Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor

Welcome to the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, one of the most ambitious and mysterious architectural projects in human history. We stand before the final resting place of Ying Zheng, who at age thirteen ascended the throne…

The discovery of Pit 1 in 1974 by farmers digging a well changed our understanding of ancient China forever. Here stand an estimated 8,000 life-sized warriors, each meticulously crafted from terracotta. …

In 1980, archaeologists discovered a pit containing two half-scale bronze chariots, each correct in every exquisite detail. These vehicles are masterpieces of ancient metallurgy. …

Located just 200 meters from the main burial mound, Pit K9801 is the largest discovered in the complex, spanning over 13,000 square meters. Inside, archaeologists found a staggering sight: thousands of sets of armor and helmets…

Perhaps the most sensational aspect of the mausoleum is the reported presence of liquid mercury. Sima Qian wrote that the Emperor's tomb was surrounded by rivers of mercury fashioned to simulate the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, and…

In the western part of the necropolis, pits have been found containing the remains of hundreds of horses and exotic animals, including deer and rare birds. These represent the Emperor's private menagerie, sacrificed and buried to…

We now stand before the great tumulus itself, the massive earthen mound that sits directly above the central burial chamber. While Sima Qian recorded its original height as over 100 meters, it currently stands at roughly 54…

As we conclude our tour of the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, we reflect on the legacy of a man who unified a continent but could not conquer death. Qin Shi Huang’s arrogant bid for a reign of ten thousand years lasted…