How to buy your own Terracotta Warrior
It’s a safe bet to say the more magnificent the sight, the more pathetic the souvenir version. Golden Gate Bridge paperweights? Eiffel Tower keyrings? Taj Mahal T-shirts? Tacky, tacky, tacky. But for anyone that has made the trip to Xian, checked out the amazing Terracotta Army, and secretly wished they could sneak one back home with them, we've found the ultimate China souvenir -- a life-sized replica of a Terracotta Warrior. And best of all, you can get them right here in Shanghai. Here’s how:
Terracotta Warrior step 1: Find Mr Right
Head to Movie Shop on Huashan Lu -- you'll bypass the masses and antique sharks on Dongtai Lu. Yes, it’s a DVD store. But venture past the "Gossip Girl" box sets and "Best of Beyonce" CDs, dubious antiques and piles of carpets, and you’ll find yourself face to face with a proud row of the handsomest Terracotta Warriors money can buy (not counting the originals, but they'd be more difficult to get through customs).
Step 2: Make your selection
Which one to choose? Movie Shop sells mini versions that stand around three feet tall, as well as the six foot life-sized versions. Just like the real Terracotta Army, each warrior in the shop has different features and facial expressions. If you’re going to get really nerdy, compare these models to the real thing for maximum authenticity.
Step 3: Haggle
Sturdy as these big fellas look, they’re hollow inside, so bear that in mind when fixing a price. (They’re also definitely not made of Terracotta, but you're here for the novelty, not the authenticity). The price tag says RMB 5,000, but you should be able to get a colossal discount on that if you bargain hard enough -- we were offered 20 percent off just by raising an eyebrow. Although these are fun replicas -- and hard-to-find life-sized ones at that -- they should by no means cost anywhere near the royal treasure they are protecting in the after life.
Step 4: Ship
This is where it gets pricey. If you want your brand new Xian Warrior to arrive at its destination in two days, it’s going to cost you a cool RMB 8,000, give or take. (Price based on TNT quote, airfreight, Shanghai to New York ). Most courier companies won’t ship an individual item of this weight by sea freight, however, the kind folks at Movie Shop are willing to arrange the whole shipping process for you for just additional RMB 1,000. Only snag is you have to wait for a month for your warrior to arrive -- plenty of time to figure out where he'll be standing guard.
Step 5: Display
So when you finally get him home, stand your warrior on guard in the garden, the hall or anywhere else you feel needs a stern, imposing presence. Get your stories ready about how you figured "they've got hundreds, they won't miss just one."
