Come - Xi'an

I’m currently in Xi’an at the New World Hotel and it’s been quite a break from the congestion in Beijing. Even though this city has 8 million people, it seems to have significantly less traffic, which is a nice change. Xi’an also seems to have a better sense of community because there are still tons of people roaming the streets at 11pm either sitting with family on the sidewalks or playing mah jong with some friends.

The plane ride from Beijing to Xi’an was awful though because there was so much turbulence and when the plane landed, we had to get off on the tarmac and then board a hot bus with the rest of the passengers to the airport. Needless to say, my cousin threw up in a hat. We then met our tour guide, Jenny, who brought us to the hotel and then to a restaurant for dinner. Apparently this restaurant caters to many tourists because it fused Chinese cuisine with Western food. We ate steak and fries, which was a nice reminder of Calgary so it helped ward off any feelings of being home sick. We later returned to the hotel but we decided to walk around before retiring for the night. Just like Beijing, crossing the streets is deathly and pedestrians do not have the right away so we ran as quickly as possible hoping we won’t be struck by a bus.

During our second day in Xi’an, we travelled an hour from our hotel to visit the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. The museum was extraordinary and being able to see the soldiers in person was so much different than looking at pictures of the site. It really gives you a sense of scale of the site because there are 4 pits that have been excavated. I am absolutely amazed by the restoration because only one Terracotta Warrior was actually found fully intact, while the rest have been painstakingly restored but you can barely see any repairs on some of the soldiers. Therefore, the careful attention to detail necessary to accurately restore the soldiers is truly remarkable. The museum was also very busy and I noted tourists from the United States, Germany, and Russia, so it’s interesting to see so many people from across the world take time to visit this eighth world wonder.

In the afternoon, we then proceeded to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda. The pagoda actually leans to the west so it was definitely a sight to see and we had the opportunity to “bai sun” in the temples to pay respect to the heavens and our ancestors. The gardens were also very beautiful and I’m truly impressed by how well all the attractions in China are maintained because they are constantly being cleaned by workers.

We finished the night by making a visit to the amazing City Wall of Xi’an. I know I said that the Great Wall was my favorite part of my trip thus far, but I think I may have topped it. The wall was extraordinary with carefully laid bricks that were much easier to walk along compared to the Great Wall and it was decorated with gorgeous red lanterns, so it was even more spectacular when lit at night. The view was also amazing because when facing the city centre, you were able to bask in ancient Chinese architecture but when looking outside, you can appreciate all the modern structures that have been built recently. The contrast between new and old was definitely a reflection of the country, which has been able to adopt Western ideals while still maintaining traditions of the past.

While on top of the wall, we rented bikes and it was my first time riding a tandem bike. It wasn’t as hard as I expected, but you definitely need to ensure that both riders are pedaling in unison in order to make the ride as smooth as possible. It’s also been years since I last rode a bike and I can’t think of a better way to start again while enjoying the relaxing breeze as the exciting sights of Xi’an pass by. I really can’t explain the feeling but it felt almost surreal, so I hope you enjoy all the pictures.

Before we left Xi’an, we spent our last day touring the Shaan Xi Provincial Museum. The trip was a little boring but it did contain some very significant historical artifacts including the first piece of paper and a beautiful wine glass in the shape of the ox. We then went for lunch at the Tung Dynasty Restaurant and tried out the noodles, which were hand made in front of everyone. Xi’an is known for its noodles and it was absolutely delicious so it lives up to its reputation. Now on to Shanghai!