Set of figures in Pit No. 1 includes: Large body of troops from the left wing marshalled in battle order.

At the entrance of the museum, you face a huge modern structure right ahead. It is the Pit No. 1. At 14,260 square meters, it is the largest of the three pits.

Terra Cotta Pit No. 1 is oblong: 230 meters east to west, and 62 meters north to south. At a depth of five meters, it is cavern-like and constructed from earth and wood. Five slopping entrances reach down to it from the east and west. Ten partitioning walls separate the underground army into different columns. The walls are reinforced by stout beams, which are covered by reeds and earth. The floor is paved with black bricks. There are more than 6,000 terracotta warriors and horses in Pit No. 1, marshaled into battle line formation. Three columns facing out on the east act as vanguard. Each squad is 70 strong, making it 210 troopers altogether. They flank out left and right on the south and the north. The rear guard is on the west. They are armed with crossbows.

Behind the vanguard marched eleven columns of regulars, 38 rows deep, interspersed with war chariots. You could distinguish their ranks from their uniforms and the type of arms they are carrying.

If you are a reader of the Chinese classic Bing-fa (The Art of War) written by Sun Tzu (personal name Sun Wu), you would appreciate their battle orders as they march into war.

A small door at the northwest corner opens into Pit No. 3.