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XI�AN, Day 1::Dust, smoke, dust, smoke, more dust and more smoke! We happened to be in Xi�An just the month when the farmers burn their corn stalks after the harvests. A couple of us developed slight breathing problem, and I was constantly aware that the air can destroy my lung. Nevertheless, Xi�An is an unforgettable place in itself � dry-orangy soil, raw, rugged shophouses, YaoDong (mud-hole shelters), corn fields, orchards (October is the season for sweet-sour ShiLiu fruits). Of course, the Terracotta Warriors. The first attraction we visited was the Wild Goose Pagoda. With limited time, Yiin and I carefully raced up the ancient pagoda. It was too smoggy to get a view. We next stopped at the South Gate of the City Wall. Very impressive huge, high wall used to surround the old Xi�An square boundary. The city now has developed beyond the Wall and tunnels have been dug through the Wall for roads. Large part of the City Wall has been destructed for modern buildings and roads. In the evening, we watched a show of Dang Dynasty dances and instrument performances, then proceeded to a dumpling dinner. |
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XI�AN, Day 2::We visited a factory producing the Terracotta Warriors replicas, beautiful hand-painted tiles and figurines. Another highlight of our tour is the visit to the 3 Terracotta Warriors tombs and museums. Large areas of the tombs are still to be excavated and we saw workers at Tomb #2 painstakingly uncovered the broken pieces using small tools & brushes. Close to the tombs stood a hill believed to be the real tomb of QingShiWang emperor. A word of recommendation to our best local guide, Mr Shik, who was so knowledgeable of Chinese tourism and history, hospitable and took care of many things for us. |
