A sunshine morning, we depart from
We took Airport Bus Line 1 instead of Line 3 as stated online, guess the info has out-dated. Bus ticket costs RMB26 each, include RMB1 fuel surcharge. Since when we have to pay fuel surcharge for bus riding, surprise! Airport Bus Line 1 takes us to Bell Tower(钟楼)where Lines 2 to railway station. We reached
Once we break away from the passion nanny, we took a taxi to 7 Days
We took our quick lunch at the restaurant next to the hotel. We ordered HuiGuo Rou(回锅肉), Mushroom Vege(香菇青菜)and 8 pieces of local recommended Fried Pan Cake(煎饼), very full and economic, only costs us RMB32.
After lunch, we check-in hotel and rush to our room. The room quite big and clean, is worth the value and impressed. This hotel becomes one of my favorite choices, and we will visit again next time at other city. I recommend it to you, 7 Days
After lunch, we start our first spot, Tang Paradise (大唐芙蓉园). It is a very big theme garden. Xi’an Qujiang River (西安曲江), as an aggregation of Chinese ancient garden and architecture art, is called one of the pioneers of Chinese classical gardens. Check it in http://www.tangparadise.cn/en/index.php. Tang Paradise compound is huge, you may spend a day in it. There are shows and performance in Tang Paradise, you may search online for the schedule and plan your trip, so that you don’t miss the show.
We took a light dinner in the garden with fried mee and fried sweet potato. It was a budget meal but soon we were regret when we saw a nice buffet dinner at RMB 25 per person. Oh no...
After dinner rush to other attraction point, there is a free ticket to Theme Park included with entrance ticket. The Theme Park located outside the park, the officers were not friendly when giving the direction, so we spent some times to find the entrance. There is a
As the Theme Park located outside Tang Paradise, we need to use the ticket to re-enter the garden. They have a practical way to avoid others using our ticket entering the park. Before we went out from the garden, officer request us to present the ticket and take a shoot of us just like at the airport custom. Officer will counter check the ticket and our photo before allowing us re-enter the garden.
Before the Water Screen Movie starts, Float Parade (花车巡游) comes as the opening. When the Float Parade just started for 10min, the area suddenly black out. Checked with the crew, found out the power was cutoff. We were quite lucky that the parade remains after 20min rescue. The Water Screen Movie starts right after the Float Parade, the main attraction we were interested. Tang Paradise crew spent about 30 minutes to get the power back on. The Float Parade start over again afterwards and we have a wonderful night with the Water Screen Movie. The movie took about 15min and it is worth, impressed.
Basically the garden close after movie and all the visitors rush to the exit for buses and taxis. Due to the limited taxi and a large number of people waiting, also we don’t have good skill to fight for taxi, we decided to take bus. Luckily there is a bus passes through hotel area, 609 stop at
After taking bath and planning tomorrow trip, we date with Mr Zhou, good night zzz…
~~~ 2nd Day, 08-June-08 ~~~
There is tourist bus No 3 (游3) departs from Train Station to Qian Tomb of Tang Empire (乾陵) everyday 8am. Luckily this morning we woke up early, we managed to grab 2 seats before the bus getting full. The bus departed 7.45am and took 1.5hrs to reach Qian Tomb. Qian Tomb entry fees cost RMB 45. Recommend you to ask for tour guide service, only RMB 20.
As explained by Tour Guide, the head is where the entrance of Tomb on the north of Liang Hill, then the two hills on south of Liang Hill (梁山) being called the breast of Wu ZeTian (武则天), with the SiMa path (司马道) as the neck.
“乾陵修建于公元684年,经过23年的时间,工程才基本完工。气势雄伟壮观。梁山有三峰,北峰最高,在海拔1047.9米。南面两峰较低,东西对峙,中间为司马道,故而这两峰取名叫“乳峰”。”
The entrance was found but Qian Tomb is not being dredge up as
We depart to
After that we quickly find a restaurant to please our stomach as we plan to take the 1st bus back to city. Ordered 2 local dishes, Vega fried egg, 黑木耳炒鲍鱼菇 ,and noodle 一口香臊子面. Wish to order cold drink but too bad they didn't serve it, strange. The lunch costs RMB 52, the price is reasonable, especially it’s tourist spot. We manage to get on 1.30pm bus direct go back 2 Xi'an, there is no bus go to Qian Tomb from FaMen Temple, so be aware and plan your trip well. Sleeping time again, the journey back to city took about 2 hours.
We visit
Cycling was too tired, it’s time to sit back and enjoy the music fountain at Square of the Big Wild Goose Pagoda (雁塔广场). The fountain is big and you will have different view standing on different side. Choose a nice spot, don’t stay too close unless you don’t mind getting wet after the show.
It was a rush, tired day, we got into sleep easily after shower.
~~~ 3rd Day, 09-June-08 ~~~
We reached Train Station by 8am and took the bus No 5 (游5) to Tomb Figure of Qi Military Forces (兵马俑). That was a normal mini bus, took 50min to reach there.
Finally, we have seen it, the great Tomb Figure of Qing Military Forces, it is convulsed and impressed. There is a 360 degree full view projection screen of History Show, not bad. Audio guide is not recommended here, you may read the same description sign as the explanation from audio guide. We spent 3.5 hours viewing around, witness the great Qing Dynasty, then took the 1.30pm bus back to city.
We have the local snacks at Islamic street (回民街), tried the famous dumpling at贾三灌汤包子, various biscuits (黄桂柿子饼) and some souvenirs. Back to hotel, pick up our luggage and head towards Xi’an Airport for return flight to
Surprisingly we found