Xian has a population of 9 million and another 9 million visitors a year come to see the famous Terracotta Warriors first discovered by a farmer in 1974. This delightful city has a long history – until 800 years ago it was the capital of China and the starting place of the Silk Road to Istanbul.
Ms Sophie Jin our trip “mother”, guide and friend in her home town of Xi’an
Over 7000 Warriors still protect the tomb of China’s first Emperor (210BC)
Every Warrior life size, and different
Warriors with horse
Generals conferring
The Warriors, damaged by earthquakes, were discovered in 1974
High ranking Officer
Warrior with saddled horse
Kneeling Archer
The Emperor’s bronze carriage ready to take him wherever he wants to go
Xi’an has the best preserved ancient city wall in the world – 13.7 km around
Guard House on the wall
Roof animals indicate Ming Dynasty (1328 – 1644)
Xi’an city wall at night
Little Wild Goose Pagoda (652)
Lunch of homemade shaved noodles to go with a pork sauce …
… and handmade noodles for beef Ramen
A selection of the famous and delicious Xi’an dumplings, best we’ve ever tasted
The shape tells you it is filled with duck meat
Entrance to the Moslem street – Moslems came along the Silk Road
Pomegranates from Turkey were traded back along the Silk Road
We tried some of the local breads, pretty good too
Lady buying tofu from the man with the bike
“Chinese Hamburgers” (chopped spicy meat in a soft bun) are really popular
Cooking “belt noodles”, so called because they are as long and wide as a belt