Xi'an is amazing. At least when you compare it to what we experienced in Beijing!
Sure, there's still smog - which makes it impossible to capture a photo showing China with blue skies (thank goodness for photo editing) - but the manicness is gone and the majority of the people don't look dirty and homeless, which allowed the city to fulfill all that I was hoping for and expecting in Beijing, but didn't get.
Whereas Beijing over and underwhelmed me, Xi'an was lovely! The cultural sights we visited were large, but absorbable and the crowds were nearly non-existent. And even though our bus got in three hours later than planned, we were still able to see the bulk of our list and go at an enjoyable pace our first half day in the city.
We went to the Bell Tower and had a little walk around the grounds. From there we headed over to the Drum Tower were we got to watch a "traditional" Drum presentation that was really fantastic! We got to hear the beats that called warriors to battle, or encouraged them, or did something for them... it wasnt really explained, and definitely not explained in English. After that we went down to the Old City Wall south gate and had a look out at the views.
Photos: (1) Bell Tower, (2) Drum Tower, (3) the Old City Wall
There was even time for shopping in the Muslim Quarter market!
We'd been to temples in Beijing, so we thought it'd be a good decision, and culturally diverse, if we looked at a mosque. After a looong attempt to find the mosque, we were finally able to locate it and paid out some yuan to take a stroll around the compound. They don't have just have mosques in Xi'an - they have the Great Mosque!
On our second/last day we set off early to see the Terra Cotta Warriors.
Having missed all of the information at the Forbidden City, we chose to get a guide this time! She was really nice and her English was quite good; as well was the information she presented, which was interesting and illustrative, but still didn't paint the picture I was looking for.
I know that sounds a bit negative, and I don't mean to be. Xi'an was fabulous. I just wanted the history of China to come alive for me (if that makes any sense). I wanted to hear stories and see history. I didn't hear very many good stories, and the information I was reading was good, but not colorful... so that's the only reason I sound a bit down about it. It was great! All of it was great!! Ok all is stretch, but I'm going to go with it! ;)
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