Brad Templeton's Photography
Xi'an and Terra Cotta Warriors

Xi'an and Terra Cotta Warriors

Xi'an was ancient capital of the first emperor. It's actually a fairly interesting town but everybody goes mainly to see the hall of the Terra Cotta Warriors, which are indeed spectacular. I shot some great panoramas of them.

While in Xi'an our tour operator arranged a bribe for the local police, so we were escorted everywhere by a police car with sirens flashing. We ignored traffic lights and traffic. Must be nice but I felt guilty.

Xi'an also has a large Muslim population, so we visited a Mosque.

From the side, a row of reconstructed warriors sits at the front
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(1280 x 960 - 195K)
From the side, a row of reconstructed warriors sits at the front
Wild goose pagoda, a stone temple in Xi'an
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(1280 x 960 - 221K)
Wild goose pagoda, a stone temple in Xi'an
First view of the main chamber of the warriors
(1280 x 844 - 160K)
First view of the main chamber of the warriors
Another view from the front
(1280 x 853 - 153K)
Another view from the front
Detail on some of the warriors.  Each one is different
(1280 x 853 - 127K)
Detail on some of the warriors. Each one is different
Right down the front line of the warriors
(683 x 1024 - 103K)
Right down the front line of the warriors
Detail on some of the front warriors
(1280 x 853 - 138K)
Detail on some of the front warriors
This man was holding reigns
(1280 x 853 - 131K)
This man was holding reigns
Some of the king's horses, put back together again
(1280 x 853 - 124K)
Some of the king's horses, put back together again
Horses and chariot driver
(1280 x 853 - 139K)
Horses and chariot driver
Some of the original colour is still visible
(1280 x 853 - 106K)
Some of the original colour is still visible
No two are alike
(1280 x 853 - 106K)
No two are alike
Detail on some of the warriors at the end of the chamber
(1280 x 853 - 134K)
Detail on some of the warriors at the end of the chamber
Example of warriors in their shattered state
(1280 x 853 - 174K)
Example of warriors in their shattered state
Shot in black and white, the Terra Cotta Warriors seem almost real
(683 x 1024 - 106K)
Shot in black and white, the Terra Cotta Warriors seem almost real
Pile of shards.  This is the original state.  All warriors had to be reconstructed
(1280 x 853 - 183K)
Pile of shards. This is the original state. All warriors had to be reconstructed
A horse in shards
(1280 x 853 - 157K)
A horse in shards
Soldiers in shards
(1280 x 853 - 170K)
Soldiers in shards
Detail on the headquarters, another pit where most of the officers were found.
(1280 x 853 - 180K)
Detail on the headquarters, another pit where most of the officers were found.
Wide shot of the headless headquarters
(1280 x 853 - 156K)
Wide shot of the headless headquarters
In Xi'an, the tour company arranged to bribe the police to give us an escort with sirens wherever we went.  We felt a bit guilty, but were glad not to face the Chinese traffic.
(1280 x 811 - 135K)
In Xi'an, the tour company arranged to bribe the police to give us an escort with sirens wherever we went. We felt a bit guilty, but were glad not to face the Chinese traffic.
Lighting candles at Buddhist temple
(1280 x 853 - 148K)
Lighting candles at Buddhist temple
Study of a young monk
(1280 x 853 - 69K)
Study of a young monk
Two monks debate.
(1280 x 853 - 113K)
Two monks debate. "Clearly the Enterprise could defeat the Death Star! Captain Kirk always wins!"
Wild Goose Pagoda
(683 x 1024 - 114K)
Wild Goose Pagoda
Nice line of street lamps on Xi'an street
(1280 x 853 - 96K)
Nice line of street lamps on Xi'an street
Mix of modern and the old in Xi'an
(1280 x 853 - 136K)
Mix of modern and the old in Xi'an
Chinese Muslims gather to sing
(1280 x 853 - 127K)
Chinese Muslims gather to sing
Detail at Chinese Mosque
(1280 x 853 - 154K)
Detail at Chinese Mosque
Corridor to singing Muslims at Xi'an Mosque
(1280 x 853 - 240K)
Corridor to singing Muslims at Xi'an Mosque

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To the Dam | Three Gorges Dam | Xiling Gorge | River Boats
Yangtse Scenes | Qutang Gorge | Lesser Three Gorges | Wu Gorge
Yangtse Towns | Chongqing | Xi'an and Terra Cotta Warriors
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