Melinda's Japanese Adventure: The Terra Cotta Soldiers in Xian

On the way to the Qin Tomb in Xian we went to the state owned terra cotta warrior factory. I can't remember if I mentioned this or not, but we went to a lot of state owned factories (jade, pearl, silk...). The guides, I am certain, get a kickback if you purchase something.

At the terra cotta factory Sam and Graham got the chance to be Qin warriors and Sam got to make a terra cotta soldier statue.

Soldier Sam.

Soldier Graham.

At the terra cotta warrior place.

Horses that have been excavated.

Soldiers. I might mention, these don't just come out of the earth looking like this. The archeologists must carefully dig up the remains and then piece the soldiers back together. They are all in ruins. The tomb was destroyed hundreds of years ago and most of the soldiers were broken to bits. We did not get to see the archeologists at work, but we did see several sites just now being excavated and could see what they had to work with. As I mention in my classes, each soldier has a unique face. Qin ordered that his army be replicated (to protect him in the afterlife and maintain his power) and it is thought that the faces are the actual faces of his soldiers.

Close to the horses and soldiers.

Also in Xian we went to see a pagoda. When the communists took over, many pagodas and other religious places were destroyed--the communists, of course, did not want the people to have religion. This one was saved, though, as a man put a picture of Mao on the pagoda.

The pagoda captured at sunset.

All through China we saw these beautiful magnolia trees. We also saw different colored blossoms on what the Chinese called magnolia trees!

Our last night in Xian was really fun. We talked Sherry into going to dinner with us and she led us to this restaurant which was the best Chinese food I have every had. We like very spicy food and Xian is known for spicy food. This did not disappoint. I had a beef dish that had something in it that made my tongue tingle. We all had a good laugh because Sherry can't eat Chinese food so she ordered bland food while the Americans ordered extra hot. Also, all of us ate with chopsticks and Sherry asked for a fork!