Here's a post for all you travelers out there! I love love LOVE traveling, and so far in my life, I've had the opportunity to travel to 14 different coutries (not counting America). And I loved every single one of them! So, I thought it would be funn to write an article about my top 10 favorite places in the whole world! This will be a ten part topic, and every post I'll write about a different destination! So, even if you have never had the opportunity to travel, let this be a little bit of an inspiration to you, and maybe help you decide where YOU want to travel!
西安, 中国 (Xi'an, China)
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I had to do Xi'an first, because this is where I spent some of the most amazing two years of my life, and I am completely and hopelessly in love with this city.
History/Facts: Xi'an is over 3,000 years old, and was one of the ancient capitals of China. It is located in almost the exact middle of China in the Shaanxi Province. In China there is a saying that goes, "Shanghai is the city of the future, Beijing is the city of the present, and Xi'an is the city of the past." So for all of you who love history, Xi'an is your place! |
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Attractions/Things to Do:
#1: The city wall.
#1: The city wall.
"After the establishment of the Ming dynasty, Zhu Yuanzhang began to enlarge the wall built initially during the old Tang dynasty (618-907), creating the modern Xi'an City Wall. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world. After the extension, the wall now stands 12
meters (40 feet) tall, 12-14 meters (40-46 feet) wide at the top and 15-18 meters (50-60 feet) thick at the bottom. It covers 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) in length with a deep
moat surrounding it. Every 120 meters, there is a rampart which extends out from
the main wall. All together, there are 98 ramparts on the wall, which were built to defend against the enemy climbing up the wall. Each rampart has a sentry building, in which the soldiers could protect the entire wall without exposing themselves to the enemy. Besides, the distance between every two ramparts is just within the range of an arrow shot
from either side, so that they could shoot the enemy, who wanted to attack the
city, from the side. On the outer side of the city wall, there are 5,948 crenellations, namely battlements. The soldiers can outlook and shoot at the enemy. On the inner side, parapets were built to protect the soldiers from falling off."
Nowadays, you can walk along the top of the city wall, even ride a bicycle around!
meters (40 feet) tall, 12-14 meters (40-46 feet) wide at the top and 15-18 meters (50-60 feet) thick at the bottom. It covers 13.7 kilometers (8.5 miles) in length with a deep
moat surrounding it. Every 120 meters, there is a rampart which extends out from
the main wall. All together, there are 98 ramparts on the wall, which were built to defend against the enemy climbing up the wall. Each rampart has a sentry building, in which the soldiers could protect the entire wall without exposing themselves to the enemy. Besides, the distance between every two ramparts is just within the range of an arrow shot
from either side, so that they could shoot the enemy, who wanted to attack the
city, from the side. On the outer side of the city wall, there are 5,948 crenellations, namely battlements. The soldiers can outlook and shoot at the enemy. On the inner side, parapets were built to protect the soldiers from falling off."
Nowadays, you can walk along the top of the city wall, even ride a bicycle around!
Me on top of the city wall!
#2: 兵马俑 (the Terra Cotta Warriors)
Most of you have probably heard of the Terra Cotta Warriors. They are actually the Eighth Wonder of the Ancient World! Pretty Cool!
'The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are one of the most significant archeological
excavations of the 20th century. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.
Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 (in 246 BC),Quin Shi Huang later the first Emperor of all China, had begun work for his mausoleum. It took 11 years to finish. It is speculated that many buried treasures and sacrificial objects had accompanied the emperor in his after life. A group of peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well nearby the royal tomb in 1974. It caught the attention of archeologists immediately. They came
to Xi'an in droves to study and to extend the digs. They had established beyond doubt that these artifacts were associated with the Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC). Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum."
Pictures truly do not do it justice, and you can not even imagine how amazing it is until you have seen it with your own eyes! Over 7,000 of these life-sized horses, warriors and chariots have been uncovered! I had the opportunity to see the Terra Cotta Warriors twice, and it is a breath-taking, truly amazing experience! This is a definite must-see!
'The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses are one of the most significant archeological
excavations of the 20th century. It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.
Upon ascending the throne at the age of 13 (in 246 BC),Quin Shi Huang later the first Emperor of all China, had begun work for his mausoleum. It took 11 years to finish. It is speculated that many buried treasures and sacrificial objects had accompanied the emperor in his after life. A group of peasants uncovered some pottery while digging for a well nearby the royal tomb in 1974. It caught the attention of archeologists immediately. They came
to Xi'an in droves to study and to extend the digs. They had established beyond doubt that these artifacts were associated with the Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC). Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum."
Pictures truly do not do it justice, and you can not even imagine how amazing it is until you have seen it with your own eyes! Over 7,000 of these life-sized horses, warriors and chariots have been uncovered! I had the opportunity to see the Terra Cotta Warriors twice, and it is a breath-taking, truly amazing experience! This is a definite must-see!
#3: 大雁塔 ( Big Wild Goose Pagoda)
"As the symbol of the old-line Xi'an, Big Wild Goose Pagoda is a well-preserved ancient building and a holy place for Buddhists."
The Wild Goose Pagoda is sooo much fun! There is always stuff happening there, including water and light shows that happen twice every day! You can go get your picture taken in ancient clothing, take a walk by the rivers and woods, or see a live tai ji performance!
The Wild Goose Pagoda is sooo much fun! There is always stuff happening there, including water and light shows that happen twice every day! You can go get your picture taken in ancient clothing, take a walk by the rivers and woods, or see a live tai ji performance!
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And just a couple more funn things that are worth mentioning!
The Starbucks in Downtown...how cool is this building?!! And it's Starbucks, so that makes it even better!
A little market by my apartment...I would walk through here every day and buy food, and lots of clothes too!
An indoor water park right down the road from my apartment! This place was amaaazing...and really cheap too!
The amazing skate park in town!
The amaaazing view from my bedroom window.
So there's #1! Watch for more to come!
(P.S My band is playing tomorrow night at the Carriage House in Louisville, Ohio, we're opening for Eye Empire! I would loove it if you would stop in! Tickets are I believe $10.oo at the door. Hope to see you there!)
Peace Love and China
Jess <3
So there's #1! Watch for more to come!
(P.S My band is playing tomorrow night at the Carriage House in Louisville, Ohio, we're opening for Eye Empire! I would loove it if you would stop in! Tickets are I believe $10.oo at the door. Hope to see you there!)
Peace Love and China
Jess <3
