In 221 B.C., Emperor Qin Shi Huang of the Qin dynasty established the first centralized feudal dynasty in China. After his death, he was buried at the northern foot of Lishan Hill in the east of Lintong county. The tomb is a rammed-soil mound, occupying an area of eight square kilometers. This is the first and the largest imperial mausoleum in China still remain to be excavated.
In 1974, three large pits of terra-cotta figures were found 1.5 km. east of the Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. The excavation revealed more than 1.000 pieces of pottery figurines, bronze chariots and horses and weapons. So far, three burial pits have been found. The No. 1 pit buried a rectangular formation of chariots and army troops; the No. 2 pit buried a winding formation of chariots, army troops and cavalries; and the No. 3 pit was a command headquarters. Now, a Terra-cotta Army Museum has been set up for the protection of the discovery. All kinds of them were finely made, and they're transcendental artworks.
The Museum is one of the 10 most famous places in China, and are announced as the world cultural heritage by UNESCO in December, 1987 .
