Xian reached its peak during the Tang Dynasty when it was the capital of the Middle Kingdom. During this time, the city was the starting point of China’s fabled Silk Road, which made it one of the world’s richest cities. From 618 to 907, the Tang Dynasty presided over one of China’s most glorious periods, spreading its influence throughout Asia and into Europe and Africa. While in Xian, visit China’s greatest archaeological treasure, the Terra Cotta Warriors. More than 2,000 years ago, Emperor Qin Shi Huang was buried along with more than 8,000 life-sized terra cotta warriors, archers and infantrymen, together with horses and chariots. In the early 1970s, farmers digging a well accidentally uncovered some of these soldiers. Walkways provide a bird’s-eye view of the stunning sight of an entire army molded in incredible detail—each man and horse with his own distinct features.