Travel to Xi'an / Travel through one of the oldest cities in China

In three days, experience the twelve hours of the ancient capital of Chang'an.

There is food and stories here.

There are national treasures and history here.

Day 1 | Shaanxi Expo Big Wild Goose Pagoda Datang City that never sleeps

#Shaanbo is really hot

You must make a reservation several days in advance (official website /article ), you cannot enter the museum if you go directly. It's natural to queue up during the peak season. Fortunately, we went during the off-season, and on weekdays, we didn't have to wait in line for a long time. However, there were quite a few tourists in the museum who wanted to see it up close. For exhibits, you may have to squeeze in front of various tour groups.

The Sui and Tang Dynasties were the most glorious stages of ancient China. Chang'an, the capital, became the largest and most prosperous city in the world. Foreign trade exchanges and the country’s political, economic and cultural development are unprecedentedly prosperous. There are countless natural treasures. So Shaanxi Expo is very worth visiting. There are many exquisite palace utensils.

Travel to Xi'an / Travel through one of the oldest cities in China

What I like to see the most is the various pottery figurines full of the open style of the Tang Dynasty . Their shapes are particularly exaggerated and feminine The action costumes are all very avant-garde. Through these exhibits, you can feel the compatibility and openness of the Tang Dynasty.

In addition to the permanent exhibitions, there are two additional paid exhibition halls (it’s a pity that I didn’t go this time~). The temporary exhibitions are also very beautiful. I was obsessed with the "World Heritage Photography Art Exhibition" and couldn't help myself. I spent an hour inside and looked at pictures of world heritage sites around the world. I was shocked by these beautiful scenery and secretly determined to visit as many as possible in my life!

#afternoonbig wild goose pagoda

Coming to Xi'an without going to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is like coming to Wuhan without climbing the Yellow Crane Tower (although as a native of Wuhan, I have never been to the Yellow Crane Tower...) In the afternoon, I went to the Daci'en Temple Scenic Area, where the iconic Big Wild Goose Pagoda is located. , but because I don’t know much about Buddhist culture, and my knowledge of the history of Xuanzang’s Buddhist scriptures is only superficial, so I may not be able to see much from a blind glance, and it can only be regarded as a “visit here” check-in. .

However, putting aside the story behind the Wild Goose Pagoda and the temple, if you look at it from an architectural aesthetics perspective, I personally feel that the appearance of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda is indeed interesting. I checked some information and found that the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was originally designed to imitate the appearance of the famous Buddhist pagoda "Dajue Pagoda" in India. Later, Li Zhi, Emperor Gaozong of the Tang Dynasty, felt that this Indian-style pagoda did not match the overall style of Chang'an City, so he carried out reconstruction.

From 701 to 704, Wu Zetian renovated the Big Wild Goose Pagoda for the third time, and broke the "odd-story pagoda due to its positive shape" and built it to 10 stories. In 931, the Later Tang Dynasty renovated the Big Wild Goose Pagoda again and restored it to 7 floors. During the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, the Big Wild Goose Pagoda underwent another major renovation, and cladding was added to the original appearance. It is basically the tower we see now.

Every time I mention Xuanzang’s quest for Buddhist scriptures, I can only think of Journey to the West. Sure enough, I still suffer the loss of being uneducated!

#Neon flashing Datang never sleeps city

The sun recedes and the lights begin to shine. The entire street in front of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda seems to be covered with colorful feathers. I have to say that Xi'an is quite lively at night, and the lighting is very good. If you come to travel, you must feel the lights at night.

This street with many bright lights is called Datang Evernight City. There are some shopping malls on both sides, as well as theaters/art galleries and other entertainment venues. There are also many large shopping malls. So if you want to go shopping and eat, here is a "one-stop service", so you don't have to run around.

When we got to the end, there was an area that seemed to be dedicated to performances, but I only saw one ending. I couldn’t seem to see it if I stood too far away, but you could listen to music and so on. There are many large sculptures throughout the street, and there are also some small stages that may have some performances during peak seasons or on weekends.

