2014 China Trip
Xian
We flew from Beijing to Xian on China Eastern Airlines. On our way to the Xian Hilton we saw the city wall lit up with beautiful pagodas on top. After we got settled at the hotel we walked with another couple from our tour to the city wall. Along the way we saw men whacking wooden tops with whips. Very interesting. A park runs along the city wall and there were fitness stations along the walk. We saw a woman cooking corn in a pot on her pedicab. We listened to some musicians near the wall. On another corner people were ballroom and line dancing. Everyone lives in very small spaces so they gather in the evenings to exercise, dance and visit.
Xian is home to the famous Terra Cotta Soldiers. Two farmers first discovered the soldiers while digging a well in 1974. The soldiers are over 600 years old. The area is still an active archaeological site. There were thousands of broken pieces. The 2,000 soldiers in the museum had to be pieced together, then strapped, then glued. It is a truly amazing place.
We had lunch at the Terra Cotta Gallery and briefly saw how crafts people are making replicas of soldiers. At lunch we were amazed by the chefs who were making noodles. We have never seen anything like it.
Xian is the oldest city in China and was the capital for 13 dynasties. This area is the Yellow River Basin and an agricultural center where wheat and corn is grown. There are also many pomegranite groves in the area.
It had rained for 10 days prior to our arrival in Xian. Fortunately we had nice weather while we were there.
We enjoyed The Tang (pronounced Tong) Dynasty Dinner Show in the evening. The food was delicious. While we were eating dinner we were entertained by women who played musical instruments, seated behind a sheer curtain. The show was narrated in English and the musicians, costumes and dances were awesome.
Prior to leaving Xian we visited the Xian Museum. We enjoyed the Tang Dynasty gallery with its various vases, pots and works of art.
Xian is one of the highlights of our trip. Wish we could have spent another day there.