Former Japanese table tennis star Ai Fukuro-ai faced a fierce social media backlash in China after posting photos hugging a terracotta warrior in Xi’an. Online critics accused her of receiving special foreign privileges, but fans quickly clarified that the snapshot featured an affordable visitor replica rather than an authentic antiquity.
The controversy unfolded in October 2026 when the retired athlete updated her Weibo account for the first time in eight months. Opening the post with a lighthearted joke about finally remembering her password, she shared highlights from a trip to Xi’an where she participated in the Deng Yaping Cup table tennis tournament at the invitation of Chinese table tennis legend Deng Yaping. Beyond the competition, the journey included sightseeing, local street food, and a visit to the city’s famous historical landmark.
Terracotta Warrior Hug Sparks Foreign Privilege Accusations
Among the vacation pictures was a close-up image showing Ai Fukuro-ai embracing a terracotta figure. The snapshot immediately drew sharp scrutiny across Chinese social media platforms. Sceptical users questioned how any visitor could access the pits to touch or hold the ancient artifacts, with some asking why ordinary citizens were barred from entering the trench while a foreign guest posed so intimately with the figures.
Commenters also warned about cultural taboos, noting that the figures are burial objects. Tensions rose as the post circulated widely, turning a routine celebrity holiday update into a heated debate over visitor access and heritage preservation standards at the Emperor Qin Shihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum.
Museum Rules and the Truth Behind the Photo Setup
As the debate escalated, experienced travelers and museum-goers stepped into the comment section to defuse the outrage. They pointed out that strict heritage protection laws prohibit anyone from entering the excavation pits or touching authentic artifacts, with professional archaeological teams subjected to rigorous approvals and supervision.
The image actually captured a designated tourist photo zone featuring a replica model. Visitors pay a small fee to pose among the imitation statues against a printed backdrop, meaning no museum rules were broken and no special foreign privileges were granted.
Early Morning Determination and Local Culinary Highlights
Before the photo controversy overshadowed her trip, the former Olympian documented a packed itinerary driven by sheer determination. Her travel team initially advised against squeezing in the museum visit due to a tight schedule, but she insisted on going anyway, declaring that she would visit alone if necessary. The group arrived at the gates before opening time to secure their entry.
Away from the exhibition halls, the trip offered a deep dive into local cuisine. After putting off the curiosity during her time in Japan, she finally sampled authentic biangbiang noodles, praised their wide, smooth, and springy texture, tried roujiamo, and explored the night markets, concluding the getaway with a vow to return to Xi’an.
Related reading
