Xi'an

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20th - 22nd April Xi'an

This former imperial capital is our base for a day trip to the terracotta warriers. These stone warriers have been buried for over 2,000 years, until they were discovered by a farmer (Mr Yuang, or similar) in 1976.

They are all facing East in battle formation and were created by 720,000 people over 40 years as part of Emperor Qins self-designed tomb. At that time the belief was that the soul lived on in the ground after death and the warriers were a way of protecting the Emperors post-mortem rule. There are three pits in which there are different seniority of soldiers ranging from archer to general. We take about 1,000 photos! I hadn't realised that the warriers had all been smashed 4 years after incarceration by peasants who were rising up against the Emperors son and successor. They were also revolting and reacting to the fact that thousands of the peasants who had built the tomb were buried alive in it in order to try to preserve the secrecy about its location. (Lots of treasure was also buried in the tomb).

Archeologists spend years literally finding and piecing the parts together like a giant jigsaw puzzle. We are able to view warriers and horses that have been uncovered and not yet pieced together which is cool.

The highlight of the visit for me is that we buy a book about the site and get it signed by Mr Yuang himself. Our tour guide tells us a tale of when Bill Clinton visits the site and asks Mr Yuang for his autograph. Mr Yuang tells the then president that unfortunately he cannot oblige as he cannot write a word - not even his own name. Apparently Bill then suggests a fingerprint would suffice. Anyway the story goes that the powers that be were so embarrassed about the fact that Mr Yuang could not oblige the president, that they invested time and money in teaching him to write. Now Mr Yuang visits the site approximately 3 times a month to sign his name for paying tourists.

Xi'an also has the best-preserved city walls in China today (14kms in circumference) and we all hired bikes (I suggested tandams) and spent 1.5 hours cycling the circuit. This was a very hair-raising experience - especially for B as he was on the back for the first half. Stopped half way for hacky sack game. The only time I hit it, it nearly went over the edge and Flick managed to totally decimate it with one delicate looking kick. Fortunately we are able to reassemble it.

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Photos

Exercises.
Local employees doing morning exercises in front of the Xi'an bell tower.

Cat gets mouse.
This kitten was in a local youth hostel.

Comments

[Gerry]

Greetings from Leeds
Wow!! This trip sounds superb, if you can call it a trip. Thanks for the update. The whole thing sounds amazing, keep the journals coming, and get some some photos down/uploaded. Not had a travelblog before so didn't know what to expect. All the very best to you both and take care, Gerry

[georgina]

wow
Hi, I work with your Dad (Alec that is!) We have all been asking him about your wonderful journey-he told us about your blog and now I'm hooked. I am sitting at my computer trying to finish an assignment and I keep having a sneaky peak. Your photos are superb. It is amazing how much vicarious pleasure one can get from a blog Georgina