Terracotta Warriors

Old Jun 25th, 2017, 12:03 PM
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Terracotta Warriors

Hello,
I am visiting China on a tour in Sept. and would like to see the Terracotta Warriors. I also have rather extreme claustrophobia. Can anyone tell me what size the rooms where they are? Are they very crowded and whether people flow through quickly or is it jammed up, I understand there are different pits so is the experience different in each?
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 02:19 PM
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I didn't find it the least bit claustrophobic - but I don't suffer over much.

these photos may give you a bit of an idea

http://www.beijingholiday.com/assets...thwell-540.jpg

https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...rmy-in-pit.jpg
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 02:28 PM
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Thanks Janis, the pictures helped put my mind completely at rest. The area is huge and there is even windows. "A picture is worth a thousand words".
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 02:28 PM
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The pits themselves are in HUGE buildings with very high ceilings, but IME, one needs to be at the balustrade to get a good view, and those balustrades can get VERY crowded. People often try to get to the front by doing a bit of pushing. When I was there, in 2010, there were some places that were most popular, for example, from the short end facing the "oncoming" army; the parts of the balustrade that didn't give quite such a stunning view were not so packed, and many of them also give spectacular views.

The crowdedness of the museum varied, IME, with the presence of tour groups. There were spaces that were surprisingly open, and others where groups seemed to take turns clustering around some display case and preventing others from getting in to see.

Note that I do not experience claustrophobia, and so I might not have attended to the cues that you might have found disturbing.

BTW, have you already committed to a tour? You might consider visiting parts of China, including Xi'an, independently, when you can be a bit more flexible with your time and have the opportunity to "wait out" the crowds.
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 03:38 PM
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>> the parts of the balustrade that didn't give quite such a stunning view were not so packed, and many of them also give spectacular views.
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 05:39 PM
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Hi,

I went there last year and the pits are definitely big enough to avoid claustrophobia.I went in May time and there were relatively few people.You can read about it here if you wish:

https://www.thetripgoeson.com/single...for-an-Emperor

Hope you have a wonderful time!

Steve
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 05:41 PM
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My husband and I are part of a 12 person tour with Adventure Abroad and as I have used them once before, and I know they are very good. We travel a lot on our own to Europe a lot but I want a tour to get the information we want in this once only trip to China. However China is all brand new to me so I want expert help, not to mention pick ups at the airport and other flights in China and Hong Kong.
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 05:46 PM
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While I can understand your motivation, tours are, unfortunately, not necessarily your best source of information about anything you will see in China. Here's a recent thread on the topic:
http://www.fodors.com/community/asia...-reputable.cfm

Good luck!
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 07:02 PM
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The major sites in China, including the Terra Cotta Warriors, are made worse by the way people behave. My sons and I were minding our own business admiring the warriors (each one is unique), when a young Chinese girl tapped me on the shoulder and told me to move so her parents could take a picture of her. In theory, it would be great if you could get there when they open, but if you're taking a tour, then you might not have a choice.

We hired a fantastic driver from the Hyatt in Xi'An. He took us all over and was so nice and dependable. He spoke very little English, but the concierge at the Hyatt laid out the route. I don't understand why so many people are intent on taking tours in China, when it's so easy to get around. Please reconsider.
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 07:32 PM
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CaliforniaLady, I am an experienced traveller of a certain age, I have made a very informed decision to join this tour and am very comfortable with it. My sister and brother-in law who are world travellers are coming and that was part of the fun of it for us. The topic was my comfort level in the pits which I was given excellent information, with pictures I might add. Thanks all for the great advice on that topic.
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Old Jun 25th, 2017, 07:50 PM
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Oh, yes -- you should be prepared for those requests to step aside mentioned by CaliforniaLady! I've been stunned by the increasing frequency of such requests. More and more frequently, I find that I have to wait for every person in a tour group to have his/her picture taken in front of whatever, and now they actually ask people to move to make that possible. Argh!

My advice: When someone asks for your space, no matter how politely, decline politely -- unless, of course, you are ready to move on.
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Old Jun 26th, 2017, 11:23 AM
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It is as if you are in small,open air stadium with a roof covering it, open sides. No claustrophobia at all.
Yes, the Chinese behave differently than we would in public. I think it comes from always being in very overcrowded conditions and lack of freedoms.
You will have people cut in line at historic sites, and other public venues including rest rooms. At least the girl tapped CalforniaLady on the shoulder first. I agree with kja's advice.
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