Eight Thousand Faces

The Terracotta Warriors at Xi'an. One of the wonders of the world.

The figures, dating from 3rd century BC, were discovered in 1974 by a local farmer, who now makes his living sitting in the foyer of the museum signing books about his find. And for a few Yuan you can have a photo with China's Howard Carter.

The figures vary in height according to their roles, and include warriors, officials, acrobats, strongmen, musicians, chariots and horses. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried.