On Apr. 6th, we AIC members set foot on our journey to the historic city Xi’an, where 13 dynasties founded their capitals in. The weather was just fine, and we gathered at the West gate of NJU, heading towards Nanjing Railway Station. Our members came from all over the world, and it was the first time we stayed overnight in a couchette for most of us. We had great fun on the train, and arrived in Xi’an in the early morning.

 

After having breakfast, we visited Shaanxi History Museum, which is located to the northwest of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in the ancient city Xi'an. It is one of the first huge state museums with modern facilities and the largest general history museum in China. We briefly comprehend China’s history from the prehistoric period to the Tang Dynasty, and the façade of the museum recalls the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After having buffet in an impressive and ancient style restaurant, we paid a visit to the Xi’an Jiaotong University, which is also one of the C9 League as NJU is. Their teachers warmly welcomed us, and gave us a brief lecture about the Shaanxi’s history and XJTU. After that, student assistants led us around the campus, especially the blooming Cherry Avenue.

 

We paid a short visit to the Muslin street which is famous for rich gathering of local specialty, and then we took an early rest at the Hotel, which is located right beside the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, where we could see the largest music fountain in Asia. Some of the students went to the downtown city to see the Bell Tower and some went to the shopping area. Though we were tired, we could not let our precious time in Xi’an wasted on bed.

 

 

We got up early on the second day and traveled all the way to the Baoji City, 150km away from Xi’an. We visited the famous Famen Temple Scenic Area to see the 148 meters Namaste Dagoba, as well as the Buddhist relics, a finger bone of Sakyamuni, who is the founder of Buddhism.

 

 

Then we headed back to the Xi’an city to visit the Stele Forest, or Xi'an Beilin Museum, a museum that housed a growing collection of Steles since 1087. We had dinner at a famous local Restaurant, Lao Sun’s Restaurant, where we enjoyed the most famous and authentic food “Pita Bread Soaked in beef Soup”. We tore the pita bread with our own hands, and waited for the beef soup added into the big bowl. It was really a nice dinner.

 

 

 

The last day was undoubtedly arranged the most important site of Xi’an, the Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Museum as well as terracotta soldiers and horses. The mausoleum was constructed over 38 years from 246BC to 208BC, and is situated underneath a 76-meter-tall tomb mound shaped like a truncated pyramid. It was really magnificent and we were very much impressed.

 

In the afternoon, we went to our last stop, the Huaqing Pool, the imperial spot to avoid coldness in Tang Dynasty. We all washed our hands with the hot spring while listening to the love story of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang and his Imperial Concubine Yang Yuhuan. Besides, it is the place where Xi'an Incident happened. With the tender breeze stoking the face and the green trees extending as far as eyes can reach, we were almost walking in a fascinating painting.

 

Time flies that we must come back to Nanjing, but we all had so great time with each other visiting such a historic and interesting city. We’ve acquired a lot not only in our stomach but also in our memories and knowledge about Xi’an and Shaanxi, about Chinese history. And most importantly, we’ve attained friendship of great treasure and values. We would keep this unforgettable journey in our memories and stay in touch with each other, and we look forward to a tour together later again.