Xi'an in 3 days 2 nights

"If you have not been to Xi'an, you have not been to China" is true.

People are drawn to this place and find it hard to leave, I'm the one totally agreed. I visit Xi'an for very short stay with one of my friends around 9 years ago. But I remember restaurant I had dinner; the places I visit especially The Terracotta Army Museum. And after I keep talking how beautiful China to my friend Yui, finally she wants to start first trip to China, and we started with Xi'an.

I booked this tour with a local tour company in China name China Highlights which I found from google. The tour included air ticket, hotel, airport pick up, tours with amazing price for 3 days 2 nights trip for 2 persons.

10th May

We left Bangkok by Spring airline (low-cost airline direct to Xi'an) at 02.55am on 10th May and arrived at Xi'an airport at 07.10am. The time in Xi'an is 1 hour ahead of Thailand. 

The arrival process done quickly and very easy with high technology system. We supposed to do arrival register online which staff at check in counter already shared link QR code, but we forgot so we did its traditional way with arrival paper card at immigration. 

After got all luggage we came out to the meeting point. We bought the roaming package from Thailand, and it was automatically active when we arrive to the airport. So, we can use all the social and internet as same as we are in Thailand. 

It was good arriving time, the morning of Saturday without traffic. Our guide Mr.Ken was waiting for us at the meeting point with our name on the sign. Actually, he sent message to me on 9th May and told me where I can find him then we saw him easily. Mr.Yang our driver also was with him. 

It was around one hour from airport to our hotel and on the way Mr.Ken told us lots of information and history of Xi'an and that made Yui fall in love with China the country with thousand years history

Arrived hotel and Mr.Ken helped us check in and say goodbye after briefed the program of 10th May

We booked a night of 9th May as we want to have room for refresh and keep all luggage before going out to explore around our hotel. We stayed at Eastern House on Fenxiang Ln. 

The hotel is very nice, staff can speak a little bit English, but it was not a problem as we can communicate by google translation but what impressed us was their services mind. We got the room, and I found the plug is difference. So, I contact their staff and got adapter very quick.

She helped us find taxi to the place which Mr.Ken recommended for traditional costume shops as Yui want to experience wearing Chinese costume and get some photos for memories. We got taxi and arrived to right area. It located close to Westin Xi'an Hotel where there are coffee shops, shopping mall and temple.

As soon as we get of the car. Some people came to us and introduced the dress rental shop. We walked around and found one lady introduced us and we decided to follow her to the shop. Mr.Ken told us that the rental prices should be around 350-400RMB and this shop give us 400RMB. We do not know is this good price or may be someone can get better prices. However, we can accept this price which included makeup and hair decoration. Staff at the shop really friendly and kind. 

After dressed up (only Yui), then we walk around the area to find the right places to take photos.

And we got some nice

My model today is Yui

There are many corners for photos

And all area is clean and green

There are souvenir shops, snack, drinks. We tried ice-cream which selling by lovely robot

And got some pieces of souvenir for our friends and family. Yui got some lucky keychain for her colleague

Around 2 hours, we return to the shop for change. We walk around area and stop by at a nice shopping mall for lunch

We want to start first meal in Xi'an with noodle (actually, I like noodle more than rice). After walk around for few minutes we found what we looking for

The noodle with pork in spicy soup

And side dish was crispy pork with spicy powder. 

After first meal, we walk around and finally found a nice shop GXG. We do not know is this popular brand here or not, but the impression was when we step in to the shop and did not decide to buy yet. Staff came to us with small glass of drinking water as a welcome drink and talked to us very friendly

Finally, I got a nice t-shirt while Yui to a t-shirt and long pants. Their prices were not too expensive but good design and quality

We left the shopping mall by taxi which we got on the road. The driver cannot speak English, but we show him the hotel name, and he know the way and we arrived back to hotel. We have plenty of free time, so we took nap around 2 hours. 

Around 6pm we left hotel again to experience street food tasting. And we realized that our hotel is located on great location. We start walking from hotel along the road, we did not use and map to find the restaurant because we want to get lost to explore the area and did not plan what to eat for dinner

Along the road they have many choices of restaurant, cafe, tea shops and after that there are handmade products 

We walk along the road, and we found some snack made by sugar in a nice shape and also a fresh fruit dip with sugar

Both snacks are delicious, but we were looking something for dinner. We kept walking and finally, we reached to Three sister restaurant. 

