你好中国

Shanghai Day 3

Saturday, October 3. Today was the Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. As you can probably guess, Shanghai was packed with people so we had a difficult time getting everything we wanted done! Sarah and I first visited the Jinmao Tower, where we were able to go up to the top and see Shanghai from a "birds eye view." The city looked gorgeous from above. We then attempted to find these gardens we had read about, but were unable to and just walked around for a few hours. Most of the day was spent trying to maneuver through all the people. Even though the day didn't work out as planned it was still an experience. For dinner we headed to a Jazz bar where Sarah and I enjoyed a western-style dinner and Jazz music. For dessert we had the traditional Mid-Autumn Festival Moon Cake! A perfect way to end our amazing adventures. The following day we flew home (well back to Hong Kong that is). I can truly say I am so happy I took this opportunity and do not regret a moment of my trip! Hope you enjoyed my lengthy blog and pics!

Shanghai

The Jinmao Tower and the World Financial Center (the tower that looks like a handle bar)

Views form the Jinmao Tower (the tall ball shaped building is called the Oriental Pearl Tower)

View from Jinmao Tower

World Financial Center

view from Jinmao Tower

inside the tower (decorations for the Mid-Autumn Festival)

Shanghai

Old Shanghai

Old Shanghai (and thousands of people!)

Chinese military

Shanghai

Celebration of National Day

Moon Cake

Xian Day 1

Monday, September 28. After a brief unexpected landing on our way to Xian, we arrived safely at around 1:00pm. We immediately booked tickets for the Tang Dynasty Show that evening. The Tang Dynasty show consists of a traditional Chinese meal of dumplings (which were delicious) and traditional dance and music from the Chinese culture that is over 1,000 years old! The food was great, and the show was even better!

Dumplings. (most came in the shape of the meat we were eating. Like pig, fish, etc.)

hosts of the show

traditional Chinese instruments and music

"Spring Orioles Song"

"Spring Outing"

Masked Warriors.

"Watching Bird and Catching Cicada"

"harvesting Chinese Dates"

Drum Solo

The Great Tang Rites and Music

dance cont'

The costumes were beautiful

Xian Ancient City Wall at night

Xian Ancient City Wall

Xian Ancient City Wall (South Entrance)

Xian Day 2

Tuesday, September 29. Sarah and I decided to book a tour for our second day in Xian. Our first stop on the tour was to the factory that makes the Terra Cotta Warrior replicas. Each replica is handmade, which was pretty cool to watch. We then headed to the Banpo Museum. This Museum houses ancient artifacts from a civilization dating back 6,000years. Next our group headed to the site of the Terra Cotta Warriors, aka the 8th wonder of the world! The Terra Cotta Warriors consists of 3 pits. Pit 1 includes the warriors and horses. Pit 2 includes the Generals and Officers. Finally, Pit 3 includes the arrowmen, infantry, chariots, etc. Every warrior is said to be unique, no warrior has the same facial features/structure. The heads are not attached, while their feet are solid and arms hollow. Many of the warriors were once colorful, but due to the elements the color has worn away. The first emperor of the Qin Dynasty had the warriors constructed/buried with him so that he would be protected in the afterlife. It is said that over 8,000 life size warriors protect his tomb. After the first emperor of the Qin died the people revolted and destroyed many of the warriors in the tomb. Archaeologists today are working on piecing the soldiers back together. After leaving the Terra Cotta Warriors, we headed to the first Emperor of the Qin Dynasty's tomb. The first Emperor of the Qin not only constructed the warriors, but he also built a whole city underground which surrounded his tomb. When he died his generals, servants and concubines were buried alive with him. Our last stop of the tour was the Hot Springs. The Hot Springs was the home of the National Party leader during the early 1900's. He was killed in his home, and this is when the Communists Party of China first took over. The Hot Springs was also gorgeous.