China (Xian, Shaanxi) May 2006 D-3

Today, I signed up a one day Xian East Route tour (Rmb20) organized by a local state tourism office operating from a kiosk by the side of a main road in downtown Xian. The tour was to start at 8.00am and take us to 6 touristy places ie 1) Lintong Museum 2) Lishan 3) Qing Ling 4) Qing Shi Huang Ling 5) Bingmayong 6) Huaqing Pool

1) Lintong Museum, Xian, Shaanxi (30Rmb) - A relic exhibition from Zhou & Qin Dynasty. The most interesting display was the gold and silver inner and outer coffins made in the Zhou dynasty.

2) Li Shan, Xian (Rmb30) - The mountain of Li Shan is a popular forest reserve area in Shaanxi and also famous for it's hot spring, It is located about 30km from Xian. There are some 20 historical sites in this area eg Bingmayong, Huaqing Pools, Tomb of Qing Shi Huang, The site of a Xian Incident involving a military coup by nationalist generals during the communist Mao and Chou Eng Lai's era in the 1930's. The site covers various sections ie Remonstration Pavilion, meeting, resting & security rooms, a garden, and a spot near a cliff side where General Chiang Kai Sek used as an escape route.

3) Qing Ling (Rmb30) - A replica of the Qing Palace based on historical facts unearthed. The re-constructed model gives visitors an imagination on the emperor's dwelling in ancient times.

4) Qin Shi Huang Ling, Xian (Rmb40) - This is the tomb of Qin Shi Huang. We took a rail car to tour the place and saw some ancient drainage system and ruins on display by the side of the concrete path. There was also a thirty minute of live performance of artists dressed in traditional Qin costumes to thrill the visitors & tourists.

5) Bingmayong, The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shihuang, Xian (Rmb90) - Excavated and discovered in 1974, this 2,000 year old terra cotta warriors, horses, chariots unearthed found in various pits were officially opened to the public in Oct 1979. No wonder this place has been claimed as the Eighth Wonder of the World. The museum continued to attract a lot of local and foreign tourists and it's a must see tourist site in Xian. The farmer who discovered the site was at the Museum office to sign autographs for a book on sale to visitors.

6) Huaqing pool & Lady Yang Gui Fei, Xian, Shaanxi (Rmb30) - at the foot of Li Shan mountain I visited the site of the Huaqing pool where the Tang Emperor and Lady Yang took their baths in the hot springs. Lady Yang is known as one of the four great beauties in Chinese history. Huaqing pool is also the site where General Chiang Kai Sek took refuge during the Xian miliatry coup started by General Zhang Xue Liang.

" If you love Chinese history, follow the Silk Road trail ! "