China’s Terra Cotta Warriors Complete Tour at National Geographic Museum
The National Geographic Museum was the final venue of the four-city U.S. tour of Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor. The exhibition included 15 terra cotta figures, the largest number to travel to the U.S. from the tomb of China’s First Emperor. Emperor Qin Shihuangdi laid the foundation for modern China by defeating six neighboring warring states and declaring himself emperor of the unified territory in 221 B.C. Considered one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of the 20th century, the tomb complex contains thousands of terra cotta warriors intended to protect and serve Emperor Qin in the afterlife.
The National Geographic Museum features a variety of changing exhibitions as well as permanent and interactive displays that reflect the richness and diversity of our world. Founded in 1888 and one of the world’s largest nonprofit scientific and educational organizations, National Geographic works to inspire people to care about the planet.
Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China’s First Emperor was open November 19, 2009–March 31, 2010. Viking also helped sponsor the exhibition’s earlier stops at the Bowers Museum in Orange County, California; the Houston Museum of Natural Science; and Atlanta’s High Museum of Art.
“We have been taking travelers to see the Terracotta Army in Xian, as well as other key attractions in China, for the past five years,” said Torstein Hagen, founding chairman of Viking. “Our guests always tell us that seeing the Terracotta Warriors is one of the highlights of their China experience. We are thrilled to have helped Americans see some of China’s treasures that they may not otherwise have had the opportunity to see.”