Xi'An, China

Written by: Dan


We took a quick weekend trip to Xi'An China. Xi'An is known locally for its mining/ energy industry, fast growth, and Universities. Globally it is known for one thing, the Terracotta Warriors.  More on the Terracotta Warriors on the following post.  That was our second day.  Day one was taking in the city.

There was quite a lot to take in during drive in.   The first thing you see when you exit the Airport is a large strip mine.  We soon figured out it was a coal mine.  We also deduced it was created to feed the huge coal power plants that accompany the drive to the city center.    During my trip I counted around 10 different, large, coal power plants.  Each with their own cooling tower.

Two, of dozens (or more), power plants off in the distance.

The second thing I noticed was the developing metropolis.  This was like nothing I have ever seen before.   Many, Many, Skyscrapers were being constructed all around.   That wasn't the strange part.  What caught my eye is the manner in which they were being constructed.  In one location they would build 10-20 IDENTICAL skyscrapers AT THE SAME TIME!  Literally hundreds of Skyscrapers popping up everywhere.   Twenty, identical, vacant, residential towers... then noting... then another dozen.. and so on, and so on. 

This is one of those Skyscraper cities being built.  Notice there are identical buildings being constructed at the same time.  This is the norm in Xi'An.


We asked Helen, our guide the next day, what this was about.  She said the government was building this housing to bring in people to work in the power plants.  I guess when a communist government puts their mind to build something, it happens.   The city doesn't seem crowded yet, but once people start moving in - look out.  Our hotel was in the city center, actually inside the city walls.  No skyscrapers, plants, or overcrowding.  Just a nice quaint downtown area enclosed by what look like the Great Wall of China.

What happens when you put coal mining, a huge power industry, tons of construction, and an enormous amount of people together?  Pollution.  The pollution in Xi'An is like noting I have ever seen.  At one point the next day Helen pointed out a Mountain 100 yards away.  You couldn't see it at all.  The entire mountain disappeared.   You could physically see the pollution everywhere.  No sky, no sunset, no "off in the distance."  And Helen told us we had great weather, a great day for sightseeing.  We could literally see the smog inside the airport.  There was a hue inside the building that couldn't be anything but smog.

I would recommend going to Xi'An, just to see the Terracotta Warriors (see my next post).  But maybe make it a day trip from Shanghai.  There doesn't seem to be much else, and it can't be good for your health.