TerraCotta/Hot Springs

The TerraCotta Warriors a humbling experience of something dead that was never alive for the dead. They stand almost bemused at the fact that they have been there for hundreds of years. Each one, a different interpretation on his face of how he views it. Below is an excerpt describing the history behind the stoic figures. I've been waiting to see these guys for a few years, and boy, were they excited to see me!

This small but inspiring exhibition on the Terracotta Warriors of the First Emperor of China's famous Terracotta Army brings together all the wonder of the discovery of these amazing treasures of ancient China.

The terracotta warriors were created by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang di pronounced - Chin Shi Huang di. This amazing but meglomaniac man conquered and united China from a collection of warring states to become its First Emperor. He built the Great Wall and amassed great works of art. Obsessed with a quest for the secret of immortality, 70,000 workers built his tomb said to be filled with legendary treasures. His 3000 wives and concubines followed him to the grave.

Over 8000 fantastic life-size clay warriors protected his tomb. The Famous Terracotta Army - is now referred to as the eighth wonder of the ancient world. The exhibition at the Terracotta Warriors Museum in Dorchester features a small but spectacular group of these warriors, which have been specially replicated by museum and conservation technicians in China, and skilled craftsmen and specialists of World Heritage.

Also featured in the Museum are fabulous costumed recreations of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shih Huang di, himself and his uniformed officers. Dramatic audio and multi-media presentations bring the whole experience stunningly to life http://www.terracottawarriors.co.uk/

 
The same afternoon, we visited the Hua Qing Hot Springs. Here the emperor's place to bath is nestled against Mount Lishan in Lintong County, 19 miles from Xi'an City. It is famed to be the scene for the love story of Emperor Xuan zong and his concubine Yang Guifei in the Tang Dynasty. It is a beautiful walled garden with two small lakes. The group of us decided to take the cable car to the top of the mountain where we could look down upon Linton County. Smoggy, but still beautiful.