Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum

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Location: Lintong District, Xi'an, China What is it? The final resting place of Emperor Qin Shi Huang: the first ruler of a united China. This pyramid is an estimation of what the complex looks like: the site is buried, forming a hill. The site has not been excavated yet; the Chinese government has stated that it is waiting for excavation technologies to be more advanced before they attempt to infiltrate the inner chamber which, if legend is to be believed, is not only full of artefacts but should also have a network of flowing mercury rivers. The Emperor died a painful death in 210 BC from mercury poisoning. He consumed mercury pills in large quantities in an attempt to attain immortality (as a result he met death at the age of 39). The nine-storied structure is 115m high, with outer walls 6km long and the inner walls composed of rammed earth reaching 2.5km. It is surrounded by the famous terracotta army of over 8 000 warriors. While his body would lay in the burial chamber below, the emperor's soul would take a tour up to the middle terraces and then to the very top of the pyramid to survey his empire. According to legend, if plants were present on the terraces then he would be able to project his soul out from the structure and take a leap, travelling to a further reach of his kingdom to inspect what was going on there if he was needed. The only record of what is inside the pyramid was written a century later and comes from Sima Qian's Shiji: "In the ninth month, the First Emperor was interred at Mount Li. When the First Emperor first came to the throne, the digging and preparation work began at Mount Li. Later, when he had unified his empire, 700,000 men were sent there from all over his empire. They dug through three layers of groundwater, and poured in bronze for the outer coffin. Palaces and scenic towers for a hundred officials were constructed, and the tomb was filled with rare artifacts and wonderful treasure. Craftsmen were ordered to make crossbows and arrows primed to shoot at anyone who enters the tomb. Mercury was used to simulate the hundred rivers, the Yangtze and Yellow River, and the great sea, and set to flow mechanically. Above were representation of the heavenly constellations, below, the features of the land. Candles were made from fat of "man-fish", which is calculated to burn and not extinguish for a long time. The Second Emperor said: "It would be inappropriate for the concubines of the late emperor who have no sons to be out free", ordered that they should accompany the dead, and a great many died. After the burial, it was suggested that it would be a serious breach if the craftsmen who constructed the mechanical devices and knew of its treasures were to divulge those secrets. Therefore after the funeral ceremonies had completed and the treasures hidden away, the inner gates were blocked, and the outer gate lowered, immediately trapping all the workers and craftsmen inside. None could escape. Trees and vegetations were then planted on the tomb mound such that it resembles a hill."