June 30, 2010 - July 4, 2010, 4 days + 3 nights (+1 unexpected extended day) in Xi'An
Last summer we went to visit Xi'an, mostly only to see the Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang. I remember it was a quick decision, we kinda bored with school and the summer in Changsha, so we decided to do quick travel to Xi'an in Shaanxi province. As always, we do budgeted travel.
Day 1: We took a hard seat train to Xi'an, which was so hard~ after 19 hours. K 896 train left Changsha by 4.10 PM and we were arrived on Xi'an next day around 11 AM.
Day 2: Starbucks 星巴克 (Xīngbakè), Bell tower 钟楼 （Zhōnglóu）, Drum tower 鼓楼 （gǔlóu）, Muslim street 穆斯林街 (Mù sī lín jiē)
Xi'an city has rectangular shape bound by the city walls. This is the North City Wall by the train station, right after we finally got off.
Took the bus (1 RMB) to the south gate of city walls then walked 10 minutes to our hostel. South gate of city wall.
We stayed at Xiangzimen International Youth Hostel, took a 4 beds mixed dorm, 25 RMB/person/day. Hostel is clean, comfortable and service was very good.
After showered, we started our trip that day. First stop, Starbucks coffee~
We passed Bell & Drum tower without went inside. It's 30 RMB to get into the two towers. So we decided to skipped that one, and directly walked to the Muslim street. Xi'an is not a big city. The tourist sights are all in walking distance except for the Terra-cotta warriors museum. They have a lot of traditional handcrafts in Xi'an, paper cutting, puppet, painting, and lots more. Don't forget to bargain if you like to buy some!
Monkey's brain nut?
Muslim street or Muslim quarter is located at the back of Drum tower. People here mostly are Hui people, one of minorities group in China.
For sure, you cannot find any alcohol or pork here~
The richness of Xi'an culture. Can u see Chinese characters and Arabian characters there?
Visit China? You have to try 瓜子 (Guāzi), it is usually dried, but in Xi'an I learnt that it's made from sunflower.
Thirsty? have some orange juice. 看起来，你的生意很了不起哦~
Definitely good business!
Drum tower! 鼓楼 (Gǔlóu)
Right side is Drum tower, left side is Muslim quarters
Back to hostel!
Day 3: Huaqing hot springs 华清池 (Huáqīngchí), Army of Terracotta Warriors 兵马俑 (Bīngmǎyǒng) www.bmy.com.cn
The Army is easily reached by public bus. Go to train station and on your right side you can find a long distance bus station. We suggest you not to take the private minibuses, take the frequent bus 306 (7 RMB) which we took. The buses are air-conditioned and clean. We planned to visit the terracotta warriors only but on the way there the people on the bus tell us to go to Huaqing hot springs also. So we got off at Huaqing hot springs, took a look around and then got on the next bus to the Army. No worries, bus is regularly come every 15 minutes!
At Huaqing hot springs. If you are a student in China, bring your student card, you will definitely get 50% discount. If you come from outside of China, you can still try since Xi'an is a tourist city. Ticket is originally 70 RMB but we paid for 35 RMB!
I still don't have any idea why people try to touch the water. Does it bring good luck?
Continue to The Army!
Ticket are originally 90 RMB, and yeah we only paid 45 RMB! 谢谢中国人！By the way, you also need to take a small minivan from the main gate to the museum (6 RMB). Trust me, you don't want to walk that far~
This terracota army was built by Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor in China.
Archaeologists believe Qin Shi Huang expected his rule to continue in death as it had in life.
The only spot you can take a photo with the Army, 10 RMB for a picture. Give your best smile！
Awesome!
Well, the man behind the army really ordered thousands of people to work on this massive construction project.
Ah, finally, the bell tower picture! piaoliang ma? shi de!
Day 4: Xi'an city walls, Forest of Stelae Museum 碑林博物馆 (Bēilín bówùguǎn), Great Mosque Xi'an 清真大寺(qīngzhēn dàsì )
10 minutes walking distance from hostel to the south gate.
They needed to wait for me to go back to the hostel since I left my student card there. Half-ticket price is 20 RMB!
On the city walls
U can go cycling around the city wall. Bicycles are rented for 20 RMB per hour with 200 RMB deposit. We didn't do that. But we did silly things!
Like these~~~
After city walls we walked about 20 minutes to the forest of steale museum 碑林博物馆 (Bēilín bówùguǎn) . It holds over 1000 stone steale (tablets). We were looking for this tablet.
Nestorian tablet, the earliest recorded account of Christianity in China. By the way visiting ticket is 22 RMB.
Last tourist spot we went is the great mosque, I think the ticket is 20 RMB. It's interesting to see how the cultures are mixed here.
They have some Chinese characteristic here and there while they also have Arabian characters on it. God, you are praised!
This is their prayer hall.
In the afternoon K decided to take the plane fly back to Changsha. Me and W stayed with the train. We were ready to get on board until the lady shouted at me: "Your ticket is tomorrow ticket!"
Photos were taken by Withy & Kayla. Love it all!
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