Around Xian

Here are some same lotus flowers growing in the pond by our apartments. They open up during the day and close up at night. They are so beautiful!

This is the famous Muslim Street where everyone goes to shop. Many vendors have small shops there and buyers can bargain for lower prices. I bought many of my souvenirs here.

Inside the Muslim market area. The individual shops line the streets and a older Muslim man is walking toward me.

The young man is an artist and has a shop in the market. He does all his work with black ink, paper, and his hands. We bought some bookmarks that day.

A statue by the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. He seems to be a religious figure because his left hand is raised in the form of praying, and he is holding a scepter in his right hand. Note the orange crane in the left background. This is China's national bird.

This is a new area which is being built up with stores and statues. The walkway is full of huge statues from the Tang Dynasty when big men were in. Warriors beating the drum.

Fierce-some flag bearers

Chivalrous calvary unit

Terrifying trumpet blowers

Men of wisdom, talking and holding scrolls as they discuss Chinese philosophy