Xi'an, China. The city with more than 3,100 years of history!
Population (sub-province): 8.2 million
Xi'an, literally meaning Western Peace, is the capital of the Shaanxi Province. As one of the oldest cities in China, Xi'an is one of Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. It was the capital during some of the most important dynasties in Chinese history: Zhou, Qin, Han, the Sui, and Tang dynasties.
Hostel: Han Tang Inn ($10/night). When looking for hostels in Asia, go with any on hostelbookers.com that have a high rating. Pick one that also has a restaurant, it adds a lot to the environment...and in China you won't want to eat at street vendors.
Population (sub-province): 8.2 million
Xi'an, literally meaning Western Peace, is the capital of the Shaanxi Province. As one of the oldest cities in China, Xi'an is one of Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. It was the capital during some of the most important dynasties in Chinese history: Zhou, Qin, Han, the Sui, and Tang dynasties.
Hostel: Han Tang Inn ($10/night). When looking for hostels in Asia, go with any on hostelbookers.com that have a high rating. Pick one that also has a restaurant, it adds a lot to the environment...and in China you won't want to eat at street vendors.
The first day we spent at the Starfish Foster Home outside the city boundaries. Amanda, a member of my faith, grew up in South Africa, then lived in Taiwan for years, learned Chinese and then moved to Xi'an. Within days, creating a Foster Home fell in her lap. For the last 4 years, she has been finding funding and housing for babies and young children with physical and/or emotional needs. Many of the babies have cleft palates and are in need of surgeries. Amanda is fantastic and does everything for these kids: feeds them, cuts their hair, bathes them, and she even speaks to them in Chinese and English!
If there is any organization that is worthy of your donations, it's the Starfish Foster Home. Check it out here.
If there is any organization that is worthy of your donations, it's the Starfish Foster Home. Check it out here.
This guy smelled like a million bucks walking out from his bath.
This girl was excited because she'd just met the family that was adopting her.
"At Starfish, we have taken care of 106 children to date, arranged more than 74 surgeries and had 26 international adoptions, so our little starfishes live all over the globe: the US, Netherlands, Norway, France, Spain and in China. Our latest two adoptions were to the Netherlands and Virginia, USA. We currently have 53 babies under the age of 3 1/2 at two foster homes. Recently we learned that 6 babies have been matched and we are waiting for their families to come and get them."
This girl was adorable too but she didn't want to be held. The minute I picked her up from this chair, her smile turned upside down.
I think his name is Josh. He is my absolute favorite. The minute I walked through the front door, he was reaching to be held with a great big grin on his face. (check out the tired nanny in the background. I don't blame her, she's an angel to help these children all day)
Josh fresh from his bath.
What was I digging for so intently?! Amanda is a saint, really. I don't know why she hasn't been shown in the church news or in church updates held between General Conferences.
The next day we spent at the Terracotta Tombs.
Xi'an is the eastern terminus of the Silk Road and home of the Terracotta Army which was made during the Qin (chin) Dynasty.
On our tour we started at a gift shop, naturally.
Then they took us up to the Terracotta Pits. Here's some information...
The terracotta figures, dating from 210 BC were discovered near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. The figures vary in height (6'-6'5"), according to their role, the tallest being the generals. The figures include warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. The majority of these are still buried in the pits.
The Terracotta Army is a form of funerary art buried with the First Emperor of Qin in 210-209 BC. (He declared himself the first emperor of China in 221 BCE.)
Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huang Di in the afterlife. Consequently, they are also sometimes referred to as "Qin's Armies."
The Terracotta Army is a form of funerary art buried with the First Emperor of Qin in 210-209 BC. (He declared himself the first emperor of China in 221 BCE.)
Their purpose was to help rule another empire with Shi Huang Di in the afterlife. Consequently, they are also sometimes referred to as "Qin's Armies."
Many archeologists believe that there are many pits still waiting to be discovered.
According to one historian, construction of the mausoleum began in 246 BC and involved 700,000 workers. Qin Shi Huang was 13 when construction began. He stated that no two soldiers were to be made alike, which is why he had construction start at at young age.
This First Emperor was buried with palaces, scenic towers, officials, valuable utensils and "wonderful objects". Because the land around the mausoleum is covered in mercury, they are worried about uncovering it. The tomb remains unopened, in hopes it will keep intact.
There's legit buried treasure under all that dirt somewhere...
This First Emperor was buried with palaces, scenic towers, officials, valuable utensils and "wonderful objects". Because the land around the mausoleum is covered in mercury, they are worried about uncovering it. The tomb remains unopened, in hopes it will keep intact.
There's legit buried treasure under all that dirt somewhere...
Do you remember this soldier and girl from the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony? It was supposed to represent the joining of history/culture over centuries.
Alley in Xi'an.
All over China they were preparing for the World Expo held a few weeks after we left in Shanghai. This Water Gumby mascot was EVERYWHERE!
Jumpshot in front of the Xi'an City Wall, which actually surrounds the entire inner part of the city.
Street Vendors selling nuts and dried fruit.
Biggest Fruit I've ever seen. Not sure this is even a Durian (stinky STINKY fruit).
Chicken feet is sold everywhere, but this was the first time I'd seen pig's feet. Can you imagine sucking the meat off that bone....uuuuuuah
Cool Hole in Xi'an.
1 comment:
Xi'an was my favorite Chinese city. I loved it so much more than Beijing, but I loved Shanghai also. I went on a bike ride around that city wall. Thanks for the pics, it makes me miss it.
-Jake O
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