Tag: #monument
Delicate Arch

Delicate Arch

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Delicate Arch (Arches NP)

If your dream is to experience the Wild Wild West at its best and venture into its majestic & mysterious landscape, then your destination is Arches NP! If you ever dreamt of visiting the most iconic natural monument of the Wild Wild West, then your destination is, again, Arches NP!

Although this national park is relatively small compared to other parks in the west, exploring this majestic land can take you days in order to marvel at all its beauties. As its name suggests, this NP is full of arches…Natural Arches:) and its home to the most famous of all…THE DELICATE ARCH!!

Exploring this NP is relatively straightforward. First, it is easily accessible as its located at the entrance of the US adventure capital…Moab, UT. Second, it has only one main road from along which you’ll have various trailheads and viewpoints to the different arches (click to request map); however, the main challenge that you’ll face when exploring this majestic NP is to try and see all the arches:)

So how to do it?

When exploring a new place, there are usually two schools of how to do it: 1) save the best for last; or 2) start on a high:) I personally belong to the 1st school; however, for this NP, I had to go for the 2nd school and start with the iconic & majestic Delicate Arch! for three reasons: 1) I wanted to start early and beat the crowds, 2) I didn’t want to risk not having enough time to enjoy and marvel at this out-of-this-world beauty, and 3) I honestly couldn’t resist:)

As I said, this NP is full of arches, but honestly, it’ll be unfair to write about them in the same blog as the Delicate Arch and because there are not enough words or pics that can describe what you’ll see in front of you, I’ll dedicate this blog to exploring the Delicate Arch only, and exploring all the other arches will be through another blog post. Another recommendation before embarking on this exploration is to postpone visiting the viewpoint, which can be done by car, till after you visit this icon up close and personal so as not to ruin the surprise… So lets start!

The trail to the Delicate Arch starts at the Wolfe Ranch, but you’ll have to park in the parking lot 1 mile down the road and walk back to the ranch to start. From here, it is a 3-mile (+480ft) hike to the Arch over rocky terrain.

From the moment I reached the ranch and started the hike to the Arch, the adrenaline started pumping in my veins, and with every step forward, I found myself walking faster till I practically ran as I was too eager to be finally able to see this wild west icon. Until suddenly, the Delicate Arch came into view and What a View!! 

Still, you are far away and from that distance, you can’t grasp the full scale of its size nor how delicately carved it is! Yet, once I reached the vicinity of this icon, I instantly felt so small, both in size and age:) and started running around from the excitement and disbelief of what I was seeing.

How can nature carve such a fine and delicate rock is beyond me, how can this majestic arch keep standing tall all these years is mind-blowing.

I can’t describe my feelings while I’m in front of this icon, its simply a miracle that is unmatched anywhere on earth. So, it goes without saying, that you’ll spend a lot of time admiring this stunning arch in front of you and it’ll be one of your hardest decisions when you finally decide to head back to your car…SO ENJOY:)
Coba

Coba

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Coba (Climbing an ancient Pyramid)

After visiting Chichen Itza, you’ll be thirsty for an adventure and wonder if you can add a historical twist to it?! You got what you asked for! What is more adventurous than climbing one of the ancient Mayan pyramids and have unforgettable views of the lush jungle from top!

Few people even know that there is a pyramid, only 1 pyramid, that they can climb all the way to the top “legally” without breaking any rules, and this pyramid is in Coba! Coba is off-the-beaten-path and no tour buses go there, so it is preserved for the adventurous spirits like us:) This means that going there On Your Own is a bit of a challenge, but totally doable via collectivos, of course:) Now, since you became familiar with the collective system in Mexico, take one of those fun local rides heading to Tulum. Although the collective will take you to the center of Tulum, Coba is still some 30-45 minute drive from there, and unfortunately no collectivos go there which leaves you with only 1 option: Taxi. In Tulum there is a designated stop for taxis heading to Coba so this should be your destination (click to request info). Expect to haggle the price a lot as the initial quoted price will be extremely high; and you can meet other adventurers and share the cost together. When I went there, there was only 1 American/British couple heading to Coba and we ended up sharing the ride and spending the entire day together…lots of fun!! For me this is the beauty of traveling On Your Own as you’ll be able to meet like-minded adventurers like you.

Arriving at Coba, you’ll instantly realize that you ventured to a place few people go to & it is an amazing feeling; so pay your entrance ticket & start your adventure! 

