 Xian, what is there to do? |
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| What is there to do in Xian? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
travellerfrank Frank Post Count: 3 Msg: #1 867 days ago, July 22nd 2007 | Hello everyone, | I just signed up and unsure whether this is the correct forum for inquiries. I am going on a business trip to Xian next week and I will be staying in the West Capital Hotel for a couple of days. I am staying a couple of days longer to do some sightseeing. However, what are the places to see? Regards, Frank  ErinOB Erin OBrien Post Count: 2 Msg: #2 866 days ago, July 23rd 2007 | There are the Terracotta Warriors, of course. A lot of people come back unimpressed from them, but it is fairly enjoyable. See Pt 2 first, then Pit 3, then the biggest - Pit 1. Doing Pit 1 first makes the rest a huge anti-climax. There are also some hot springs out in the same direction (neither actually in Xian, maybe an hour-2 hours bus out there). But if you have been to proper hot springs, I would say avoid, as usually it's just a bath! | In the centre of Xian, there's Bell Tower and Drum Tower. You can climb Bell Tower and pay a few quid, and ring the gong, if you so desire. There's also a Big and Small Goose Pagoda, I have been to Big Goose, which is nice to wander around the grounds. It can get touristy, you will probably be asked to buy many, many things you don't want. Climbing the tower is fun, but the smog here can get vicious, especially at the moment, so photo opportunities are limited. There's a Muslim Quarter northwest of the centre of Xian, lots of stuff to buy. The Lonely Planet says it is the best place for food, but you have to pick carefully, a lot of vendors there aren't great. Most of the places I hang out are not in the centre. Xian is best for just wandering around, the tourist places can get very tiring, especially in the centre of town, when, despite the many tourists they see, people will still shout 'Hello' at you continously. Walking the wall that surrounds the centre is the best bit about here, I think. And there are some nice parks to walk through, seeing people doing TaiChi. There's also a Beijing Opera-style tourist trap, where everyone is taken. I hated it, it's too difficult to get a beer. I haven't found any great Chinese restaurants in town, there's a good Italian and a Japanese restaurant we go to, but for normal food, we go to a local restaurant, south of the wall. The food is usually good on East Street, walk a little way down it from Bell Tower, and there's a row of food windows on your right, past the big department store called KaiYuan. Just pointing usually suffices for ordering. Very few people here speak English, which can be frustrating, but generally people are friendly. And haggle continously, they think we like it, and so will start at ludicrous prices for fun! Hope this has helped... travellerfrank Frank Post Count: 3 Msg: #3 865 days ago, July 23rd 2007 | Hi Erin! | Thanks for the information! Actually I found this on the web which lists a lot of the things you mention: http://www.xs2china.com/en/cityguide/china/guangzhou/ Apparantly it is mobile software which has a list of things to do in the area of guangzhou including speech function and addresses. I am downloading it right now. Also I am writing down some of the things your mentioning. Luckily xs2china has the speech function, so I'll be able to get around without using English (I hope). thanks !! the other Jude Itchy Feet Post Count: 2 Msg: #4 864 days ago, July 25th 2007 | Hi | Definitely go to the fountain display at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (free, 9pm every night). It sounds silly and you'll get wet but it's impressive and an amazing laugh and it's so hot you'll dry off in no time. Plenty of buses go to and from it from the centre of town. Happy travels Jude  Lydia Moon Lydia Li Post Count: 27 Msg: #5 858 days ago, July 31st 2007 | Hi Frank, | Xi'an is a living book of China history! I am live in Xi'an now. If you need any help, please feel free to let me know!If you like , you can add my MSN:cherish_1314@hotmail.com You can get some information from this website! http://www.chinauniquetour.com/travel.asp?place=36&nodeid=38 Have a smooth trip! Number of Users: 4 | Number of Posts: 5 | |||||||||||||
