Follow designer Adrian Anh Tuan as he explores the tomb of Qin Shi Huang.

Xi'an is one of the four historical capitals of China, serving as the capital for 13 dynasties, including the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang dynasties. Xi'an is also the eastern terminus of the legendary Silk Road.

The Terracotta Army Museum in Xi'an is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Discovered in 1974, it is the burial site of 8,000 warriors and horses, and approximately 10,000 skillfully crafted bronze weapons dating from the 3rd century BC.

This tomb belonged to the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. In 1975, China established a 16,300 m² museum within it.²Located right above the Terracotta Army's bunkers, which serve for research and preservation, the site has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Terracotta Army is considered the eighth wonder of the world.

The Terracotta Army, also known as the Terracotta Warriors of Qin Shi Huang, consisted of thousands of hand-sculpted terracotta warriors built alongside the mausoleum to protect Qin Shi Huang after his death. Construction began in 246 BC and employed 700,000 laborers and craftsmen over 38 years. According to historical records, to keep the location of the tomb and its contents secret, the Qin dynasty killed all the workers involved in its construction by sealing off the entrances and burying them alive, as well as killing some of those involved in the burials.

However, after more than 2,000 years of keeping this secret, in March 1974, local people digging wells in a pomegranate and persimmon orchard accidentally discovered the tomb. What was found there was one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century. Buried under the fields at a depth of 5 meters were thousands of skillfully sculpted terracotta warriors from the 3rd century BC of the Qin Dynasty – the first emperor of a unified China.

The terracotta statues are incredibly lifelike, ranging in height from 1.8 to 1.95 meters, each with different hairstyles, clothing, and weapons. The statue of the commanding general is the tallest. Each statue has its own unique and vivid facial expression. The statues of soldiers and horses stand majestically, lined up in orderly rows, showcasing the powerful military might of the Qin dynasty.

To date, archaeologists have discovered three vaults containing 8,000 terracotta warriors, 130 chariots, and 520 horses, but these artifacts represent only a small fraction of the entire army. The rest remains buried and undiscovered.

In 1975, China established a museum covering 16,300 square meters.²Located right above the Terracotta Army's bunkers, which serve for research and preservation, the site has been listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The Terracotta Army is considered the eighth wonder of the world.

After visiting the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, fashion designer Adrian Anh Tuan continued his enjoyment by watching a historical performance, considered one of the most visually stunning in the world, staged at a theater within the historical site.

Three days in Xi'an, filled with mysterious historical discoveries, completely captivated the young designer. He vowed to return soon to continue his exploration.

Lan Oanh