Terracotta Warriors

Traveled to see the Terracotta Warriors today an amazing cultural artifact discovered by 4 farmers in 1974 while digging a well. The farm lands have been turned into a major tourist icon with its own supporting town and the three remaining farmers who first discovered the the terracotta fragments are set up as showpieces in shops, signing copies of their books about the initial discovery.
There are approx 8000 life size warriors standing armed and ready for battle across an area approx the size of 2 soccer pitches, each one is unique and can be identified clearly as to the role he played and the rank he held and although you cant get too close I could get a close look at their faces through my zoom lens they are like real people. These were believed to have been buried by emperor Chin in order to serve him in his next life. The craftsmanship is amazing given the tools and techniques available at the time, also the technology used in the crossbows and the construction of the chariots axles and mechanism for driving the horses which raced 4 abreast.
Lunch (traditional Chinese, lovely) was followed by a tea tasting and demonstration, a real art form much the way many Melbournians view their coffee.
In the afternoon we visited the ancient city walls built around 14th century, much wider ramparts than a traditional style wall from western Europe they would be wide enough to drive chariots in two directions with room to spare and the slots that would allow archers to fire their arrows were large enough to fit 3 or 4 defenders.
We finished up the day with a walk through the Muslim quarter, filled with so much color, noise, energy and character. the soundtrack was wonderful, all sorts of different foods being made up on the spot