Xi'an, Beijing, and Shanghai China

We arrived in Hong Kong and immediately went to the airport to fly to Xi'an, China. We begand a five-night whirlwing tour of the best sites in this country



Bell Tower in the center city viewed through the entrance in the City Wall.




This city wall is the only one left in the country that is still complete. It rings around the old city center.



Of course I became an expert in calligraphy

Out in the farmland outside Xi'an, a farmer digging a well in 1974 discovered the below treasure trove of terracotta soldiers which were buried to protect the tomb of the Chin Dynasty emporer. The site is an active archaeological dig several jet hangars in size.

The Terracotta Warriors



After an evening flight to Beijing, next morning it was off to Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City.

 

And of course what visit to Beijing would be complete without visiting the Cube and the Birdsnest olympic sites.

Jackie Chan eat your Kung Fu heart out!

Finally, our long anticipated visit to the Great Wall!  Below we have placed a few of our hundred-plus photos!  We hiked a couple of kilometers along the wall and rode down on a toboggan slide.

Next stop was beautiful, bustling Shaghai. Alas, only had one evening and a half-day there. The port area and waterfront (called The Bund) was breathtaking.



Just couldn't resist !!!!!!!!