Attraction - Defu Alley Review

Rugby World Cup Final

4*

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With bars/pubs somewhat limited in Xi'an, we heard about Defu Alley and it was our best bet to watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final. We checked the Alley out during the day when it is completely dead and found some potential spots that might show sports (based on the fact we could see TV's). After walking around the south gate of Xi'an City Walls we returned when it was getting a bit more lively. We found a bar/pub opposite Old Henry's at the end of the street and they were airing the game, unfortunately in Chinese but almost every England fan in Xi'an must've been there (a combined total of about 15 people). The service was good however for China the drinks were slightly expensive.

Many of the bars along the road looked similar so I imagine that prices are like that of the one we visited. We did not stay late so I can't comment on the atmosphere post 7pm, however at 7pm the street did look appealing with plenty of colourful lights and the sound of music so I would reccomend it as a place (perhaps the only) to have a variety of drinks in Xi'an. Also getting there is simple, there are instructions online; just pass under the south gate from the Metro (which is south of the south gate) and walk to the north west, past large hotels, you will see an archway which is pictured on Trip Advisor. Defu Alley doesn't immediately start here, just carry on following the road for roughly 100m and you will come across Defu Alley.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g298557-d1805555-r724337841-Defu_Alley-Xi_an_Shaanxi.html

Attraction - The Museum of Qin Terra-cotta Warriors and Horses Review

306 Bus

4*

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*Information about the 306 Bus followed by a short review of the Museum; 4-star rating is based purely on the Museum experience, nothing to do with the bus.

Thought I'd use the review to provide more up-to-date information (as of November 1st) on travellers considering the 306 tourist line bus, as reviews about the Museum itself are evidently abundant and there isn't much to add that has already been mentioned.

The 306 bus DOES NOT appear to leave from Beijing Railway Station any longer as we found out after a while of searching, you now have to get line 1 from Wu lu kou metro station (if you're nearby the railway station) to Fang zhi cheng and then locate the bus terminal (*not really a terminal but more of a stop). Once on the bus it is 5RMB per person, and don't worry about missing the stop as the Museum is the final stop; it takes roughly an hour to get there. The bus then leaves from the same location back to, again it's final stop, the Fang zhi cheng metro station.

As prior mentioned, I give the Museum a 4*; the positives being a professional layout with plenty of available information and signposting etc. The pits have a very authentic feel, like you are at an actual, active excavation site (which it is) albeit behind a few security features. It was not completely crowded, like others reviews mention, upon our visit, however we did go in November and in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, the negatives are a lack of signposting when outside the museum (it's like you're on your own unless inside their gates), pushy tour guides and taxi drivers harrasing people outside the museum. Also there didn't seem to be enough to fill the entire day or justify the ticket price, when attractions in Beijing like the infamous Forbidden City are half the price yet there is double the stuff to do. In addition, the Qin Shihuang Mausoleum may have increased the time spent there, however we unfortunately couldn't figure out how to get there, again due to bad information at the exits/outside.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g298557-d321017-r723265950-The_Museum_of_Qin_Terra_cotta_Warriors_and_Horses-Xi_an_Shaanxi.html

Restaurant - Jingzun Peking Duck Restaurant Review

Super Yum

5*

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Staying at the Holiday Inn just opposite and being stuck for places to eat, we heard some good reviews of a small Peking Duck Restaurant opposite. We were apprehensive at first and considering a large beer was only 15RMB and most dishes were roughly 20RMB, we thought it may be average. We were certainly wrong!

The food was amazing, proper Chinese cuisine, and the service was very prompt. The food arrived very professionally, we had shredded beef with rice at first but had to order more, trying their kung pao chicken also which was excellent. Ordering was easy as they expect a high number of tourists due to its proximity to the Holiday Inn; there is English on the menu. We would have gone every night and tried to return on a Tuesday evening however we found out that those sorts of times require booking as there was a 30 minute wait. Overall we would certainly recommend it, especially if western and looking for somewhere to eat.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g294212-d2011113-r724050473-Jingzun_Peking_Duck_Restaurant-Beijing.html#