Xi'an, Shaanxi Province
Peter and I woke up late this morning, around 9 a.m. Had breakfast first before heading out to the South Gate (about 50 meters away). The weather cleared up a bit but still overcast.
From the Hostel we walked to the gate, crossed the busy rotunda to get to the gate right in the middle of the rotunda (wished they had an underground passageway). Paid 40 yuan per person to enter the Xi'an City Gate Wall.
Up at the Wall, which is about 30 feet wide and flat, we could see the inner central city of Xi'an - the best view of any city we have visited so far. We rented a tandem bike (40 yuan for 100 minutes with 200 yuan deposit) so we can go around the perimeter of the city on the Wall. This is one of the ways you can go around, you can also pay to ride the electric car (seats about 6) or the rickshaw bike or walk (which will probably take you half or the whole day).
The weather was quite cool which made our bike ride very enjoyable. We took our time, stopping at certain areas like the smaller gates and the main North, East, West gates, to see the scenery from these points. It began to drizzle when we reached about 2/3 of the Wall. And in an hour and 35 minutes we finished the ride around it - just 5 minutes shy of getting charged extra fee. It was a great bike ride - no crowds, lots of room, and very few bumps - a perfect place to ride.
Just as we returned the bikes back and got our deposit, the rain began to pour. We had our umbrella, hats and jackets so we didn't rush to leave the South Gate. We walked down the wall to the Draw Bridge gate (which has been repaired and is still in use) the tower of the Bridge gate is now a souvenir shop. We were able to go to the 2nd floor to get a picture from the tower to the South side of the city. A chinese man was kind enough to lead us up there and spent time talking story with Peter and myself, then, of course, showed us some of the items they had on sale. The only thing we bought are a couple of souvenirs to bring home - cost me 70 yuan for both - they should be happy.
From the South Gate we walked north up to the Bell Tower located in the middle of the city. It was raining moderately so we went inside the Kaiyuan Mall to look for a food court. We went to the basement and found nothing. Went outside and saw Starbuck's and McDonald's. As we turned to go back was saw a sign for the food court located on the 7th floor (not a place we would expect). There we found a roomy version of the Megabite with lots of stalls selling local food. We both had noodles in soup - one not spicy and the other very spicy - for 5 yuan a piece, and a piece of Chicken thigh in mild curry sauce - for 25 yuan (meats are quite expensive here).
After our late lunch (around 2:15 p.m.) we decided to return to the hostel to get some rest. We realized that the bike ride we took around the city, 13.9 km., was exhausting. This is already equivalent to one full day's sightseeing.
So we will probably get some rest after this posting and later go out to check out the nearby places and grocery for some stuff.
Hopefully, the forecast tomorrow will be much better.
Peter and I woke up late this morning, around 9 a.m. Had breakfast first before heading out to the South Gate (about 50 meters away). The weather cleared up a bit but still overcast.
From the Hostel we walked to the gate, crossed the busy rotunda to get to the gate right in the middle of the rotunda (wished they had an underground passageway). Paid 40 yuan per person to enter the Xi'an City Gate Wall.
Up at the Wall, which is about 30 feet wide and flat, we could see the inner central city of Xi'an - the best view of any city we have visited so far. We rented a tandem bike (40 yuan for 100 minutes with 200 yuan deposit) so we can go around the perimeter of the city on the Wall. This is one of the ways you can go around, you can also pay to ride the electric car (seats about 6) or the rickshaw bike or walk (which will probably take you half or the whole day).
The weather was quite cool which made our bike ride very enjoyable. We took our time, stopping at certain areas like the smaller gates and the main North, East, West gates, to see the scenery from these points. It began to drizzle when we reached about 2/3 of the Wall. And in an hour and 35 minutes we finished the ride around it - just 5 minutes shy of getting charged extra fee. It was a great bike ride - no crowds, lots of room, and very few bumps - a perfect place to ride.
Just as we returned the bikes back and got our deposit, the rain began to pour. We had our umbrella, hats and jackets so we didn't rush to leave the South Gate. We walked down the wall to the Draw Bridge gate (which has been repaired and is still in use) the tower of the Bridge gate is now a souvenir shop. We were able to go to the 2nd floor to get a picture from the tower to the South side of the city. A chinese man was kind enough to lead us up there and spent time talking story with Peter and myself, then, of course, showed us some of the items they had on sale. The only thing we bought are a couple of souvenirs to bring home - cost me 70 yuan for both - they should be happy.
From the South Gate we walked north up to the Bell Tower located in the middle of the city. It was raining moderately so we went inside the Kaiyuan Mall to look for a food court. We went to the basement and found nothing. Went outside and saw Starbuck's and McDonald's. As we turned to go back was saw a sign for the food court located on the 7th floor (not a place we would expect). There we found a roomy version of the Megabite with lots of stalls selling local food. We both had noodles in soup - one not spicy and the other very spicy - for 5 yuan a piece, and a piece of Chicken thigh in mild curry sauce - for 25 yuan (meats are quite expensive here).
After our late lunch (around 2:15 p.m.) we decided to return to the hostel to get some rest. We realized that the bike ride we took around the city, 13.9 km., was exhausting. This is already equivalent to one full day's sightseeing.
So we will probably get some rest after this posting and later go out to check out the nearby places and grocery for some stuff.
Hopefully, the forecast tomorrow will be much better.
posted by Mimi | 9:16 PM
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