China Day 11 -- Xian to Beijing

Morning in Xian and time to head for the airport for our last inner-China flight. We are going to Beijing for a few days and then, for us, home. Eleven in our group opted for the Tibet extension, which, at the time, seemed too long for us. We arrive in Beijing, where we actually started our journey before leaving for Shanghai.



Lots of tourists in Beijing, including these twins getting their picture taken by Mom.



OK, on to the Temple of Heaven on this gray Beijing day. It looks foggy out, but it's the pollution in Beijing that is noticeable. It reminds me of LA in the smoggy days, but with a lot more Chinese people. I head up the steps to get a better shot.



The Temple of Heaven was built in 1420 A.D. during the Ming Dynasty for the emperor to worship Heaven. The Temple of Heaven is in the southern part of Beijing and is China's largest existing complex of ancient sacrificial buildings. This building is actually The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest and the most commonly photographed.


The Temple of Heaven is a huge area (I thought it was just the building above), but it covers 273 hectares, and is three times the area of the Forbidden City. There are many other structures around that make up part of the Temple.



By the way, 1 hectare = 2.47105381 acres, so the Temple grounds are, uh, lessee...273 times 2.4 is...uh, really big.

All this cypherin' and guzintas (3 guzinta 6 = 2) makes me need to use the bathroom and thanks to the sign, I easily find my way.



I love this picture. This girl was not happy about me taking her picture from afar and gives me a funny look. Maybe she has misunderstood my good intentions as a tourist and photographer, so I take another picture.



She gives me this look. Even better. "In your face, mister."

Like most old buildings and temples we saw in China, the roofs and rooflines here are amazing. Filled with dragons, people, and mythical creatures, they always interest me.



And like the Forbidden City, they have great archways leading to other courtyards and more buildings.



Everyone is taking pictures including these Chinese tourists. In the US, young people tend to dress alike, often wearing things close to what their friends wear. Here, no difference: same pants, shoes, and similar t-shirts.



I remember being 16 and getting the cool fad item of the time: denim overalls. So did my friend Don Story. We looked like dorks proudly walking around together wearing our farmer's overalls.

Speaking of tourists, I'm not sure what I have here. Ladies, don't ever do this, whatever "this" is. Mellissa says it's a girdle, but I say it's a top that's two sizes two small.

So long Temple of Heaven, it's time for lunch.

We leave the heat, humidity, tourists, and pollution for this. Priceless.

The restaurant was a cool place where you could dress up in Emperor or Empress clothing and take pics. There is also a stage where you can sit on a throne for better pics.

While deciding if I want pics of me dressed up , I see Rick getting a beer and massage from the waitress. Decision made: I have enough pics of me dressed up as an Empress.

After dinner, we are taken to a fantastic Kung Fu show. No photos allowed, but I sneak one of the closing ceremonies.

Peace out, y'all.

China Day 10 -- Xian

We made it to Day 10! No one has died as yet, no one was arrested, and no one joined the rebel forces against the Chinese government. Four thousand pictures taken at this point, 3,527,958 Tsingtaos consumed, and five paper fans purchased. Two of my 10 fake Rolexes have broken, I see that I have packed too much, and Tums have become prized real estate.

But, so far, so good, and we are still hanging in there, eating Chinese food, getting on and off the bus, buying water, learning to deal with the vendors. In case you're wondering just where we are, I found a "you-are-here" sign. By the way, this cool lighted globe cost $2,400, just to tell you that you are in China.


Remember Guilin and the comment about the Twenty Yuan note? I found one and here is the picture. Yes, it would have been better to have shown this with my Guilin/Li River posting, but this site is a low-rent, bottom-drawer operation. Anyway, check out the Li River on the cash.

OK, at this point, we have a big day: we are going to a temple, the lacquer factory, and then on to see the incredible Terra Cotta Army. (I mentioned that yesterday, in Day 9 we toured the lacquer factory, but I was wrong; it is today.)

On to the temple. Buddhism is the main religion in China. The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama, a prince of the Sakya tribe of Nepal, in approximately 566 BC.



Here we are at the Happy (or Laughing) Buddha. He is based on an eccentric Chinese monk who lived in the time of the Liang Dynasty. His image graces many temples, restaurants, and amulets. Rubbing his belly is said to bring good luck, although I think that this is a myth. I rubbed his belly and found that my belly grew by the end of the trip. Is it any wonder that the Happy Buddha is the Deity of contentment and abundance.

OK, off to the lacquer factory where they make exotic furniture with wood inlays. Very beautiful stuff. Very intricate inlays and bright colors.



