The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum lies 1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum in Lintong County of Xi’an city. The Terra Cotta army was found accidentally by the farmers in 1974 when they sunk a well. Later they were excavated by the archeologists. The museum was open to public in 1978. All together there are 3 pits excavated. There were 100 war chariots, 600 clay horses, nearly 7,000 life sized clay soldiers, and 30,000 weapons discovered.
Terra Cotta Pit 1 is oblong, 230 meters east to west, and 62 meters north to south. There are more than 6,000 terracotta warriors and horses, arrayed into battle line formation. Three columns facing out on the east, act as vanguard. The main body is behind. The rear guard is on the west. They are armed with crossbows.
Terra Cotta Pit 2 is in L-shaped formation, which is around 6000 square meters. There are around 1000 warriors, 500 horses and 89 wooden chariots discovered. Some warriors are archers, some are cavalries other are infantries.
Terra Cotta Pit 3 is quite small which covers an area of 520 square meters. A war chariot, 4 Terra Cotta horses and 68 warriors lined along the wall as honor guards were found. It is the supreme headquarters commanding the troops of Pit1 and Pit 2.
The Terra Cotta army and horses are very impressive with the life-like expressions. They epitomize the power of the armed forces of Qin. They also offered the tangible materials for the study of equipments, military organization and battle arrays of the Qin Dynasty.
The Terra Cotta warriors with varied colors and forms indicate vivid personalities and traits. They represent a peak in the development of sculpture in ancient China. The figures are of epoch-making significance in the history of Chinese sculpture.
The discovery of the Terra Cotta warriors and horses aroused world-wide attention. It has been called the Eighth Wonder of the World and the most spectacular archeological find in the 20th Century. In 1987 it was listed the world’s cultural heritages by UNESCO.
Pictures of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses:

Pit1	Infantry	Bronze Chariot
Archer	Cavalry	Terra Cotta Horses

Pit 2	Pit 3	Squating Warrior
Bronze Halberd	Arrow	Dragsman

Other tourist attractions in Xi'an

The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses The Big Wild Goose Pagoda Xi'an Old City Wall The Bell Tower Huaqing Hot Spring Banpo Village Museum Shanxi History Museum Forest of Steles The Great Mosque Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum