When I first came to China in 2007, Xi’an’s Terracotta Warriors were the thing I was most excited to see. And by most excited, I mean “jumping up and down squealing from the moment I saw that they were on the itinerary.” I had wanted to visit the site ever since I first read about the warriors in Cook’s Tour (by Paul Cullen, not Anthony Bourdain, and seemingly out-of-print). Something about the notion captured my imagination, and never really let it go. When I finally saw them, they were pretty much as awesome as I had imagined. (Although, in all honesty, the nearly-empty pit 2 is a disappointment. They couldn’t have left a couple of soldiers there to placate the crowds?)
I went back to Xi’an last weekend, and the warriors were no less impressive on a second visit. Apologies in advance for the China-guidebook cliche, but no trip to China is complete without a visit to see them.
Bus 306 (also called the 游5) departs for the Warriors from Xi’an’s train station (7 RMB). Look for the buses in the parking lot in front of the east side of the station.
This is the latest in a series of (mostly) weekly slideshows spotlighting places I’ve been on my travels, in China and beyond. You can view more of my photos at Picasa and Flickr. For more great travel photos, check out the other posts at DeliciousBaby’s Photo Friday.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Terracotta warriors are still on my list to see. That chariot looks incredible. Just because a place is a travel cliche doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting. I’ve been to the [url=http://www.travelbythecalendar.com/?p=44/]Galapagos Islands[/url] and I’ve been to [url=http://www.travelbythecalendar.com/?p=153/]Angkor Wat[/url], both very touristy and yet utterly amazing places. You just have to realise that in this day and age, you’ll be sharing that amazing experience with a lot of other people. Happy travels!
What an amazing place. I have heard of it but to see it person must of been incredible.
I really really must visit this place one day.
Love your slide show, by the way.
How surreal! …And a little haunting. Beautiful pictures — thanks for sharing.