Day 16 Xi-an

Ok brekkie buffet, big group of Israelis there this morning.

Sally our guide met us at 9am and we set of for the first stop – the Banpo Museum.  Heavy fog and rain again today. Then on to the government run factory where they make replicas of the Terracotta Army, typical traditional lacquered furniture, pottery, jade jewelry etc.  Additionally they show you how the figures are made, from local clay, and the process to final product, which of course they try and sell.  Of course they ship anywhere in the world, and take credit cards!

Next onto the Terracotta Warriors – considered the 8th wonder of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site – see link for history and details!

There are 3 pits on show to the public, the largest one holds 8000 warriors and is the size of about 3 soccer fields.  These were discovered in 1974 – so read the history link, it’s quite something!

We were both gob smacked at the sheer size of the place, and the fact that these were undiscovered for over 2000 years. Excavation and restoration is ongoing and carried out by teams of dedicated and patient archeologists nightly when the exhibit is closed to the public. Only one warrior has been found intact to date, the rest are being painstakingly glued back together in the ‘warrior hospital’.

After this we were taken to a fancy restaurant for a traditional regional meal of many course pre-empted by a ceremonial presentation which dates back 2000 years. See photos for the dishes.

The curiosity took the better of us and we asked Sally about Chinese ‘knockoff’s’ of designer items.  She then took us to a shabby looking store front where we were led to a back stairway which led to a room stuffed to the gills with bags, sunglasses, belts and watches.  We were then introduced to the proprietor, who address us as ‘my friend’ – his only English vocab, and gave us a lesson in how to spot the difference between the real deal, the super A class, A class and lesser qualities of the knockoff trade. He, of course, only sold the super A class of goods.  Fun time.  No photos allowed!