Coba is a site that houses a number of archeological monuments including pyramids, but only 1 can be climbed. The first thing you’ll see after entering the site is a perfectly-preserved pyramid with immaculate details that will amaze you 

Continue hiking inwards on the single trail and you’ll find a picturesque ancient hut which will take you back to the Mayan’s time

By now the adrenaline will be kicking as you want to climb to the top of the pyramids, but Coba, itself, is still 2km away. You can hike there, but to make your trip more fun, rent a bike and paddle your way instead! There is a bike rental kiosk just after the hut, so grab a bike and paddle your way to Coba. The path is flat and its all in the shade, so the ride is easy & fun.

Reaching Coba, you’ll find a perfectly-preserved tall pyramid towering above the trees and you’ll find few people who already started their climb.

The climb is steep and in the scorching sun, you’ll be sweating with every step you take, but it is fun & well worth it

Reaching the top is an unbelievable feeling! Not only will you be on top of a Mayan pyramid, but also on top of the dense green jungle with amazing views

& time for some fun-posing pictures:)

When ready, it’ll be time to go down. It is a bit steep, but there is a rope in the middle to which you can hang on, if needed. 

You’ve now achieved your goal and climbed an ancient Mayan pyramid that few people know it exists! So grab your bike and head back to the gate.

By now you might start realizing that there is no ride back waiting for you and after the excitement of your achievement fades, you’ll start wondering how will you go back?! But don’t worry, there is a bus that can take you back, but it only comes once/day, so make sure that you timed your exit right (click to request info).

One final tip: give yourself an hour before the bus arrives and enjoy a local beer by the picturesque lake at the entrance…Cheers!

 
Chichen Itza

Chichen Itza

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Chichen Itza

Mexico is an enchanting country full of culture, history, natural beauty, and historical monuments; and the most famous of all is Chichen Itza. This amazing pyramid is a must-see for any trip to Mexico and especially the Yucatan peninsula. Contrary to the perception that Mexico is a dangerous country and that everything has to be done through an organized tour, you can easily and safely visit this marvelous site On Your Own from Cancun! So, in this blog, I’ll take you through the journey of how to visit Chichen Itza like a local & throw in an added bonus side-trip afterwards.  

First of all, let us agree that most people visiting the Yucatan peninsula will be either based in Cancun or Playa del Carmen. For the sake of this blog, I’ll provide insights about how to visit Chichen Itza from Cancun and you’ll find info about going from Cancun to Playa in my Cenote Chaok Tun post, so let us begin the adventure!

Cancun has two major parts: the resorts part and the local downtown part. So, if you are after beaches and nightlife then stay in the former, but if you are interested in culture and local life, then definitely downtown is the place to go & you can still go to the beach:)

So, to do any of my Mexican trips, you’ve to use local transport and find your way to downtown. Next, for anyone looking to travel independently in Mexico, you’ll have be familiar with and use the collective system. These are small public buses that locals use to get from one town to another. They are very frequent and can be flagged down from anywhere and have a set fee according to the distance. At first, they might look intimidating and people will try to convince you that its dangerous to get you to use their expensive transportation options, but believe me…they are perfectly safe, fun, and gives you the real Mexican experience, so use them whenever you can!

To go to Chichen Itza is very easy and straightforward from Cancun downtown. There are daily buses that depart from the bus station and go directly to Chichen Itza, non-stop (click to request info).

The buses are very comfy, have AC, and the trip takes around 3 hours, so take an early bus and you can sleep in it if you had a long night before:)

Arriving at Chichen Itza, you’ll immediately realize how touristy it is with lots of tour groups, but you are there for the history, so ignore this and remember…You came On Your Own🙂  

From the entrance of the site, you’ll walk the forest path for around 15 minutes and then the great pyramid will unveil itself to you 

Admire this incredible structure and start walking around it while taking pics from every angle

Then its time to take a picture of yourself with this famous monument, so chose the perfect spot & smile:)  

Although this pyramid is the highlight of the area and will dwarf any other structure around it, you can still take a look around for the other structures and there is a hidden pool in the forest that you must visit as it feels like heaven (click to request info) 

This concludes your day at Chichen Itza, but if you still have the energy you can do a side trip on your way back. It is time to visit the small town of Valladolid and admire its colonial architecture and history. So, ditch the bus and take a collective heading to this town (click to request info).

Upon arriving, start walking around and explore the center square and the town’s church which will make you feel that you went back in time 

After exploring the city, you can grab something to eat in one of its amazing local restaurants and take a collective back to Cancun downtown.    

