XIAN - TERRACOTTA WARRIERS

The Terracotta Warriers were an awesome sight - the fact that the first Emporer of China in 200BC had these clay figures buried metres below the earth to protect his tomb in the after life, was a feat in itself. Then the peasants overthrew the army and smashed into the sight and burnt down the timber roof and surrounds and it wasn't until 1974 when a farmer was digging a well that he uncovered one of the clay heads and parts of the clay figures did they start digging and found the entire army.

It was an incredible feeling to see the hard work and endurance of the Chinese people who are still uncovering many of the clay figures and clay horses today.

The next day we hired bikes and rode around Xian which is surrounded by a wall and a moat.  The road on top of the wall is rough and the ride was a lot of fun. It was interesting to see the many different building styles - inside the wall all the buildings are like anxient Chinese architecture and outside is quite modern. We had a dumpling dinner in a private room in a lovely restaurant on the 3rd floor overlooking the wall and the Bell Tower last night - washed down with Chinese Rice Wine then a brisk walk home - temperature was 11degrees last night.