Ancient Chinese Terracotta Warriors set to light up Wellington waterfront

February 4, 2019

The installation is part of the capital’s Chinese New Year celebrations.

Brightly-coloured lanterns in the shape of China's famous Terracotta Warriors are standing guard outside Wellington's Te Papa museum.

The internationally-renowned lantern exhibition includes accurate replicas of the ancient warriors, which stand more than two metres tall.

Chinese New Year, on February 5, will be the official opening of the colourful exhibition, which will run through to February 24.

Wellington Regional Economical Development Agency's Warrick Dent said he's confident visitors will be impressed by the lanterns.

"They have wowed crowds everywhere," Mr Dent said in a statement.

Created by artist Xia Nan, the lanterns were originally commissioned for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and have since featured in Prague, in the Czech Republic, Edinburgh in Scotland and Sydney, Australia.

Te Papa has recently opened the Terracotta Warriors: Guardians of Immortality exhibition, showing a selection of the real statues, which has proven to be extremely popular, Mr Dent said.

From tomorrow, visitors will be able to admire the lanterns during the day or view the exhibition lit up at night.

"It's fantastic to secure such a prestigious international art exhibition for the Wellington waterfront."

By Abbey Wakefield

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