We spent ten days seeing some exceptional cities and sights in China. Our first stop was Xian, China. It has an urban population of over six million people, and was once ancient China's capital.
In the Xian Forest of Stone Steles Museum is large limestone tablet which describes Nestorian Christian Churches in China. The tablet was carved in the year 781, attesting to very early Christian presence in China.
The renovated/rebuilt walls of old Xian are open to tourists, and we rented bikes for a ride around some of the perimeter.
Taoism has route here, about an hour outside of Xian, where it is said that one of Taoism's holy books was written.
This pagoda is said to be the oldest Christian church in China, dating from 640. Today it is Buddhist monastery.
Though the identity of this pagoda as an ancient church is a point of controversy, supposedly there are ancient carvings of both the birth of Jesus and Jonah at the walls of Ninevah on the inside walls.
These Buddhists monks live beside the pagoda.
As we travelled in China, it wasn't uncommon to be asked to pose for a picture with some locals.
The very busy and very exciting Muslim Quarter. My favorite area of Xian!
The Terracotta Army
The largest tourist destination and definitely one of the most impressive sights in the Xian area is the Terracotta Army. They are part of the ancient burial complex for Qin Shi Huang, the first emperor of unified China. The army dates from about 200BC. This impressive discovery is sometimes called the eighth wonder of the ancient world.
We left Xian for Pingyao, China by bus. Full of history and bursting with energy, it made for a great first stop on our family's trip in China.
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