Nights in Xi'an

The first night in Xi'an we went for dinner right down town and had Mongolian hot pot.  Ever had it?  It was quite an experience.  Each one had their own covered pot with a broth type soup in it.  We received about four kinds of meat (beef, mutton, lamb, and fish) as well as veggies, potatoes, noodles, and eggs.  You wait until your little pot of soup boils over a little burner, and then put in whatever you want to eat...let it cook, fish it out with chopsticks, and eat.  Easier said than done!Was interesting and fun.  You also went to a buffet table and mixed your own sauce to put on top of the food...there were about 15 different things to put in your sauce...from leeks to oils, to hot sauce and barbeque sauce. Rice and fried bread were also served...with oranges for dessert.  Have I said that dessert is ALWAYS fruit?

 

From dinner we went along the old city wall with beautiful light displays on the towers...just beautiful.  We were headed to the old pagoda district for a massive fountain production/display with lights and music.  I understand they do it every night year round.  It is the largest  fountain display in Asia and was very pretty...music and all. 

At the far end of the park was the Great Wild Goose Pagoda and the Temple of Great Goodwill.  I wanted to linger and walk around but most everyone wanted to get back to the hotel after a long day of travel and activity.

 

 

The second night in Xi'an we headed off for a local dinner theater to see and song and dance performance.

During our seven course meal, this woman played a beautiful string instrument.  All the foods, as well as the music and dances were based on a dinner/theater from one of the ancient emperors of China.  A program was discovered a few years ago in a tomb...did they make this up or not?  I am not sure, but it was sure fun, colorful and interesting...with various ancient instruments, beautiful costumes and elaborate backdrops.  Very entertaining and well done...10 numbers, each introduced in Chinese and English by a gaily dressed couple.  Sort of made me think of a vaudeville show.  Glad we went...it was an optional extra and well worth it!

The first course was shrimp and fancy tader tots, next course was fish followed by beef and rice.  Then there were pork and veggie dumplings with soup that followed.  Three sweets came next and then a place of pretty fruits just as the show started.  Each of us was served individually...a nice change of pace, but a lot of work for the harried waitress.