VELTRA tours & activities, fun things to do

I honestly hadn’t researched Xi’an very much, other than the Terra Cotta Warriors, so having a guided city tour was a blessing! It was fascinating to hear about Xi’an’s long history. The Shaanxi Museum is huge with an impressive range of artefacts but not particularly well documented, so having a guide point out the highlights and providing some back story to some of the displays made the visit so much more enjoyable. I really liked the way all the stops fit in with each other, revealing the impact the Silk Road and all the dynasties had on Xi’an. The Muslim Quarter is fascinating and you’ll definitely want to wander back on your own just to sample all the street eats! It was raining pretty heavily by the time we got to the city wall, but Teela, the guide, was a trooper, and didn’t allow the weather to diminish the experience in any way. Even the Big Wild Goose Pagoda was interesting as there was a variety of things to see. The calligraphy lesson was amazing, showing the difference between ancient and modern sc<x>ript. Knowing what I know now, it would’ve been a huge shame to come to Xi’an only to see the warriors. The city itself, and how its people interact with its long history, is truly fascinating. Having a guide and driver, we were able to see all the sights comfortably in a day. The pacing was excellent and we never felt rushed. Lunch was also a pleasant surprise in a very pretty theatre! Truly an amazing day out!