The Terracotta Warriors

At the advice of our guide, we headed out early at around 7:30am to avoid the crowds at the Terracotta Army Museum, about an hour drive from our hotel.   We arrived at 8:30am just as the gates opened and well ahead of the usually massive crowds.

Our first stop was Pit 1.

Wow.

And worker bees continuing the restoration work of more warriors.

And Pit 3.

Where for all of 20 yuan, we can get up close and personal.  LOL.

Meanwhile outside, it's still not that crowded.

OK, that's where the crowds are...

At the Bronze Chariot Exhibition Room...

Oh yeah, we made the right call to come early.

On the way out, yes there's a Starbucks pretty much everywhere.

Lots of other shops and vendors on the walk back to our van.

Meanwhile, an hour later back in Xian...

... we headed for the shops in the Muslim Quarter.

... and the Great Mosque.

Time for lunch.  Can't remember the name of the place but it seemed popular with the locals.

And the food just kept coming and coming...

After lunch, back to the hotel where we relaxed for the rest of the afternoon.   Then back down to La Dolce Vita for a "light" dinner.

After dinner, SFO777Jr and I headed out to explore the city at night.

The Bell Tower of Xi'an.  Gorgeous at night.

Pretty funny McDonald's billboard...

About 30 minutes later we finally found Defu Lane aka Defu Bar Street, the club and bar strip.  Thank you iPhone Maps.

Most of the bars on the street offered some form of live music.  We picked one and stopped for a beer, or two.  

Another 30 minutes later at around midnight, we finally found our way back to our hotel.