 
Venice

Venice

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Venice

Venice has a reputation of being an expensive and touristy city, yet it is a very special city like no other on the world, so it is a shame that this reputation puts off adventure budget travelers, like us, from exploring this city because it is really a special one! So, in this blog, I’ll show you how you can visit Venice without breaking the bank and, also, avoiding all the tourist traps…so lets go:)

To visit Venice on budget you have to venture off-the-beaten-path and be prepared to walk…a lot:) Although, the city is abundant with landmarks and amazing sights, I don’t recommend that you stick with particular itinerary. Yes there are must sees in Venice; like: the Realto bridge and Piazza San Marco, but the best way to explore the unique nature of Venice is by wandering On Your Own and navigating the endless maze of small alleys while getting lost every now & then:)

The first step to enjoy a budget trip to Venice is to acquire a very good map and orient yourself with the different districts of the city (click to request info). Then you’ll have to figure out how to reach Venice and where to stay?

There are various ways by which you can arrive to Venice, but the most affordable and logistically easy way is by train to S. Lucia station. By arriving at S. Lucia station, you’ll find yourself right in the magic of the city with all its canals and amazing buildings

Next step is to take care of your accommodation. There are no hostels in the city and most hotels tend to be pricey and touristy, so first advice is to avoid hotels that are close to the main sites or right on the grand canal. You’ll find hidden gems in the side alleys, and since there will be no tourists around, you’ll feel like a local! I found one of these hidden gems that was very charming, clean, and close enough to the major attractions and I highly recommend it if you want to enjoy a local Venetian experience (click to request info) 

After settling in your hotel, its time to explore this amazing city. I know that the first thing you’ll want to do is to ride a gondola in the canals, but unfortunately, these are way overpriced and very touristy. Don’t be discouraged!! You can still explore Venice’s famous grand canal and On Budget! Use the Water Bus! For ϵ7.5 only, you can buy a ticket and ride the water bus for the entire day and hopping on & off as you like. The water bus will get you up close to all the major attractions along the grand canal.

Armed with your map and the knowledge of how to use the water bus, it is time to explore the major attractions of the city. For me, there are some must do’s; like:

Realto Bridge

Piazza San Marco

Bridge of Sights

Basilica Salute

But don’t restrict yourself to these sights only, Venice is full of countless marvels & the best way to see them is by just wandering in the small alleys and canals aimlessly without a particular agenda…just immerse yourself in the true magic of the city away from the mass tourism; and believe me, you’ll feel like a kid running in a maze:)

To put the icing on the cake, how about a bird-eyed view of Venice!! Yes you can see Venice from top and it is FREE!! (click to request info). The views are out of this world and you’ll find yourself taking loads of pictures from all directions…it is an amazing view so enjoy it as long as you want:)

Now it is time to relax and have an evening drink and dinner. Avoid the touristy restaurants and tourist traps and go eat where the locals eat. So, it is time to head away from the touristy districts and venture into the residential ones (click to request info). Here you’ll find local bars and restaurants with amazing food and friendly people

 On your way back to your hotel, take a final water bus ride at night and marvel the amazing atmosphere and architecture.

     

 
Sacred Valley (Hikes)

Sacred Valley (Hikes)

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Salineras de Maras & Moray

Not only is it full of magnificent Inca ruins, the sacred valley of Peru boasts a stunning nature which can be enjoyed through a number of hiking trails. The hike that I did and will be described in this post will take you, not only, through unspoiled nature away from mass tourism, but also will pass by two of the must-see ruins/sights in the sacred valley; and as always…All On Your Own…So let us begin:)

Urubamba → Salineras de Maras → Moray:

This hike is fairly easy and suitable for the average hiker; albeit, it is a bit long. So, based in Cusco, you’ll need to start your day early to take your time and enjoy all it has to offer.

To get to the start of the hike from Cusco, again the collective is your savior:) As you now became an expert with how to navigate your way in the sacred valley through collectivos, there is a designated stop in Cusco for the collectivos heading directly to Urubamba, or you can take a collective to Pisac then Urubamaba (click to request info).

Urubamaba is in the middle of the sacred valley and when you arrive there, the collective will drop you on the main sacred valley’s road adjacent to the river. Don’t enter Urubamaba itself, instead head across the street towards the river to reach the trailhead (click to request info).

