Xian, when we first met I didn’t know what I was missing

When I first met Xi'an, I like to describe it as love at first sight. 
It was the beginning of September 18.
For the first time, I, a southern girl who was born in a land of plenty and grew up on the banks of the Yangtze River, came to Xi'an, the ancient capital of the six dynasties, famous both at home and abroad, carrying a huge suitcase and a backpack. 
I don't know how to describe the feeling of stepping into Xi'an for the first time, but I remember that after a night on the train and enduring the annoying snoring of the uncle next door, I was refreshed at the moment I stepped into the city. 

"So beautiful. " This was the only word in my mind.
Xi'an today, still has more ancient buildings, winding city walls and red high-walled pavilions, the tortuous moat, which is the ancient capital, than any urban modernization.
Speaking of new meetings, I do not know much about Xi'an.
 The Most well-known thing about this city is the ancient capital. So, in order to fully explore this city, I set out on an adventure. 
The first stop is Xi'an's landmark, the Bell Tower. 
I like the Bell Tower, especially at night, I still remember standing in front of the gate of Kaiyuan Department Store One night, the night wind blowing through Xi'an City, watching the Glittering day light up.
Picking up my camera, I loved the feeling of photographing the clock tower at night, the way the lights were on, the way the tower was shining, and the way that the luxurious Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty had almost come back to life.
For me, you will regret coming to Xi'an and not seeing the clock tower at night. Moreover, it is the symbol of the prosperous Datang city that never sleeps. 

To tell you the truth, I seldom go to Datang city at night. For once, it’s not close to my school, but overall there is too much commotion and people for my taste. But why did I have to bring it up? Because it's still  beautiful and breath-taking. 
Holding hands while walking through the popular Datang city show. This is the commercial side of Datang city, and the most fascinating one. 
However, I'd rather people see the old-fashioned side of this city. The Art of sculpture is one of its charms. When it comes to all the kingdoms and the dynasties, the Empress Dowager, the Zhenguan monument, and the historical and cultural relief columns of the Tang Dynasty are the four main monuments. 
It is the powerful scent of all the kingdoms from the Tang Dynasty coming together, the “arrogant” empress Wu, these things make Datang not the night city of the prosperous and obvious, but a city for me to remember. 
People may not remember the Bell Tower, the drum tower, or the city that never sleeps in the Tang Dynasty, but they will certainly remember the Terracotta Army, as visitors from all over the country travel thousands of miles to the ancient city of Xi'an, for a glimpse of the first emperor's terracotta army. 
The Terracotta Army is one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in the world, and the terracotta warriors have a very long history. The terracotta army is a kind of ancient tomb sculpture. In ancient times, when important people died like Emperors, they needed slaves and servants to accompany them to the afterlife. 
After the slaveholders died, slaves would be buried with them as funerary objects. 
Terra-cotta warriors and horses (chariots, horses, soldiers) are made of clay, with the only objective to be buried with their masters. It shows a part of the glorious civilization of ancient China and is a calling card when talking about ancient Chinese civilization. 
So far, more than 200 leaders have visited China, which undoubtedly shows the charm of the Chinese culture. The Xi'an City Wall, also known as the Xi'an Ming City Wall, is the largest and most intact ancient city wall in existence in China. 
Once you enter Xi'an City, you can see the city wall running all around it. The city wall is not only a scenic spot, it is also a unique landmark in the city of Xi'an. 

As you walk in the downtown area of Xi'an, you will be able to see the city walls of Xi'an. When you reach the city walls of Xi'an, you will be able to see the scenery of Mancheng District in the city of Xi'an, this is its unique charm. 
There are four main gates in the Xi'an City Wall: Changle Gate (East Gate) , Yongning Gate (South Gate) , Andingmen gate (West Gate) and Anyuan Gate (North Gate) . These four gates are also the original gates of the ancient city wall. 
Since the Republic of China began to facilitate access to the ancient city, it has opened a number of new gates, Xi'an City Wall has 18 gates now. This also means that in  Xi'an City Wall and the Huan City, only a few can see the original wooden walls and stone walls, signs of the Times left by history slowly fading away. I miss not having been back to Xi'an for a long time. 
I miss it terribly. 

Needless to say, the outbreak of the new coronavirus slowed down my goodbye to Xi'an. I love being able to enjoy  the local cuisine of Xi'an, like Xi'an's Mutton Soaked Buns, Saozi Noodles, rou Jia mo, Jing Gao and so on. 
I don't know how to describe the two years since I came to Xi'an. 
All I know is that I saw a city that I had never seen before, perhaps it was fate that brought me. Someone who likes pasta, brought to an ancient capital whose main dish is...pasta based. 
Perhaps it was fate that brought me to the ancient capital of Xiao Sha, which is completely different from the steel forests of China. Perhaps it was fate, that has shown me the simplicity and kindness of the people of the north. 
My days in Xi'an may still be long and many, perhaps I will not have to say goodbye so soon, but for now I look forward to the future Xi'an and I will share, and watch our "love at first sight" develop through the years.