We made it into Xian around 11:30. At the Airport we met an American family originally from New York but now living in Chengdu. They have a 10 year biological boy and a 5 year Chinese daughter. They took a one year sabbatical to live in China to study the language. They had a few days off from school so taking a trip to Xian.
Xian is home of the first emperor who united the warring states of China. Xian was also the capital of China for hundreds of years until the 1400’s when another emperor moved the capital to Beijing and built the forbidden city. The people of Xian would like to move the capital but to Xian J.
We first went to a factory where they make and repair the terracotta soldiers, we bought a couple of smaller ones. The full size ones were a little too expensive. After the stop we went to lunch and then to the museum. There are 3 pits at the museum, the first is the largest and has most of the soldiers. They have found 7000 soldiers (or pieces of) so far. These were made to protect the emperor in the afterlife. The soldiers are 2200 years old and was first discovered in 1976 by a farmer digging a well. I asked if that farmer was paid for the discovery but it was government owned land. The farmer does work at the front of pit 1 signing autographs if you buy a book and postcards, so we did. The sites were just amazing. When the soldiers for first unearthed they had colors since they were originally painted. Once they were exposed the color all faded away fairly quickly.
It was about a 2 hour drive back to our hotel because of rush hour traffic. In every city they drive crazy and the yellow lines mean nothing to them. Our hotel is right across from the bell tower and just down the street from the drum tower. The picture of the bell tower is from our room window, just beautiful. We went to McDonalds for dinner and then walked some of the markets. The markets started at the drum tower and went on for several blocks. At the market we had some chops made (stamps with names carved on them), there is also a picture of that.
We do a city tour this morning then fly back to Beijing after lunch today. It is 7:00am here and letting Peiton sleep in for another hour today.
Jim
Xian is home of the first emperor who united the warring states of China. Xian was also the capital of China for hundreds of years until the 1400’s when another emperor moved the capital to Beijing and built the forbidden city. The people of Xian would like to move the capital but to Xian J.
We first went to a factory where they make and repair the terracotta soldiers, we bought a couple of smaller ones. The full size ones were a little too expensive. After the stop we went to lunch and then to the museum. There are 3 pits at the museum, the first is the largest and has most of the soldiers. They have found 7000 soldiers (or pieces of) so far. These were made to protect the emperor in the afterlife. The soldiers are 2200 years old and was first discovered in 1976 by a farmer digging a well. I asked if that farmer was paid for the discovery but it was government owned land. The farmer does work at the front of pit 1 signing autographs if you buy a book and postcards, so we did. The sites were just amazing. When the soldiers for first unearthed they had colors since they were originally painted. Once they were exposed the color all faded away fairly quickly.
It was about a 2 hour drive back to our hotel because of rush hour traffic. In every city they drive crazy and the yellow lines mean nothing to them. Our hotel is right across from the bell tower and just down the street from the drum tower. The picture of the bell tower is from our room window, just beautiful. We went to McDonalds for dinner and then walked some of the markets. The markets started at the drum tower and went on for several blocks. At the market we had some chops made (stamps with names carved on them), there is also a picture of that.
We do a city tour this morning then fly back to Beijing after lunch today. It is 7:00am here and letting Peiton sleep in for another hour today.
Jim
Dear Peiton,
ReplyDeleteWow, I can't believe you got to sit by a real Panda. How old is your foster sister? Your foster family looks really nice. We've looked at your blog almost every day. It is fun to see what you are doing! I played with Mei again on Sunday. I can't wait to see you and hear all about your trip!
Love,
Evy