Overview
Viewing Emperor Qin Shi Huang's terracotta army guarding his burial site and protecting his entry to the afterlife from the earthen side of a continuing archeological project is certainly one of the most memorable parts of any trip to China. The site was made a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987.
 
Location
The Terracotta Army Museum lies 1.5 km east of The Tomb of Qin Shihuang, known as the First Emperor, who unified China 2200 years ago. Emperor Qin, from whom China gets its name, ordered the creation of this model army.
 
History
The terracotta army itself was discovered in 1974 when some farmers were digging a well. Their shoveling began the unearthing of a huge burial pit belonging to the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, the founding Qin dynasty emperor who unified China into a central state and also laid the foundation for the Great Wall. It is estimated that the tomb took 38 years to build, between 247 BC and 208BC, and utilized the labor of over 700,000 conscripts. The emperor died in 210 BC.
 
Features
Every figure differs from those around in facial features and expression, clothing, hairstyle, and gestures. The horsemen, the longbow bearers, the archers and the senior officers and generals were positioned in strict accordance with the ancient directives on the Art of War. Many of the figures originally held real weapons of the time, such as bronze swords, longbows, arrows, spears, dagger-axes and other long-shafted weapons. Surface treatment of the weapons made them resistant to rust and corrosion so that after being buried for over 2000 years they were still sharp.

The Terracotta Army has lain underground for more than 2000 years. However, in 1974, farmers digging a well uncovered one of the greatest archaeological sites in the world. The first part of the Terracotta Army site to be discovered was named Vault One. In 1976, two other vaults were uncovered 20-25 meters from Vault One, and were named Vault Two and Vault Three.

Excavation of the earth and timber vaults revealed thousands of life-size terracotta warriors in battle formation - a whole army which would accompany its emperor into immortality. The discovery was a real eye-opener to the whole world, as the vaults are so big, the figures are so vivid and the number of the figures is so incredibly large! China has 35 listed World Heritage Sites, made up of both cultural and natural heritage sites. Explore them with China Highlights for the best service. Find out more about Chinese World Heritage Tours here. The Terracotta Army figures supply abundant and detailed artifacts for the study of the military, cultural and economic history of that period. The Terracotta Army figures excavation was regarded as one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century. In December 1987, UNESCO selected the Tomb of the First Emperor (including the Terracotta Army Vaults) as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Standing in the vaults, you would be amazed by such a grand ancient army formation, which would transport you back to the ancient warring states period. The tomb is a treasury for the Chinese people, and for the whole world as well.

The museum (see plan view) mainly consists of three vaults and an exhibition hall: Vault One, Vault Two, Vault Three, and The Exhibition Hall of the Bronze Chariots.