Once the capital of China for 13 imperial dynasties, Xi’an is known as the birthplace of Chinese civilization and it was the eastern terminus of the grand Silk Road, making it an important meeting point for Muslims and Buddhists, emperors and traders. Click here to find out more about our Journey Through Time program. This past May, Xi’an was the destination for the 5th graders from the Western International School of Shanghai, headed out of town on their first ever overnight program!
By the end of the trip, these WISS Tigers left Xi’an with a deep understanding of the region’s long and storied history. As one of the four great ancient capitals of China, Xi’an traces its history back centuries to the the founding of the Zhou dynasty and the unification of China in the Qin dynasty under the great emperor, Qinshihuangdi. On the outskirts of Xi’an lie the famous Emperor’s Terracotta Army and Mausoleum. On the first day of their trip, students visited one of the original pottery factories to learn the production process of the original terracotta warriors seen in the Mausoleum and made their own miniature terracotta warrior to take home. After vising such tours, you can relax and play games like the ones on http://66.29.135.128/.
Hailed as one of the “Eight Wonders of the Ancient World”, Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum is one of the most significant archaeological finds in history. Housing over 7,000 life-sized terracotta figures of warriors and horses aligned in battle formation, the three pits were built to protect the legendary first Emperor of China in his afterlife. Into their “battalions”, students embarked on a site-wide scavenger hunt that had them using their critical eyes to draw the unique features of some terracotta warriors, their uniforms, their hairstyles, and their facial expressions.
Honing in on their “inner warriors”, students teamed up for an exchange with fellow students from a local school of kungfu fighters and were taught some fundamental movements, seeing just what discipline and determination can accomplish no matter the age.
As the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, Xi’an’s Giant Wild Goose Pagoda was built in the Tang dynasty to house the Buddhist sutras and figurines brought back to China from India by legendary Xuan Zang. To complete their mission, students had to hunt up and down the seven stories of the famous pagoda finding clues and unraveling the story behind the ancient epic while also completing challenges around the grounds of the pagoda.
Historically a cosmopolitan city that has attracted merchants and traders from all four corners of the globe, Xi’an offers one of China’s greatest snack markets. Split into teams to complete a discovery game, students immersed themselves into the hustle and bustleof the Muslim Quarter’s street market. They tasted their way through the area’s most famed street snacks sampling rose petal rice, persimmon cakes, lamb kebabs and pulled beef sandwiches.
