TERRACOTTA WARRIOR FACTORY

An extremely interesting visit to the Terracotta Warrior factory reveals the process of the making of Emperor Qin's army. Little seems to have changed in creating today's pottery figures. Although five or six ladies demonstrated the creation of the warriors, we became aware of the mass production exuding from this factory. The factory sold items direct to the "tourist" as well as sending their products to markets throughout China.


A Moon Gate entry to the factory.

Pottery kilns at the factory.

Replica warriors in a kiln.

Replica pottery warriors ready for firing.

Entrance to the visitors' centre.

Visitors are shown the making of Terracotta Warriors.

Miniature Warriors being handcrafted.

Blocks of clay on the right side of the table are shaped into Warriors.

Details engraved into soldiers and horses.

Workers amongst their creations.

Thin rectangular clay pieces made into "boxes".

Quality control of handcrafting before sending to the kiln.

Please, please buy. Very cheap!

Display of Warrior generals and soldiers for sale.

Chariots ready for sale.

Various Warrior items ready for sale.

TERRACOTTA ARMY, XI'AN.

TERRACOTTA ARMY, XI'AN

The Terracotta Army was discovered in 1974 by peasants digging a well. The ranks of life-sized pottery warriors, horses, and chariots were modelled from yellow clay. This army was made to guard the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huangdi , the despotic ruler who unified China over 2200 years ago. So far 3 pits have unearthed over 7000 soldiers, archers,  horses and chariots. And so we were privileged to view all 3 pits.


Frances about to enter the excavation site.

The family poses with the "supposed" discoverer, Jun-Peng Yang,
who was digging the well in 1974.

Entry into Pit 1.

Battle formation of Emperor Qin's warriors and horses.

Pottery horses have been assembled from broken fragments,
like the warriors around them.

The earth-walled corridors that house the warriors were
 originally roofed with wooden rafters.

Thousands of warriors and horses are being excavated.

This Pit is filled with cavalry and soldiers.

Vanguard of the Army in formation.

Each warrior has an individually crafted expression.

Terracotta Charioteers.

A "re-assembling" area.

Horses and warriors having been removed from the pit.

Chariot horses.

Warriors being "re-assembled" and tagged.

Remains of chariots and charioteers.

Armoured guards.

A warrior archer.

Weapons included swords, spears,and bows and arrows,
 many of which rotted over time.

Leaving the Exhibition Centre.

DISCOVERING MORE MARKETS IN XI'AN

On leaving the Great Wall we explore the local alleys and streets to arrive at some markets.


Exploring the mystery beyond the Moon Gate.

Stalls selling artists' supplies.

Fans for sale.

Leather puppets for sale.

One of the Calligraphy stalls.

Are they ready to make a noise?

Colourful trinkets..

Bringing goods to market.

Intriguing pottery.

Bowls on display.

Soap stone seals being carved with an owner's Chinese name.

Art work for sale.

Just a vase!

Paper cutters by their stall.

A balancing act.

Newly purchased back scratcher put to use.

Wandering the markets is quite tiring!

Leaving the markets.

Waiting for Dinner!