2025-12-12 Xi'an

 Terracotta Warriors and a Show!

A bleak day was forecast, and so it proved, as we descended from our luxurious Voyah 7 seater MPV after an early start and an hour ride to the site of the Terracotta Warriors and Mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang.

A light snowfall turning to slush as it hit the ground made for cold, wet and slippery conditions.  However, we managed to negotiate the security checks and ticketing checks without too much of an issue apart having to get passports in and out oflots of layers of clothing, and being jostled around by the other patrons.  Despite the conditions, there were lots of people; goodness knows what it would be like in high season.  For the first time we saw at least one organised tour group of caucasions, with an english speaking guide, though this group was insignificant in the crowd of local tourists. Tickets to this place have to be booked in advance and you have to pick a time slot; though once in, there is no limit how long you can stay.

The site of these figures is amazing, under an enormous aircraft hangar type building in the main display area (Pit 1), and somewhat smaller, but still very large buildings around Pits 2 and 3.

As these buildings were so large, it was easy to get as close as is possible, and with patience spend as much time as you wanted getting the perfect photo, as many people were doing, tripods being forbidden however.

A pity the day was so bleak as the grounds looked quite nice, but we spent most of the time indoors until we took another Didi ride to the Huaqing Palace (or Huaqing Pool) is a famous historical scenic spot near Xi'an, China, known for its imperial hot springs, Tang Dynasty romance (Emperor Xuanzong & Yang Guifei), and the site of the pivotal Xi'an Incident. It's a cultural landmark where ancient emperors built villas, featuring Tang Palace architecture, hot spring relics, Mount Li, and cultural shows.

Again the conditions were against us, but we made the best we could of our time there, wandering around the grounds of the palace and inspecting the ancient hot pools.  Mount Li was shrouded in mist, so we didn't bother with the cable car to the top, which was a pity, as potentially it could have given us a bird's eye view over the area and Xi'an in the distance.

We hung around the Palace and the nearby township until the start of the Song of Everlasting Sorrow show at Huaqing Palace; this show runs all year, and despite the cold and threat of blizzard was going to go on tonight as well.  It is described as: "The "Song of Everlasting Sorrow" is a spectacular outdoor historical dance drama at Xi'an's Huaqing Palace, retelling the Tang Dynasty love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei using the natural landscape (Mount Li, Nine Dragon Lake) as a stage with advanced tech, lights, and 700 performers, blending history, nature, and modern effects for a moving, dreamlike experience", and it delivers in spades.  Not sure about the historical accuracy, but there are pretty dancing girls, fearsome warriors, fire and snow and even large numbers of doves!  It has to be experienced live, and with the full house aahing and oohing at each spectacular scenery change, it was worth sitting in the outdoors (no overhead roof) in the freezing conditions.  

A long night but another satisfying day, thanks to the superb organising skills of Pippa.

On the way to the Terracotta Warriors

The army under the huge hangar, Pit 1


Pit 3

Pit 3



Conditions were no better at the end of our visit

Bunny ears may be the right gear for this weather

Entrance to one of the displays at the Huaquing Palace

Huaqing Palace


Performers at Huaquin Palace

Steaming pools at Huaquin Palace

Steaming pools at Huaquin Palace

Steaming pools at Huaquin Palace

Starue of Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei

Rugged up audience at the start of the show

the show

 Yang Guifei



Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei and extras








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