Area Goes to Xian, China

I am very excited to announce that I am starting to do some travel writing! As I am out here seeing and doing all these things anyway, it's great to be able to share some of my experiences with others and get published at the same time. Thanks to my wonderful Aunt Lisa for connecting me with with Area and helping me out with these writing opportunities.

This piece about Xian, China, which I visited in December 2008, is my first story for Area Daily. The website focuses on boutique hotels, fine food, and interesting travel activities. The idea is to supply readers with ideas they are not going to find in their average guide book. I will be continuing to write more for Area my next piece being about my recent Morocco trip.

Enjoy!

HISTORY LESSON

This week Area Daily local correspondents weigh in about what’s on their radar this month. First up, Elena Sprick takes us to Xi’an, China.

Get a taste of the imperial life with a trip to this ancient capital, about an hour's flight from Beijing. As one of the oldest cities in the country, Xi’an has more than enough history to satisfy any history-starved junkie.

The famed Terracotta Army built over 2,000 years ago by Emperor Qin Shi Huang, serves as the main attraction here with an estimated 6,000 life-sized warriors plus horses and chariots erected to guard the Emperor in his final resting place. And it gets creepier... no two statues look alike and to keep the project a secret he had all the workers killed upon its completion.

The warriors are great for a day visit, or maybe more if you’re an archeology buff. But don’t worry; if you’re planning to travel all the way to Xi’an, there are plenty more things to see and do. Spend the day biking around the city high upon the walls (the views are killer). And don’t miss the Great Mosque and the winding streets of the Muslim quarter.

After a long day, relax in style at the Sofitel Xian on Renmin Square. The Sofitel has it all: enjoy a massage in the finely decorated spa or sing your heart out in a private karaoke room.

When hunger sets in, feast on dozens of varieties of tasty traditional dumplings at De Fa Zhang Jiaozi Shop (No. 229 Jie Fang Road on the north side of the Drum Tower), or wander the streets of the Muslim Quarter and snack on noodles, pancakes, rice bowls or any other number of traditional Chinese dishes for less than the price of a Starbucks latte.

Don’t have time to trek to China? Hop the train to Washington D.C. to visit a special exhibition of the warriors at the National Geographic Museum, on display through March 31.

Photo courtesy of Elena Sprick

Click here to visit the Area Daily website, where you can also subscribe to the daily travel column (Lisa shares her 'Boarding Pass' every Thursday).