Adapted from ‘Around the World: 6 Countries in 6 Months‘
Words & Pictures by Shaun Troke
Compared to Beijing & Shanghai, Xi’an IS the smaller city.
Whenever I visit somewhere new, I always hope to experience the essence of that very place; A place that hasn’t been too influenced by other cultures – and businesses – from around the world:
Beijing, I felt, was just a little too touristy, luring in mass numbers of visitors with The Great Wall, the Olympic Stadium, and the Forbidden Palace, therefore escalating prices to an extortionate level…
Shanghai was like the New York City of China, with towering architectural wonders soaring the skyline, that can be viewed from the multicultural suburbs across the water…
And, Xi’an…it simply seemed to remain loyal to the origins of old China.
Arrival
The Railway Station was the first & last thing I saw on my visit to Xi’an.
And boy, did THAT place create a memory…
Never before had I seen a train station containing SO MANY PEOPLE at one time! If you’ve seen archive footage from a Beatles concert in the 1960’s, that’s the best way I can compare it.
We’re all aware of the large population that China has, but I didn’t see this many people in the stations in Shanghai or Beijing, or Guangzhou or Hong Kong…
Hell, I wanted to see the real China…and I kinda got it from this one station!
Exploring
Once away from the hoards of people at the station, I took the leisurely stroll to my £12-a-night accommodation…
In Beijing & Shanghai, I wasn’t able to find a hotel room at this low price.
And, just from walking along the streets, Xi’an didn’t feel as full-on as both Beijing & Shanghai had done.
All around you are consistent (yet essential) sights, to remind you of where you are…
Whether it be the city walls that surround the centre of the city (much like the city walls found in both Chester & York in the UK); The Bell Tower, that you can spot from almost anywhere in the city, day or night; The street markets & stores and street vendors promoting never-seen-before businesses…
Sure, you’ll still spot the occasional Starbucks and McDonald’s in or near the larger Malls, but nevertheless, it always feels like you’re actually in China!
My one regret is that I never walked those city walls….and worst of all, I still don’t know why I didn’t!
Outside Xi’an
Beyond the city area is the main reason why people visit Xi’an: the Terracotta Army.
Unless you’re going to make your own way there, buses leave from outside the Railway Station (so you don’t have to face the major crowds inside the station!), and the bus will drop you off at the Terracotta Museum.
This army of statues is ever so overwhelming to see.
From pictures, it’s easy to get the impression that there are many sculptures…but, until you’re there, you don’t realise the sheer volume of figures that there are!
And, even if you go to Xi’an for one thing – The Terracotta Army – like I did, these will fail to disappoint you in any way.
Overall
I felt relaxed in Xi’an.
And, I felt cultured with it.
Randomly, I’d spent a lot of my time in the Bell Tower Youth Hostel. Not as a guest, but because they had reasonably priced food & drinks, along with free WiFi, and a view of the Bell Tower & the city.
Oh, and I’ve just figured out why I didn’t walk Xi’an’s city walls: It’s because I hadn’t budgeted for it.
The lows of travelling on a low-budget, right?
So, if you take anything from this article, make sure it’s that you don’t make the same mistake I did…
Make sure you can afford to walk those walls!
Coming Next: The next adaptation from ‘Around The World: 6 Countries in 6 Months‘ …
From Kyoto to Tokyo: The Best Bits