China #4: a Summary (continued)

3.       Night Trains: 

Interesting experiences . . . and would be quite doable overall if the toileting status were upgraded.  Actually, I’m perfectly fine with the “squatty” style of toilet—and the trains definitely incorporated the “squatty” style—but cleanliness becomes such an overwhelming issue when 50+ people are relegated to one squatty for an eight-hour journey.   (Personal bladder directive issued subsequent to perusal of the available facilities:  only ONE release authorized!)

We took two night trains—one between Beijing and Xi’an and then another between Xi’an and Suzhou.  Our tour group occupied two “hard sleeper” compartments, each compartment outfitted with six narrow bunks, three per opposing wall.  “Soft sleepers”—four-bunk compartments—are more expensive.  For some reason the first night train was more fun and provided a better night’s rest…maybe only because it was novel.  The second one, although certainly tolerable, unfolded more as a “suck-it-up” experience.

 Our tour group in the Beijing train station waiting for our train to Xi'an to be announced.

 I slept in the top bunk!

We had the "party" compartment!  Here's looking down from the top bunk to the game crew below.

4.       Xi’an (June 26 – 27):

·         Misty mountains line the eastern edge of Xi’an, where the terra cotta warriors stand at the ready, entombed with emperor who commissioned their creation.

·         Everything you have ever heard about how amazing the terra cotta warriors are—well, it’s all true.  Their presence is stunning; their conception is mind-bending.

·         The history of the people and events—factual and legendary—connected to the discovery of the terra cotta warriors in 1974, the subsequent excavations, and the development of a UNESCO cultural heritage site makes for some fascinating reading.  Check out this article.

·         Xi’an’s original city walls still stand.   These days one can circumnavigate their perimeter from on top either by foot, bicycle, or open mini-bus.  We bicycled—nine miles, round trip!