China’s First Emperor, the boy king who united the country in 221 BC and began construction of the first Great Wall, was not only obsessed with building, but also a fanatic about death. After experimenting with potions to prolong his life, the megalomaniac king resigned himself to death on his own terms. He would build a standing army of 7,000 soldiers to enforce his rule over the afterlife.

Since his birth in 259 BC, China’s First Emperor was destined to become one of the most important political leaders to rule the country. Beginning at age 13, and for the next 38 years, he assigned over 700,000 workers to build an enormous mausoleum with life-size terra cotta warriors to protect him throughout eternity.

This terra cotta army of soldiers, servants, musicians, acrobats, and animals silently remained underground for two thousand years until 1974 when Chinese farmers digging a well made the startling discovery of a terra cotta head.

The Bowers Museum of Cultural Arts presents the largest exhibition of Emperor Qin’s Terra Cotta Army ever seen outside of China. Tickets are $50 for OMA members and $60 for nonmembers - advance reservations are required, call (760) 435-3721. Leave the driving and parking to us and enjoy a leisurely ride to Santa Ana in a deluxe coach. Lunch is on your own.

The bus will depart from Oceanside Museum of Art at 10:00 am and return at approximately 5:00 pm. Our ticketed entry to the Terra Cotta Warriors is at 1:00 pm and you must be present with our group to enter.