Xi'an is the capital city of Shaanxi province. It's one of China's oldest cities and Xi'an is the oldest out of four great ancient capitals of China. The city is the starting point of the Silk road and home to the famous Terracotta warriors.
How did we get here: With a dreadful night train in hard seat couch (151 rmb per person, 8.4 hours, Booked on C-trip). We got to Xi'an southern train station, from there we had to huggle with the taxi drivers to take us to the old part.
Sleep: Warriors youth hostel (35 rmb per bed in an 8 bed dormitory). they have nice lounge and there location is OK.
Eat and drink: The Muslim Quarter (offers one of the best vegan street food we had in China.
Did: Great mosque (25 rmb entrance fee) in the old part is really nice and it's interesting to see how Chinese culture is mixed with Islam.
The Terracotta Warriors (150 rmb entrance fee per person) We got there with bus line 306 (7 rmb) and the way back we did with 914 blue bus (8 rmb). The pits are really nice but i would recommend to first visit pit 3 then 2 and finish with 1 You will enjoy it more this way.
The Bell and Drum tower are nice from the outside :)
The Terracotta Warriors (150 rmb entrance fee per person) We got there with bus line 306 (7 rmb) and the way back we did with 914 blue bus (8 rmb). The pits are really nice but i would recommend to first visit pit 3 then 2 and finish with 1 You will enjoy it more this way.
The Bell and Drum tower are nice from the outside :)
Xi'an city wall- We walked the entire length of the wall (about 13 kilometers) let's say that if you plan on doing this. You should bring your good walking shoes and to know when the gates close. We started at the eastern gate and until we finished the circle the eastern gate was already closed, so we had to continue to the south gate....
Mt. Huashan (180 rmb entrance fee per person)- to get there we took from Xi'an bus station a bus to Huayin (36 rmb per person one way, about 2 hours) we started to climb to the top from the Temple and it took us 3 hours to get to the north peak. from the north peak to the west peak it took us 1 hour and from there we took a cable car down (140 rmb, 120 in low season) that was really good and long. from the base of the cable car you have to take another bus (40 rmb) to Huayin.
It's a hard walk up but it's worth it.
*Check the weather before you go to the Mt. we got there when it was raining.
*Check the weather before you go to the Mt. we got there when it was raining.
Bottom line: Go
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| The best noodle stand in town |
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| The great mosque |
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| Xi'an city wall |
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| Xi'an city wall |
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| Xi'an city wall |
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| Xi'an city wall |
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| Going up |
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| The end of the cable car |
Great wrap up of Xian's essentials. Many thanks. We liked hiking Hua Shan too and the veg. food at the Muslim quarter:
ReplyDeletehttp://konniandmatt.blogspot.my/2012/09/05-sep-06-sep-2012-hua-shan.html
Take care!
Cheers from Langkawi, Matt.