We arrived in Xi'an by 16 hr train and both felt tired, things didn't get off to a good start as it took is ages to find our hotel and in 26 degree heat with a 20kg backpack it got sweaty. Things soon got better after we checked in and got ready to go out. We visited the city walls and the Muslim Quarter then got some food in a local food court. We went to the great mosque but asked a couple of western tourists if its worth it and they said it was just like any other temple in China and probably not so ditched that idea. The hotel has WiFi which is great, nice to be able to plan a bit more and see what's to be done.
Xi'an is much nicer than Datong and the people don't stare as much, however the hotel is down a street with the horrible looking flats (see photo). We have had a few problems with Google navigation and an out of date bus route map but nothing we haven't got used to. Its Chinese holidays at present so most places are packed out but not so bad.
We went to see the Terracotta Army which was really good. We had no trouble getting from our hotel to the army and back again all via public bus, not bad as its nearly 2 hours away in total. The place is laid out in 3 massive air craft hanger style pits, a cinema and a museum. In total we spent 4 hours walking round and followed our guide book tip to do the pits in reverse for a more outstanding finish in pit 1 with nearly 6000 life size terracotta figures.
We are both a bit bored of Chinese food and splashed out on a Pizza Hut for tea, ¥100 which is more than 3x tea the day before but not bad as its only £12.
Tomorrow we fly to Shanghai and try to catch the airport express from the center of Xi'an. Our first internal China flight. I wonder if we will get fed :) ......
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