• Brief description: an army of 7,000 life-size terracotta warriors and horses. All were buried in battle formation in three trenches, one and a half kilometres from the tomb of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang, in 210-219 B.C. The statues were buried in the belief that the emperor would continue having the troops under his command. The figures stand 1.8 metres high and are equipped with terracotta armour. Each one has different features and characteristics: moustaches, hairstyles, young, old, different ethnic features, etc. The uniforms also reflect military rank. The figures were originally painted bright and vibrant colours, which were lost after five hours of exposure to oxygen. The technique for preserving these colours is being studied, and until the study is complete, further excavations of other warriors have been postponed. Of the three trenches, it's well worth visiting Trench 1 and Trench 2 (Trench 3 is not essential if you're tired). The museum isn't remarkable, although the theatre is worth visiting as a curiosity. 
• Duration of visit: 2 hr (plus two hours to get there and back).
• Hours: 8:30 to 17:00.
• Cost: 150CNY from March to November & 120CNY from December to February.
• How to get there: return to the arrival train station in Xi'an and on the right, you'll see a bus stop. Take the 306 and get off at the last stop (you can also take the 914 or 915, but you'll have to be alert as the stop is not the last one). To get back, take the same bus that stops in the bus parking area (at the end, in the parking area parallel to the road) (1 hr and 7CNY per journey).