The Tomb of Qin Shi Huangdi(1518 views)

Release date:2009-08-24 15:31:33

Whilst Xi'an's Terracotta warriors are famed the world over as one of history's greatest archaeological discoveries, and are a necessary point of call for most culturally-minded tourists, Xi'an holds another archaeological wonder, another symbol of the limitless power of China's first emperor.

Ascending to the throne of his clan, the Qin, at the age of 13 in 246 BCE, Qin Shi Huangdi immediately began construction of an extraordinary mausoleum, which was completed soon after his death in 210 BCE, 36 years after the work commenced.

What makes this site so special is not its aesthetic splendour or immediate magnificence - the tomb is, after all, just a hill when viewed from the outside - but instead is the sense of history and wonder one gets when standing atop the tomb, something that can be achieved after a short climb. Tourists can get a ride around the tomb's perimeter in a golf buggy, and there are several display cases containing artefacts and exhibits dotted around the grounds.

Adding to the mystery are the legends that have built up around the tomb, which come from historical records, but have no doubt been exaggerated over time, not least in popular movies such as Jackie Chan's The Myth. The tomb seizes the imagination like no other of China's historical sites - legend has it that the tomb floor is a criss cross of rivers and lakes, not flowing with water, but with mercury. These silver waterways are said to mimic the geographical layout of China, the kingdoms of which were united under Qin Shi Huangdi's reign. Aside from poisonous rivers, it is said that there are mechanical crossbows and fiendish arrow traps, set to ward off unwanted intruders. This is like something from an Indiana Jones movie, or the adventure serials of the 1930's, and it's no wonder then that the tomb has been part of the popular imagination of China and the wider world since its discovery.

This allure is intensified by the unexcavated nature of the tomb. It is one of the world's greatest unsolved mysteries - what exactly does lay in wait for those intrepid enough to venture in? The Chinese authorities are reluctant to recklessly charge in and disturb whatever lays inside the mausoleum, and for good reason, as there is currently no way of guaranteeing that the relics within will not be damaged if they do so. For now, at least, the secrets of the tomb remain hidden, but the romance and the wonder of this place are something that should be experienced by all.

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