I started by going into the museum exhibit rather than going to any of the pits first. It was busy everywhere either way so I really don’t think the order made much of a difference. In the museum there were a bunch of the statues pieced (and not) together on display which really let you get a good close look at them. The detail in them is just so impressive.
I then went and checked out the pits. Wow, these hangars are huge! The main pit that everyone recognises from whatever footage you have seen is the largest and it is really amazing to see something like this. It’s a shame visiting this location trying to take in some of the awe of the place is ruined by guys trying to sell you trinkets. They are so annoying and really ruin the mood. This is one time where being a foreigner with a key identifying feature was not helping me because no matter where I walked and went there was one guy in particular who would just harass me to buy figurines off of him. That really isn’t the way to get me to buy them, I would rather buy the ones in the official gift shop from people not imposing on my experience of being at such a historical and impressive site.
The crowds were also intense…. There were so many tour groups and people just pushing trying to get to the same spot. That’s really why I don’t generally like going to the big tourist locations, especially in a peak season, but sometimes you just have to suck it up. I just kept telling myself that this is the one time I come here.
From here I got in a DiDi and headed over to the Huaqing Palalce heritage site. It was so pretty and calm over here. There were people around, but nowhere near what was at the other site. It was nice and relaxing. I was asked if I wanted to book a guide to take me on a tour around to explain the history but I declined. I really felt like just exploring at my own pace, when she asked where I was from and I said Australia she just kind of nodded and smiled so I assume that’s a standard aussie answer. There were plenty of info signs up around the place with English translations too so I managed to piece some of it together and really enjoyed just exploring the place.
The grounds here are the legendary site of the romance between the Tang Dynasty Emperor Xuanzong and his beloved concubine, Yang Yuhuan (Yang Guifei), and is evident upon walking around. Seeing the palace bath houses were pretty impressive and the one that the Emperor had built for Yang was pretty. I would be pretty happy if someone built me my own hot spring bath like that. It was during 745 and 755 AD that the Emperor would spend time during winter and spring here, and kind of neglected his duties cos he was just enjoying himself with Yang. Needless to say that negatively impacted him remaining Emperor.
I took the cable car up Mount Li (Lishan Mountain) and you get amazing views overseeing the whole palace below. Now, what have we learned happens if I catch a cable car. Correct, it started to rain, quite a bit actually by the time I got to the top, so much that by the time I was coming down it was almost pointless of me to try to take any cable car footage. Good thing I got some on the way up.
However, I didn’t let the rain stop me exploring. I visited a temple site that was up there and then I went on a walk. I followed the signs to check out the Beacon Tower. Now sometimes not knowing too much before you do something is a good idea. So to get to it, (I am so glad I took the cable car up to this point and didn’t walk the whole thing, if the day had of been better I probably would have) it turns out I had to walk up about 800 incredibly steep stairs. At the start I thought okay, not too bad we must be near the top soon. And then I had to stop for a break, as did the people in front of me, and the guy behind me. No I wasn’t. The guy behind me ended up in front of me, and then another guy appeared further down behind me when I stopped to look down. Finally it looked like I would be at the flat and at the top. it was looking close, and I saw the guy who overtook me walk up a bit and then he started walking back down. So I thought cool, almost there. The other guy who was behind me had closed the gap. We were walking and breaking at similar points because, that wasn’t the top, that other guy just decided that was enough.
Now, the rain was really set in, the clouds were obviously there. I knew that there was going to be zero visibility by the time I got to the top and do I keep going? I still had no idea how far and at this point what am I doing it for? A hot arse? Well the guy behind me got in front and he beckoned me on. He waved me up and really, the only thing stopping me from turning around was him at that point. He challenged and encouraged, and I pushed on. We had about 3 exchanges like this on our way up. He wasn’t letting me give up, and I really appreciated it. Because although there was no view, I made it to the top, and not only that but I went well I am here, I might as well climb to the top of the beacon tower too and get another photo of my head in the clouds. Me and the guy nodded acknowledgement of our achievement with each other and smiled. It was nice when I saw him get to the top, and looked down at me in a c’mon we’re here type way. I really do love these exchanges and moments in space and time that you can share with someone without using any verbal language.
It was then time to walk back down, and I was done at this point. Going down the steps was quicker, but it was also tricky due to the stone steps being so wet, and so steep. I wasn’t rushing down them, and the rain wasn’t letting up either. I was so glad I bought that return cable car ticket. Once I made it down the mountain and back to the palace grounds I had a last little walk and photo snaps, before I called it quits, and left to book a DiDi to drive me back to my apartment.
Once I got back, that was it. I was in for the night. I showered, and fell asleep pretty early. It had been a big one. Actually the last week had really just been full on with Zhangjiajie, panda volunteering, and then today. This was the big week of activity, travel, activity….
The next day I didn’t really have any plans, but decided to head out for a bit of a walk. I had found out about these vegan cake things, so wanted to go get and try them, and also head over to at least see the Xi’an Bell Tower. I did that, and then went to eat some lunch. I decided to have a big lunch meal, and then just head back to my hotel. The rest of the day I stayed in, I actually went and used the hotel fitness room, which was nice to use some weights again and try to maintain some of the gains I was making at the gym before I left. Then I just chilled out and got myself organised for heading off the next day to Hangzhuo.
