Birds
by solopes
Maybe because of the excess of population (maybe because they eat them…) dogs and cats are not very visible in China, where pets seem to be mainly fishes and birds. Birds deserve a special attention, with people taking them to the parks to “meet friends” and exchange melodies. Without surprise, selling birds is an important branch of local commerce.
Taxi is really the only way to...
by LAOWAI
Taxi is really the only way to go if you are lazy.
Buses are fine if you want to do it the 'local way.'
But by foot around town is really easy and enjoyable.
I suppose you could get a bike though- eveyone else seems to go that way.
Old part of Xian
by nepalgoods
In Xian I loved to watch the people in the narrow streets of the Muslim Quarters. The Muslim Quarters are the oldest still existing living quartes in Xian. They are not far from the Bell Tower in the city centre.
Here the men are playing some kind of Chinese Chess.
Drum Tower
by SallyM
The Drum Tower is very close, and similar in appearance to, the Bell Tower. You can buy a combined ticket to both.
The Drum Tower has (as its name suggests) a number of drums - the inside is a small museum of different kinds of drum.
Like the Bell Tower, it is also interesting for its architecture and views over the city.
Visit The Mausoleum of...
by margaretvn
Visit The Mausoleum of Qinshihuang and the Terracotta Army.
Qinshihuang (259-210BC) otherwise known as Ying Zheng was the founding emperor of the Qin Dynasty. His tomb is situated on the south bank of the Weihe River 5 kilometres east of the town of Lintong and a kilometre north of Mt. Lishan. The mausoleum was built in 247 BC when the emperor was enthroned aged 13. It is in fact a deep-dug magnificent underground palace, which is divided into two parts. These two parts are known as the inner and outer cities. The inner city is square and the outer one is rectangular. According to records more than 700,000 people were employed to construct the mausoleum and the work took 36 years. In 1974 and 1976 three massive army vaults were found . the first vault is the biggest and it contained 6,000 life-sized terracotta armoured warriors and horses. The warriors range from 1.78 to 1.87 metres in height and they are vivid warrior figures dressed in armour or short gowns tied at the waist, with leggings and tightly lashed boots and they hold real weapons – bows and arrows, swords, spears and crossbows. The figures vary from one another in complexion and hair style and they are powerful grand figures. The figures and horses are lined up in precise battle formation which shows in a way the military power of the Qin Dynasty.