I remember this restaurant as I had it with another friend when I visit Xi'an first time.

This restaurant is famous for dumpling. So, we order dumpling with spice sauce

And spice stir-fried pig lever 

And also, vegetable (spicy again)

The portion of food here quite big so if the restaurant is not too crowded, I suggest ordering 1-2 menu first and you can order more. They cook very fast actually.

The taste of all food still same with last time even it was almost 10 years. The owner is so kind, and I took one photo with her for memory and may be remind her when I visit Xi'an again in the future

We left the restaurant and walked back to hotel. We did around 18,000 steps today and someone lay down on the bed like this

After shower, we slept very quick because we did not have good sleep on the airplane. And we want to recharge energy for full day program on 10th

11th May

Woke up at 06.00am as usual. 

After shower, I had breakfast while Yui took only a cup of coffee and we both were ready at the lobby at 07.30am. Mr.Ken and Mr.Yang were there, and we left hotel for the first visit "Terracotta Army Mausoleum Site Museum" the reason which Yui want to visit Xi'an.

It was Saturday so the traffic was good, and we took less than one hour to reach to the museum

Mr.Ken helped us buy ticket and we were on que to check passport at the entrance and get into the museum. The museum normally open at 08.30am so suggest you arrive there around 08.15am then you have time to relax, use toilet because the toilet is outside the museum

We passed the passport checked point and then arrive to the 2nd pit where is the highlight of this museum

Even I visit this place for second time but still excited and I can see the same feeling from Yui's eyes

Mr.Ken explained us about the history, how and when they found this mausoleum.

We both love to listen to the history, so we were enjoying

I took lots of photos like I visit this place for first time

Mr.Ken also helped us take photos. He knows where the good corner is to get good photos

And because we arrived at the good time so there were not many people yet

With his explanation, we learn lots of history

A terracotta of a man with moustache are Mongolian A terracotta of a man with beard are Chinese

A terracotta of a man with one knot hair on the left are the arrow man

A terracotta of a general standing with his right hand above left and one finger lift up

A terracotta of a man with simple cloths without any shield are always on the front line and the most sacrifice

So many information we learn from Mr.Ken and the time at the museum never get bored

We spend hours at the museum, and it was lunch time. On the way to the restaurant, we stopped at the souvenir shop as I want to send postcard to myself

Staff said that my postcard will arrive me in 15 days. It is always good for waiting postcard from my trip to myself in Bangkok. In the world of internet, people send photos but wherever postcard available I always send it to my home.

We asked Mr.Ken to recommend restaurant near by the museum. And he suggested us a good tea shop where they serve traditional food

We order few menus which Mr.Ken recommended

A big bowl of noodle. Stir-fried vegetable

Stir-friend chicken with chili. We order flower tea for drink. And Mr.Ken teach us how to eat noodle. All food were good and the prices also

Besides of the food, I like this restaurant because they are selling tea. As a tea lover, I got a small box of Longjing tea (my most favorite) and one of jasmine green tea

And not only tea, but we both also got a nice mug with difference design. Yui becomes a tea lover

We left the restaurant and continue to the Xi'an city wall

The plan was the do cycling around the city wall. But we arrived at the wall at noon and Yui cannot do cycling under the sunshine

Then we just walk a around the gate no.8 with explanation from Mr.Ken we understand the reason for building this wall

We got some nice photos from the wall

Some from Mr.Ken.And some from myself for Yui. We were enjoying listen to the history from Mr.Ken a lot

We came down from the wall and then return to our hotel because the hotel provides afternoon tea.They serve 3 types of tea, and I chose Ti Quan yin tea which is a Chinese oolong tea. Because the flavor is as floral, slightly sweet. The tea has a smooth and creamy texture with a slightly roasted flavor that complements the natural sweetness. The tea is well-known for its long-lasting aftertaste.

Some people do not recommend to drink oolong tea in the afternoon as it may affect to your sleep. But after we finished afternoon tea and returned to our room. We lay down and sleep around one hour before get up for refreshment and prepare to go out to see the classical dance show. I asked Mr.Ken about the classical dance show in Xi'an and he suggested this one

We arrived at the theater on right time and got ticket. 

The ticket is 298RMB per person (exclude dinner) and I think this is worth to see

We were enjoying the show from the first minute until finish.  

