The hotel is really great and the breakfast couldn't be more varied. And really cosy with lots of wood. It's more reminiscent of Tyrol or Switzerland,
As it is in the centre of Xi'an, the journey to the Terracotta Warriors takes about 1 hour. We pass Xing Xing Park - it is very popular for its beautiful flowers. Unfortunately, we don't have time for this today. Our new tour guide Mia gives us a comprehensive introduction to Chinese history. She learnt her good German at one of the 58 universities in Xi'an.
The path leads through a simple village with brick buildings. But as soon as you reach the entrance, you are overwhelmed by the crowds. We already know what comes next: queue, show your passport and enter the complex. Once again, there are stalls with food, souvenirs and various shops. Mia is a real pro and skilfully guides us past the large groups. She also uses an exit as an entrance. Pushes us into every gap that opens up in front of an exhibit. Takes us by the hand and shows us every detail.
She knows everything about the warriors, but it is also totally fascinating how each warrior looks different. The generals, for example, always have 8 bows on their armour, 2 skirts and a heart-shaped cap, and their shoes are curved upwards at the front. They usually have a bit more on their ribs too 😉 A soldier, on the other hand, only has a skirt, no bow and just a topknot and their shoes are flat at the front. The details are incredible, you can see every hair, the braided plaits, every shoe sole you see has a different profile. We can't stop marvelling. The warriors were made of clay, they are hollow inside and were fired at 950-1,050 degrees for a week. They weigh around 300 kilos and are 2 metres high.
And then you enter the large excavation pit. It takes our breath away.
When you stand there and realise what you have seen so often on TV or in books. Simply indescribable.
You can get watery eyes from time to time. We had lunch in the area. A speciality of Xi'an wide noodles, biangbiang noodles and broccoli, something healthy 😉
Back in the city, we visit the 14-kilometre-long city wall.
It was renovated in 1984. Farmers also donated stones, and you can see the year carved into it. In the extension of the street you can see the eastern bell tower. Here, too, the pretty ladies stroll around in their traditional dresses. You can take photos with them for a fee. You can see them at all the sights.
A short car journey takes us to the Muslim market. We walk through the vibrant, flashing, food-smelling, colourful and noisy market. Skewered octopuses, lamb kebabs, sugar fruit on skewers and so much more. We are exhausted and are glad to get out again. Last but not least, we stroll through Shuyuanmen, a cultural street with old buildings and shops selling everything you need for calligraphy, including stones, stamps and much more. And again and again these reckless electric scooter drivers. They only know the horn instead of the brakes. The hotel has a self-service laundry room. Mega cool, 36 minutes washing, 39 minutes drying, done. And the people you meet there. This mix of different cultures is simply fascinating. A few more dumplings and then off to bed.
Wow, what can I say - what you are experiencing is simply impressive!