Day 4. Visit to the Great Chinese Mosque / Bell Tower / Drum Tower / Journey to Tianshui

The Muslim Center (around 200,000 Muslims out of 10 million residents) is surrounded by very beautiful shopping passages, or bazaars.

Everything is very clean and well-kept. The mosque is a Chinese mosque but specifically for Muslims. Muslims came via the Silk Road from the West (Egyptian Arabs) who essentially brought Islam to China. This large museum is a complex in the middle of Xian with various buildings. Prayers are still held here, especially on Friday evenings. The prayer room may only be accessed by believers. Of course, there is also a women's room for prayer. There are washrooms for hand and foot washing, which we are not allowed to enter. It's a beautiful oasis of calm with many places to relax.

The temperature is rising - we reached a peak of 36° during the day.

Next, we continue to the bell tower in the city center, and our lunch today will be at the drum gate opposite the drum tower.

Again, a beautiful table with a warm variety of dishes. Since it is so warm outside, I thought I wouldn’t be able to eat anything, but the soups and vegetables, especially the surprisingly spicy ones, are very satisfying.

Afterward, we will take a bus to Tianshui, which takes about 5-6 hours.

Time for a nap.

Stop at a rest area: My glasses fell into the toilet!

Good thing I have a spare pair.

After this, we are greeted by a stunning landscape of mountains, small villages, and wonderful greenery, a stark contrast to Xian!

Tianshui is situated over 1000 m high. After the heat of the city, the crowds of people, and the poor air quality, it's a relief.

Upon arriving at the hotel, we are greeted with something completely surprising. The Chinese delegation, the Taiji community from the master, welcomes us. The hotel staff applauds when we arrive. A calligraphy master paints a unique piece of calligraphy for each of us. One of the co-travelers is also being portrayed, but that takes a long time!

Exhausted, we arrive in our room, have a short time to change, and then it's off to dinner again. When someone asks how was China: DELICIOUS!

We eat so much wonderful food here, and it's simply fantastic in its variety.