Tag Archives: Xian

Xian City Walls

Xian City Walls

Xian City Walls

The city of Xian states that they are the only city in the world that has a square city wall that is still standing. I wouldn’t know if that’s true. What I do know is that they have a city wall that is still standing. There have been a variety of walls built for Xian. The first was started in 194 BC. The current wall stands 40 feet tall. It is 40-46 feet wide at the top and 50-60 feet thick at the bottom. It runs about 8.5 miles in length and has a deep moat surrounding it. That’s a pretty serious wall in my book. It is said that it can be walked at a leisurely pace in about 4 hours. The do rent bicycles on the top of the wall for those who need to do a trip around the wall in a hurry.

Hostel Lounge

Hostel Lounge

Hostel Lounge

Physically, the first hostel I stayed at in Xian was really nice. Everything was clean and nice and comfy. My only real complaint was that the bar and restaurant staff on two occasions asked me to give up the table I was occupying to some Chinese people. "They’re friends of the management." they told me. I told them that I couldn’t care less who they were and there might have been a confrontation had the people I was with not insisted we move and avoid any hassles. Eventually, I moved to a different hostel. The best vote that can be cast is one made with dollars. Truth is, from what I understand, the vast majority of lodging establishments in China do not accept non-Chinese peoples.

Train to Xian

Train to Xian

Train to Xian

I caught the overnight train from Shanghai, China to Xian, China. It cost me about $70 and saved me about $15 in overnight hostel charges. Once again, I had a Chinese person who was also occupying the four bed sleeper room who spoke English. It took about 14 hours to get to Xian.

Beijing Itinerary

Beijing Itinerary

Beijing Itinerary

Yes, I am going to Beijing. Glad you asked. I’m going in mid-September for about 30 days. I didn’t want to go in the winter. Too cold. I didn’t want to go in the summer. Too hot. I would have preferred to go in April, but I had just gotten back from SE Asia. Too soon to be catching another 15 hour plane ride. From Beijing I hope to get to see Shanghai and Xian. Did I mention that I also want to go see the Great Wall as well, but who doesn’t. While it won’t be, technically, my first trip to China, it will be my first trip to mainland China. I’m all excited.