Xi'an (Chinese: 西安; pinyin: Xī'ān)

After an early flight from Beijing to Xi’an (another very clean and mordern airport) off we went on to our first visit: The City Wall of Xian which is the most complete one that has survived in China. It was bitterly cold.

The city is surrounded by a well-preserved city wall which was re-constructed in the 14th century during the early Ming dynasty and was based on the inner imperial palace of Tang dynasty.

One of the oldest city in China and capital city under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history.

Population: of 8 million it was recently named as one of the 13 emerging megacities.

Religion : : Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, as well as Christian.

There are an estimated 50,000 Hui Muslims in Xi’an

In Xi’an we visited our first of many Buddist temples and had an interesting Monk herbal tea tasting.

Xian is also the home of the Terra Cotta Warriors.  This site and these statues, all an in situ museum, much be seen to be believed. Our guide was the same person who took President Clinton around and I suspect Mrs. Obama also (recently). 

A LITTLE HISTORY :

The first emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang -Ying Zheng- (221-210 B.C.) arranged for his burial place. 700,000 workers from every province of the Empire toiled unceasingly until the death of the Emperor in 210 in order to construct a subterranean city within a gigantic mound. The place was a veritable scale model of the palace.

Qin Shi Huang had the figures created and buried with him in the belief that they would protect him after his death.

It is believed that the statues were destroyed only some 50 years after their original creation, due to a fire set during a peasant uprising. The original design included a wooden roof covering the rows of soldiers, and the statues were crushed when this burning roof collapsed in on them. The fire also destroyed the paint which gave the statues a more realistic look. However, the separate pit which contains the "officers" of the army escaped fire, and some paint remnants can still be seen on these figures.

If you wish to learn more, see : http://www.ibiblio.org/chinesehistory/contents/02cul/c03s01.html.

Pit 1 was discovered in March 1974 by local Chinese farmers while drilling a well. Anči had her picture taken with the last living farmer and he signed our book.

October 1, 1979 Emperor Qin's Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses Museum was opened to the public about 22 miles (35 kilometers) East of Xian, China.

Before leaving Xi'An we stopped at a Jade shop and had a great lesson about the different jade qualities.  

Next destination : Shangai after a great flight and superb service 
 on China Southern air.