Cao Zhizhuo, 56, lives in a village right next to the Terracotta Warriors Scenic Area and works on a replica on March 23, 2019 in Xi'an, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Photos: VCG)

Cao is one of the masters here. Over 20 years ago, he started to learn about making replicas of Terracotta Warriors. He has made about 20,000 replicas.

He and his wife work in the small factory and can earn about 80,000 yuan ($11,909) a year. They can now build their own house in Lintong and afford the tuition of their son’s college education. Their two daughters are in high school.

There are many small workshops and factories in the village that copy the Terracotta warriors and horses.

In the past few years, the business has developed because the tourism industry has been booming, thanks to the diversity of tourism-based products.

The market for replicas of Terracotta warriors and horses is gradually shrinking due to environmental protection policies, as many small workshops have been shut down. Only four or five remain.

The market for replicas of Terracotta warriors and horses is gradually shrinking due to environmental protection policies, as many small workshops have been shut down. Only four or five remain.

The smallest imitation is 8 centimeters, while the largest is higher than 1.5 meters. (Compiled by Dong Feng)