SHAANXI, June 23rd (ABP) – African journalists from 27 countries took the plane on the morning of Wednesday, June 19, 2024 from China’s capital Beijing to Shaanxi, for a six-day visit to this province known as the cradle of the Chinese nation following its long history and unique features of cultural heritage.
According to information from the leaders of Shaanxi Foreign Affairs Office, the province covers a total area of 205,600 square kilometers with a population of 39.56 million. Shaanxi is known as a pioneer province in Agriculture. 14 dynasties including Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang established their capital cities in Shaanxi for a total of 1,180 years. The amount of salt mine, molybdenum mine, coal, oil, natural gas and other resources rank Shaanxi among the top in China.
The density, quantity and quality of the cultural relics and scenic spots rank Shaanxi province first in the country; hence it is reputed as a natural museum of history, leaders of Shaanxi Foreign Affairs Office disclosed, underlining that similarities between Shaanxi province and Africa rely on the fact that the former is a cradle of China, and the latter is a cradle of human being.
On the afternoon of the 19th of June, journalists paid a first visit to Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum Site Museum located in Lingtong district of Xi’an, a capital city of Shaanxi province. This large heritage incorporates the Terracotta Warriors Museum and the Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Mausoleum site park.
The leaders of Shaanxi Foreign Affairs Office pointed out that the museum was listed among the first batch of major historical and cultural sites protected at the national level by the State Council. It was further listed among the first batch of sites in China included in the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s world heritage list.
Indeed, the Terracotta Warriors (or Terracotta Army) are a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of China. This is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in ancient China with the purpose of protecting him in his afterlife. There are 3 pits that were later discovered, the story of which was never mentioned in the historical records.
Thus, Pit No 1 is the largest and was discovered in March 1974 by local farmers while drilling a well. Then archaeologists began the explorations and excavations and discovered three pits.These pits include warriors, chariots and horses. It is estimated that over 8,000 fantastic life-size clay warriors protected the tomb of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The first pit is now referred to as the eighth wonder of the world, one of the great archaeological finds in the 20th century and the spiritual symbol of Chinese civilization. The figures vary in height according to their rank, the tallest being the generals. Therefore, these figures were intended to serve as the grand army for the underground imperial palace.
Over the 40 years since its discovery, it has received over 270 foreign heads of state and governments, as well as more than 100 million visitors from home and abroad. 10000 people visit the museum per day, and the number can reach 60000 people during holidays, according to on-the-spot information.
The leaders of Shaanxi Foreign Affairs Office said that Terracotta Warriors have been exhibited in over 40 countries and 170 cities, becoming an epitome of the glorious civilization of ancient China as well as a messenger of cultural exchanges.