Terracotta Warriors - The Ghost Army
- Shannon
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
The monumental legacy of a legendary Emperor
Discovered in 1974 by humble farmers who were digging a well, the Terracotta Warriors are one of the most monumental archaeological discoveries of the 20th century and have revealed remarkable details about ancient Chinese civilisation. Consisting of over 8000 life-sized soldiers, chariots and horses, these clay statues were created as part of a massive burial complex for the first Emperor of a unified China, Qin Shi Huang. The army was constructed around 247BC to accompany him in the afterlife and protect his empire in the world beyond.
Located half an hour from the ancient capital of Xi'an, it is believed the vast royal necropolis covers an area of 98 square kilometres and contains at least 4 pits and a complex system of underground vaults. The army is divided into three main pits, arranged in different military formations including infantry, cavalry and archers. Each life-size warrior varies in height, depending on their rank, with most measuring around 1.8 metres tall. Each figure is unique and meticulously hand crafted, with different facial expressions, clothing and weapons. They were all once vibrantly painted, reflecting the diversity of the original Qin Dynasty army.
Excavations have also revealed human bones in several areas around the tomb. It is believed some of the 700,000 workers who were involved in construction may have been sacrificed after their work was complete in order to protect the emperors secrets. Some historians believe the bones may also belong to servants and concubines, who were immolated or buried alive in the standing position, awaiting the arrival of the Emperor in the afterlife, servicing him in death as they had serviced him in life.
This immense mausoleum was commissioned 36 years before the emperor's death, when the young King Zheng of the Kingdom of Qinhe was just 13 years old. Through a series of military conquests and strategic alliances, he managed to unify China and established the Qin Dynasty. Under his strict yet pragmatic regime, he initiated sweeping cultural reforms and helped integrate the vast regions under his control, facilitating trade, communication and administration.
His rule however was marked by brutality and extreme measures that caused immense suffering for his people. He heavily censored dissent and would order mass executions of for rebellion or disloyalty. He burnt precious historical books and mass murdered Confucius scholars to enforce his ideological control. He conscripted hundreds of thousands of people into slave labour and would kill them if they failed to meet their tasks.
Emperor Qin was also obsessed with immortality and this became a defining aspect of his reign in his later years. He was constantly paranoid about dying and believed he could achieve eternal life through alchemy. These manic delusions led him to consume mercury, which in turn brought him closer to the thing he feared the most. The construction of his elaborate tomb is just another indication of his immense fear, hoping that an army of clay soldiers and worldly possessions would protect him in the afterlife and ensure his eternal rule long after his death. Despite his efforts, he died in 210BC.
The Terracotta Army may be the most celebrated element of Qin Shi Huang’s funerary complex but the Emperor’s actual resting place remains sealed and undisturbed beneath a massive earthen mound. Scientific surveys and remote sensing has uncovered abnormally high levels of mercury in the surrounding soil, supporting historical records of a lethal subterranean landscape. Archaeologists also theorise that the tomb may be guarded by an array of sophisticated booby traps, such as spring-loaded crossbows designed to fire upon anyone who dares to disturb the Emperor’s eternal rest.
Buried approximately 800 metres from the main pit lies the Emperor’s hidden mausoleum, believed to be a symbolic reconstruction of his imperial palace and ancient capital city of Xianyang, complete with flowing mercury rivers, streets and sculpted mountain ranges. The tomb is also thought to contain a labyrinth of ceremonial buildings, arsenals of bronze weaponry and troves of priceless antiquities, every element placed with care, not just to honour the Emperor’s grandeur but to fortify his spirit against malevolent forces in the afterlife.
Through its immense scale and intricate detail, the creation of this site is a monumental expression of the ancient Qin Empire’s military prowess and artistic ambition but also a deeply personal glimpse into the Emperor's obsessive pursuit of immortality, his profound fear of death and the enormous preparations undertaken to secure his dominance in the spiritual realm.
🗺️ Location
Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum, Qinling North Road, Lintong District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province, China
🚆 How to get there
From Xi’an Railway Station, the easiest and most affordable way to reach the Terracotta Warriors is by public bus. Routes 914 and 915 run every few minutes between 6am and 7pm, with tickets costing just ¥8 per person. The journey takes about an hour and drops you off at a large parking area near the site. From there, it’s roughly a 15 minute walk to the museum’s main entrance. The buses can get busy, especially during peak hours but they’re a reliable choice for travellers on a budget. Alternatively, you can book a taxi or join a guided tour for added comfort and convenience. Taxis from central Xi’an typically cost between ¥100 - ¥150, depending on traffic and your negotiation skills, while many local agencies offer half or full day tours that include hotel pickup and a guide.
⭐ Attraction Info
The museum is open between March 1st and November 30th between 8:30am - 5pm and
December 1st and February 28th between 8:30am - 4:30pm. The museum releases 65,000 tickets daily and they need to be booked online at least seven days in advance. Tickets cost ¥120 and must be reserved through the official website or the Emperor Qinshihuang Mausoleum’s WeChat account. Since the system isn’t in English and requires your passport and Alipay, many foreigners find it easier to book through a travel agency. The complex is massive and it gets seriously crowded, so give yourself at least 2 – 3 hours to explore this incredible site.
兵马俑
🔗Official Website
Archaeologist estimate there are more than 130 chariots and nearly 700 horses, the majority of which remain in situ. Other non-military terracotta figures have also been unearthed, including acrobats, strongmen and musicians
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The Terracotta Warriors form the Ghost Army, a silent legion preserving the Emperor’s power for eternity
