Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor aka The Terracotta Warriors

So, in 1974, a local farmer was digging a well, and up came a ceramic head.  The actual site of the well is on the right side of this picture.  Lo and behold, it became the archeological site known as the Terracotta Warriors.

These "pits" were a mini-version of the Emperor's Imperial Palace.  In this picture, is the ramp into pit 3, which experts have concluded to be an officers quarters.

Unlike the tomb of Jing Di, which showed what life was like in that time,  the tomb of the Qin Shi Huang is all about military protection into the after life.  Horses are at the ready.  All men have a military purpose.

Here in Pit 2 (of 3) you can see how the excavators are removing layer by later.

Here's the famous pit 1.  Notice how the warriors are lined up in rows between earthen walls.  This is how they were buried, basically as battalions to protect the Emperor in death.

This is how the pieces are found upon excavation.

In looking at the amount of detail and the slow pace of excavation, I realized there is NO WAY I could do this kind of work.

At the back of Pit 3, they are reconstructing warriors, piece by piece.  There are estimated to be 8,000 warriors in this part of the overall mausoleum.  The actual tomb of the Emperor is some 2 kilometers to the West.  There is still SO MUCH underground.

There are five main warrior types, but this one is my favorite, the Kneeling Archer.  I find him so regal.

For 10 RMB you can take a picture with some warriors.  Why the other three didn't take advantage of the offer?  I don't know.

Tomb of Emperor Jing Di

Any trip to Xi'An must include a visit to the famed Terra Cotta Warriors.  The five of us were planning on heading out on the public bus, but when we got to the station, we saw a huge long line (going to see sites on a Chinese holiday weekend, not advised) so we found a driver for the day.  The bonus of the driver is that he suggested we head out to a different tomb in the morning, let the crowds clear out at the warriors and see them at the end of the day.  So off we went to the tomb of Emperor Jing Di, who ruled from 188-141 BC.  What fascinates me is to think that this was happening at the same time as the Roman Republic over on the other side of the world.

Here's a model of what they think the tomb complex looks like.  The mound in the middle is the actual tomb and then the "strip" tombs all around are buried items to send with the Emperor into the afterlife.

Approaching the tomb.  It's the only point of any elevation in a flat landscape.

Most of the "strip" tombs as well as the main tomb are still yet to be unearthed.  Here's an outline of the tombs.

What's fascinating about the tomb here is that glass walkways are built OVER the "strip" tombs so you can look down into the pits and actively see what is being excavated.

.

The tombs here show a lot about daily life under the Emperor, such as vases

Animals and these figurines, which had wooden arms so they could be dressed, and not necessarily as soldiers but as ordinary citizens.

Pigs, chickens and dogs ceramic figures are also found in the tomb.  In many ways, the tomb of Emperor Jing Di was a more interesting experience than the Terra Cotta warriors.

Lastly, on our drive to and from the tomb, I saw this and had to take a picture.  I think the photo speaks for itself.

Everyone Meet in Xi'An

After the weekend in Luoyang, Jeff and I took the train to Xi'An and met up with Marlene, Kendra and Eleni!  First stop, a ride along the entire wall that encicles Xi'An.

Now we're cooking....

It's a fun ride and highly recommended!

Right in the Middle of Town is the Bell Tower.  At this point, it is an island in the middle of a huge intersection!

Xi'An has a fantastic Muslim Quarter where we went to eat!  These are famous noodles.  Why?

Because their name is the MOST COMPLICATED charcacter in Chinese.

Here's what it looks like ready to eat.

嵩山 -- Song Shan and the Shaolin Temple

Way out here in Northwestern Henan province is one of the five sacred mountains of China......Song Shan.  My Chinese name is 陈象嵩.  A major highlight of this trip was getting to visit the mountain for which I was named.  Song Shan is actually the area that is made up of five mountains and it is most famous for being the site of the Shaolin Temple, home of Chinese martial arts.

Song Shan National Scenic Area

Did I mention that I was named after this mountain?

Shaolin Buddhist Temple, famous for the art of "Wushu" right here at Song Shan.

Shaolin Temple

There was a martial arts show...the most impressive thing I saw?  This guy who through a needle THROUGH a pane of glass to pop the balloon.  The rest of the show?  Nothing that impressive.

So it turns out that the temple has a Shaolin Academy which trains martial artists for competition many find future employment as teachers of martial arts.  Jeff and I watched them during the afternoon hoping to see something interesting happen, but it looked they were just taking attendance.

Wandering near the temple, in the forest, we saw a kid training to learn to back flip.

CLOSE, but SPLAT!

The Pagoda Forest

The temple grounds don't reveal to you the amazing, spectacular scenery that lies around the corner.  A cable car up and you're looking at a major geological thrust.  Rocks are vertical.

In the far distance, you can actually hike to this temple.  Close....but actually it takes some three hours because...

The hike is along a path attached to the side of the rock.  And it's all up and down some major stairs.

Did I tell you that this is "my mountain?"