Xie xie Xi'an

A close up of one of the Terracota Warriors at the Shaanxi Museum

The biggest hanger at the site in Xi'an where over 8000 Terracota Warriors have been discovered

One of the smaller pits from above

                                                                             Me at the entrance to the south gate of the wall around Xi'an- with panda!

Colourful goods on sale at a street market

A wonderful scene from the Muslim Quarter

Xi'an is a city in Shaanxi province in the centre of China, an overnight train journey from Beijing. It is a city of huge historical and cultural significance. As one of the oldest settled regions in China, human habitation here dates back to prehistoric times. It is also the place where China's first dynasty, the Qin, called home. There are 35,000 (yes, you read that correctly! ) historical and archaeological sights here in Shaanxi. Later both the Sui and Tang dynasties built their capital in Xi'an and it remained the political heart of China until the 9th century. It was also of huge economic significance as it was the Eastern terminus if the Silk Road, bringing trade goods to China and the East from the West.

Shaanxi History Museum was a good starting point. It takes you through the history of the China, from it's prehistory through the dynasties including the creation of the first dynasty in China, the Qin. There are lots of artefacts ( some similar to those in the Shanghai Museum) including a handful of the Terracota Warriors.

One of the artefacts in the Shaanxi Museum, a pottery head of a man dating from between 5000 and 3000BC. Sarah and I thought it looked like Morph!

Big Goose Pagoda was another place on our hostel tour. Built during the Tang dynasty in around 648 AD, it stands surrounded by water features which are the setting for a water and light show each evening. I went to see this with Carli and Kayleigh from the hostel on my last evening (see picture)

No trip to Xi'an would be complete, however, without a trip to see the famous Terracota Warriors. Along with the Great Wall and Forbidden City, this makes up the 'Big Three' of any trip to China. Discovered by a farmer digging a well in 1974, this was probably the most important archaeological find of the 20th century. Today you visit a series of hangers where thousands of clay warriors ( 8000 discovered so far) and their horses in battle formation dating back over two thousand years to the Qin Dynasty. Many of the warriors held weapons that have also been painstakingly restored.
The soldiers are in ranks and strict attention is paid to the battle dress of the day: generals, archers, cavalrymen and officers. Signs such as whether they had nails in their shoes indicates their rank as does hairstyle, dress and positioning. It is speculated that the sculptors may have used their own faces as models.It is also said that they  were put to death in the completion of the warrior.

We also got to visit the hill which houses the tomb of China's first emperor and for whom the warriors were created, Qin Shi Huang.

The light show at the Big Goose Pagoda

Some of the delicious street food you find everywhere in China. These dmplings were some of my favourites  (thanks to our guide, Angel)

On my first day in Xi'an I went with a group from the hostel to the museum and onto the Big Goose Pagoda (pictured here). There were a group of travellers from Poland, Angel (our guide), Sarah and myself. A great start to my stay in Xi'an. We are all doing the Chinese salute!

One of the themed evenings at the Han Tang Inn (http://www.itisxian.com/hantang/index.htm)

Carli, me, Kayleigh, Claire and David at the Han Tang Inn. I had a wonderful few days there.

I spent an extra couple of days in Xi'an due to the trains being fully booked. However, I had a great time as the hostel (the Han Tang Inn) is without doubt one of the best I have ever stayed in. The atmosphere and themed evenings ( sauna evening, learning how to make Chinese dumplings and playing Chinese games) made it so memorable, alongside meeting some lovely people, including Argentinian student Carla and fellow Brits Kayleigh, Claire and David.

Xie Xie Xi'an!

Next stop: Guangzhou then KL