Introduction
The Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army are two of the most incredible archaeological sites in the world. The Forbidden City was the home of the Chinese emperors for almost 500 years and the Terracotta Army is an immense collection of ancient sculptures located near the ancient capital of Xi’an.
The Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is located in the heart of Beijing, China and it is considered to be one of the most magnificent palaces ever built. It was constructed in the 15th century by the Ming Dynasty and served as the home of the Chinese emperors for almost 500 years. The palace is surrounded by a moat and high walls and is filled with hundreds of buildings, pavilions, gardens, and courtyards.
Layout of the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City is divided into two main sections: the Outer Court and the Inner Court. The Outer Court is where the emperor held important ceremonies and meetings with foreign dignitaries. It is also home to some of the most important structures, including the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony, and the Hall of Preserving Harmony. The Inner Court is where the emperor and his family lived and is surrounded by gardens and smaller courtyards.
The Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is an immense collection of ancient sculptures located near the ancient capital of Xi’an. It was discovered in 1974 by a group of farmers who were digging a well and it is believed to have been built to protect the tomb of the first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. The army consists of more than 8,000 life-size terracotta sculptures of soldiers, horses, chariots, and other figures.
Uniqueness of the Terracotta Army
The Terracotta Army is unique because each sculpture is different. The soldiers have individual facial expressions and hairstyles and some of them are even wearing different armor and holding different weapons. This is thought to be a reflection of the diversity of the Chinese army at the time.
Conclusion
The Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army are two of the most incredible archaeological sites in the world. They are both a testament to the power and ingenuity of the Chinese people and a reminder of the long and rich history of China.