Immediately when you start hiking you’ll cross a wooden bridge over the river and then you’ll find a small gate and a little boy selling tickets to Salineras. Don’t be alarmed, it is not a scam!! But because you took the road less-traveled to reach Salineras, this is not the main gate that all tourists use to reach the salt mines. Buy your ticket and be ready to reach Salineras like no other tourist:)

The hike from the gate to the salt terraces of Salineras is an uphill hike, yet it is fairly moderate and will take you around 40 minutes to reach your destination.

The trail digs itself in the pass between the hills and along the way you’ll get amazing views of the valley behind you…so enjoy.

 

Since you took the road less-traveled, you’ll reach Salineras from the bottom, unlike the tour groups’ tourists, so you’ll have this section of the mines to yourself:) 

The way these mines are engineered from ancient times and the fact that they are still operational till today is fascinating. You can walk on the terraces themselves but be careful not to slip…so enjoy and admire this marvelous engineering feat. When you are ready, head your way up the terraces to the main gate from which tour groups arrive and say a final goodbye to those amazing mines.

Now that you finished the first leg of the hike, take a break and rest because the next leg is very long and it is the true definition of “off-the-beaten-pass”!

There is a road connecting Salineras to Moray, but few people know that there is also a hiking trail along the ridge of the mountains that takes you directly there. First, you’ll start walking on the main road and after few meters you’ll venture into a side road away from the tour buses. On this road, you’ll be totally alone…Only you, some wildlife, and stunning nature! 

It is a serene and a very satisfying feeling to be so immersed in nature with no civilization around you to spoil the views! But don’t let the serenity take you along this road for too long because very shortly you’ll take a detour to the hiking trails (click to request info).

Once you find the trail, it’ll be a straightforward hike to Moray on a mostly flat terrain; however, it is a long trail which will take you around 3 hours to complete.

Congratulations!!! You’ve arrived at Moray On Your Own and via a route that few people take; and, above all, this isn’t one of the main ruins on the tourists’ trail so there will be few people around. Enjoy this ancient amphitheater; and then you’ll need to arrange your ride back to Cusco.

There are no collectivos or public transportation from Moray to Cusco, so the best way to go back is to find a local taxi (I’ve to admit, not many stop there), or hitchhike a ride and pay a small fee to a local guy. It might sound alarming that you might get stuck in Moray, but don’t worry you’ll find your way back and actually this is part of the fun of doing it On Your Own…SO ENJOY:)
Chinggis Khaan Statue

Chinggis Khaan Statue

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Chinggis Khaan Statue

It is a statue like no other! It is the larges equestrian statue in the world according to Guinness World Records! and it surely fits such a great emperor and warrior… The Chinggis Khaan Statue! Although Mongolia is famous for its nomadic life and stunning nature with vast open spaces, no visit is complete to this land without visiting this statue and paying tribute to one of the greatest conquerors in the history of mankind.

The Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex is located 54 km outside of the capital city “Ulanbaatar” (UB) and you would be forgiven to think that it’ll be straightforward to go there; however, as the public transportation in Mongolia is a bit limited outside UB and whenever you ask about how to go there, people will tell you that the only way is going with a tour group which costs at least $40!! That didn’t make sense to me as, for sure, the land of free-roaming nomads can’t depend on tour companies to visit one of its landmarks. So I did my research before my trip and found out that I can go On My Own and On Budget, but still I needed to figure out the exact route when I arrive there. Using the way that I’ll describe below to visit the statue will immerse you with the locals and make you venture into the unknow; yet confident in your planning skills:)

The independent trip to the statue complex is a two-legged trip; first you’ll take a bus from UB, then a local taxi. Since there is no direct public bus from UB to the statue, you’ll need to take the bus going to a village called Naliakh. Finding the right bus, and the right bus stop, is a challenge in itself. I, myself, had to go to two 3 different stops, ask the drivers of 2 different buses, and seek the help of the friendly locals to know which is which! So, for the spirit of the discoverer in you, I won’t reveal these details here; but, in case you want the exact directions, just drop me an email and I’ll be happy to help…for free of course:) (click to request info)

When you are on the bus, ask the driver to tell you when the bus reaches Naliakh as there are no signs to point that out for you. Arriving at Naliakh, the bus will drop you at an intersection and you’ll find a shopping center to your left (click to request info) for the exact signs of this shopping center. Here you’ll find some local taxis, although unofficial, that will take you to the statue safely. Expect to haggle the price with the driver, but not too much as their starting price will be already cheap compared to the $40 option. The driver will take you to the statue complex, wait for you till you finish exploring and enjoying the site with no rush, and then take you back to Naliakh. It is a truly amazing experience to visit this emperor’s statue in his homeland with his own people, and the best part of it is that the total cost of the entire trip from UB is no more than $10!!:) and will take you maximum an hour each way.