Day 2 | Forest of Steles, Drum Tower, Muslim Street, Xi'an Incident Memorial Hall, City Wall, Yongxingfang

#The Forest of Steles is an unexpectedly good place to visit

I had always heard of the Forest of Steles before, but I thought it was just a traditional and boring attraction. I didn’t expect it to be a really nice place to shop! You can see the works of calligraphy masters from various dynasties. The environment of the entire scenic spot is also quite quiet. If there is no one there early, it would be nice to hear the birds chirping and the ginkgo leaves turning yellow. It would be nice to walk around and look for cats.

In addition to various stone carvings, I think the most beautiful ones are the two indoor exhibition halls on the sides of the Forest of Steles! One museum displays stone carvings from the Northern Wei Dynasty to the Song Dynasty. They are well-preserved and the stone carvings are exquisite, which is amazing. It comprehensively explains the typical styles and artistic styles of Buddhist statues in the Chang'an model.

Another hall displays mausoleum stone carvings from the Han Dynasty to the Ming Qing Dynasty. The carving techniques are diverse and the styles are different. It is very interesting to visit (it seems a bit strange to say this, but I really appreciate the complicated and gorgeous carvings of the ancients). Tomb culture allows us to see so many exquisite remains today).

An easter egg: Take a tour map at the door, and there is a mark on it that specifically says "Meow Meow Infested Area". If you look at the places marked with this mark on the map, you will find... almost the entire Scenic spots are all! ! Then, I was very happy, I really got two cats!

#Muslim Street is famous but I don’t love it

The Muslim Street near the Drum Tower is just like Hubu Alley... Maybe I have only been there once and I am biased, but when I get to the door, I feel like "this place is dedicated to coaxing foreigners". There were many people and it was crowded, and the place was a bit dirty, so I didn’t stay too long.

As for the specialty snacks, although I haven’t tried them, but according to the principle in Wuhan that “any hot dry noodles on the street are more delicious (and cheaper) than those in Hubu Alley”, I guess the food in Huimin Street will not be amazing.

So I hurriedly walked through this street and found a shopping mall food court nearby to sit down and eat. According to my colleagues, the meat buns I ordered in the food court tasted pretty good. So, as long as you come here and see it, you know what's going on. As for eating, I don't think it's necessary.

#xi'an incident memorial hall

There was still a while before the plan to go up the city wall, so I looked at the map and saw that there was a Xi'an Incident Memorial Hall nearby. I may have been assimilated by Mr. Wang recently, and I am a little interested in modern Chinese history, especially when I watched "That Rabbit" some time ago and happened to see the Xi'an Incident.

There are many old photos and documents on display in the memorial hall. Friends who like history are still worth a visit. In addition, the memorial hall itself is built in the Zhang Xueliang Mansion. In addition to introductions such as text and pictures, you can also visit the 张学隆 residence, you can also visit the interior. It is a small but unique small Western-style building in the style of the Republic of China.

#风雨中上城wall

The Xi'an City Wall was built on the basis of the Chang'an City of the Tang Dynasty in the early years of the Ming Dynasty. Later, it was repaired many times to form a strict defense system. It is the oldest existing city wall in China. One of the most complete ancient city walls. When visiting the ancient capital of Xi’an, I think you must visit the city once. Although it was a very cold day and it was drizzling, we climbed up the city wall near sunset and stayed until night fell and the decorative lights were turned on.

If the city wall during the day is like a solemn and rigorous old man, the city wall at night is like a bright and lively lady. Each one has its own characteristics, so it is best to go to the city between 4 and 5 o'clock before the sun sets, and wait until 6 o'clock to see the night view. Those who are willing to hike can even spend an afternoon walking on the city wall, walking from one gate to another. After all... You can run a marathon on the city wall. (Of course, my big Wuhan also has the East Lake Greenway where you can run horses! Proud face.jpg)

We only walked a very, very small section of it, from Changle Gate on the east side to the wall, and walked less than 1 kilometer to Zhongshan Gate Lower City . Why did you choose this section? Because when you get down from Zhongshan Gate, you can start the next section for dinner!

#deliciousyongxingfang

Just past the Zhongshan Gate exit is Yongxingfang. This area is also a food gathering area, but unlike Muslim Street, which feels chaotic, the management here is better, and the stalls and environment are tidier. There will also be some special performances, making it feel more like Jiqing Street in Wuhan?

