China Day 14 – Xian

An unexpected additional free day in Xian was due to one of the participant Abrar having to do a visa run during the 28 days tour through China. Somehow the miscommunication on the itinerary or maybe due to constant minor tweaks of the itinerary, the crucial day 14/15 fell short of a rest day so Abrar could not fly.

Yassine wanted to keep the itinerary to have more days in Beijing which was also a fair valid point so as both parties pushed www.drivechina.com for making that minor mistake. They came up with an ingenious solution for the whole group. Add another day to the tour for free and that was how Xian had a proper free day.

I was not really bothered to go crazy sightseeing in Xian. Tsevtan wanted to explore on his own so in the morning while he pushed off, I stayed back in the hotel just updating the journal and did much catch up on bills and chores. Just before lunch, I hit the streets to explore the old city of Xian randomly.

Xian Bell Tower 

The random drift ended up being the recommended guide route for some reason. There must be some invisible force at work here but I was shocked to be somehow ending up in a straight path to the bell tower and then saw the drum tower from the edge of sight and walked there to have a look and then saw the crowd of people somehow flowing into this one street and carried me along to the Muslim quarters of Xian.

Xian is colorful for sure and most of the people live their lives among the crazy amount of tourist visiting every year. I kinda like this city for there was enough space within the chaos and the silent moment amass the hectic life movement of people doing business.

Walking from Bell Tower to Drum Tower - Xian

Drum Tower Square 

Local Trinket Peddler - Xian

Xian Drum Tower 

I wandered from the south through the middle of Xian all the way to the north gate, winding left and right but somehow drawn to the north gate wall. There it was a 50-yuan entrance ticket to visit the wall and on top I rented a bicycle for another 45 yuan. I had barely cycle 100m and stop for a photo when I notice at the edge of my peripheral vision that someone was trying to take my bike.

Bei-yuan-men Muslim Culture Street - Xian

Bei-yuan-men Muslim Culture Street - Xian

Bei-yuan-men Muslim Culture Street - Xian

Turned around and there was Tsevtan trying to “borrow” my bike as he said. Looks like we would be exploring Xian together after all or at least the fortress wall. He rented a bicycle as well and it was a slow going ride around back to the south Gate tower. There I exited the wall not bothering to really complete the loop and Tsevtan followed.

I broke off with Tsevtan as he headed back to the hotel for some rest and I just continue to wander some tourist trinket street and finally ending up in Starbucks for a good coffee and rest.

Xian Wall - North Gate Tower

On Top of Xian Wall

Bicycle Rental on top of Xian Wall

By evening I took the subway to see the Golden Crane Pagoda and some fountain show which in my opinion was a waste of time after seeing the first five seconds.

McDonalds for dinner and back to the hotel to sleep and rest up for the next day ride. This was the simple enjoyment of Xian free day. No rush to see things and just a loose walk around enjoying the slower pace not riding for the day.

Subway in Xian

Golden Crane Pagada - Xian

Travelled on: Oct 2024