The trains from Beijing to Xi'an are very busy and it turned out that trying to make a reservation 3 days in advance for a sleeper train just wasn't far enough in advance. The only tickets we could get on the train were for regular seats and there is only an overnight train. So we mentally prepared for our trip and left Beijing. What we weren't quite prepared for was seats that didn't even recline. I think we also must have gotten the last 4 seats on the train as our seats were at the very end of the last car, which turned out to be right beside the unofficial smoking lounge!! So to add to our discomfort of sitting up all night, we also had a heck of a time breathing. However, we survived and were thrilled when we were met at the train station by the youth hostel staff. Xi'an is a huge city so it was a relief not to have to navigate after a night of little sleep.
Here Campbell is just heading into the hostel. It was right along the wall of the city, which is the oldest continuous wall in existence in China. The hostel is also right down the road from the main South Gate of the wall. It couldn't have been in a more convenient location.
There were 3 floors of rooms with a restaurant, bar, reception and internet area on the ground floor. We had a room on the 3rd floor, which reminded us that our legs were still sore from the Great Wall.
We had a great room at the end of the hall where it was nice and quiet.
And Kelly was thrilled that, once again, she could leave her message on the wall.
The South Gate of the wall was spectacular at night when it was all lit up. It certainly made it easy to find your way home. We took this photo on the way back to the hostel after treating ourselves to dinner at Pizza Hut!! I have to admit, dinner at Pizza Hut and breakfast at Starbucks was the norm in Xi'an and we enjoyed them both thoroughly.
