Terracotta Warriors and Horses enjoy a reputation of “the 8th wonder of the world". There is a saying to tell the importance of Terracotta Warriors and Horses: “One can't claim to have visited China unless one has seen these terracotta warriors.”
Nearly 2,200 years ago, eight-thousand life-sized terracotta warriors were created as guardians protecting the tomb of the first Qin emperor. The emperor wanted to bury an entire army of soldiers under the ground. This ancient phenomenon gave evidence to the world of the Chinese people's sophistication and rich cultural heritage.
There are 3 pits in the museum. The three pits cover a total area of 22,780 square meters.
Pit No.1 takes an oblong shape. It is 230 meters long, 62 meters wide and five meters deep. It covers an area of 14,260 square meters. Pit No.1 displays the warriors, amour-clad and holding long-shaft weapons,and Pit No.1 is probably the main body of the formation and represents the principal army. There are altogether 27 trial trenches. It is assumed that more than 6,000 clay warriors and horses could be unearthed from Pit No.1, most of which are infantrymen.
Pit No.2 is L-shaped and consists of four different mixed military forces in four arrays. The four arrays are closely connected to constitute a complete battle formation and can be divided up to act independently, capable of attacking and defending and quick response. It is estimated that there were over 1,000 pieces of pottery figures, 500 horse-drawn chariots and saddled horses. The pit is measured 6,000 square meters.
Pit No.3 is located 25 meters to the north of Pit No.1 and to the west of Pit No.2, totaling about 520 square meters.In Pit No.3 only one kind of weapon called "shu" were discovered, which had no blades and were believed to be used by the guards of honor. Unearthed also in this pit were a remaining deer-horn and animal bones. This is probably the place where sacrificial offerings and war prayers were practiced.