We got downhill and our calf muscles were on the verge of spasms. After a dip into a pool with cool waters (big mistake as the muscles seized up more) by the last kilometre out to the city by Hua Shan, we reached the town by the foot of the mountain. We had a warm meal before the owner of the restaurant and one of his waiters generously rushed us on the back of their motorcycles to get to the bus back to Xian on time. After a back and foot massage at the local Chinese medicinal shop, we rested before heading out to the ancient city walls the next morning.

Entering through one of the gates, we walked up the city fortifications that were initially built in the Tang dynasty (7th to 10th century) and extended to its current layout in the 14th century. The city walls were restored and further reinforced with brick in the 16th century and later, in the mid-17th century, the walls were fitted with gate towers. We cycled on the city walls and along the way - the massages worked - and noticed rickshaw rides and motorised vans appealed to the those seeking less strenuous options. Xian today is one of the major car production centres of China, and the air was thick with pollution. The dust formed a nostalgic setting as dusk drew near – I could not help myself as I imagined what these walls have held back as battles raged for control over this ancient capital.

As our calf muscles tired for another day ahead, we headed back to the Muslim quarter which swelled with tourists and locals alike as everyone seeked out the odor of grilling lamb. The saxophonist serenaded the crowds as the tables on the streets filled for yet another night.

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[About Yew Wei: By day, Yew Wei attempts to be a geek at work as he tries to say in English, Bahasa, Mandarin or Cantonese, what the numbers may mean to a myriad of people. At night and weekends, he is planning for his next holiday where the DSLR does come in handy. Born in Malaysia, Yew Wei moved to Melbourne to study and work, before relocating back and forth between Hong Kong and Seoul and now Amsterdam to see a canal or two. Travelling for work around Asia/Pacific has jump-started a hidden adventure-deficiency he is now desperately trying to resolve. The light at the end of the tunnel seems rather distant, but he continues to chase after it as he jumps over the many office desks along the way.]

Text and Photos © copyright 2009 Yew Wei Chai