Historic Xi'an

The Big Wild Goose Pagoda
A symbol of old Xi’an, Big Wild Goose Pagoda is an ancient building dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). A holy place for Buddhists it is about 4 kilometers south of Xi’an City. The original of its name is steeped deep in folklore. According to ancient stories of Buddhists, there were two branches, for one of which eating meat was not a taboo. One day, they couldn't find meat to buy. Upon seeing a group of big wild geese flying by, a monk said to himself: 'Today we have no meat. I hope the merciful Bodhisattva will give us some.' At that very moment, the leading wild goose broke its wings and fell to the ground. All the monks were startled and believed that Bodhisattva showed his spirit to order them to be more pious. They established a pagoda where the wild goose fell and stopped eating meat. Hence it got the name 'Big Wild Goose Pagoda'.

0168 Wild Goose Temple Oct 02

Wild Goose Temple
Nov 96

0182 At Wild Goose Temple Oct 02

Wild Goose Temple1
Nov 96

0211 Traditional Lion
Wild Goose Temple Oct 02

0436 Roof of Wild Goose Temple Oct 02

0171 In Wild Goose Temple Oct 02

Inside the Wild Goose Temple Nov 96

0174 Buddha at Wild Goose Temple Oct 02

0175 Buddha at Wild Goose Temple Oct 02

0156 Men at Wild Goose Temple Oct 02

The Subterranean Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang
Over 2000 years ago the first Emperor of what is today called China created an army for him to lead into the next world. Each terra cotta solder is was modeled after a unique person, giving us a glimpse as to what people in China looked like 2000 years ago. The solders all face the East, behind the sealed tomb of Emperor Qin. They are arranged in a battle formation, in three “pits” behind Qin, as he leads them into the wars of the next world. The main army formation in pit “1” with over 6,000 solders immediately behind Qin. The are two smallerpits behind the main army, pits 2 and 3. Pit 2 has about 900 archers and and solders mounted on chariots and pit 3 is a small pit of officers.

The army was discovered by a pheasant Lao Fang who is shown in these images. Images are from Pit 1, the main army.

0384 Terricotta Army
Nov 96

0191 Terricotta Army
Oct 99

0231 Terricotta Army
Oct 99

Terricotta Solders
Oct 99

Terricotta Army 5
Nov 96

Terricotta Army 4
Nov 96

Lao Fang - Discovered the Vaults of the Army Nov 96

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