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](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ms-Sophie.jpg)
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)](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Thousands-of-Warriors.jpg)
Over 7000 Warriors still protect the tomb of China’s first Emperor (210BC)
![Every Warrior life size, and different](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Every-Warrior-Different.jpg)
Every Warrior life size, and different
![Warriors with horse](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Horse.jpg)
Warriors with horse
![Generals conferring](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Generals-Conferring.jpg)
Generals conferring
![The Warriors, damaged by earthquakes, were discovered in 1974](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Rubble.jpg)
The Warriors, damaged by earthquakes, were discovered in 1974
![High ranking Officer](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/High-Ranking-Officer.jpg)
High ranking Officer
![Warrior with saddled horse](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Soldier-with-Horse.jpg)
Warrior with saddled horse
![Kneeling Archer](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Kneeling-Archer.jpg)
Kneeling Archer
![The Emperor's bronze carriage ready to take him wherever he wants to go](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Bronze-Carriage.jpg)
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](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Xian-City-Wall.jpg)
Xi’an has the best preserved ancient city wall in the world – 13.7 km around
![Guard House on the wall](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Guard-House.jpg)
Guard House on the wall
![Roof animals indicate Ming Dynasty (1328 - 1644)](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Ming-Dynasty.jpg)
Roof animals indicate Ming Dynasty (1328 – 1644)
![Xi'an city wall at night](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/City-Wall-at-Night.jpg)
Xi’an city wall at night
![Little Wild Goose Pagoda (652)](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Little-Wild-Goose-Pagoda.jpg)
Little Wild Goose Pagoda (652)
![Lunch of homemade shaved noodles to go with a pork sauce ...](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Hand-Cut-Noodles.jpg)
Lunch of homemade shaved noodles to go with a pork sauce …
![... and handmade noodles for beef Ramen](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Making-Noodles.jpg)
… and handmade noodles for beef Ramen
![A selection of the famous and delicious Xi'an dumplings, best we've ever tasted](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Xian-Dumplings.jpg)
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](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Duck-Dumpling.jpg)
The shape tells you it is filled with duck meat
![Entrance to the Moslem street - Moslems came along the Silk Road](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Moslem-Street.jpg)
Entrance to the Moslem street – Moslems came along the Silk Road
![Pomegranates from Turkey were traded back along the Silk Road](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Pomegranate-Stall.jpg)
Pomegranates from Turkey were traded back along the Silk Road
![We tried some of the local breads, pretty good too](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Breads.jpg)
We tried some of the local breads, pretty good too
![Lady buying tofu from the man with the bike](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Tofu-Delivery.jpg)
Lady buying tofu from the man with the bike
!["Chinese Hamburgers" (chopped spicy meat in a soft bun) are really popular](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Chinese-Hamburger.jpg)
“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](https://pamnjeff.com/TransSiberia/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Cooking-Belt-Noodles.jpg)
Cooking “belt noodles”, so called because they are as long and wide as a belt