China's army of terracotta soldiers at the museum located about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the ancient capital of Xi'an in northern China, in 2000. A German art student hoodwinked police in northern China's famed terracotta warrior museum by disguising himself as a clay soldier among a forest of ancient statues, state media said. [AFP]

XI'AN - A 26-year-old German art student temporarily foxed police on Saturday by disguising himself as a terracotta warrior and taking up position in the world-famous terracotta army.

Pablo Wendel (right) was seen sliding into the 5-metre-deep pit at 2 pm to join about 2,000 unearthed warriors and horses housed in the terracotta army museum in Xi'an, capital of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, police said yesterday.

The sudden movement of the shadowy figure startled the six police officers on duty, who rushed over and followed Wendel into the pit.

But Wendel had come prepared. He had carried out a reconnaissance mission a few days earlier and selected a spot that would give him the most cover.

Better still, he had designed himself a gown and hat identical to those once worn by Emperor Qinshihuang's warriors in East China's Hangzhou, where he is studying performance art. He even brought a rectangular plinth to stand on. After leaping into the pit, he quickly donned his costume and stool still.

Police said it took them 2 minutes to find the "living terracotta warrior," clad in military garb and staring straight ahead with unblinking eyes.

Wendel, whose Chinese name is Ma Lin, said he has been crazy about the terracotta warriors since childhood. "I have always dreamed of disguising myself as a terracotta warrior among the real ones," he explained.

Police considered that as Wendel's act did not cause any damage to the cultural relics and he was clearly passionate about the warriors, it warranted only "serious criticism and education."

His outfit was confiscated and he was sent back to Hangzhou.