Phony 'Terracotta Warriors' banned in new regulation

Authorities in Shaanxi province said it will crack down on "low-quality counterfeit Terracotta Warriors", an issue that not only disappoints tourists but also damages the reputation of the relics. According to the newly-amended regulations, fake Terracotta Warriors will be banned from May 1.

Fake scenic spots near the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, have confused many domestic and foreign tourists for years, causing complaints about their experiences on social media platforms.In an article published at an English travel guide website, international tourists were reminded to be cautious of fake Terracotta Warriors. "Ignore those 'kind' guys hanging around the parking lot and claiming they can lead you to the entrance," it said.

The man-made fakes not only damage the image of real Terracotta Warriors and Xi'an, but also disrespect Chinese history and culture, the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration said.

The new regulations, to be enacted on May 1, underlined the protection of the mausoleum's "authenticity, integrity, and harmony" as a World Heritage site. It said areas near the museum will be named protected zones.

"Any construction of man-made landscapes or artificial scenic areas related to the museum within the protected zone will be banned. Existing ones will be asked to be torn down by their owners. If not, they will be given a fine between 100,000 yuan ($15,200) to 500,000 yuan,"the regulations read.

The regulations also said it is prohibited to perform any engineering works that may damage the historical landscape, cause pollution to the mausoleum and surrounding facilities or distort the mausoleum's cultural images.

Qin Zhengjin contributed to this story.