Eighth Wonder of the World...
The Qin Dynasty Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xi'an, China are often touted as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". I had seen many pictures of this marvelous collection but, was not prepared for just how imposing they are when seen in person. They were discovered in 1974 by farmers digging a well and their excavation and restoration is an ongoing project. We are lucky that the Qin army was discovered subsequent to the Cultural Revolution because, they would probably have been destroyed in that great upheaval.
The museum complex is enormous and the figures are housed in three different gigantic buildings. There are also support buildings such as the Multiple Exhibition Building, the Information Center and the Circle Vision Hall. There is a fine gift shop where you can purchase terracotta replicas of all sizes as well as a myriad of other souvenirs. You can also shoot close-ups of the faces of full size reproductions which you couldn't get when shooting from the platforms surrounding the pits. BTW: There are vendors stalking tourists all over the museum complex trying to sell small boxed collections of replica warriors. Our guide warned us away from these souvenirs stating that they were poorly made and would soon crumble.
There are no restrictions against photography in the pits however, the crowds are so thick that a tripod would not be convenient. You have 360 degree access to the pits along walkways which rim the buildings. Obviously, tuurists are not allowed down in the pits to mingle with the warriors and horses. Naturally, flash photography would be of no use in the pits since the areas are so great (however there is no problem shooting flash in the gift shop).
I used a monopod which was convenient to navigate around the crowds. BTW, a bit of shoving here and there is not considered impolite in China and is often the only way to get from point A to point B.
I shot the overall views with my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens and the closer views with my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens. My exposures were between 1/125 and 1/200 second @ f/4 using ISO 400. IMO, a longer lens is quite handy in this venue in order to isolate smaller groups of warriors to show details.
1. The Museum complex showing the Multiple Exhibition Building...
2. Overall view of inside of Pit One...
3. Warriors and horses; hands originally held weapons...
4. Closer shot of Warriers originally they were brightly painted...
5. Each face is different...
6. Line of restored figures with others in rear awaiting restoration...
7. Gift shop display...
8. Terracotta reproductions in gift shop...
9. Face of full-size reproduction in gift shop...
The museum complex is enormous and the figures are housed in three different gigantic buildings. There are also support buildings such as the Multiple Exhibition Building, the Information Center and the Circle Vision Hall. There is a fine gift shop where you can purchase terracotta replicas of all sizes as well as a myriad of other souvenirs. You can also shoot close-ups of the faces of full size reproductions which you couldn't get when shooting from the platforms surrounding the pits. BTW: There are vendors stalking tourists all over the museum complex trying to sell small boxed collections of replica warriors. Our guide warned us away from these souvenirs stating that they were poorly made and would soon crumble.
There are no restrictions against photography in the pits however, the crowds are so thick that a tripod would not be convenient. You have 360 degree access to the pits along walkways which rim the buildings. Obviously, tuurists are not allowed down in the pits to mingle with the warriors and horses. Naturally, flash photography would be of no use in the pits since the areas are so great (however there is no problem shooting flash in the gift shop).
I used a monopod which was convenient to navigate around the crowds. BTW, a bit of shoving here and there is not considered impolite in China and is often the only way to get from point A to point B.
I shot the overall views with my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens and the closer views with my 70-200mm f/4L IS lens. My exposures were between 1/125 and 1/200 second @ f/4 using ISO 400. IMO, a longer lens is quite handy in this venue in order to isolate smaller groups of warriors to show details.
1. The Museum complex showing the Multiple Exhibition Building...
2. Overall view of inside of Pit One...
3. Warriors and horses; hands originally held weapons...
4. Closer shot of Warriers originally they were brightly painted...
5. Each face is different...
6. Line of restored figures with others in rear awaiting restoration...
7. Gift shop display...
8. Terracotta reproductions in gift shop...
9. Face of full-size reproduction in gift shop...
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I have some picture of the terra cotta warriors also.... maybe we both were elbowing for the prime photo spots