Yongxingfang — Attraction in Xi'an

As the moon rises above the ancient city of Xi'an, the air fills with whispers of a bygone era. The YongXingFang Square, once the esteemed residence of Prime Minister Wei Zhang during the illustrious reign of Emperor Taizong, beckons travelers into its timeless embrace. I, along with three friends from Yemen, ventured into this historic enclave at 10 PM, drawn by the allure of its storied past and the serene beauty of its nighttime aura.

The square's soft lantern glow gave off the impression that you were entering a set where every stone and beam had a story to tell. As we wandered through the expansive grounds, the night added a layer of mystique to the ancient structures. The play of light and shadow danced across the ornate carvings and sturdy columns, each architectural detail a testament to the grandeur of the Tang Dynasty.

Capturing the essence of Yongxingfang Square at night was a photographer’s delight. The interplay of shadows and light cast dramatic patterns across the structures, each snapshot a testament to the enduring beauty of Tang architectural prowess. Our photographs did more than just document; they captured the soul of the square, each frame a narrative woven with elements of ancient grandeur.

Spending an hour in Yongxingfang Square felt all too brief, yet deeply enriching. It was as though time had slowed, allowing us to savor each moment amidst the echoes of history. The experience was a profound reminder of Xi'an’s rich cultural tapestry and the enduring legacy of the...

This place is crowded, bustling and loud, and can be really imposing for a foreigner without a grasp of the Chinese language. But the variety of food here is astounding, it is quite authentic, and mostly delicious. When in doubt just do what the locals do and if you can't communicate with the workers at the stand, just point to what someone just got and hold up 1 finger for each one of that thing you want. One potentially big problem for people without a Chinese bank account is that most of the stands I saw only accepted WeChat or Alipay. I'm not sure what the solution to that is for foreigners without a Chinese bank account, but whether there is a solution to that issue is something to keep in mind...

A fun place to try out lots of food and drinks after doing the lengthy walk of the Xi’an ancient city walls. It has an old bustling marketplace ambiance of ancient times (my knowledge from movies only naturally) with a festive atmosphere from all the visitors. I bought a couple of nut snack gifts, drank mulberry juice (nope, the silkworms only eat the leaves so it’s so nice they left the superfruit mulberry for people), ate a braised pork leg bun, and tasted for the first time a congealed lamb blood strips and crystal noodle soup. Trying to duplicate the lamb blood soup back home will not be easy. Pig’s blood sure but lamb’s blood?...