XI’AN
THE ASIAN SERIES PT8
Arrived and from leaving the airport I have got my first experience of the real China – no one speaks a word of English! I managed to get myself onto the bus to the city but have no idea which stop mine is, not to mention no one else can understand me. As per usual I’m wearing shorts and the heads turn as I make my way to the only free seat there is – right at the back.
WHERE IS XI’AN?
Getting lost in Xi’an
FINDING THE HOSTEL
I decided the safest bet would be to just get off at the bus station and hope there is a tourist desk or a taxi depot. Turns out the bus station is just a tiny car park. I have the name and address of the hostel (travelling with) on my phone but no one has a clue where it is. One gentleman was kind enough to take me into a hotel so I could use the phone to call the hostel. From here he took over and the wrote the address down in Chinese.
HELPFUL LOCALS
The taxi got me as far as the street but I was on my own again to find the right building, not easy in any city in China. The place is very strange and everyone just looks at you, it becomes so funny that I regularly burst out laughing. Anyway, went into some Tobacco shop and they were able to walk me to it. This goes to show no matter the difficulty or barriers you may come across there are always people there to help!
Checked into Travelling With hostel and immediately booked the Terracotta Warriors tour for the next day, the main reason I have come to Xi-an.
XI’AN FACTS:
- The name Xi-An is translated to “peace in the west.”
- Xi-An is one of the 4 great ancient capitals of China
- The start of the Silk Road begins in Xi-An
Getting lost in Xi’an; my hostel address!
RELATED READ: THE GREATEST PARTY CRUISE IN THE WORLD
BELL TOWER
Took a visit to the Bell Tower tonight which was looked incredible lit up, the temples in China are quite something else! After it was off to the Muslim quarter which is another huge street full of street food.
RATINGS….
- PEOPLE – 9/10, warm, polite, helpful and generous
- BACKPACKING – 8.5/10
- WEATHER – 8/10, colder up north, great down south
- THINGS TO DO – 8/10, Plenty to do and see; activities, history, beaches, nightlife
- FOOD – 7.5/10, I love asian food, try the Vietnamese coffee!!
- VALUE – 8/10. Cheaper than most but no longer what it used to be
NEXT UP
The highlight of Xi-An and the reason I am actually here, The Terracotta Warriors! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
31/229
This episode is part of The Asian Series. Click to view episode1.
