More to Xi'an than Buried Warriors

I forgot to take a lunch picture until we were almost done. Soup with tofu, greens and almonds; chicken and vegies, somewhat spicy (not sure what the red things are. The hot came as an aftertaste); snap peas, bamboo shoots and mushrooms. The waitress took pity on Steve part way through the meal and brought forks and knives.

In the afternoon we went to a city gate. This was a mere 600 years old, but amazing that it had survived in the midst of such a vibrant city.

This is a double gate with a central courtyard to trap attackers half way through so archers on the walls can shoot them.

We did not take the nearly two hours to bike around the city wall, but there were rentals available, and we saw people biking. The roofs you see in the city are part of a beautification project begun a few years ago encouraging traditional roofs on new buildings. We saw a lot of that in Beijing as well. I think it is great to take advantage of the good things in modern construction without losing traditional concepts. Xi’an should not look the same as Paris or New York.

I wasn’t interested in hiking in the sun on the top of the wall, but I would have enjoyed a stroll between the wall and the moat in the park below.

Instead we headed for the 14^th c Ming dynasty bell tower in the center of town.

In the background you can see the drum tower. The bell rang in the morning to open shops and for emergencies, and the drum was beaten in the evening.

 Muslims came to Xi'an along the silk route hundreds of years ago. Many settled and continue to live here. Muslim Street, behind the drum tower, is a vibrant street market. We could have enjoyed picking up supper here, but we were scheduled for a dinner theater at the Shannxi Opera.