This is my third day in Xian and I am still enjoying every bit of it, not only because I managed to make friend with the girl I met in the train station but also the city itself is a really pleasure place to walk and cycle around. The rectangular shaped city wall surrounding the city, with 18 meters high and 12 meters wide, allows me to cycle around it for less than 2 hours, covering 13.4km. It was a blast with so few people up on the wall, I felt like an emperor overseeing my city!

For the last two night I went out with Lau the Chinese guy from SiChuan, trying out all kind of food around the town and had a big Chinese history from him.

I am heading up to Hua Shan this evening, I planned to head up there alone since I couldn't find any buddy want to do the 12 hours hiking with me but Andy at the front desk managed to find a girl she is also interested to go. After a quick chat we decided to head up there this evening, hike up to the summit at night and watch the rising sun then hike to the rest of the peaks tomorrow morning. Judging from her jeans and street shoes, look like she is not as serious as me.. I hope she can keep up with me tomorrow... hmm..


Bell Tower at night



Serving "Mirror Cake" in the Muslim Quater


Yan and Lau seem to very enjoy the taste of Mirror Cake

Arrived Xian early this morning. I was a little worry about finding the hostel but there was a sweet looking girl standing outside the train station will "Hostel International" banner, I approached her and got a free ride to hostel along with few other travelers.

Met a young Chinese guy in the dorm room, he is from SiChuan visiting here for few days, we are heading out for dinner this evening.

Rented a bike for Y10, not cheap but quite essential to navigate the city swiftly. It seems the weather cooperates in this City, I finally feel the warm from the sun, though the temperature is still around 0-5 degree.


Entering the city wall, note this is the side gate which is a lot smaller






The Bell Tower, right at the center of the surrounding wall, was used to announce the time once every few hours






The Big Goose Temple, the tower was the tallest building in Xian

I was hoping it won't happen but finally it did... I missed the train station and got of one station ahead! In the morning of 5am and in the middle of nowhere... I can't believe it happens to me as the @#!$%! train attendant told me the station is indeed PingYao station. From now on I won't listen anyone and stick with the definitive train schedule, which stated it should be arriving 20 minutes later! I am so glad that I bought the train schedule booklet in Beijing and make my trip planning so much easier.

It was snowing, and I am alone in the cold, I thought I can walk to the town as it was only 20 minutes train ride, but a little calculation revealed it is still at least 20km away. Okay Okay I looked at the booklet it said the next train will arrive in 2 hours at 7:19am. I guess I just need to be patient and wait for the next train.


PingYao old town is an ancient town built in around 500 years go and most of the structure are still intact, I stayed in one of the guest house, while nice, has questionable hot water service. The town is quite quiet perhaps of the cold weather? It looks like there are only handful of tourist arriving the town today which gives me a smaller chance to meet some interesting people...

It is very unfortunate that with so few tourist around, the hawkers, tricyle drivers and everyone wants to do business with me. I was eventually very annoyed and headed back to the hostel to take an afternoon nap...

I guess I am leaving tomorrow evening to Xian...

On the way to Cloud Ridge Cave...




The bus broke down on the way to Cloud Ridge Cave














PingYao Old Town

The hostel in PingYao, very nice setting but has no hot water..