Terracotta Army: the armies of Qin Shi Huang

Terracotta Army is a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE with the purpose of protecting him in his afterlife. Its magnificent scale has earned it the title of the eighth wonder of the world and it stands as a representative of the splendid civilization of ancient China. Over 200 foreign leaders and heads of state have visited this site, making it a golden symbol of ancient China’s glory.

Between 1974 and 1977, the Terracotta Army was excavated, revealing four underground tunnels of mixed earth and wood structure. The largest of these tunnels, the first pit, covers an area of 14,260 square meters and has a depth of 4.5-6.5 meters, with doors and passages surrounding it.

The Terracotta Army is remarkably lifelike, with every figurine crafted in intricate detail. The figures were painted with at least 20 different types of colored pigments, with particular attention paid to the interplay of light and shadow to achieve a highly artistic effect. Although the original colors of the Terracotta Army faded over time after its initial discovery due to limited preservation techniques, modern technological advancements have made it possible to restore its vivid colors. The discovery and study of the Terracotta Army have filled a gap in our knowledge of ancient Chinese sculpture. They showcase the brilliance of the Chinese artistic civilization. By exploring the Terracotta Army, we can gain invaluable insights into the history and culture of ancient China.

Based on the Discover China series published by Beijing Publishing Group and Beijing Publishing House, this column integrates Chinese history, customs, traditional culture and artistic treasures to introduce China's ancient capitals, cultural landmarks, humanistic and natural wonders.

    The editor of the Discover China series, Lin Detang, is the president of the Beijing Tourism Derivatives Association and a visiting professor at the School of Hotel Management of the China University of Labour Relations. Mr Lin has long been committed to theoretical research and entrepreneurial promotion of the integrated development of the cultural tourism industry.