The musicians play difference traditional Instruments

The stage, background, costume and dancers are perfect and professional

The show took around 1 hour and Mr.Yang was in the front of the theater waiting for us

We arrived back to hotel and walked to the restaurant which Mr.Ken had recommended because we want to try baby lobster

The name of restaurant is in Chinese so we cannot read.We were lucky to arrive at the right time. The restaurant was not too crowded yet.The menu is all in Chinese but luckily the waiter knows how to communicate with us, google translation use again.We order 3 menus of baby lobster to try difference taste.

One with the chili-paste

Second one is Chinese spicy sauce

Third one is garlic

All are so good. 

The lobster is fresh, and we also ordered noodle to eat with the lobster (we saw for the table next to us then we follow them)

Finished all dishes and then walked back to hotel

It was 10.30pm, Yui was too tired to do anything just showered and prepared to sleep

I prepared to pack some stuff to the suite-case because we will check out in the morning and keep our luggage in the car while visit 2 temples, one museum and one local village as the program. And after that Mr.Ken will send us to the airport for flight back to Bangkok

12th May

Today we woke up a bit late because the pickup time is 10.00am. We packed all stuff and check out from hotel; The last day of this trip started. 

The first place was Daci'en Temple (Big wild goose Pagoda). 

Mr.Ken explained us about the history of this temple, and I got a nice wrist lace from the temple as well. 

Mr.Ken suggested us go up to the top of the pagoda, but we prefer to take photos around

What I can see is the temples in Xi'an are very clean (actually not only temple but everywhere that we visit this time are clean). 

And I always enjoy taking photos of the temples because I love Chinese architecture.

And my model also always ready to be in frame

We left the temple and continue to another pagoda. Small Wild Goose Pagoda which has long history as well.  Listen to the history from Mr.Ken never boring. He explained clearly and details 

And it made Yui fall in love this country (same as me). 

Before visit the Small Wild Goose Pagoda Mr.Ken took us to visit Xi'an museum to learn more about history of Xi'an

And we got more information and know more about this city

After that, lunch time and we asked for recommendation from Mr.Ken and we suggest trying chicken with noodle (we love noodle) And on the way to restaurant Mr.Ken bough us an ice-cream, very delicious.

The restaurant is just walking distance from Small Wild Goose Pagoda. It is located in a complex where there are lots of restaurant, cafe, coffee shops etc.,

All menus are in Chinese and Mr.Ken helped us order few dishes

Pan fried chicken with potato, onion, spring onion and lots of chili

Tofu salad

And one of vegetable dish

All menus are so good. We enjoyed and almost finish them

And after lunch, I got a milk tea and coffee for Yui

After lunch, Mr.Ken took us to the Muslim quarter

There is a drum tower

And the bell tower in the same area as well

We walked along the street with explanation from Mr.Ken

This street full of halal food 

Besides of food, there are lots of snack and dessert shops

And souvenir shops as well. We did not get any food as we were full of lunch

Walking along the street to the Mosque

Almost buildings around the mosque built by wood

And the old and large mosque deep inside the area

There are lot of tourists there

Mr.Ken explained about the history of the mosque and Muslim quarter before left

We still have plenty of time before transfer to airport for departure flight. But Yui was too tired to continue walking so Mr.Ken suggested to try Chinese massage

We tried foot, head and shoulder massage for 80 minutes. The therapist is very friendly even we cannot understand each other sometimes. But google translation can help

Finished massage around 6pm and it was good time to heading to airport because our flight departing at 9.50pm

Arrive at the new departure hall and lucky that there was not long que yet, so we checked in quickly

Loaded 2 baggage and Mr.Ken helped us get very good short before leave Xi'an. A big Chinese hamburger is so cute

Checked in already and passed immigration to the gate

Since the airport is really new. So, there are not any restaurant or cafe inside

Luckily there is a selling machine 

We got some biscuit and drinks from the machine for our dinner. Boarding time was 9.10pm so we have around 1.3hrs to relax

 The trip to Xi'an was full fill with a very good tour guide who has lots of knowledge and details of history. Not even one question that Mr.Ken cannot answer.

And now I have Yui who already in love with China and she already confirm to join next trip with me to another city. Believe me, just you come to China once then you will plan for next trip before you depart!