By Justin Anthony Monarez

(AXcess News) Washington - President Barack Obama concluded his first official trip to China without visiting Xi'an, where the Terra Cotta Warriors guards the first emperor's tomb.

But he can make up for that when he returns home. Just a few blocks form the White House, 15 of the famous figures go on display Thursday.

"There is such mystery behind the terra cotta figures, I think, there's such name recognition for these around the world and people want to come see these," said Susan Norton, director the National Geographic Museum.

"Terra Cotta Warriors: Guardians of China's First Emperor," an exhibition featuring warriors, musicians, archers and cavalryman from Emperor Qin Shihuangdi's tomb, is making the last of four tour stops in Washington.

National Geographic's curators and sponsors invited both the Obamas and families from around the world to visit the exhibit, which will be on view Thursday through March 31. "When he comes back to Washington, D.C., he can see the Terra Cotta warriors here," said Terry Garcia, the National Geographic Society's executive president of mission programs. "This is an important week for China and the U.S.A."

Fifteen of the life-size warriors and 85 artifacts, including jade ornaments, coins, primitive weapons, decorative bricks, instruments and more, are featured in what curators said is the largest collection of artifacts from the tomb to reach U.S. soil.

Norton said the exhibit was challenging to arrange because the artifacts are fragile and are regarded as "some of the most important archeological treasures in China. ... There's a great amount of responsibility in making sure that everything is taken care of."

The National Geographic society and its partners began working on the project in 2007.

Farmers discovered the warriors in the pits surrounding the tomb in 1974. An estimated 7,000 figures and hundreds of chariots, horses and objects were discovered in the burial ground. Only 1,000 figures have been excavated to date.

The first soldiers were discovered in the standing position. Later, archeologist found musicians, archers, infantrymen and cavalrymen in different stances. Each warrior is different, in stance, stature or facial expression, to signify the Chinese belief of "harmony without uniformity," said Xie Feng, the Chinese Embassy's deputy chief of mission.

"The army represents an unusual level of displayed detail in China," said Albert Dien, the exhibition curator.

The 19-square mile complex has three known pits containing soldiers. Terra Cotta warriors surround the burial mound, where the emperor is thought to be buried. They were positioned facing the mountainous east, home to the emperor's enemies, to protect the emperor in the afterlife.

As of Tuesday morning, 96,000 advance-tickets were sold. Garcia expected to reach 100,000 ticket sales by Wednesday - one-third of the total available.

Tickets are $6 for children and $12 for adults. Special ticket prices are available for seniors, military members, students and groups.

Source: Scripps Howard Foundation Wire