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| Xi'an, Shaanxi, China |
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| Yongninmen, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
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| Shuyuanmen, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
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| Bell Tower, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
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| Drum Tower, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
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| Drum Tower, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
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| The Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
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| Hui Min Street, Xi'an, Shaanxi |
Day 1 Wednesday August 27 2025 (Xi'an, Shaanxi) - our Loong Air flight (Rm1,369 return) from Kuala Lumpur (departing 02.55) arrived in Xianyang International Airport, Xi'an at 07.55 (approx 5 hrs). Upon arrival, we took a Metro from the airport > Yongninmen station (transferring at North Railway station). As we arrived at our hostel in Shuyuanmen earlier, we left our luggage at the hostel reception & started to explore the nearby places. Xi'an, Shaanxi is our first city of visit before flying off to Urumqi, Xinjiang to begin my first visit to Southern Xinjiang (Urumqi > Korla > Kuqa > Aksu > Kashgar) !
1) Took a KLIA2 skybus (Senior Rm10) from KL Sentral > Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 for flight check-in, security check, immigration clearance etc
2) Boarding our flight - needed a sleep badly due to the early morning hours (03.00)
3) In-flight meal - our morning breakfast !
4) Arriving in Xianyang International Airport, Xi'an, Shaanxi (my 5th visit !). Nihao ! KM, a warm welcome back to Xi'an, an ancient capital of more than a thousand years in China !
5) Metro train ride from Xianyang International Airport > Yongninmen station (nearest to our hostel, within walking distance), my first glimpse of Xi'an since my last visit in 2017 !
6) Arriving in Yongninmen Metro station, Xi'an
7) Arriving in Shuyuanmen (Ancient Culture Street) after a short walk from Yongninmen Metro Station. Left our luggage at hostel's reception & started our familiarisation visit to nearby historic places in Ancient Culture Street known for its calligraphy, Ming/Qing style shop, traditional crafts & ancient architecture.
8) Ramen noodle lunch (for my travel buddy) in a local restaurant in downtown Xi'an.
9) Hotel Accommodation (2 nights): Xitang Inn, Xi'an, room tariff Rm110, 2 single beds + breakfast
10) After a short rest in the hostel, we took a Metro from Yongninmen to Bell Tower & spent our evening there !
11) Bell Tower, Xi'an, Shaanxi - a well known landmark in Xi'an, built in 1384 during the early Ming Dynasty, it is a symbol of the city of Xi'an & one of the grandest of its kind in China, the Bell Tower contains several large bronze-cast bells from the Tang Dynasty, the tower base is square & covers an area of 1,377 sq meter.
12) Drum Tower, Xi'an, Shaanxi - built in 1380 during the reign of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368 > 1380), one of the largest & also the best preserved drum towers in China, this 36 meter high (118ft) building is illuminated every day from dawn to midnight making it looks very attractive at night !
13) The Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, Shaanxi - a vibrant & bustling area famous for its street food, shopping & historic Great Mosque, located near the Bell & Drum Towers, the Quarter blends Chinese & Middle Eastern influences with numerous restaurants & stalls selling a wide variety of halal / Muslim snacks & goods.
14) Xi'an Great Mosque, Muslim Quarter, Xi'an, Shaanxi - one of the largest ancient mosque in China, although the mosque was first built in 742AD during the Tang Dynasty, its current form was largely constructed in 1384AD during Emperor Hongwu's reign of the Ming Dynasty.
15) Memory of Xi'an Exhibition, Huim Min Street, Xi'an, Shaanxi - free admission, showcasing the past & present, history & culture, food & lifestyle in Xi'an, Shaanxi.
16) Huimin Street, Xi'an, Shaanxi - a bustling neighbourhood known for its rich history & vibrant street food scene, a major tourist attraction famous for its street halal cuisine, which has been influenced by the Muslim community that has resided there since the Tang dynasty, who arrived via the Silk Road, the area especially at night is packed with restaurants & food stalls, offering a wide variety of popular dishes like lamb skewers & Biang Biang noodle ! Come here with a empty stomach & just eat & eat but watch your cholesterol !
17) Bought a pack of steamed black glutinous rice with dates from a street food stall.
18) Dinner (beef dumpling & cold noodle) in a local restaurant in Hui Min Street, Xi'an, Shaanxi - time to rest our feet & enjoy the local Xinjiang food here !
19) Drum Tower by Night, Xi'an, Shaanxi - the public square & the shops nearby were filled with tourists / visitors, very crowded when nightfall ! A great place for photography ! Spent 1/2 hour nearby the square to get a feel of the vibes & surrounding environment !
21) Bell Tower by Night - magnificent looking, must see when in Xi'an ! A really down the memory lane visit for me as my first visit to Bell Tower was in May 2006 ! Good Night & a great start in my 1st day in Xi'an, Shaanxi, the best is yet to come !
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