After five waters and three Tsingtaos, it's time to hit the twall-ay, the WC, the pee parlor, the House of Wang, the wash/rest/bath room. Consistent with the rest of the joint, even the urinals are fancy.



Back to the lacquer factory, we walk around the furniture which was just awesome.



Everything was beautiful.



I should mention that Giant Pandas are everywhere in China; every store, every factory, every painting, coffee mug, tee-shirt, Olympic items, poster, print, and, postcard. The Chinese are very proud of their Pandas.



Time for a special lunch and then head over to the Terra Cotta Warriors. This is a much-touted dumpling lunch that I thought was fabulous.



On the bus ride to the warriors, we see some great stuff. Dad's back and Mom's chest make for decent protection.



Need insurance? Remember Du-Bang, the good hands people. Their slogan was "Like a good neighbor, DuBang is there." Wreck your sampan? Motorbike trouble? Rice paddies not producing? Call Du-Bang for the best in boat, auto, and farming coverage!



And now, it's time to see the Terra Cotta warriors: This shot is the classic one and taken by 7,546,295 people before us. Lots to say about the Terrcotta Army and a good source of info is here. Basically, you have about 8,000 clay soldiers, craftsmen, artists, potters, and servants buried with the Emperor, along with thousands of animals. All are intended to be available in the afterlife. Discovered in the 1970's these artifacts remained buried for 2,200 years!

Every one of the figures are different and represent every walk of life. Note the soldiers in the back since they are wearing the leather "body armor".



The museum is huge and consists of several pits where the excavations took place. Here's the body armor again indicating that these guys are soldiers.



Very interesting place and considered one of the most important archaeological discovery in modern history. Just think, if some old farmer had not been digging a well, this find may have been left undiscovered for another 2,000 years.

Taking this shot, I was telling Mellissa, "Jump into the pit! Roll around in the dust and then stand like you're holding a spear! It'll be funny. I'll get your picture! It'll be cool. Hurry, before the guard comes!"
She refused. Go figure. Women.

Heading out, thank God we had good directions on what to do.

So long Xian (for today, anyway) since tomorrow we travel to Beijing. Bei (Northern) and Jing (Capital) is huge, but I hear that we get to see the Giant Pandas at the Beijing Zoo. Looking forward to that.

I see this young girl as we leave. She sees me too, but tries hard to not look directly at me as I shoot the photo. Even as the flash fires, she stays still, pretending to not notice. Perfect.

China Day 9 -- Xi'an

We land in Xian, an important city in central China. Xian has more items of archaeological interest than any other city or town in China. Although the old China is hard to find, interesting sights are around if you keep your eyes open.

We head to the Yang Ling Tombs. 　From 1991 to 1994, large-scale archaeological excavations and studies of the Yangling Tomb were launched. From a site, which accounts for only one thirteenth of the total area of the sacrificial burial pits, about 600 color-painted pottery figurines and 4,000 pieces of various cultural relics were unearthed. The figurines included warriors escorting the imperial chariot, attendants watching over boxes and cases, cattle drovers and clerks.

We walk along and view the relics in underground pits from above. These babies are over 2,000 years old and are one third of the size of the better-known Terra Cotta army soldiers that we will see tomorrow.

In addition to burying soldiers, servants, and attendants, animals were also buried to be available to the Emperor in the afterlife. Makes sense to me; who wants to go to heaven without your horses, pigs, cattle, dogs, and oxen.

Just make sure that you have enough people to take care of you and your animals.

After they are unearthed, the figures are placed on display behind glass. By the way, the arms were originally made from wood, and therefore, did not survive over time.

One of the most important discoveries was this artifact that was unearthed recently and dates back over 3,000 years!

Since Xian was a former capital of China, a defensive city wall was built to protect the city. Originally built in the Tang Dynasty in the year 618, it was later fortified. It's the most complete city wall that has survived in China, as well as being one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world.

Pretty cool, huh?

From the wall, you can see the city.

Mellissa said, at this point, that the trip would go fast since we are whipping through the modern, industrial cities. Gone are the rivers and mountains and hanging coffins and farmers and water buffalo. I think that this is the last one.

We visit a lacquer factory and see some incredible furniture, but I am done after 20 minutes and looking around for something interesting to photo.

We check into the Shangri La Golden Flower Hotel. Not much to say here, but the room is nice.

The highlight of the day, taking place at night, was the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show. A wonderful and brief description of the show and of the Tang Dynasty can be found here.

Although the place was for tourists, the food was very good. We had great seats for the show.

Dancers, singers, actors and musicians....

...in a colorful, lively show.

Very nice way to end the day.