The Terracotta Army typically rates high on many people’s list of things to see before they die. The First Emperor of China was a larger than life figure even in the afterlife. The tales of his military prowess and tyrannical behavior carried over into an obsession for immortality. Emperor Qin Shihuang came into power at thirteen and unified China under imperial rule. His legacy of building an underground fortress to conquer the great beyond included an army of life size warriors, infantrymen, horses, chariots, armor and weapons.
What is considered by some as the eighth wonder of the world is now attainable. The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is exhibiting China’s Terracotta Warriors: The First Emperor’s Legacy now through May 27, 2013. There are ten figures including a general, kneeling archer, armored infantryman cavalry horses and over a hundred other artifacts. All warriors have unique features and vary in height and uniform. It is a qualitative sampling of the thousands of soldiers that were unearthed in 1974 that span an area equivalent to four football fields.
Until you can make it to China, take advantage of the visiting exhibit and see the epic undertaking from the past with your own eyes.
Asian Art Museum-200 Larkin Street, San Francisco
Hours:
Tuesday-Sunday 10 AM- 5 PM
Thursdays 10 AM-9PM
Buy tickets in advance at www.asianart.org if you plan on going on the weekend because the exhibit is known to sell out.
Adults (18-64)
Weekdays $20 and Weekends $22
Seniors (65+) and college students with ID
Weekdays $16 and Weekends $18
Youth (13-17)
Weekdays and Weekends $8
Asian Art Museum members, children under 12, and active members of the US military with ID are free
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