The statue is part of a complex with museums and shops. You’ll start seeing the mighty Chinggis Khaan riding his horse from afar and it is really impressive.

Soon you’ll enter through a care gate with the name of Chinggis Khaan engraved on it…Yes you are there:)

When you first arrive, you’ll not be able to hide your excitement…this is really a unique statue in a unique land. The first close view of the statue will be from the side and you’ll start taking lots of pictures then realize that there are still 360 degrees views of the statue and still lots of pictures:)

Start walking the circular trail around the statue’s base, I bet you’ll do it multiple time:), and OH MY…here is the face of the statue and how impressive and detailed is that…amazing 

And the back…it is a real horse!!

But wait! That is not all! You can go up the horse!! Pay your entry ticket at the complex’s entrance and go inside. First, you’ll find some souvenir shops and you can take pictures in traditional Mongolian costumes. Next, and saving the best for last, go downstairs to the museum which has many artifacts belonging to the mighty emperor, himself.

Now… Are you ready!! Head up the big circular stairs, then there will be an elevator and narrower set of stairs. From my excitement, I could not wait for the elevator and ran up the stairs in a second:) and now I’m up in the head of the horse and OH MY!!

Behind me is the mighty man himself and infront of me are stunning green views, so take your breath and take multiple pictures with Chinggis Khaan up close and personal.

It’ll be tough to go down and leave this great man, but there is still one more treat for you! Across the street from the complex’s gate is another statue of Chinggis Khaan’s mother, so ask your driver to take you there, which he will happily do. Yes, it is not as impressive, but still a nice statue and a great way to end your day trip.

Now that you are done, your driver will take you back to Naliakh, which is 20-30 min away, where you’ll take your bus back to UB all proud of yourself that you visited the great emperor…ON YOUR OWN!

 

 
Sacred Valley (Towns & Ruins)

Sacred Valley (Towns & Ruins)

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Towns & Ruins

I explored the magnificent towns of the sacred valley on two different routes which I recommend to every independent traveler and they both can be done On Your Own:

  • Cusco → Tipon → Cusco:

Tipon is not in the sacred valley proper, yet it lies at a high elevation to the south of the valley; yet there are some beautiful ruins here that are worth the trip.

It is really easy and straight-forward to go to Tipon on your own, you don’t need to join a cramped organized tour for that. From Cusco, you’ll take a collective directly to Tipon which takes around 30 minutes and for only 5 soles; however, as there are different collectivo stops in Cusco, depending on your destination, you’ll need to head to the right one for Tipon (click to request info).

Arriving at Tipon, you’ll start hiking to the ruins. Since the ruins are outside of town, which makes them more magical, you’ll hike around 3 hours (each way) to visit them on a well-marked trail. From the collective stop, you’ll see signs to the ruins or you can ask any local about “el camino” to the ruins and they will point which direction to you. The hike is about 1-1:30 hours of an uphill climb to the first terraces of the ruins. The first section of the trail consists of a dirt road passing through some local houses which will then be followed by a trail in the mountains with some beautiful scenery.

These ruins are off-the-beaten-path of the sacred valley and few tour groups go there which makes them much more special. When you arrive at the ruins, you’ll find yourself almost alone there and you be free to explore as much as you want of these ruins, take lots of pictures of your, almost private, Inca ruins; and if you still have an appetite for more ruins, you’ll see signs for “Pucara” which is another ruin’s site close-by. After getting your ruins’ fix:) you can head back to Cusco, same way as you came, or you can try the “cuy” in Tipon (click to request info).

  • Cusco → Pisac → Ollantaytambo → Cusco:

This tour is about visiting the small towns of the sacred valley and their ruins, on your own, and soak in the cultural and historic highlights of this special spot of our planet. In order to be able to optimize your time and be able to visit all the highlights on a day-trip from Cusco, you’ll have to get a grasp of the sacred valley’s geography and have a good map with you (click to request info).

The first stop in this tour will be Pisac. Apart from its ruins, Pisac is famous for its bustling market and a trip to visit this market should be on each explorer’s itinerary. To reach Pisac from Cusco, take a collective from its designated stop (click to request info) which will take you directly to Pisac’s main street. Get out here and walk in the direction away from the river and you’ll find the famous market.

