Replica of luxurious chariot from ancient times wows Xi'an visitors

A replica of an ancient luxurious chariot, the equivalent of a Rolls-Royce in modern times, is now on display at the Emperor Qin Shihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi province, Jan 7, 2015. [Photo/cnwest.com]

The chariot, which cost 2 million yuan ($303,637.6) to make, is a copy of a ceremonial vehicle unearthed from the Majiayuan historical site in Gansu province.

The chariot's exterior is decorated with luxurious gold, silver and jewels, and its wheels and axles are decorated with pure gold, something rarely seen in ancient times.

More than 300 relics, including the vehicle, are on display in the exhibit, which opened Thursday. The exhibition, titled, Growth of the Empire•Memory in Longdong: Exhibition of Archaeological results in Qin culture and Xirong culture, will be open for three months.