Saturday, April 23, 2011

Interesting Xi'an Facts

Most selected city on the China city tour list just after Beijing; Xi'an means "Peace in the West"; Historically known as "Chang-An"; Perpetual peace, an ancient capital city for some of the most important dynasties in China history including the Zhou, Qin, Han, and Tang Dynasties. It is a favorite for those interested in Chinese people and its history.

We started our day with breakfast at Grand Nobel Hotel and met our guide in the hotel lobby. The next stop was Big Wild Goose Pagoda. It was beautiful in this area with two parks.

We enjoyed the park until 12 noon and then viewed the fountain water show.
Many families were in the park with their children.

Lunch was a very famous dumpling restaurant Da Fa Chang. I had a meal for a Queen for a few dollars. It was very good.

The Small Wild Goose Pagoda was our next stop. We enjoyed time in the park.

Elliott was so happy today.. We are so lucky to be given the miracle of being his family.
I look at Elliott and wonder, how did this perfect match occur half a world away.
We are truly blessed !

Ethan, Emily and Evelyn we miss you and can hardly wait to see you soon !!

Love ya,
Mama and Elliott

Mama and Elliott dressed in traditional Chinese outfits. Mama is Miss Yong and Elliott is the Little Emperor the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda is in the background.


Beautiful gardens at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda
As for the reason why it is called Big Wild Goose Pagoda, there is a legend. According to ancient stories of Buddhists, there were two branches, for one of which eating meat was not a taboo. One day, they couldn't find meat to buy. Upon seeing a group of big wild geese flying by, a monk said to himself: 'Today we have no meat. I hope the merciful Bodhisattva will give us some.' At that very moment, the leading wild goose broke its wings and fell to the ground. All the monks were startled and believed that Bodhisattva showed his spirit to order them to be more pious. They established a pagoda where the wild goose fell and stopped eating meat. Hence it got the name 'Big Wild Goose Pagoda'.


Mama and Lisa enjoy the park at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.


The huge bell in one of the courtyards at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda can date back to the Jin Dynasty (1115 - 1234), which is 4.5 meters (14.8 feet) in height, 7.6 meters (8.3 yards) in diameter along the rim, and 10 tons in weight. The bell was stricken every morning during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), and the sound was so resonant that it could be heard several miles away. The 'Morning Bell Chimes of the Pagoda' is considered as one of the Eight Famous Scenic Features in Shaanxi.