China - Xi An : Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum + Qian Ling Masoleum

Xi An - Sep 2015

Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum 秦始皇陵

The Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is the largest imperial tomb in China with the richest buried objects. It is situated about 1.5 km east from the Terracotta Warrior Museum.

The tomb mound itself at present days still remains largely not excavated but a number of high technologies were used to explore part of the site. The underground museum has been located at the center of the mound. 

According to the scientific exploration and partial excavation, they found a significant amount of metal is present in the underground which constituted a very good drainage system that appeared did not has any flood incident before.

However, some believe that if the underground museum is fully excavated, it would cause the mercury to volatilize quickly. China's current technology is not able to deal with this large scale of the underground excavation yet.

Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum 秦始皇陵

Entrance fee: March 1 - end of November: CNY150; December 1 - end of Februay: CNY120

Opening hours: March 16 to November 15: sell ticket from 08:30 to 17:00, stop check-in at 18:35; 

November 16 to next March 15: sell ticket from 08:30 to 16:30, stop check-in at 18:05

Qianling Mausoleum 乾陵

Qianling Mausoleum is the joint tomb of Emperor Tang Gaozong and his Empress Wu Zetian (the only Empress in the Chinese History).

There are pairs of winged horses and rose finches along the sacred path. Ancient Chinese supreme rulers wanted their afterlife would be prosperous so they often had propitious creatures, birds, beasts placed in front of their mausoleum to guard them. 

Unlike other tablets located at the site, this tablet has no written inscriptions. This is the tablet of Empress Wu Zetian. Usually tablet would bear a description of the deceased's achievement, however the Empress believed that her achievement should be written by her future generation instead of by herself.

Qianling Mausoleum 乾陵

Go to railway station east square and take Tourist Bus #3 to QianLing masoleum (2hrs ride)

Bus ticket: CNY18

Entrance fee: March 1 to November 30: CNY 122; December 1 to the end of next February: CNY 82

Opening hours: March 1 to November 30: 08:00-18:00; December 1 to the end of next February: 08:30-17:30

China - Xi An : The Ancient City Wall of Xi An

Xi An - Sep 2015

Xian is one of the oldest cities in China and has thousand years of history. 

Xian City Wall was built in the 14th century Ming Dynasty under the regime of Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. It is now still the most complete city wall that has survived in China and also one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

View of Drum Tower from the city wall

One of the best ways to cover the whole City Wall (13.7km in length) is to cycle around the four corners. It takes around 1.5 to 2 hours for a full cycle. Bicycle rental services is available on the top of the wall.

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 The bicycle deposit is CNY 200. The single bicycle costs CNY 45 for 2 hours. The tandem bicycle costs CNY 90 for 2 hours.

Here we go~

Entrance fee: CNY 54 for adults.

South Gate: 8:00 - 22:00

East/North/West Gate, Wenchang Gate,  Heping Gate, Shangde Gate:

Apr: 8:00 - 18:00; May to Oct: 8:00 - 19:00; Nov to next Mar: 8:00 - 18:00

Hanguang Gate: 8:00 - 17:30

China - Xi An : Terracotta Warriors 兵马俑

Xi An - Sep 2015

We didnt think we could tour Xi An on our own but it is actually very easy after we started on our research. 

My husband went Xi An once when he was very young and want to go back again since he is such a chinese history lover (actually is chinese ancient drama lover). 

Xi An is actually very tourist friendly as it has all the scheduled buses to all the touristy places. It is very wallet friendly as well! 

One of the most famous and must go place is to visit the Terracotta Warriors. Bus journey takes about 1 hour from the Xi An main city.

This is the Emperor Qin Shi Huang's statue

Emperor Qin gave order to build Terracotta Warriors to continue safeguard and serve him even in his afterlife. He truly believed such statues can be animated in the after life and he could continue to have the same military power and imperial status in the afterlife as he had before.

Historians believed and estimated about 700,000 craftsmen and slaves had built the complex, but they also believed that many others were put to death to keep this mausoleum a secret.

The main highlights of the mausoleum are the three pits (Pit One, Pit Two, and Pit Three) where the warriors are on display, and the Exhibition of Bronze Chariots.

Pit One is the largest and most impressive where about 2,000 terracotta warriors are displayed.

It was until 1974 about 40 years ago when the local farmers discovered some pottery fragments while drilling a well in search of water.

There are five sloping entrances on the sides of the pit which believed that once the contraction of the pit was completed, the entrances were then sealed with wooden pillars.

The excavation work of Pit 1 has not been completed. It is still continuing as of this moment.

The warriors were arranged as if they are in the war formation and seems prepared for battle at any moment.

Pit Two uncovers the mystery of the ancient army array whereas Pit Three represents the command post.

Excavation and restoration is still ongoing at both pits.

Need to pay in order to pay with these fake warrior.. I didnt pay...

Cavalryman with his saddled war horse

Standing Archer

This is very impressive and very well maintained

This is fake mini terracotta warriors which you can bring them home.

Direction

Go to the the east square of Railway Station to take tourism bus no.5 (306) for reaching destination. 

One hour bus journey

Journey: 42 km 

Take free shuttle bus from Terracotta warriors to Qin Shi Huang Masoleum

Bus fee: 7 rmb

Entrance fee: 150 rmb(March 1 – November 30); 

otherwise 120 rmb. Children under 1.2m: free of charge.

Operating hours:  07:00–19:00

**Avoid fake tourist buses: Genuine tourist buses are grey coaches with 45 seats and tickets purchased from a conductor on boarding. The typical fake tourist bus is light yellow (maybe with 游5 displayed) with 20 seats and a ticket window. The operators waste your time with tourist trap visits, where you are also encouraged to waste your money.