China's Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses were arguably the most significant archaeological excavations of the past few decades. Discovered outside the town of Xian, the well-preserved artifacts originally were used as decoration for the tomb of Qin Shi Huang, who was likely the first emperor of China (around 220 B.C.).
This year, twenty of the terra-cotta warriors will be touring the U.S. First stop is the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art in Santa Ana, Calif., from May 18 through Oct. 12. After summering in Orange County, the exhibit makes stops in Atlanta, Houston, and Washington, D.C. Tickets for the Santa Ana show start at $22 each.

UPDATE 1/10/2008 Atlanta's High Museum will host the exhibit in November 2008.
It moves to Houston's Museum of Natural Science in May 2009.
Then, D.C. gets it at the National Geographic Museum from November 2009 through March 2010.
Via THE MERCURY NEWS
MORE ON THE BLOG Offbeat travel news.
PHOTO BY HELGA'S LOBSTER STEW, VIA FLICKR
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Thanks for the tip -- some girlfriends and I are considering a weekend roadtrip to see this exhibit!
Posted By Vanessa O'Donnell on January 3, 2008, 2:15 PM
This is the most amazing site to see. I was able to take a trip to China in 2006 and this is something I would recommend everyone to go see. It is amazing the workmanship that was done with detailing. Amazing!!!
Posted By Debbie Wood on January 7, 2008, 1:31 PM
I went to China for five weeks in June 2007, the Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses were grandiose, beautiful, it takes your breath away to see those marvelous craftmen who chiselled them many centuries ago. I will recommend anyone to admire them in the museum if you who have not been in China before, and also it is a good education to the young students. Nic
Posted By Nic Marj on January 7, 2008, 2:16 PM
I went to Xi'an in Nov 2005 and saw these terra-cota warriors. It's wonderful that I will be able to see a few of these again in my own city of Santa Ana.
As a Santa Ana resident I can go to the Bowers museum for free twice a month! I look forward to it!
Posted By Rudy Tjiptahadi on January 7, 2008, 4:03 PM
I went to Xian in June 200t6 and had the opportunity to see all Terra Cotta soldiers where they were unburied. I also had the opportunity to meet the farmer who discovered them. It was huge!
Posted By kathie seiberlich on January 7, 2008, 7:59 PM
I too have been to China to see them in their home surroundings and had my breath taken away. The craftsmanship is utterly amazing and if anyone has a chance to see them they should jump at it! I wish they were coming a little closer to my home.
Posted By Shawna A on January 7, 2008, 8:29 PM
You mention the dates for the Santa ana showing. You also mention that they will be in Atlanta, Houston and Washington, D.C., but you don't give dates for those locations. Please advise.
Posted By Laurie on January 9, 2008, 6:16 PM
Hi, Laurie,
Thanks for reading.
Atlanta's High Museum will host the exhibit in November 2008.
It moves to Houston's Museum of Natural Science in May 2009.
Then, D.C. gets it at the National Geographic Museum from November 2009 through March 2010.
Hope that helps.
--Sean
Blog editor
Posted By Blog Editor on January 10, 2008, 2:41 PM
I saw the exhibit in Xian in 2000 and just last month in London. The differences in the two exhibits are substantial. Instead of looking down on the warriors as in China, you are looking at them at eye level and just inches away. You can really see the details in the travelling exhibit. The number of warriors travelling are limited but certainly representative. And, since I saw them in China, they've excavated stable boys, wrestlers, jugglers, dancers, animals.
Reserve your tickets well ahead of time. This is a very popular exhibit.
Linda
Posted By Linda on January 13, 2008, 2:11 PM
Sean - Thanks for the future places and dates on this exhibit, I've been looking for that info.
I was able to see the Tutankhamen Exhibit from Egypt when it was in Seattle, Washington in the 1970's and it was also incredible. Hoping I will be able to see this one too while it's in the U.S.
Posted By Lois on May 15, 2008, 5:01 PM
Hi, Lois,
Thanks for your note.
Did you know that the King Tut exhibit returns this year? To Dallas and Atlanta. Details at http://www.kingtut.org.
Kind regards,
Sean
Blog editor
Posted By Sean on May 15, 2008, 5:16 PM
I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET INFO FOR THE EXHIBITS IN ATLANTA AND DC. ARE ALL PIECES GOING TO BE SHOWN IN ALL LOCATIONS. DO YOU KNOW WHEN TICKETS WILL GO ON SALE FOR ATLANTA AND DC. I AM GETTING DIFFERENT INFORMATION FROM DIFFERENT SIGHTS.
THANKS VALORA
Posted By valora on June 3, 2008, 8:01 PM
Valora - here is the link to the High Museum in Atlanta: http://www.high.org/ There are lots of information and the ticket prices are very reasonable. Good luck!
Posted By Jean on August 2, 2008, 8:15 PM
I've not had the privilege of visiting the warriors in China. To say I was excited knowing that some of them would be in Santa Ana is an understatement. I dragged a couple of friends to the exhibit, and they were almost as amazed and enthralled as I was.
The faces! The detail on the garments and headpieces! The craftsmanship. The power and audacity. The ability to have 700,000 people work for 38 years on your 'protectors.' Astounding.
Realizing that they were created BEFORE the advent of the Roman Empire. Now I need to see them in China.
But... thanks for the opportunity.
Posted By Saundra Bryn on August 18, 2008, 12:56 AM
My husband and I just saw this exhibit and really enjoyed it. So cool to see them up close.
Question: My husband thinks we saw a terra cotta soldier exhibit in London like 10 years ago or so. I don't remember this. Have these soldiers been on display outside of China before? I think I would remember :)
Posted By carla b. on October 13, 2008, 4:43 PM
When will the terra cotta or body worlds exhibits be back in los angeles>
Posted By Lorry on October 27, 2008, 4:53 PM
Can't wait to see the exhibit in November of 2009 in Washington, D.C! This will give me something to look forward to all year!
Posted By Kim on January 10, 2009, 10:08 PM
These warriors were on exhibit in the China area of the World's Fair in Knoxville, TN in 1982. We had no idea what a treat it was for us at the time to be among the first them outside China.
Posted By Billie Ryan on May 1, 2009, 9:28 PM
Found an ad in the Continental magazine for the Terra Cotta Warriers. I'm so excited! Any chance of this coming to New York?????
Posted By Jeanne Whitmore on July 24, 2009, 9:57 PM
Does anyone know if the after DC, might the warriors be traveling to Philadelphia,PA or New York,NY?
Posted By Sherry on August 23, 2009, 9:37 PM
I have 2 Terra Cotta Warrior Statues, The Bearded General and the Kneeling Archer. Both are so life like sometimes it is scary. The are replicas of the real ones. One is 1/3 size and one is 1/2 size. Hopefully I will get to Houston to see the real thing.
Posted By Carol Huyck on September 10, 2009, 6:29 PM
Do you know where the tour will go next after the Washington DC in March 2010? Would that be the end of the US tour?
Posted By Lily Leung on December 28, 2009, 1:10 AM
The exhibit will be in Toronto at the Royal Ontario Museum this summer.
Posted By Susan Grippe on March 7, 2010, 4:56 PM
What is the schedule for the warriors after they leave Washington, DC in March? Will they be going to another US location?
Posted By TP on March 15, 2010, 9:35 AM
D.C. is the last US stop before they go back to China. They just added extended hours for the exhibit and tickets went on sale this morning. The exhibit leaves March 31, 2010. You can go to tickets.com or to the national geographic museum website for more info.
Posted By nicole on March 19, 2010, 1:26 PM