Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The new Xi'an metro system (
;
Xi'an ditie) went into action in 2011 with the
completion of Line 2. Line 1 is expected to open in September 2013 and Line
3 is planned for 2015. Rides cost ¥2 to ¥4 depending on distance. Line 1 has a
stop at the Banpo Neolithic Village.
AROUND XI'AN
The plains surrounding Xi'an are strewn with early imperial tombs, many of
which have not yet been excavated. But unless you have a particular fascina-
tion for burial sites, you can probably come away satisfied after visiting a
couple of them.
The Army of Terracotta Warriors is obviously the most famous site, but it's
really worth the effort to get to the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi as well.
Tourist buses run to almost all of the sites from in front of Xi'an Train Station,
with the notable exception of the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi.
Sights
East of Xi'an
ARMY OF TERRACOTTA WARRIORS
( Bingmayong;
www.bmy.com.cn
; admission Mar-Nov ¥150, students ¥75,
Dec-Feb ¥120, students ¥60; 8.30am-5.30pm Mar-Nov, to 5pm Dec-Feb)
The Terracotta Army isn't just Xi'an's premier site, but one of the most famous
archaeological finds in the world. This subterranean life-size army of thou-
sands has silently stood guard over the soul of China's first unifier for more
than two millennia. Either Qin Shi Huang was terrified of the vanquished spirits
awaiting him in the afterlife, or, as most archaeologists believe, he expected
his rule to continue in death as it had in life. Whatever the case, the guardians
of his tomb today offer some of the greatest insights we have into the world of
ancient China.
In 1974, peasants drilling a well uncovered an underground vault that even-
tually yielded thousands of terracotta soldiers and horses in battle formation.
Museum
