So much history, so much culture, so much pollution…

Our adventure to Xi’an began Friday night aboard an overnight train. CET had booked us hard-sleepers so we could experience life as a Chinese traveler. I didn’t think it was that bad. It’s basically six bunks (three on each wall) to a semi-cabin. No doors for privacy, but we really didn’t need any since the group took up half the car and we were by far the most annoying ones in our car. Upon arriving in the city one thing is immediately clear, Xi’an air makes Beijing air seem like Lake Havasu City, Arizona*. It was dry, dusty, and incredibly dirty, but otherwise a very cool city. One weekend in Xi’an and we all sound like wheezing geriatrics. Our train car on the way back to Beijing sounded like an emphysema ward with everyone hacking up lungs.



Views from the train coming into Xi'an.



Random shots of Xian: Hutong markets, the Muslim Quarter (some of the best lamb you'll ever have in your life), the bell tower in the heart of the city, the city walls, ancient rooftops (probably constructed in the past few years), stall vendors not working because annoying tourists like me only look and don't buy anything



The Terra Cotta Warriors: A pretty amazing sight, but I doubt their impressive numbers are any match against my hammer...


Left: At the Big Goose Pagoda. Note carefully the right hand of the monk, he's clearly a Longhorn fan!
Right: The outskirts of Beijing at sunrise.

Left: Apparently naked babies in suggestive poses are a huge tourist draw in Xi'an. Almost every stand I saw had some version of a naked, porcelain baby...

Center: Whoever made these horses were kind enough to give them buttholes in the afterlife.

Right: Check out the amazing artifact still fully intact on the city wall... oh wait, that's just a trash can.


*Lake Havasu City was voted the city with the cleanest air in 2006 by Money Magazine. Money Magazine – For You, Your Family, Your Future.