Destination: Xi'an, China!

Kick-starting 2016 I had a new Chinese travel experience set in my sights, I was ready to fly! The ancient walled city of Xi'an, China was my chosen destination for my first trip of 2016. Undoubtedly, I had the legendary Terracotta Warriors on my radar. Shaanxi had something to show me, I was more than ready for some Hui Muslim food! Yes, Xi'an served everything! 好吧?

Touching down at Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, I was greeted with yet more haze! All this pollution wasn't going to put a dampener on my trip, not on my watch anyway! No! Most Chinese cities apart from the mega-cities don't yet have direct metro links with the city centres so getting from the airport to my chosen hostel took some going but it was all an experience. I was very cautious to book a hostel after my Shanghai disaster but Xi'an's Han Tang Inn Hostel restored my faith in hostels in China. Located around the corner from the Bell Tower I locked my bag then got on with my trip! Maybe a hotel next time? Sure, that hostel did impress me! Navigating through a chaotic underpass, I found the entrance to the Bell Tower. Xi'an happened to have two towers but I choose the Bell Tower over the Drum Tower due to convenience because my time in Xi'an was to be very limited. Realising I had made it within a respectable amount of time I was relieved and ready to explore and then some! Yes, Xi! Wuhan, who? Bye! 

Marveling at the beautifully crafted Bell Tower, I had made it to my sixth Chinese city in seven months. Built in 1384 AD during the 17th year of the Hongwu during the Ming Dynasty, the Bell Tower served a strong resemblance to the typical architecture of that said Ming period. Gaining the name from the grand bell that chimes on the hour this Xi'an focal point commands the attention even standing in the middle of a vast roundabout that was teeming with a constant flow of heavy traffic. The air was filled the traditional songs of Chinese New Year, some of them I could recognise because we play them in the morning time at my kindergarten. Overlooking the Bell Tower stood her brother, the Drum Tower was something but I wanted to see as much as I could within the city centre and the Warriors, so the Bell Tower won that one! Xi'an felt different compared to Wuhan, I even saw some blue skies for a short time. Chiming to the beat of the Bell Tower, I had to move forwards! Oh, I was good and it was amazing to have a change of scenery! 

As the sun said goodbye to Xi'an on the first day of 2016, I headed for Xi'an's Beiyuanmen Muslim Street within the nearby vibrant Muslim Quarter. I was more than ready to sample some Hui style Xi'an food. I was fronted with a sea of people going down this famous Xi'an city street, I find the crowds here in China somewhat aggravating to deal with because there's not much coordination going about. Bewildered by the noises, smells and overall feel of that crazy street I got my ish together, snatching some amazing photos and taking in a sense of this Islamic style street without being annoyed by the crowds. I did that! Indulging in a deep fried banana, three lamb kebab skewers and a Roujiamo Chinese hamburger, I filled my boots! Remembering that alcohol was off the menu, I found some honey infused fresh yoghurt that tasted heavenly, believe me it took the spice away from those kebabs that I had earlier on. Aside from the crowds I was living! I'm glad that I took that deep breath, collected my senses and took that experience on! 

Apparently, Xi'an's Muslim population dated back from the movements of the Silk Road? Regardless of those stories, I adored the breads and kebabs that make this section of Chinese culture unique and sometimes better than Han Chinese food. Looking for a drink, I found a bar to have a beer or two but called it a night pretty early as I had a long day from travelling from Wuhan, I had an early appointment the next morning. Back to the delights of Beiyuanmen Muslim Street I returned the following night with an Australian girl called Anna who was also staying at the Han Tang Inn Hostel. We tried Yangrou Paomo, a rich mutton soup mixed with two flat breads that we had to break apart and put into a bowl, then the soup was added so we could enjoy the meal. I didn't do too badly during my Xi'an trip, trying new foods and loving every second of it! It was so good, I just have to find Yangrou Paomo and Roujiamao in Wuhan! Xi'an was proving to be a winner, but I had more to see the next day and wanted to keep fresh. 

When I decided that I wanted to teach English in China, I had one place in mind that I just had to visit! No matter what, I had a dream to see the Terracotta Warriors and Horses that are located closely from Xi'an. Unearthed in 1987 by the digging of a well on some normal farmland in Lintong District about 60 minutes from Xi'an City, something remarkable was discovered. Protected as a World Heritage Site, the Mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor is a world renowned attraction. Getting there bright and early I was up before the birds to catch a glimpse of the Terracotta Army and their horses! Like any place of interest, I made it around before the tour groups had properly arrived. I know now that in China there's no messing when it comes to domestic tour groups, you have to be quick! Taking time to see the museum and the secondary pits I was ready to see the warriors, waiting in their tight lines of formation. Getting to the front of the barrier was needed, I saw this experience as once in a lifetime! It was definitely worth it!

Keeping costs down, I got the 306 tourist bus from Xi'an Railway Station to the Terracotta Warriors for only seven Yuan each way! In my home currency that only cost me less than £1.50 return for a two hour round trip ride! Throughout my time at the Mausoleum I couldn't believe the remains of the figures had been found in such an unsuspecting circumstance. Certain areas of the main pit didn't allow photography for what reason I wasn't sure but certain restoration work was being carried out on specific warriors. Leaving the warriors behind me, I made my way back to the coaches to Xi'an Railway Station. I didn't pay much attention to the many touristy gift shops and food places because I had simply made the trip to see the Terracotta Warriors and Horses! I'm not a fan of touristy nonsense because that's not my flow! Xi'an's main spectacle was everything that I had imagined it to be, I have urged my teaching friends in Wuhan to get to Xi'an quick snap! I can't wait to see what new treasures they might uncover Xi'an! Get it, gone!

Built within a magnificent city wall, I chose to see the southern part of Xi'an's 'Ancient City Wall' lastly during my Shaanxi trip. Taking the Xi'an Metro from Wulukou Station to Yongningmen Station to find just what I wanted to see. The original fortifications were built during the Old Tang Dynasty from 618-907 to strengthen the city from the current Emperors perspective. It's believed that the Southern part of the city wall is decorated most beautifully, apart from the building smog I was really impressed with the walled courtyard and even saw a Chinese style changing of the guards. Making my way to the busy 'City Wall',  I was stopped by several Chinese children who wanted to practice their English with me, they were so cute and asked the same questions that they must be learning at school? I loved slipping back into work mode! You know that I didn't ride a bike but I enjoyed my stroll along the 'Xi'an City Wall' very much! Telling the truth, Xi'an's 'Ancient City Wall' served it up good and proper! I kept it moving! Beer O'Clock? 

Feeling thirsty? I had been diligent during that Xi'an trip and felt like it was time to have a few beverages, that was a whole choice! Leaving my hostel after freshening up for the night, I followed my maps to a supposed bar street. Having a drink and then moving on, that music bar was quite quiet but I wasn't mad. Finding a small beerhouse felt correct, I enjoyed a couple of Vedet bottles before I moved on once more. Xi'an had witnessed me running around the city from the moment my China Southern flight had landed from Wuhan, I deserved some downtime before work recommenced! Don't ask me the name of the venue, you know I clocked those bar staff because they looked as if they got my vibe! I enjoyed the live music but if truth be told I enjoyed those pints of craft beer also, a lot if you must know the truth! Waking up with a thick head wasn't fun but I did that to myself, by hook or crook I made my flight on time back to Wuhan! That was no joke! Xi'an had served me with a relentless timetable, I needed sleep! Yes!

Serving Warrior Realness! 

Desperately Seeking Adventure