In fact, the Northwest China has been in my travel plan for a long time, but I have not been able to make it due to motion sickness. In September 2021, after being quarantined by the epidemic for more than half a year, I finally picked up my backpack and stepped into this land that I had been fascinated for a long time. The product description of a certain journey is very reliable this time. The bus is indeed very comfortable. Sitting alone in the last row, I don't feel very bumpy. The degree of shaking is still within my tolerance. In addition, there is a window that can be opened at any time. It is perfect for a traveler like me who suffers from motion sickness. With such a good start, the whole trip became warm and comfortable.

1. Outpost

Xi'an

Just before starting the group tour, I visited Xi'an alone, which was regarded as an outpost for the northwest tour. Because it only lasted two days, I just took a quick tour. When Meng Jiao was in his forties, he rushed quickly and slowly. He saw all Chang 'an flowers in one day. Compared to him, I was not in a hurry.

I have never been very interested in new things, including antique buildings with edges and corners, so Huaqing Pond, Tang Dynasty Furong Garden, etc. were not in my plans. When I came to Xi'an, my greatest interest was in the ancient city walls and the terracotta warriors. Even so, I still missed the Big Wild Goose Pagoda, the Little Wild Goose Pagoda, the Forest of Steles, etc. There was no way. Three hundred years of Tang Dynasty, one pair of eyes, two legs, and forty-eight hours were not enough.

Because it was close to the inn, I first went to see the Bell Tower and Drum Tower. After buying tickets, I walked up and took a detour, and asked the tourists next to me to take a few photos of the trip here, so that I could really take a quick look. I tried my best to stop at a certain place and carefully read the words, words, and couplets written on the Diaoliang and Painting Buildings, pretending that I really understood it very well. However, as soon as I went downstairs, I still couldn't remember everything. When I write these words now, all I remember is the big drums on the Drum Tower, with the twenty-four solar terms written on them in turn. Then I stand on the Bell Tower and look in one direction, lamenting how straight the streets in Xi'an are.

When the book was ready to use, I hated it too much. When I met these historic sites, my shallow ignorance was suddenly exposed.

The ancient city wall took some time.

After getting down from the bell tower, he swept a bicycle all the way south and climbed the city wall from Yongning Gate at the south gate. After going up, I rented a bicycle and rode on it like a happy child. The weather is very good. The sunshine in September is still warm and shines directly on people. However, maybe it is because of the wind and the good mood, so it doesn't feel too hot. I like the feeling of riding, neither too fast nor too slow. The ground of the city wall is not flat, and the bumps and winnings are actually a little sore. But thinking that I am in Chang 'an, in the land of the prosperous Tang Dynasty, everything can be tolerated.

Riding to the northwest corner, I saw a couple taking wedding photos on the outside wall of Guangren Temple. The Tibetan Buddhist temples surrounded by green trees are solemn and solemn. Couples in red are bright and cheerful, reflecting each other in sharp contrast. Looking through the mobile phone lens, you will find that simplicity and fashion can collide so harmoniously and beautiful.

In fact, when we look at the city from the city wall today, we can't find too many ancient colors and charm. Rows of modern high-rise buildings, asphalt roads with cars like flowing water, and billboards with colorful colors of different styles remind us that this place is no longer the Tang Dynasty of those days. Nine days closed the palace, and the clothes of all countries bowed to the crown. Chang 'an used to be admired by all countries, but today Xi'an is equally eye-catching. Different scenery has different interests. Everyone who comes here will gain something, and this is enough.

When I was preparing to go down the city wall at the north gate of Anyuan, I saw a restored model of ancient Chang 'an there. An old man was explaining it to tourists for free. The old man said that not a single brick of the ancient city wall we see today is from the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Only a small part of it was rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. As for the rest, they are all restored by our modern people. Hearing this, I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.

The next day was reserved for the Terracotta Warriors. At the foot of Mount Li, the pottery figurines stood quietly. They had not moved for thousands of years. When we arrived there, they remained silent and looked the same as before. The commentator introduced this period of history leisurely. The changes, joys and sorrows thousands of years ago were so downplayed in his mouth, just like the expression of every pottery figurine, quiet and comfortable. On the land of Sanqin, there were once golden and iron horses rolling up layers of loess, green acres of fertile farmland, and scattered wives and children. All of this has been deeply buried by time, leaving us here today. There is only a memory that approximates speculation.

Part of the terracotta warriors has been unearthed, and the other part is still buried underground. Looking at the pottery figurines with different expressions, I suddenly thought, do they want to be excavated and see the new world, or do they not want to be disturbed and sleep in the land of Daqin? If they could speak, would they be at a loss the moment they saw the light of day again: Where am I? Who is around? What do they want? These Shaanxi people who were used to watching the bright moon during the Qin Dynasty properly "didn't know anything about the Han Dynasty, whether it was the Wei and Jin Dynasties", let alone the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties.