Snapshots of Xi'an & Beijing

We had a very quick trip to Xi'an and Beijing, spending less than two days in each location; but, we were able to squeeze in the important sites before my parents headed back to the U.S.

After a bit of an adventure getting to our hostel in Xi'an our first night, we traveled by public bus the next morning to take in the incredible Terracotta Warriors!  I am fascinated by the young man, Emperor Qin, who at 13 years old commissioned the beginnings of this project. 

Afterwards, we wandered down the Muslim snack street and onto the city wall (two of my favorite places in Xi'an).

In Beijing, one of the most special sites for me was seeing a Peace Corps friend, Soraya and meeting her husband, Yun.  Soraya had already been in Tonga two years when we arrived and signed on for a third.  I was fortunate to be neighbors with her for a short time during my stay in Tonga and it was a great pleasure to reconnect with her -- in China of all places.

We also managed to see the majority of the must-see places in/around Beijing; starting with the Temple of Heaven Park.

... and the Forbidden City

... and of course no trip to Beijing is complete without a trip to walk on the Great Wall!!!

And then, all there was time for was a treat at the airport before they were on their way.