Here I ate beef offal, meat skewers, mutton dumplings, and fried rice cakes. The prices were quite reasonable, the portions were solid, and they all tasted pretty good! If you want to find special snacks in Xi'an, Yongxingfang is a good choice~

Day 3 | Small Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi’an Museum, Shaanxi Art Museum, Daxingshan Temple

#The city museum has so many collections?

The third day was only half a day, but it was not wasted at all. I visited 3 places along the way. The Xi'an Museum and the Small Wild Goose Pagoda are together. It is a bit like a park. The sun is very sunny today, and it feels particularly comfortable to stroll around.

I thought that the city museum might be more "perfunctory" and not much to see, but the Xi'an Museum was not empty at all. There is something special about both the collection and the exhibition hall itself. If you are in a hurry when you come to Xi'an, or there are too many people in the peak season, and you are unable to make an appointment at the Shaanxi Expo, maybe coming to the Xi'an Museum is a good plan B.

#小雁太Although it is a small wild goose pagoda

After visiting the museum, you can walk to the foot of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. The appearance of the Small Wild Goose Pagoda looks similar to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, and it is said to be built in imitation of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. But I personally feel that the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is more realistic.

1. There are not so many tourists queuing up to visit, so I can take photos with the pagoda better and more confidently, and the surrounding is cleaner and has more of an atmosphere. 2. Maybe it is because the Small Wild Goose Pagoda is not that well-known and looks slightly decayed. The top and body of the tower are both damaged to varying degrees, but it is this sense of vicissitudes that makes this historical building look particularly real.

#desertedshaanxiprovincial art museum

For some unknown reason, the Shaanxi Provincial Art Museum was so deserted that it felt like it was going to close in any minute. As a personal hobby, sometimes when traveling to a city, if there is some spare time in the itinerary, I always want to visit an art museum.

Although I think the internal structure of this art museum is somewhat unique, with the entire cloister serving as an exhibition gallery. Walking among them, one is surrounded by circles of paintings. And the quality of the paintings is really good. So it feels like no one comes here on weekends, which is a bit of a pity. I think the Hubei Provincial and Wuhan Art Museums are relatively popular.

#Xingshan Temple with a cat lying in front of the Buddha

There was still time to spare, so I wandered from the art museum to Daxingshan Temple not far away. Although I have no interest in worshiping Buddha or visiting temples, this temple seems a bit special to me. There is no commercialization, there are no tourists, there is no need to pay, and no one will tell you your fortune. Not only is there no charge, but you are also given a free incense and a free prayer card.

I also came across a dozing cat nestled on a mat in front of the Buddhist hall in a temple. The cat slept leisurely and contentedly, basking in the sun. It didn't matter who was kowtowing next to him, or whether you were a Buddha or a god. The cat just slept.

Okay, after writing the running account, let’s briefly mention a few words about Xi’an delicacies!

I feel that Xi'an food is real and affordable. I am really willing to give out meat, and the price is very cheap but the portion is very substantial! In the past two days, I have been eating meat like crazy, beef, mutton, beef offal, haggis... I bought a beef offal in Yongxingfang. Logically speaking, this kind of small attraction should be expensive or expensive, but 15 yuan a portion, really huge! many! Meat!

Others such as "Roujiamo, water basin mutton, biangbiang noodles, fried rice skin" , such as "Gourd chicken, calligraphy cake, Jinggao, Zhen cake, milk and egg glutinous rice" ...that would be too much. In a nutshell, it’s worth eating!

From my own experience and other people’s recommendations, [Chang’an Food Stalls] [Drunk Chang’an] [Meeting Chang’an] These restaurants are good for Shaanxi cuisine! In addition, there are some very unique food experiences 【Shaanxi San】's "Ghost Ice Cream, Spicy Ice Cream", Can you believe the spicy ice cream? !

I went there once in junior high school and visited Huaqing Pool and Terracotta Warriors, so I didn’t go there this time.

If you haven’t been there, I think you can still visit the Terracotta Warriors.

Okay, I've finished writing it. I'm almost at 4,000 words...