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Xian
Tang Overture Audio
TANG DINNER
MEDICINE MARKET
TERRACOTTA
STREET
DUMPLINGS
CHINA IS AROUND THE CORNER
Xian pronounced like si-an - one of the pre trip struggles was how to pronounce Chinese cities especially those beginning with X and they wonder why some many Americans are X-enophobic. Xian
was the capital of China during much of it's history. It was one of the endpoints of the Silk Road. Now it's a small industrial city of 8 million people best know for it's Terracotta Warriors and it's drivers.
First impression was a Smog covered airport even though it was fairly empty for one serving 8M people. The trip to town carried us through corn fields, construction, large billboards, eventually neon lights on the high rises. The old center town is still surrounded by its original wall which is also lit up at night but all the neon lights couldn''t overcome the smog and dirt.
Inside the east Gate of Xian
Eastgate
Xian City Wall and Canal
These unarmed soldiers were training on the and were impressive just by the fact they were there.
The Great Goose Pagoda was built to hold the original Buddhist scriptures brought back to China from India and translate to ancient Mandarin. These became the official basis for Chinese Buddhism and are recognized as some of the best archives of Buddhist writings.
The pagoda is now surrounded by a new park with lakes, a nightly waterworks show, a meditation garden overwhelmed by piped in loud classical pop soundtrack, an amusement area for kids, and a KFC for the hungry. It''s a fast changing country and sometimes the changes don''t agree with everyone.
Lighting a Prayer Candle to Buddha.
Inside the Temple
Old Guard Snack Time, finally
Across the way presides a statue of Xuanzang the Monk who walked back from India with the sutras overlooks this park on one side and more towers under construction on the other side.
Tang Dynasty Dinner
Tang dynasty dinner is a favorite tourist night out with a good meal, rice wine, and green tea. The show begins with all woman band playing native instruments including a moon guitar, ehru (violin), pipa (lute), hammered dulcimer, zither, and reed pipe - very similar to early American instruments of guitar, fiddle, banjo, hammered dulcimer, zither, and harmonica. But the music has a different tone and the singing is an entirely different style featuring the highest octave the singers can reach.
Tang Dinner Sampler
Tang Dynasty Dinner Band
Pipa Glare
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Tang Music
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The band moved to a side stage while on main stage a professional performances of various dancers was staged.
Tang Dancers
Another of several educational sales opportunities was a stop at a Jade store. Where we able to spend a few minutes watching Jade being Carved before we were able spend an hour picking out Jade or Agate items to take home.
Here''s the educational message - the hardest Jade is the most expensive. Jade changes color over time going from light to dark green to brown. Many of the Jade items are very nice and you will want to take some home.
Wholesale Medical Market
Our tour guide brought us to a fascinating unscheduled stop at a wholesale Medical market - All natural including local herbs, dog penises, bats, etc...
Medicine Market View
More from the Market
Medicine Market store front.
A famed delicacy of the area are their wide noodles, seen here being made.
I watched a National Geographic special in the hotel that had an answer for the controversial origin of noodles, did they come over the silk road from China to Italy or from Italy to China? Their answer was neither it came from the Arabs. Who knew?
The highlight of any trip to Xian is the Terracotta Warriors. They more than live up to their hype. For once the buildings, grounds, and exhibits of the attraction are well done.
The March of the Terracotta Warriors
Terracotta Army of Site 1 mostly standing warriors
You talking to me?
Terracotta Wagon, found in a site separate from the warriors but near bye.
Street Scenes
I walked down main street outside the hotel to the temple at the center of town although I was warned against the street by tour guides I felt safer than I did walking in Beijing. Lots of shops with English names including Playboy a men''s clothing store, Pepsi Sports, and many other with name brands or close to familiar names.
Crossing
A Cyclist Dream separate lanes on every major street. But they are slowly being pushed away by the increase in autos.
Speaking of autos - there is no picture that can do justice to the drivers of Xian. They show no fear and observer no boundaries such as red lights. Our guide's recommendation for crossing the street was that confidence is respected - show no weakness - Close your eyes and keep going.
Typical Fast Food shop (see it says so) - Monopolistic Cent of Green Food
Modern China Toilet - a nice one.
Hanging Out
Neon City Lights
Dumpling Dinner
The highlight of cuisine was the 15 dumpling dinner in Xian.
Frog, duck, and fish filled dumplings - great design and flavor.
Presentation began with a Carrot bird and Cucumber Bamboo table carving and ended with a Fruit Plate that opened like a Flower. Of course the local fire water helped.
Gu Zheng Solo at the entrance.
Dumpling Dinner Table Set
Dumpling Dinner Duck
Dumpling Dinner Fish
Dumpling Dinner Desert
Dumpling Dinner Carrot Bird
China is around the corner
Our tour focused on historical China. Our special traveling professor Steve suggested to find modern China we just needed to walk around the corner
We went past an elementary school, breakfast vendors selling pancakes with peppers - omelet like, and ended in an open street market.
Breakfast
Xian Apartments
Mother and Child
Breakfast on the Street
School Girls
School Boys
The Corner Market is a supplier of fresh food and gossip with people selecting, bargaining, eating, and talking.
Street Market Selecting
Street Market Greens
Street Market Meat
Street Market Fish
Street Market Peppers
Street Market Snack
Street Market Meal
Back Street
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