My trip in Xi'an

15 Nov. 2008

Taking our night train from Beijing to Xi'an. 422rmb per person, soft sleeper with 4 beds in a small compartment. The journey is quite comfort, with small TV on each bed. The train starts punctually at 8:16pm, reaching Xi'an train staion 7:17 next morning.

16 Nov. 2008

Upon reaching Xi'an we took a cab to HQ guesthouse, when we were showed to our apartment, we were so relieved.....nice comfort bedroom with sitting area and living room, just 160rmb per night, definitely worth it. The only drawback is the toilet, Mei told us not to throw toilet paper into the toilet bowl, there are bin provided on the sides. I am not very comfortable with this, everything is nice, location, cleanliness, price but the toilet thing.

After settle our bags, we then head straight to the train station to take the bus 306 to Terracotta Warrior. I really feel excited about the visiting to TCW, since it is a famous historic sites. We pay for only 7rmb one way and it took us about 70 minutes to reached the site, when we arrived there we found that there was a short 10 minutes walk from the parking lot to the entrance gate. From entrance gate, you need to walk 1km to the museum's entrance, or take a trolley for about 15rmb round trip ticket. We choose to walk to the entrance. We pay for 90rmb ticket, we then head straight to Pit No. 1, it is the largest and possibly also the best. Try to get there as early as possible to fully appreciate the majesty of the warriors which we did, to get there ahead of the crowds. Pit No. 2 is not so great and by the time when we go to Pit No. 3, there are so many people in there, which we can't even get close to the display glass. We end our journey and back to Xi'an. At night, we went to the Big Goose Pagoda to catch the half an hour Musical Fountain shows at 8:15 or 8:30, which I cannot remember. The Big Goose Pagoda square comes alive at night with it's dancing fountain show.

17 Nov 2008

We plan to visit Huashan for the full day, take bus 1 at the train station for 22rmb per person. When we finally reached, it was near to noon because of bad traffic. Entrance fees is 100rmb and cable car is 110rmb per person, besides this, you need to pay for a mini bus ride to the foot of Huashan which is 20rmb round trip, which, I think is not cheap.

This trip is not a pleasant one: firstly, I feel giddy taking the cable car up to the lowest peak due to my motion sick, secondly, there are so many local tourist, pushing you even on a queue, which I'm quite frustrated, thirdly, I am not fit enough to hike, that is the worst of all. So we ended our journey at the lowest peak, buy instant noodles for our lunch (no other choice) for 10rmb per packet bowl. Enjoy the view for awhile and off we go. I really admired some people hike their way up, tough people.

18 Nov 2008

Visit Great Mosque today, entered the mosque via busy bazaar that surrounds it. The impression I had is like sort of temple or park, rather than a mosque. For 25rmb including a English guide book. Later we walk around Muslim street which is near the mosque,  lined with small food stalls designated as 'qingzhen', this street is very famous in Xi'an, here you can try out their local foods, a popular 'yangrou paomo', which is a mutton soup, eaten with pieces of lightly toasted flour buns for 4-7rmb.

19 Nov 2008

City wall of Xi'an, one of the oldest preserved city wall in China. Entered by the South gate, turn to your left, you will see bicycle for rent. It is wide enough to rent a bike and cruise along the wall, and it is possible to go all the way around. We rent a bike for 40rmb per 100 minutes with 2 seated. Entrance fees are 40rmb per person. The city wall can be climbed from any of the four gates, the south gate is the most visually impressive with bike rent. After city wall, we walk to Shu Yuan Gate (Chinese art street) which is nearby the south gate, there are many shops selling Chinese calligraphy items as well as some famous ancient paper cutting designs, east of the street is Beilin Museum, a converted Confucian temple exhibits steles, from the Han to the Qing dynasties. It is already half day gone, the rest of the day we walk around, we take pictures of Bell and Drum tower from roadsides. We then head back to our apartment, pack our things,  ready to take train back to Beijing.

Go to the train station, facing the building, walk to your right about 50 meters, you will find a line of tourist bus there, get on 306 bus, the conductor will come to collect your fare after bus moves. The fare is 7rmb each way. The journey will take about 70-90 minutes depending on traffic condition and will make several stops on the way, drop-off at the last stop. There is a short walk from the parking lot where you drop-off to the entrance gate. From the gate you can either choose to walk the 1km to the museum’s entrance or take a trolley for a round-trip ticket. Going back, walk to the same spot where you drop-off earlier, take the same bus back to Xi’an. Tickets: 90rmb-march to November 8:30am-5:30pm/ 65rmb-December to February 8:30am-5pm.