Xi'an, China- The second leg of our Chinese adventure

We had to get up super early and go to the airport today, making two grumpy Walton's. We were both sad to leave Beijing, it was an awesome city and we just couldn't get enough. We also had an awesome tour guide who will be hard to top in any other city.  Nonetheless, we were bolting off to Xi'an. 

Troy's face reflected our feelings about leaving Beijing. It was such an awesome place and Xi'an just didn't compare!

We arrived in Xi'an and our tour guide was waiting once again. He is knowledgeable but we missed Mr Alan, he was so fun and seemed to understand us. We headed to our hotel and boy was traffic crazy!! I thought we were going to get hit at least 600 times so I finally closed my eyes and pretended to nap. We saw a van hit a bus and all the passengers had to sit there while they worked it out. We finally reached our hotel and had 30 minutes to settle in. Then we were off to lunch where they made hand stretched noodles.

We still made the best of it, of course! 

We went to the city wall, it is the most completely remaining city wall in China. Really cool to see what ancient mixed with modern feels like.

They were gearing up for the Chinese New Year. It is the year of the Dragon.

Brr.. Chilly in front of the city wall. 

The drum tower. Sounded to indicate gates closing to and from the city.

I was really looking forward to riding bikes on the city wall and the weather cancelled that adventure. I am still disappointed about it!

Troy looking out over the inner city. The building designers have to follow specific rules that do not allow the buildings to outshine important monuments. It was incredibly smoggy. 

Nifty black and white shot.

"Did you turn off the black and white?" Oops! 

I am skipping the middle part of Xi'an so that it can be featured in the next post. Does anyone know what is most well-known in Xi'an? :)

The city streets of Xi'an, decorated for the Chinese New Year.

A peaceful pond in the busy city.

It was fun to walk the streets, but we were constantly being stared down. I don't think they are used to foreigners in those parts of town.

Tune in for our next post, Troy's favorite part of China!