Observe the military precision of the Terracotta Army, which has stood in eternal formation since they were buried with Qin Shi Huang, the First Emperor of China, nearly 2,000 years ago. They were buried with the emperor to safeguard him in the afterlife. Rediscovered in 1974 after being lost to time for thousands of years, the army is composed of over 8,000 soldiers, horses and chariots. It is the most significant archeological excavation of the 20th century and work is ongoing at the site to this day. The Terracotta Army Museum has become a world famous tourist attraction. Although Xian may be out of the way for many who come to China, the best way to get there is by plane or railway. There is also a public bus from the train station to the museum. Visiting these majestic, silent stone warriors is a must on any tour of China.