Later on, have a look at the enormous shopping malls in the city (for instance the mall at the Bell Tower) and you’re sure to be in awe of the large variety of products available and even more so by the large Chinese shopping crowd. You’ll probably even come across Chinese girls in punk dress (see picture above). Some shopping malls are quite expensive; the underground shopping mall next to the Drum Tower offers hundreds of top class A brands from the hottest Prada Shoes and 6000 dollar Gucci watches to the latest Italian pressure cooker or designer radiators. Luckily you’re free to window shop all you want. If you’re not looking for anything in particular you may want to follow the scent of fresh croissants to the Deli France café. It’s quite affordable and a quick break from Chinese cuisine for those looking for a few familiar delicacies.

Once you leave the mall you’ll back in front of the Drum Tower. Try to be here at around 17:00 and climb to the top. Once you’ve reached the top you’ll have a beautiful view of the city and out over the Muslim district where, during dusk, slowly the first lanterns and lights will be illuminated. In the heart of the tower you’ll find a small museum with a very unique collection of drums from all corners of the globe in all types and sizes up to an elephant drum.

Several times a day a short drum demonstration is given, you may want to be present during one of them. Demonstration times are available at the entrance of the tower. After you’ve finished exploring the tower and seeing the sights, walk back down the tower stairs and visit the Muslim district. Perhaps you may want to stroll through the food market at the beginning of the district first. If you’re not a fan of the illegal copies of cd’s and software, try some of the fruit preservatives ranging from sugary mango, kiwi, banana, cherry to an abundance of Chinese fruits. A souvenir must-have is the Chinese tea mug with cover set. The fine art work on these sets is truly beautiful and we didn’t find these sets quite as nicely painted or in such a large variety of choices in other parts of China.

Once your stomach starts to growl you’ll be in exactly the right place at the right time. All of the lights in the trees are lit and you’ll pass several small streets filled with the scent of bar-b-ques and a smokey, misty air of barbecue herbs and spices. Pick any restaurant that looks appealing and order a lamb shish-kabob (or any vegetarian options you fancy).

Behind these small streets you’ll see the mosque of Xi’an (see picture). The strangest thing is that it doesn’t look like a conventional mosque. The men in white caps walking around may give you a clue, but otherwise you may have thought that the gates and stairs lead to a Chinese temple. There are many street merchants selling their merchandise near the mosque, however their focus is mainly on the local inhabitants. If you’re really looking for a few nice souvenirs, visit Huajue Xi'ang Street just behind the mosque. This street is full of market stands (and tourists of course) and haggling for lower prices is allowed here. Walk a little further down the street and you’ll see the "Yussuf Muslim Household Craft Store" (.....). Once you see this store, you’ll be deep in the heart of historic Xi’an and haggling for lower prices is not acceptable any longer.

In the evening you could sit by the Drum Tower and take in the square of skating, cautiously flirting and heavily telephoning youngsters. A taxi cab (or tuk-tuk) can take you back to your hotel for about $4.

You’ll be picked up at your hotel at 9:00 this morning for a visit to one of China’s top attractions. The best way to see this attraction is by private tour without a guide and this is exactly how we’ve arranged this excursion for you. The excavation site is approximately 40 minutes from the city and is located in a large park.

The Terracotta Army was discovered by farmers in 1974. They stumbled upon approximately 8000 clay soldiers, horses and chariots that were once built at the request of the then fourteen year old King Zheng for his future royal tomb.

Start in hall 3, then visit hall 2 and finally hall 1. This way you’ll save the largest and most impressive part of the excavation site for last. Visit the museum and the souvenir stands with kitsch clay soldiers, horses, weapons and other trinkets. The replicas are made in all types and all sizes and shipped all over the world. Despite the crowds all of this is more than worth the visit.

A visit to the Terracotta Army take approximately two hours; however if you add the time spent in transit, the excursion will take up half a day. If you’d like an active afternoon after the sight seeing in the morning, you could go bike riding over the 10m broad city wall. The wall is 12km long and is built in a square around the city. If you’re looking to avoid the crowds in the city, this is your best bet. You won’t come across too many other people on bicycles; most Chinese prefer motorized vehicles these days.

The busy city life in the parks at the foot of the city wall is always present. In the morning’s you’ll hear the sound of music and you’ll see people doing Tai Chi. During the day you’ll hear electronic versions of ‘Happy Birthday’ being played watering trucks and of course the sound of horns is ever present. If you look down from the city wall while biking above you’ll see groups of people standing around a pair of grandfathers playing mah-jong and you’ll also see the hectic station square in the distance.

You’ll pay 50 Yuan to access the city wall and 15 Yuan for an hour and a half bicycle rent (enough time to make a complete circle around the city) and a 200 Yuan deposit. The south gate is the best starting point and your bicycle will be ready on the wall for you. There are several cafés located at the various towers. Bicycling is possible from 8:00 - 22:00.