Today, tomorrow, terracotta

Today we went to see the Terracotta warriors, located outside of Xian (approx 1 hour by bus). Despite the subject line, we did not travel there in a nice, new, luxurious Toyota bus but an old, worn out, pre - Soviet "bus". It had one redeeming quality, and that is that it was green, which Sophie liked.

Upon arrival we went out to look for the entrance... turns out this became a trip all in itself. We spent 20 minutes walking in one direction, only to end up at the exit, and had to walk another 10 to reach entrance no 1. After entering here, you were given the choice of going to the museum entrance by bus, or by "apostlahastarna" (walking...). We choose the horses. So, 20 minutes later we are at entrance no 2, where you could by tickets. Yipee! Viiiictory!

The area was divided into three excavation pits. The first on is the largest (see pic below).

Part of the terracotta warriors, pit no 1

The third one is the smallest, and the second one is... well... you get the idea. Only the first one actually had many figures in it. The third and second one were nice, but had very little "figures", probably because they are still working on them.

The area also included a museum with some nice sights, and the history of the museum.

All in all, it was fun to have seen, but we had expected it to be bigger and have more figures. But cool nonetheless to have seen.

Joakim trying to look warriorish, but failing miserably

On the way out, we noticed people selling fur near the tourist buses... this fur is most likely, I would say beyond a doubt, cat and dog fur.

Cat and dog fur for sale... christmas gift of the year? We are pretty sure the meat didnt go to waste either.

Got back to Xian midday, and spent it in the muslim quarters. They had some nice things that we could imagine ourselves buying. Clothes and other things. The shopkeepers luckily left you alone to stroll around and look, which was a nice change from the Silk Alley in Beijing. Again, we managed to bargain ourself down to a quarter of the original price just by walking away and claiming we had no more money. A white lie, yes, but those are ok... sometimes. We managed to get 12 postcards for 6 kronor. Originally they "cost" 20.

Tomorrow we will try to get to Mount Hua Shan by ourselves. It seems like a hassle to get there on your own, but we will try. Read more on that tomorrow.

Cherioos