Trans Siberian Railway

Terracotta Warriors

XIAN

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

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)

Over 7000 Warriors still protect the tomb of China’s first Emperor (210BC)

Every Warrior life size, and different

Every Warrior life size, and different

Warriors with horse

Warriors with horse

Generals conferring

Generals conferring

The Warriors, damaged by earthquakes, were discovered in 1974

The Warriors, damaged by earthquakes, were discovered in 1974

High ranking Officer

High ranking Officer

Warrior with saddled horse

Warrior with saddled horse

Kneeling Archer

Kneeling Archer

The Emperor's bronze carriage ready to take him wherever he wants to go

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

Xi’an has the best preserved ancient city wall in the world – 13.7 km around

Guard House on the wall

Guard House on the wall

Roof animals indicate Ming Dynasty (1328 - 1644)

Roof animals indicate Ming Dynasty (1328 – 1644)

Xi'an city wall at night

Xi’an city wall at night

Little Wild Goose Pagoda (652)

Little Wild Goose Pagoda (652)

Lunch of homemade shaved noodles to go with a pork sauce ...

Lunch of homemade shaved noodles to go with a pork sauce …

... and handmade noodles for beef Ramen

… and handmade noodles for beef Ramen

A selection of the famous and delicious Xi'an dumplings, best we've ever tasted

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

The shape tells you it is filled with duck meat

Entrance to the Moslem street - Moslems came along the Silk Road

Entrance to the Moslem street – Moslems came along the Silk Road

Pomegranates from Turkey were traded back along the Silk Road

Pomegranates from Turkey were traded back along the Silk Road

We tried some of the local breads, pretty good too

We tried some of the local breads, pretty good too

Lady buying tofu from the man with the bike

Lady buying tofu from the man with the bike

"Chinese Hamburgers" (chopped spicy meat in a soft bun) are really popular

“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

Cooking “belt noodles”, so called because they are as long and wide as a belt