Xian Journals

Xian: The Western Garden

Best of IgoUgo

A travel journal to Xian by SeenThat

Quote: Once its focus, Xian is still China’s main crossroads, and has the best preserved Old Town in the country; the Terracotta Warriors still keep its amazing Bell Tower and Little Goose Pagoda safe. The impressive encounter between the Chinese and Muslim cultures adds an additional dimension to the visit.

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Xian’s City Walls

Attraction

Quote:

Walled cities instantly transfer the traveler back in time to remote times when giant beasts were the main transport and predators – some of them human – awaited him around every corner. Once, inside the walls the shields could be dropped and a new culture could be studied.Xian features the most impressive walls I’ve witnessed while having successfully modernized; the blend is irresistible. It is also the most complete city wall in modern China. Moreover, the arch-traveler Marco Polo, visi...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 11, 2008

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The Bell Tower

Attraction | "Xian’s Bell Tower"

Quote:

Despite being slightly eastwards from China’s geographical center, and in spite of having ceased being the empire’s capital many centuries ago, Xian is the cultural capital of the country; its ancient soul and root.The city’s importance during the Ming period is testified by it being blessed with impressive structures; the City Walls and the Bell Tower are the best preserved examples of this past importance.The Communist Revolution brought a rapid modernization to China. Few cities managed to keep their ancient look and relics in the new reality. Showing an atypical dichotomy, Xia...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 11, 2008

The Bell Tower
City Centre
Xian, China

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Terracotta Warriors and Horses and Museum

Attraction | "Xian’s Terracotta Warriors"

Quote:

Despite the thin layer of snow covering the ground, the strong wind and the cold – the temperature was well below the freezing point – the huge army stood still and seemed ready to initiate the attack at any second. The horses kept silence and bravely stared at the foreign visitor aiming a camera at them.The feat is less remarkable once the fact the army was made of burned terracotta was introduced into the equation. However, at that precise instant, the artisans’ feat became evident. Every warrior’s face was unique.The megalomaniac Great Wall could be partia...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 11, 2008

Terracotta Warriors and Horses and Museum
Lintong District, Shaanxi Province
Xian, Shaanxi
029 391 1961

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Walking through Xian’s Old Town

Attraction

Quote:

In one well-organized day, it is possible to tour Xian’s Old City by foot. The best place to begin the tour is the Bell Tower because it provides a clear landmark, is close to the main attractions and divides the enclosed city into four quarters.From Bei to DongThe next four Chinese words ease the way around: Bei (north), Nan (south), Xi (west) and Dong (east); most of the streets include one of them in their name and create thus a quick referenc...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on March 18, 2008

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Xian’s Culinary Marvels

Story/Tip

Quote:

Xian’s cuisine is a Central Asian one; gone are the rice, the ultra hot spices and the weird animal parts. Wheat still enjoys a golden era in this part of the world and potatoes, the neighborhood’s newcomer, are on the rise. Thick soups wash them down, and then the way is open to the fantastic desserts, all of them approaching infinity of calories per gram. The food here is clean and safe.BreadsA hot loaf of bread can make wonders in this cold city. There are several kinds; however, the most popular are the flat round ones with a heightened rim around them. ...Read More