6/16/25: Day 20 - Xi’an Day 1

Psalm 89:8 “O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord? Your faithfulness also surrounds You.” 

Today, we left Beijing and headed to Xi’An. Every time I ride a bullet train, I fall in love with them more. Wayne and I have taken multiple cross country trips over the years. I love seeing new countryside. Bullet trains offer this, but it is much more comfortable than a car, and a lot faster! The kids and I were excited to see the Yellow River!! 

After checking into the hotel, we took a didi (China’s version of uber) to the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. This building is over 1000 years old. I took some photos with my nice camera, but I left my computer in Shanghai to save us space and weight as we traveled. So, I will upload those later on our trip. Here are a few from my phone. 

Enjoying the shade for a few minutes. It was 100 degrees today!

These cute kids came with their family from Mongolia! 

The pagoda had bells on it that rang in the wind. 

We stopped for an ice cream cone at McD. T hit the spot and kept the kids going in the heat. 

Riding the subway with the masses of people. 

We took a subway to the South Gate of the ancient Xi’An Wall. It was 1,400 years old! We walked a little and then rented bikes to ride along the wall. We rode from the South Gate to the North Gate. We could see the Bell Tower as we biked. I have some extra photos that Juyi took that I’ll have to get tomorrow.

Biking on the wall. We biked for over an hour and only made it half way!

I FaceTimed my parents so they could experience the Xi’an Wall in real time. I love my dad and was sad that I couldn’t hug him for Father’s Day. 

Xi’an train station.

The lights at night on the wall were amazing!

Community exercise (think China version of Zumba or Just Dance).

Cute elderly ladies enjoying the “cooler” weather tonight- it was only 90 at this point. 

Shan trying out his Chinese. 

Shan’s fried rice was shaped like a bears claw and he thought that was the best thing ever. 🩷 He’s going to go in shock when we go home to boring American food.