Xi’an Travelogue Essay – 800 words

Xi’an is a city full of ancient history and culture. For thousands of years, it has inherited the essence of Chinese civilization and created many wonders of the Chinese nation. Its status as the ancient capital of 13 dynasties cannot be shaken. Here is an 800-word essay on Xi’an travelogue.

It was the capital city established during the Qin and Han Dynasties. It boasts the grand mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang and the accompanying Terracotta Army, as well as the starting point of the “Silk Road,” an ancient trade route. It was the international metropolis under the rule of the Tang Dynasty. It has the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda where the Buddhist monk Xuanzang delivered his sermons, the hot springs where emperors and consorts bathed. It was once the battleground for the confrontation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party in the 1930s, a witness to the joint resistance against the Japanese imperialist aggression, and the development of modern electronic information technology and biotechnology industries. It is the ancient capital of thirteen dynasties – Xi’an.

Leaving the land of Yan and Zhao for the eight hundred miles of Qin Chuan. Before, I had only seen or known “Xi’an” in textbooks or on television, but this time I finally got to visit this ancient city (transferred from Beijing West Station to G655). In my mind, I always stopped at the shadows of the ancient city walls and palaces, but when I got off the high-speed train, I discovered the modern beauty of this ancient city. The people coming and going, mostly young people, made me feel the youthful vibe of this ancient city.

“Spring wind is in my favor, my horse is swift, and in a single night I see all the flowers of Chang’an,” this was Bai Juyi’s mood after passing the imperial examinations, and it is also my eager desire to “get up close and personal” with the ancient city. Therefore, after a short rest at the hotel we had booked in advance, several friends immediately agreed to go out together, to find the lost ancient history, to find the present civilization, and to find the local specialties. This is the Qujiang New District, so we visited the Yinyuan Park (it should actually be called Hanyao Relic Park, Yinyuan Park is my name for it). It restores the love story of Xue Pinggui and Wang Baochuan, with the throwing of embroidered balls, the departure to war, the waiting at home, the return home in glory, and Tang dynasty people’s statues of outings, statues of Guanyin Bodhisattva standing or sitting on lotus platforms.
Carved on the walls of the park are famous love stories from China and abroad, such as the White Snake Legend, Liang Zhu, Cinderella, making us indulge in them. At the same time, we saw a dragon spraying water in the park, and we saw the modern W Hotel.

After walking around, everyone was tired and hungry. So, we started looking for the nearest Xi’an cuisine. Everyone used Baidu on their phones or asked passersby for directions. Later, under the guidance of a passerby, we found Yuanjia Village, located on the third floor of Yintai City, not far from where we were staying.

When we got there, it was made up of large and small food stalls pieced together. Here, the decoration style is like a Shanxi farmhouse, with some old objects scattered in between. Maybe it is this kind of environment, and it was dinner time, so many people came here to eat, it was really “packed.”

After some comparison, we chose a few local specialties, including cold noodles, sheep’s blood vermicelli soup, meat-stuffed bread, and belt noodles. This was enough to let us feast. So, the air was filled with the rich aroma of meat-stuffed bread,
and the fresh sheep’s blood felt smooth in our teeth.

After dinner, we continued walking north. So, we passed the Shaanxi Museum and saw statues of Tang Dynasty figures standing in the middle of the street. They seemed to be telling us about the achievements of Emperor Taizong of Tang in literature and military affairs and the famous “Rule of Zhenguan” at that time, telling the story of this wise emperor. I seem to see those lifelike loyal ministers and generals painted on the walls of the Lingyan Pavilion after Emperor Taizong’s death, Fang Xuanling, Du Ruhui, Wei Zheng, Qin Qiong, Cheng Yaojin, Li Jing, etc.

At the end of the road is the famous Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, the place where Tang Sanzang translated Buddhist scriptures from India and explained them to the public, and it is also the place where his relics are kept. I vaguely saw the Sanzang Master who crossed mountains and rivers and remained steadfast in his faith in the “Records of the Western Regions of the Great Tang Dynasty.” Although there was no Sun Wukong to subdue demons, no silly and cute Zhu Bajie, and no silently devoted Sha Wujing, he walked forward without hesitation. He left behind not only thick Buddhist scriptures, valuable materials introducing local customs along the way, but more importantly, his indomitable spirit, his determination to succeed despite difficulties.

It was already eight or nine in the evening, and the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was already closed, so we were turned away. However, we enjoyed the charm of the “Asia’s No. 1 Music Fountain.” With the music, the joyful water danced in the combination of light and electricity. The whole process lasted less than half an hour, as if to tell tourists from afar that Xi’an is a vibrant city and the people of Xi’an are positive and upward-looking.

The next day, due to the weather, we scheduled our activities for the evening. This time, our purpose was clearer, to “sneak” into the Muslim Quarter in the dim light of night and taste the local specialties.

