October 8, 2005

October 8, 2005

This morning we toured Xian’s city walls. The walls are massive and resemble high castle walls. The city walls are laid out in a large rectangle encircling the original city. They are so extensive we can’t see to the other side. They are about 50 ft wide, large enough for a highway on top. Aimee and I rent a tandem bike and cycle on top the wall around the entire 8.5-mile circuit. It is a good workout, especially since the bike breaks down along the way and the peddling becomes very difficult. Partway along we pass a local artist selling her Chinese paintings. I must be in a weak moment as I buy three very large watercolors. Although they roll up, I wonder how I am going to lug these large packages all over China without losing or destroying them.

This afternoon we went to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. In the courtyard we pass a statue of Xuanzang, the monk who made a 17-year journey to India in 629AD, bringing back the teachings of Buddha to China. He spent the rest of his life translating the many Sutra (writings) he brought back. The Pagoda was built to house these sacred texts. It is a tall, tiered structure that has survived multiple earthquakes.

Afterwards, we also visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It was built in the early 8th century. This temple has a huge ceremonial bell that for a few Chinese Yuan you can ring five times for good luck. I screw up and ring it six times, which is supposed to be bad luck. Ruh-Roh!

Later in the afternoon Aimee and I catch a cab with our guide and head to the Shaanxi History Museum, which is housed in a former Confucian temple. The museum has some of the treasures found with Qin’s terra cotta army. It also has many artifacts from Chinese history. The Xian area played an important part of early Chinese history. Besides being the first capital of a united China, and the largest city in the world at one time, it was also the eastern terminus of the Silk Road that connected West and East. Via this 4000-mile route, the Roman Empire was able to trade for silk and other products of China. It is amazing to see how sophisticated the artifacts are. Ancient China was more advanced than the contemporary western civilizations.

After the museum closes we go to the airport for a late flight to Guilin. There we meet our next guide, who escorts us to our hotel.