Xian & Shanghai China Experience

Xian is an ancient capital for 11 Imperial Dynasties and the cradle of Chinese civilisation. I flew from Beijing to Xian on East China Airlines, a 1 and an a half hours flight to Xian. I stayed at a very comfortable 3 Star Garden Hotel. The rooms were basic but clean and I would highly recommended the hotel as the scenery is out of this world. It was a 45 minute drive from the airport to Xian. Our first evening we enjoyed a lovely Tang Dynasty Dinner show in the hotels Theatre.

In the early morning we went on a tour visiting the walls that surrounded the city of Xian. Each of the 4 walls is 1km long making it a rectangular shape. Close to it is the youth Hostel for all foreigners. In the city you can hire bicycles and ride around visiting all the museums.You can even hire costumes and have your photo taken.

The Terra Cotta Warriors was the awe of my trip, seeing the individually sculptured faces of the thousands of life sized Warriors.This army was buried with the first Emperor, horses and chariots for two millennia.They were accidently discovered by a farmer whilst digging a well in 1974. I had the privilege to have my photo taken with the famous man who discovered the Terra Cotta Worriers.There are still thousands of Terra Cotta Worriors that needs to be discovered. At the museum you can watch a history movie of the making of and reason behind the making the Terra Cotta Worriors.

Our day ended with a trip to the Hot Springs, with beautiful scenery and landscapes. This is where the Emperors would go for their holiday and also entertain their Concubines.

After a long day without stopping we went straight to dinner, a very pricy restaurant, we had our own room catered for the group and had a fondu dinner. We had to cook our own meal in front us. That was quite fun and I would recommend you try this.

Off to the airport the next day for our flight to Shanghai. The largest city and the gateway through which modern life enters. It is a flourishing international metropolis, known worldwide for its highly developed industrial, commercial and financial components. Shanghai is an ideal "shopping paradise." And there are also over a thousand restaurants serving the famous 16 styles of Chinese food as well as many other foreign cuisines.

I stayed at the Crown Plaza Hotel - an excellent 4 Star hotel in the middle of all the hussle and bussle. My first tour was Bund Street, this is a small little ancient China imposing buildings of the colonial period. Bicycles, cars and people all at once in the streets.

Yu Yuan Gardens situated at the old quarters was my also my favourite visit, I actually had an opportunity to stand under a real life Bonsai Street.

The Sky scrapers in Shanghai are amazing. For all you architectural fanatics this is the place to be. The TV Towers is the tallest building and it gives you a birds eye view of Shangai.

Nanjing Road is famous for shopping and picking up good bargains. They are open till late which was the only time we had on our trip to shop, so you can imagine how I shopped till I dropped. If you are taking a taxi at night make sure you ask the Hotel Concierge to write down the name and address of your hotel and also where the taxi should take you. Locals do not understand a word of English.

A must see is a world class Acrobatic Troupe show, amazing talent! Dinner was at the Pelican Restraurant, it is very smart and popular with the Business men of Shanghai.

Taking the Bullet Train was an experience I'll never forget. We took the train from Shangai. With a speed of 431km per hour. I took a photo of the take off and the time and when we arrived.

I had a unique experience which I will never forget.