Xian

Xian is one of the most important town in China, since it means "capital of the west". It was the first capital of the reunified Empire in 221 BC. But it is only in 1974 that local farmers rediscovered the tomb of the first Chinese Emperor while digging for a borehole. Sometimes drought can have fantastic side-effects...
Xian is then most famous for its terra-cotta army. The first Emperor built a huge tomb 35 kilometers out of town in a place most favorable according to Chinese mythology. He forced
700'000 people to build is tomb and the army able to defend him. Ranges of soldiers, captains and horses were built and placed around is tomb. It should be noted that the size of these sculptures (1.78 - 1.87 m) is higher than the height of Chinese people at the time. The Emperor needed to impress his ennemies!
The main hall contains not less than 6000 statues! Each of them are different with their own facial expression, dress and position.
The town is also rich of many other highlights, such as the biggest mosque in China - although it does not look like one, or rather I could not have distinguished it from any other temple, various Pagods and Towers. It also has one old library, at a time when books looked like huge stones. This is the memory of China.