Xian Thursday April 5

The overnight train trip was a very interesting experience. "Soft" refers to the fact that the seats/single beds have mattresses, not wooden seats. Each cabin contained 4 berths, two on top and two below. Our cabin was shared by a man on the top bunk who presumably arrived after we were both asleep. He leapt to a waking state when Judy slithered down from the top bunk in the middle of the night and collided with his legs/feet which were protruding from the bunk! Departure from the Beijing railway station was a nightmare - all luggage had to be put through a scanning station like at the airport, but the queue of people was about 6 wide with a bottleneck pushing and shoving to get their luggage in and collect it at the other end. One of our party was jostled and fell over her bag, and we were all concerned for the security of our passports and other VIP stuff. It was a relief to be on the train and to find that each bed had clean white linen and a clean covered doona and pillow each. We all had a nightcap of Great Wall white wine in our cabin to celebrate our safe embarkation and to prepare for the long night ahead.
Xian means "Western Peace", was previously the capital city, and was the starting point for the Silk Road. Our hotel looked out over the "Bell Tower", located in the centre of a very wide roundabout. Fascinating to watch heavy traffic wind its way around and peel off the circuit, crossing several lanes in the process. No accidents observed. There was a McDonald's large umbrella planted in the roadway, for the policeman on duty to shelter from the sun or rain!
Visited the big "Wild Goose Pagoda", built in 652 AD and 7 levels high. Damaged by earthquake much later which means the construction now lists about 7 degrees off-centre.
Then a lesson on how to judge the quality/value of jade.
Followed by a Feng Shui lesson - architectural design and furnishing etc. Whether you believe in this stuff or not, it is still interesting to learn how important it can be in the design and construction of even major buildings - sometimes in a consulting capacity for overseas Western countries.
A "Dragon Horse" outside or just inside a building or home, pointing outside, keeps money and good things inside! Cute shape, with high arched hindquarters - wish we had purchased one to bring home because of its attractive shape.
There are 56 ethnic groups in China, 90% of which are the HAN. China's one-child policy does not apply to the minority ethnic groups, nor does it to the HAN if an only child marries an only child in which case they are allowed two.
At night we had a dumpling banquet, followed by a dance and music show which dated from the Tang Dynasty.
Xian was very smoggy whilst there, and difficult to take good photos.