Terracotta Warriors: History

The construction of the tomb was described by historian Sima Qian (145–90 BCE) in his most noted work Shiji, written a century after the mausoleum's completion. Work on the mausoleum began in 246 BCE soon after Emperor Qin (then aged 13) ascended the throne, and the project eventually involved 700,000 workers. Geographer Li Daoyuan, writing six centuries after the First Emperor's death, recorded in Shui Jing Zhu that Mount Li was a favored location due to its auspicious geology, "famed for its jade mines, its northern side was rich in gold, and its southern side rich in beautiful jade; the First Emperor, covetous of its fine reputation, therefore chose to be buried there". Sima Qian wrote that the First Emperor was buried with palaces, towers, officials, valuable artifacts and wondrous objects. According to this account, 100 flowing rivers were simulated using mercury, and above them the ceiling was decorated with heavenly bodies below which were the features of the land. Some translations of this passage refer to "models" or "imitations"; however, those words were not used in the original text, which makes no mention of the terracotta army.

High levels of mercury were found in the soil of the tomb mound, giving credence to Sima Qian's account.

Later historical accounts suggested that the tomb had been looted by Xiang Yu, a contender for the throne after the death of the first emperor. However, there are indications that the tomb may not have been plundered. 

Xi’an III

My cab driver, James, my guide and the Hilton Xi’an.

Xi’an II

The Goose Pagoda

Xi’an

i might have only a coach ticket but got the exit row seat which was great. The Hilton here was lovely and got the hotel to hook me up with great cab driver to the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum. Once there a guide took care of me which was smart to hire.

Yu Garden: History

u Garden was first built in 1559 during the Ming Dynasty by Pan Yunduan as a comfort for his father, the minister Pan En, in his old age. Pan Yunduan began the project after failing one of the imperial exams, but his appointment as governor of Sichuan postponed construction for nearly twenty years until 1577. The garden was the largest and most prestigious of its era in Shanghai, but eventually its expense helped ruin the Pans.

The garden was inherited by Zhang Zhaolin, Pan Yunduan's granddaughter's husband, and then passed to different owners. A section was briefly organised by Zhang Shengqu as the "Academy of Purity and Harmony" (清和书院, Qīng-Hé Shūyuàn) and the Ling Yuan (灵苑, Líng Yuàn, lit. "Spirit Park"), today's East Garden, was purchased by a group of local leaders in 1709. A group of merchants renovated the increasingly decrepit grounds in 1760 and in 1780 the West Garden was opened to the general public.

The gardens suffered damage numerous times during the 19th century. During the First Opium War, the British army used the Huxinting Teahouse as a base of operations for several days in 1842. During the Taiping Rebellion, the Small Swords Society ran its headquarters in the Dianchun Hall; by the time Qing troops recovered the garden, the original structures had nearly all been destroyed. They were damaged again by the Japanese in 1942 before being repaired by Liangshun Han (Rockery Han  appointed by the Shanghai government from 1956 to 1961. They were opened to the public in 1961 and declared a national monument in 1982. 

Shanghai Yu Village II

Very crowed and the husltlers selling more garbage like the way Times Sq. use to be in the 70’s.

Shanghai: Yu Village

I will add more about the Yu Village but first the photos.

Shanghai Hilton

Another nice hotel, The Hilton The view from the room...

Shanghai

An easy flight into Shanghai. I now began to set up the language translation of my hotel’s name so cab driver can read it in his language.
Shanghai a wonderful modern city with an architectural diverse look to the skyline. They encourage different styles rather than the straight up and down box look. I took a ride and walk on the Bund and sightseeing 1 hour cruise on the river. I went to the Yu Village which was fun.

Taipei II

So I had a nice size room and the hotel was top notch. I walked over to the Taipei 101 which boats the fastest elevator in the world while being the second tallest. I bought a premium ticket to go ahead of the line. Once up there it was just ok. The nightmare was leaving where you had to go through so many turns with shopping for schlock everywhere. it was like being stuck in a Kafka novel.

Taipei

I flew into Taipei and knowing I was there only a day so I booked a Hyatt near the Taipei 101 building. Little did I know that it was right outside its door. I never booked a Hyatt Hotel before but I think i will need to rethink that idea. On the plane, I had a nice chat with Will a Peace Corps worker in Thailand. The cab from the airport had a driver that showed me a CD of USA different hit music he wanted to play for me. I said OK and we sang NY NY by Sinatra.

Tokyo Day 2

First thing I realized was that I should have stayed for 3 days. Anyway, decided since I need a new battery charger for my camera and new IPad Mini Case. I  would venture out and search. My first stopped the largest camera store in Tokyo. While both gentlemen tried their hardest to find my charger it was a no go. i figured it would be hard because of the camera being discontinued.  Next stop was back to the hotel to pick up my Ipad and head to Apple store. However upon arriving I was informed that no longer carry Ipad mini 2 cases.
The Apple guy help direct my taxi to an electronics shop that had a 1 left Ipad Mini case. I bought it then grabbed another cab to the 52nd floor Park Hyatt Bar. It did not open until 5 so I snapped a few pics and left.