Posted by
b-
14 yrs ago
Not exactly the right forum, but has anyone had any experience moving to Xian, China? I know there are plenty of expats up in Shanghai, Beijing, Guanghzhou ... but what's Xian like?? Any experiences?
Please support our advertisers:
It's awful. I went there one Easter and had one of the worst holidays of my life. Firstly, it's located in a valley and surrounded by petrochemical plants so you can imagine what the air quality is like. It's the nearest thing I have seen to dystopia; a place where the poor can't even look up at a blue sky. The heavy industry, I believe, was located there for military reasons under Chairman Mao - ie placed far inland so it would be easier to defend. Terracotta warriors okay but your lungs will need an industrial scrubber.
Please support our advertisers:
What experiences have you had with the mainland? I concur with the statement above on the pollution. Plan for grey skies.
Additionally, you will not have as many creature comforts as you would in places like Beijing/Shanghai. Xi'an is not a westernized yet. If your main experience is Hong Kong, you will be 'roughing it'.
If you like Chinese history, you will enjoy that aspect of it. Besides the Terra Cotta warriors, you will have the old city walls, the Muslim quarter, the Bell/Drum Towers, and the Beilin Museum.
Please support our advertisers:
You must be logged in to be able to reply.
Login now
Copy Link
Facebook
Gmail
Mail