The photo taken on August 11, 2022 shows the No. 1 Pit in the Museum of Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum in Xi'an. Photo: VCG

The Museum of Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum, which houses the world-renowned Terracotta Warriors in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, issued a statement on Monday, condemning a visitor who smoked and spat at the site.

According to the statement, in the morning of October 15, a visitor was caught smoking near the emergency exit at the northwest corner of the exhibit hall of the No. 1 Pit.

The individual not only violated the museum's strict no-smoking policy but also went on to spit inside the archaeological site and discarded the cigarette butt within the pit. Museum staff cleaned it up immediately, the statement said.

Upon collaboration with the local tourism management and law enforcement agencies, the museum has identified the person responsible for the incident.

This occurrence follows a recent case in which a visitor attempted to remove soil from the No. 1 Pit, prompting security personnel to intervene, according to the statement.

The museum strictly prohibits smoking within its premises. The visitor's actions not only contravened museum regulations but also posed a threat to the safety of the cultural relics, said the statement.

The museum administration also reiterated its call for visitors to adhere to the tourism code, comply with local smoking regulations, and respect the museum's guidelines for visitors. Any individuals engaging in uncivilized behavior, resulting in damage to cultural relics or archaeological sites, will be held accountable under the law.

The Terracotta Warriors are unique and incomparable burial objects for China's first feudal Emperor Qinshihuang, the founder of China's first collective sovereign Qin Dynasty (221 BC-206 BC). The mausoleum and Terracotta Warriors were included in the World Heritage list by UNESCO in 1987.

Global Times