A smooth flight into one of China’s great ancient capitals, a ceremonial welcome at the city walls, and an evening of ceiling shows, fountains, and first impressions of Xi’an.
After breakfast, our coach took us to the airport for our flight to Xi’an. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the internal flight, on a smaller plane, actually had more legroom than the long‑haul flight that brought us to China. The flight itself was uneventful, and when we landed, we were greeted by our new local guide. Before heading into the city, we had a large lunch at the airport: a spread of dishes served on a Lazy Susan, a familiar sight on this trip. Afterwards, we boarded a coach for the drive into Xi’an.
About Xi’an.
Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province, is a city steeped in history. As one of China's Four Great Ancient Capitals, it has served as the seat of power for several major dynasties, including the Western Zhou, Western Han, Sui, Northern Zhou, and Tang. It’s a place where the past feels very close to the surface.
Xi’an City Walls.
When we reached the city walls, we were met by a complete welcoming party. The gates were closed, and soldiers stood guard until we were formally invited inside. We were then greeted by the “emperor” and “empress,” along with dancers and an acrobat. The performance was excellent, especially the acrobat, who managed to flip herself over while spinning a hat on her feet.
At the end of the ceremony, we were symbolically granted the freedom of the city and presented with a gold key to mark the occasion.
After the show, we had our photos taken with the performers, then climbed the tower for a view over Xi’an. It was strange, and quite striking, to see the contrast between the old city within the walls and the modern tower blocks rising just beyond them.
Evening in Xi’an.
In the evening, we visited a shopping centre to watch a ceiling show, huge moving video displays projected overhead. From there, we went to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to watch a colourful musical fountain performance. It was lively, bright, and a fun way to end the day.
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