Days 5-6 - To Xi’an and the Terracotta Warriors
We begin our day with a visit to the Temple of Heaven, a
beautiful edifice in central Beijing. In the afternoon we leave
Beijing behind, and join the rail service to Xi'an, experiencing
the fast, sleek and modern trains that China is known for. Our
journey on the high-speed service takes us through the beautiful
landscapes of rural China. In Xi'an, we transfer to our hotel for
two nights.
This evening you are free to begin exploring. Perhaps walk a
section of the city's walls, a great vantage point from which to
get a real insight into life in the city. Or visit the Muslim
Quarter, where you can mix with locals while sampling some
delicious traditional snacks. The street is famous for its cuisine,
and it bursts with life on an evening, with its bustling street
food stalls surrounded by traditional red lanterns and bright neon
lights.
On Day 6 we discover the famous
Terracotta Warriors - one of the world's most fantastic
archaeological finds. The 6,000 figures - some with horses or
chariots, but all with unique features - were buried in 210BC, yet
only discovered in 1974 by local farmers. The life-sized statues
were built as part of an elaborate tomb of the Qin Emperor,
believed to protect him in death just as his real army had in life.
Built on an incredible scale, the soldiers - all grouped in rank
order - are a truly breathtaking sight.
Later we discover more of the walled city of Xi'an, taking in
the Great Mosque, the largest mosque in China. We also see the
city's lively bazaar and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda, which dates
back to the 8th century and is a leading example of Tang Dynasty
architecture. We enjoy a dumpling-making lesson this afternoon,
learning all about how to make delicious local dumplings. We sample
this tasty local speciality this evening as we sit down to a
traditional dumpling banquet for dinner.