Today I arrived in Xi'an, and I have to say, I really like it here! I started the day off with a double decker bus ride to my accommodation which is in this cute little street, and immediately headed to the big tourist attractions of the town.
First I went to the City Wall. I enthusiastically rented a bike and cycled the whole way around. It was a really pretty way to see the whole way around, and to get a glimpse of the city. It was only 13km, so even my legs could cope with it!
There are heaps of preparations underway for Chinese New Year, and I'm getting excited already (even though it's still a few weeks away!)
After the City Wall, I headed to the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower. The area around there is really "Western" with huge brand name shops and billboards everywhere, but then also a complete disregard for OH&S, with guys putting up lights in trees without harnesses. It's kind of funny to see, if it weren't so dangerous.
The towers themselves were really cool. Originally used to tell time in the city, they seemed relatively unchanged through time, and gave a cool insight into the history of the town before it became a huge metropolis.
Inside the bell tower there was a band playing, and for some reason, they finished with a traditional Chinese cover of Auld Lang Syne.
Tomorrow, a day trip with a new Chinese friend xx