Our train journey started with a bang when Greg sat on a glass topped table in the 'soft-seat' lounge (in western terminology that is 'first class' - there are no class distinctions in China! From our observation that is really hard to believe considering the evident gap between the haves and the have-nots!!). Unfortunately for Greg, his weight was just a little too much and the plate glass snapped with a resounding bang to the consternation of those sitting nearby. He got off lightly with having to pay only a small amount for a replacement top. Sorry, no pic on this one.
Our first outing was to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda.
It dates back to around 300AD and suffered damage in an earthquake yonks ago. But it is still there and obviously well cared for. The gardens around this pagoda were really nice, as were the many figures that were dotted everywhere. 
With only a few visitors, we almost had the place to ourselves and so enjoyed its peaceful tranquility.
There was the inevitable bell....
And of course, the shop with delightful paintings and other Chinese crafts:
A visit to the museum in Xi'an was exceptional.
We were fascinated by exhibits that date back some 7000 years!! They were quite fantastic. Have a look at the next two photos:
Then this exhibition of a chariot and horses that were uncovered from the Terra Cotta pits:
We were now even more excited about our visit to the terra cotta warrior site.But first, Chinese food with a difference. Our lunch was great. We had, what I call 'steamboats' filled with stock in which we dumped different meats, vegies, eggs etc. (Not unlike Malaysian) It was great:
From left around the table - Pat, Graeme, Bev, Kerri & Carol.We both tucked in with relish....
.....as did Chris.
In the evening another wonderful show - TANG DYNASTY DANCE, in this theatre:
- our table was near the front of the stage (lucky us) The evening included dinner featuring soup and dumplings; very tasty:
This young lady entertained us with pleasant background music on a Chinese stringed instrument:
The show that followed was also quite something. Those girls are just so beautiful and we delighted in watching them. There are many photos I would like to include, but just a few to give you an idea of the costumes and hopefully the atmosphere:
The guys also made quite an impression:
The next day we visited the site of the Terra Cotta Warriors. We were rather glad that a wheelchair was available for Carol and Phil helped me push Carol up hill to where the site was. I find it really hard to adequately describe what we viewed. There are many photos on the internet and we took a few more. But how does one describe a site of over 14,000 square meters estimated to contain over 6000 pottery life-size figures of warriors and horses and chariots in long rows, a huge army all to protect the king in his afterlilfe. AND THAT IS ONLY PIT NUMBER 1!!!
To think all this dates back to the Qin Dynasty, some 2200 or so years ago.
What you see above are the RESTORED figures! History suggests that there was a rebellion which led to the destruction of these figures. 
The work of restoration, which must cost massive moneys, continues to this day and, looking at what we saw, will take decades to complete. Amazing project!There are two other pits and the best I can do is just to leave you with some images of what we saw. IT IS ALL REAL, so enjoy! Here is a section of figures uncovered but still to be restored. Other pits showed figures smashed to thousands of pieces:
Here a couple of shots of some of the restored figures:
Then a couple of special displays:
After all that, it was clearly time for a break and Carol made the best of her comfort to enjoy an icecream, though I did all the work pushing her around (got my share though):
The following morning saw some of the group needing some t'ai chi exercise before exploring the ancient city wall of Xi'an. They were ably led by Faye. Impressive, aren't they?
But we all enjoyed the wall itself and the views from it:
Chris in the background, ready with his camera.The next picture is of the paving stones that, Faye informed me, were made some 600 years ago and the imprints were put there by its makers. Wow! And we were walking over them!
Xi'an turned it on for us and met our every expectation:
Chris farewelled Xi'an with his own style of t'ai chi:
2 comments:
that dim sum looks amazing, as do the dancers. Looks like you had fun!
Gret Story gret Pictures thank you Carol & Siebrand.
Heather & Geoff
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