Xi'an

Xi'an was our favorite place in China. Until we travelled there, we had no idea that it was once one of the greatest cities of the ancient world, vying with Rome and Constantinople. Our first glimpse of the 2000-year-old army of terracotta warriors had the same effect on us as the pyramids did -- we were awestruck. We had a terrific guide in Xi'an who helped us find cheap local restaurants in which to sample some of Xi'an's specialties, and who took us on other interesting visits to the ancient city wall, the Great Mosque, the Wild Goose Pagoda, and to a Tang Dynasty dinner and musical show. We think we could learn a little Mandarin and move to Xi'an someday.