Terracotta Army through varied eyes

He Hong(R 3) shows Henry Kissinger a book during his fifth visit to the Terracotta Warriors Museum on June 29, 2013. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

He Hong, museum guide

The warriors never fail to impress and inspire, and to work at the museum is to find oneself a witness to many historic and private moments, according to He Hong, who first visited as a teenage girl in 1982, before becoming a museum guide 28 years ago.

"On Oct 16, 1986, two months into my work, I saw Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom. I will never forget her apple-green suit and matching gloves - it was one court meeting another court," she said.

Over the years, many world leaders and luminaries have visited the site, among them Henry Kissinger, former US Secretary of State and a key player in Sino-US relations for four decades.

"Since 1979, the doctor has been here five times. The last time he came, in June last year, he was with his wife, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren," He said. "When we offered him the chance to go into the pit, he was absolutely thrilled, and asked earnestly: "Can my family come with me?'

"When he gazed into the eyes of a warrior it was a moment to behold: a dialogue between two men, both historic figures in their own rights, and a dialogue between civilizations," she said.

It was a hot summer day and the lack of air conditioning meant the exhibition hall was stiflingly hot. After his visit, the elderly statesman was helped to the corridor, where a breeze plays, and helped into a wheelchair.

"The way the wheelchair was placed meant the doctor was facing away from the giant showroom's exit door, through which one can still catch a glimpse of the warriors," He recalled. "The 90-year-old looked up at the museum guide beside him and said, 'Turn me round. I want to have one last look'."