Our first experience with the “high-speed train” was overwhelming. At an average of 250 km/h, we covered the approximately 1,100 km from Beijing to Xi’an in 4.5 hours, almost effortlessly gliding. (Travel costs 75 €/person.) We will tell you more about “train travel in China” later.
More than 1.000 years capital
Until now, we had only heard of Xi’an in connection with the Terracotta Army. But only here did we learn that it is a metropolis with 12 million inhabitants (12 times Cologne, 3 times Madrid) and one of the cradles of Chinese culture. It was the Chinese capital for over 1,000 years, and 13 dynasties ruled from here. This was the start of the former Silk Road, and the city still has its massive, completely preserved 13.7 km long city wall!
Cycling on the wall
The wall is wide and perfectly suited for a bike tour. In 2 hours, you can cycle once around the Old City with a view from 10 m high.
Xi’an at night
In the evenings, the people of Xi’an stroll along brightly lit promenades, large fountains showcase water displays with music, and the historical buildings are brilliantly illuminated. If you’re hungry, you go searching for food on the street food street “Beijuamen”.
It’s Showtime
Hardly any tourist in China skips the Terracotta Army, and so, because of the many visitors, there are also some very big dance and costume shows that can easily rival the Moulin Rouge in Paris or a Las Vegas show. The entire mountain in the background is transformed into a starry sky backdrop with hundreds of lights, large fires make the audience flinch, and for the happy ending, doves fly away. A gigantic spectacle. (Admission: 50 €)