Preview: Terra Cotta Warriors at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, DC

Last night, I had the amazing opportunity to join other fellow bloggers and photographers at the sneak-preview of the Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor exhibit. It is an amazing and awe-inspiring collection of detailed weaponry, life-size figures, limestone armor, and intricate details I’ve never had the priviledge to see first-hand before.

I was immediately taken by the sheer size of the figures. On first entering the exhibit, you’re immediately met by a massive horse and calvary man that looms large in the entry room.

The entire exhibit is bursting with the essence of ancient China from the paintings and artifacts adorning the walls, to the low ambience of oriental music, to the lush reds, oranges and browns used in the colour scheme.

What follows from the entryway is at least an hour’s walking-tour (or audio, if you prefer!) of weaponry, armor, currency, bronze figures, incredible clay sculptures and architecture of ancient Chinese culture.

Photography unfortunately is not allowed inside the exhibit once it has opened to the public, however, I fully encourage you to check out the Heritage Key Flickr pool for photographs of this exhibit!

Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor, opened to the public on 19th November, 2009, at the National Geographic Museum in Washington, DC. The museum is the final venue of the exhibition’s four-city U.S. tour. Tickets are sold for $12 USD per adult, $10 USD per senior citizen, and $6 per child between the ages of 2-12. A group discount rate of $8 USD per person applies to groups of 10 or more.

This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the Terracotta Warriors in the U.S. With 55,000 advance tickets sold before opening day, I can only imagine the excitement among those ready to see the figures live and in colour and hope to encourage you to join the crowd!