Getting off the Line 2 subway, we continued walking in the direction of the Bell Tower. After passing through the bustling crowds and a group of peach blossom-like scenery, we climbed the steps and saw the Bell Tower in the distance. It is like an old man who has traveled through thousands of years, stretching out his arms to welcome guests. It is also like a graceful dancer, swirling her sleeves and dancing gracefully. As we walked, it came closer and closer. Seeing such a beautiful sight, everyone took out their phones to take pictures with it. In my phone, I saw its beauty even more.

Farewell to the Bell Tower, we passed the Drum Tower, getting closer to our destination. The Muslim Quarter is a very lively place, with shops lining the streets and people bustling everywhere. The shop assistants were busy, and the air was filled with the aroma of various delicacies. Different cries of hawkers could be heard from all around, here shouting for mutton skewers, there shouting for peanut cakes, and also Fuping’s Qiongguo sugar.

What everyone wanted to eat was authentic Shaanxi cold noodles and mutton soup. It is strange to say, we should have been famished, we had walked so far, but we didn’t feel hungry or tired. Everyone saved their stomachs to enjoy the food, so we would order a bowl for several people. For example, mutton soup, we had two bowls for seven people.

Seeing our appearance, the shop assistants laughed. After finishing the mutton soup, we went to the Shaanxi Thirteen Ice Cream shop. The ice cream here is a cone-shaped egg roll that looks like a lotus leaf, with ice balls of various flavors on top. What fascinated me was the unique shape here, just like yesterday’s Yuanjia Village, but with the addition of a grain transport cart and several bags of wheat, it is said that they are all grown in Guanzhong. In my hand, these wheat grains were plump and full.

After finishing our food, we continued to wander and eat in the Muslim Quarter, and we saw many local specialty products. So, everyone stopped to buy some Shaanxi specialties for their relatives and friends. I was no exception. I bought four items: dragon beard candy, terracotta army sculpture keychains, bookmarks with pictures of Shaanxi scenery, and small bags woven from straw by folk artists. Everyone was laden with souvenirs. Under the night sky, we continued to take photos with the Bell Tower.

On the third afternoon, I continued to make an appointment with everyone for a half-day tour of the Terracotta Army and Huaqing Hot Springs.

Speaking of Shaanxi, one thinks of Xi’an, and speaking of Xi’an, one thinks of the Terracotta Army. We set out from Xi’an City, along the “President’s Avenue,” and after a two or three-hour drive, we reached our destination – the Qin Shi Huang Terracotta Army Museum located in Yangjia Village, Lintong County.

The area is so large, I was stunned for the first time. The museum is located to the east of the Qinling Mountains, with lush vegetation. The museum buildings are ancient and elegant, and the plaques use the characters of the time. Under the guidance of the tour guide. We entered the museum and visited three exhibition halls one by one. The halls were filled with terracotta warriors and horses in rows and columns, and unearthed artifacts. Each terracotta warrior is so lifelike, each artifact is still so exquisite. In those days, a mighty army, Emperor Qin Shi Huang unified the world, his ambition swallowed up mountains and rivers.

We also saw a national third-class relic – Qin earth. Hearing that its hardness is greater than that of modern reinforced concrete, I felt that this thing would be good for making bulletproof vests, impervious to swords and spears. If Emperor Qin Shi Huang was a tyrant, then his use of the Terracotta Army for burial was a great historical advance. At the same time, he unified weights and measures and unified writing, laying a solid foundation for the economic and social development of future generations.

As I toured, I gradually became proud of the ancient working people. With their wisdom and sweat and hardworking hands, they created many world firsts, especially during the Qin and Han dynasties. Through thousands of years of history, I seem to taste the flavor of the Qin and Han dynasties, like a strong cup of tea, heavy and intense, yet with a lingering fragrance.

After visiting the Terracotta Army, we continued to take the bus to visit the Huaqing Hot Springs.

Coming to the Huaqing Hot Springs, this is where the emperors of the Tang Dynasty bathed, and it is also where the Xi’an Incident took place in modern times. Here, I saw the three tokens of love that Emperor Xuanzong of Tang gave to Yang Guifei (a lotus jade bracelet, a Haitang hot spring, and a palace). These bear witness to Emperor Xuanzong’s “lavishing of three thousand favors on Yang Guifei,” and I seem to see Du Mu reciting “Passing through Huaqing Palace,” and I hear the silver bell-like laughter inside Huaqing Palace. Here, I see the bullet holes left from the Xi’an Incident. These all prove the tense situation at that time, the determination of Generals Zhang and Yang to stand for the great cause of the nation.

With the end of the tour of Huaqing Hot Springs, my trip to Xi’an came to an end. Although it was only three days, it left a deep impression on me. That evening, as I leaned against the ancient city wall, I pondered: If I have the chance, I would be willing to embark on another journey to Xi’an, to continue watching the changes in this city. With the implementation of the “One Belt, One Road” national strategy, this ancient city will once again be full of vitality and become an important node city on the “New Silk Road.”