| When planning our trip to China we knew that we | | | | palace with a mercury lake, as well as household |
| needed to see Beijing, the Great Wall, and the | | | | staff and animals which should provide an |
| Forbidden City and the warriors of Xian. Xian is | | | | extraordinary detailed look at this ancient period of |
| located well inland and is difficult to get to by land. | | | | Chinese history. The warriors of Xian will continue to |
| The new train to Lhasa and cheap flights on regional | | | | stand and amaze as more will be revealed, one day |
| Chinese airlines are the most expedient way to get | | | | at a time during there vigil. |
| there. The city of Xian with its very well preserved | | | | |