Cathay Cargo transports 10 ancient Terracotta figures to Perth for exhibition

Cathay Cargo, the freight division of Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Group, has just completed the safe transportation of ten terracotta army figures and over 200 artefacts from Xi’an in China to Perth via Hong Kong for a new exhibition, which is also sponsored by the airline group. The ‘Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor’ exhibition, organised by the Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Heritage Administration with support from the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre, will be displayed in Perth in conjunction with Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum and the Western Australian (WA) Museum Boola Bardip.

Leveraging its expertise in the transportation of ancient artefacts and valuable cargoes, Cathay Cargo worked closely with the shipment custodians and cargo agent partners to develop a customised transportation plan tailored to the unique nature of the cargo and the specific packaging requirements provided by the customer. “The plan meticulously addressed every detail to ensure the safe and secure storage, transport, and delivery of these irreplaceable pieces of history, all under the watchful eyes of CCTV surveillance and Cathay Cargo’s highly trained professionals,” said a Cathay Cargo statement. ​

“The transportation demonstrates Cathay Cargo’s expertise in handling special cargo, and its commitment to excellence and precision in moving invaluable cultural treasures,” it added.

Cathay Cargo

“The terracotta warriors are among China’s most iconic cultural treasures,” commented Cathay’s Director of Cargo, Tom Owen. “It is a great privilege to help bring Chinese culture to the world by transporting these important relics from their home in Xi’an to Perth for the exhibition, ensuring their safe transport at every step of their journey.

“Transporting these unique pieces of history involved meticulous preparation and close collaboration between our teams, partners, and authorities in Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and Australia to ensure every detail was carefully considered. We are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase Cathay Cargo’s expertise in handling special cargo and demonstrate that ‘We Know How’”, he added.

Cathay CargoWhile the statues and artefacts originate in Xi’an, they were first transported to Zhengzhou, where they were then flown to Australia via Cathay’s Hong Kong hub and transported to their final destination in Perth. The Cathay Cargo team oversaw the inventory check and packaging process from the initial stage in Xi’an. The shipment was then tracked via GPS from departure in Xi’an until arrival at Zhengzhou Airport (CGO), whereupon the cargo was directed to a dedicated delivery zone and security channel.

More about the transportation

Cathay Cargo developed a tailored build-up plan based on the customer’s loading diagrams to ensure the utmost care was rendered. Safety nets and straps were used to secure the artefacts, preventing any movement during transit. Experienced pallet build-up specialists also provided guidance on-site, while Cathay Cargo personnel maintained full oversight end-to-end. The shipments were loaded in precise alignment with the customer’s specifications to minimise impact from take-off and landing, and were continuously monitored under real-time surveillance throughout the ground-handling process.

A Periam Photography / Shutterstock“What makes this exhibition unique and the first of its kind is its impressive collection of priceless artefacts,” said WA Museum Boola Bardip Director of Museums and Exhibitions Jason Fair. “Most of the objects have never been seen in Australia before, with nearly half leaving China for the first time. It is our mission to inspire curiosity. We hope people gain an understanding of the culture, history, and people of China, as well as this pivotal moment in Chinese history.”

Cathay is also sponsoring the ‘Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor’ exhibition at the WA Museum, which runs until 22 February 2026. Visitors will be able to encounter the awe-inspiring terracotta warriors alongside ancient weapons and armour, sculptures of a horse and chariot, bronze vessels, palace tiles, pottery, and artefacts. Cathay Cargo has also been tasked with transporting the collection back to Xi’an in 2026 after the exhibition’s conclusion.

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Cathay Cargo transports 10 ancient Terracotta figures to Perth for exhibition

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