The Third Strike: Xi'an, China!

One last dance? Yes, I had returned to Xi'an for China's 2025 Dragon Boat Festival to see some extraordinary things! A surprise reunion was also on the cards, one which I had no clue would happen until the previous day! Plans for drinks had been made! Buddhas galore would be clocked, it was correct to wrap up this 'Third Strike' experience nicely. Xi'an, let's get this done! 

Calling up 'China Highlights' up for another trip, I had been a very reliable customer since planning two previous excursions during the previous two Chinese government holidays in April and May 2o25! '水陆庵/Shuilu Nunnery' was at the top of my list, I wanted to see a very underrated Xi'an find because 2015 and 2023 had afforded me the chance to see Xi'an's most famous attractions. Located in '蓝田区/Lantian District', I met with my guide for a full day of sightseeing planned. I had specified that I had wanted to see a certain buddha that stood in the shadows of the '大雁塔/Giant Wild Goose Pagoda' but did something get lost in translation? Anywho, I arrived at my intended 'top pick', the weather was shocking but the unassuming location would become secondary soon enough! Lantian District was giving lush mountains, it wasn't like the city, with the rain serving misty skies, it gave mystery! Those wall carvings had brought me to that corner of 'Xi'an', I wanted to see all 3,700 of them up close and so personal! 

I had cracked the code, it was a national holiday but the Nunnery was quiet! The darkness of the shrine where the carvings were was darkened with no flash permitted. The aged carvings each told their own story, it was like a mini kingdom on a wall, hustle and bustle galore! People weren't going mad over these carvings, I for one appreciated them because they were a 'hidden gem'. I could only imagine the level of the craftsmanship that had gone into making this art and the preservation work also! The wall was like theatre, adorned with people, houses and vessels of sorts, I don't do art galleries but this feature really left me lost for words! It put it into perspective, the 'Mona Lisa' has worldwide status but this wall of wooden carvings in 'Xi'an' gets absolutely no attention when compared. I had listened to my heart, returning to Xi'an to see that rich cultural icon was worth every single hurdle! That corner of the nunnery had beyond impressed me, the photo above truly speaks for itself! Nobody gives me the side eye! She did, B! 

I had not been resting on this Xi'an location because it deserved more than just my attention, a very public figure needed reminding! I had to check my location because as I walked into a temple structure on the other side of the complex, I caught some major Thailand settings! I did not bank upon seeing a 'Reclining Buddha' in China! I was definitely caught off guard to say the very least! Her golden complexion served opulence, I wasn't bothered about the temple shrine where she was doing the least in. Rose red her lips were, she had been painted for the literal gods, I wanted that moment to be a sign that another visit to Thailand needed to happen! This resting heavenly sight had me looking for flights to Thailand for the upcoming 2025 Golden Week break! I longed to live a soft life like this 'reclining' golden treat! Maybe this chance encounter was a sign from a higher power? I definitely felt touched by that moment, both parts of that nunnery had served polar opposite moments! I left happy after that realigning moment!

The 'Monkey King?' Now, I want to back track a few steps because I saw something intriguing. My tour guide didn't spill the tea completely but enough details were furnished to me. A somewhat elaborate sculpture/model of the '孙悟空/Sun Wu Kong' stood in front of me. I later did some digging to find out this creature hails back to 'Journey To The West', a very popular Chinese production. The nunnery had been used for footage to an interactive game, now I don't play games so it would be something that would remain within that nunnery. Now, I feel like it's time to tell you my secret from the mornings first stop. I wasn't impressed with the rain nor was I with the golden buddha from that view, I wanted to see a more grayscale kind. I was like 'Babes, this isn't the vibe'. Arriving at '水陆庵/Shuilu Nunnery' earlier, I knew that a route-recalculation on the way back to my hotel would smooth out that miscommunication. Third time around, I did not come to play games! Done with the nunnery, it was time to escape the rain, X!

Was the tour over? I was not taking no for an answer because I was hungry! Lunch needed to happen! Driving a short distance from the nunnery allowed me to snatch more lush scenery as the rain absolutely bucketed it down! I really didn't see any issue with this because my main attractions had been inside, the rain would clear up as the day progressed. It was giving village settings beside a riverside, due to the weather, people had stayed away from that area. My guide was telling me about a hotel she had done some training at during the Pandemic, as a tour guide she was happy that normalcy had resumed. The imprint that the Pandemic left on tourism in China has mostly bounced back with domestic travel preferred by some whilst I keep my 'stamped out' trips for longer holidays during the summer or Spring Festival! Where was my lunch? After a minutes stop at a possible riverside park, the locked gate saw us get back into the car quickly! Such scenery made the city feel a million miles away. I was really hungry! Oh, girl! 

Parked up, I ran to the chosen lunch spot with gusto! Skipping small talk nor deliberation, I ordered the green beans with aubergine, sautéed pork with potatoes and a side of rice, this is China! The humble establishment we had stopped at, it was cute and oozed a village energy! I sipped on my hot Chinese tea with thanks because the dreary weather really didn't want to give up! Lunch was cooked rapid, I could tell that the meal was fresh, every single morsel tasted right! The aubergine was delicious and the pork had enough flavour, it was a cooler option compared to the '凉皮/Cold Noodles' I had enjoyed during my 2023 visit to the city. Everything about that lunchtime interaction was wholesome, the food had been cooked by the person who had taken the order, well one of them! I could imagine the place being really busy, I really do love Chinese food when it's uncomplicated and flavourful! I needed the city, I had one more thing to see before getting ready for the night ahead! Xi'an's third serving was a rich one? Sure! 

I wanted something 'serene' and 'greyscale' rather than the 'golden' shade I had been served earlier that morning. I knew that I wouldn't let Instagram be the only place where I would seen that 'peony garden' looking Buddha sitting peacefully. I wanted a throwback and I wanted to conclude my tour in a peaceful way, concluding another page complete in my Xi'an journey. My tour guide knew the place, she informed our driver where he needed to head before taking me back to my hotel. I appreciated that extension because it hadn't been part of my agreed itinerary, respectfully it was around the corner from my hotel. I appreciated those Xi'an sites, as my car passed by several places I really didn't want to write Xi'an off as one of my 'Forever Friends' because Nanjing is more than a friend to me! The Instagram worthy shot came into view, I was determined to get my own shot, I was kindly not taking 'no' for an answer! The usual excitable happy snappy suspects did the most, I just wanted my photo and my peace. I left content, okay.

My tour had long concluded, I found myself dressed for the evening and fresh out of a taxi. I remembered those city walls but that wouldn't be the only thing that I would remember! Had I eaten anything after that lunch? No, I was walking into that night of drinking with that lunch sustaining me! Meeting with that curious gentleman I had met in Ningbo after I had been to the theatre, he had chosen the location. After receiving his message the previous day, fresh off the plane, we made plans to meet for a drink whilst I was on the train to my hotel. Situated and comfortable, those craft beers flowed and it was getting pretty personal. Conversation was effortless, did I need to move to Serbia? We had the best night and it's always like that when it's unplanned. I thanked Xi'an for doubling guiding me, one for those 'Third Strike' places but to have the best night with that chance encounter that I thought had happened in Ningbo. Was that really the final time Xi'an would see me? Ask me again in a year or two! I love it up west! Sure! 

For The Plot!

Desperately Seeking Adventure