You’ll be tempted to explore the market now, but I recommend to wait till you visit the ruins and explore it on your way back. The ruins are up in the hills, so continue walking through the market away from the river till you reach a dirt road which you’ll follow easily to the ruins. But be warned, the hike up to the ruins is fairly steep and if this is your rest day:) then you can take a taxi or hitchhike your way directly to the ruins. After exploring the ruins, the hike back is downhill and easy and takes you directly to the market. So now its shopping time:) Explore the market at your leisure, there are some hidden gems here and true bargains; however, expect to haggle the prices down with the merchants who are mostly friendly and smiling.

Exploring Pisac should take you around 3-4 hours after which you’ll ride all the way along the river to your next stop…Ollantaytambo. Again, from the main road in Pisac where the collective dropped you, you can take another collective to Ollantaytambo or hitchhike your way, but expect to pay a little fee.

Ollantaytambo is a little charming village famous for its Inca ruins. These ruins were used as defensive structures against the Spaniards and they are, in my opinion, the best ruins outside Machu Picchu. You can visit the ruins easily on your own or you can hire a local guide to give you a brief history about the ruins and the village. After visiting the ruins, don’t miss strolling around the old town and have the famous local drink at one of the village’s watering holes:) (click to request info).

Finally, when you are ready to head back to Cusco, there is a direct collective from here, but be aware that this collectivo will drop you at a different stop than the one you started your tour from (click to request info).    

 

 
Sacred Valley

Sacred Valley

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Sacred Valley

The sacred valley of the Incas is one of the famed attractions of Peru and it is comprised of a number of small villages and towns, each with its own character and ruins. Although this part of the country is swarmed with tour companies and tour groups, you can still do it on your own. If big AC buses aren’t your thing, then look no further! It is much more rewarding, enjoyable, and cheaper to do it On Your Own, or, in other words, “Do it as the locals do.”

To do the sacred valley on your own means that you’ll depend on public transportation i.e. collectivos, tok toks, and hitchhiking. What is great about doing it on your own is that you’ll get the chance to meet the true locals, interact with them, listen to their stories (assuming you speak basic Spanish, of course:), and understand how it is like to call such a beautiful place…home!

However, from Cusco, there is a dedicated collective stop for every town in the Sacred Valley, so you’ll have to get your map (click to request info) and go to the right one, or you’ll end up somewhere else.

Not only does the sacred valley include amazing towns and ruins, it also offers the adventurer traveler great hiking opportunities to some of the off-the-beaten-path destinations. Hence, I’ll do separate blog posts for visiting the towns & ruins and for the hikes in the area.
Terracotta Army

Terracotta Army

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Terracotta Army

Legend says that emperor Qin believed that he’ll rule another empire in the afterlife so he needed his army buried with him! The result was the magnificent Terracotta Army…8,000 life-sized clay warriors, 130 chariots, 520 horses, and 120 cavalry horses! Each with its OWN unique characteristics resembling the real-life army & placed according to their ranks!! Believe me… YOU WON’T BELIEVE IT TILL YOU SEE IT:)   

The Terracotta army is located close to the city of X’ian in Shaanxi province and you can visit it on your own and on budget…its only one bus ride away:)  

From east square opposite to the train station, you have two bus options that will take you directly to the mausoleum that houses the three pits containing the terracotta warriors (click to request info). The journey takes between 40 minutes to 1 hour and it only costs CNY 20 (2012 prices).

At the mausoleum there are three different pits as well as a museum and you can visit them in any order you like, but I, personally, like to save the best for last and this is Pit “1”. So start your exploration with Pit “2”.

In this pit you’ll get a glimpse of how astonishing these statues are as you’ll find soldiers, generals, and horses.

After Pit “2”, head to Pit “3” which is smaller, yet houses the famous headless army.

Next, head to Shi Huang Mausoleum where you’ll find some of the most well-preserved warriors displayed in a museum like displays.

  

Now you’ll feel more & more excited after this introduction and craving for more, and knowing that you saved the best for last…you’ll find yourself running towards Pit “1”:) So prepare to be amazed and astonished my fellow explorer, you are about to see one of the most impressive monuments on our planet!

I won’t talk much about this pit and will leave you to explore it, enjoy it, and admire it. But one thing before you embark on this discovery…here you’ll find the Terracotta Army in its full power

 

Try to view them from every possible angle

& get as close as you can to admire the unique details and characteristic of each soldier.

I’ve to admit, till now, and having visited 44 countries, the Terracotta Army is one of my favorite monuments from all over the world…THEY ARE SIMPLY AMAZING!

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