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An old saying in China tells the unique position of this legendary city： “If you want to see China of 100 years ago, visit Shanghai; China of 500 years ago, Beijing; China of 2000 years ago, Xi’an”. As the cradle of Chinese culture, the city was capital to the first dynasty of China, and also many of its successors. The position as the cultural and political center of the country has left the city with a great heritage, whose physical and spiritual evidence still dominates the ancient city.

Many of the sites to visit are outside Xi’an and the surrounding countryside offers a treasure trove of historical and religious relics. The most famous site is the Terracotta Army, built to protect the Emperor Qin Shi Huang, whose Mausoleum lies close the warriors. Both these sights are to the east of Xi’an. There are other less famous but equally fascinating places worth visiting too.

The Famen Temple claims to house the Buddha’s fingers and still draws crowds of practicing monks (and tourists) to marvel at the fingers and the Tang dynasty treasures which are kept here. The countryside around Xi’an is also attractive and there are numerous mountains, including Mount Huashan which are a great break from the city. Besides, the Xi’an City Defense Wall is the best kept wall in all of China’s ancient cities. The Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, both typical for China’s ancient cities, are also in good condition, among the bustle of central modern Xi’an. The easiest way to see the sights around Xi’an is either to join an organized tour or visit on your own.

Every year the city attracts numerous visitors from all parts of the world, including businessmen. Almost all the businessmen no matter they come here for long-term investment or they are doing business during a period of time or they just have a short stay due to their business trip, none of them would like to miss the opportunity to visit these world-famous historical sites as they are conducting their business transactions in the city.

Mr. Li Ming, manager of Xi’an XYZ Arts and Crafts Importing & Exporting Company, is having a conversation with Mr. Miller, manger of purchasing department of ABC Company in America, drawing up a program for sightseeing.

Li： Mr. Miller, according to the schedule, you still have three days to stay here. We’d like to show you around in Xi’an. Do you have anything special in your mind that you wish to see?

Miller： It’s very nice of you, Mr. Li. As a matter of fact, my wife and I were talking about it last night. We both want to pay a visit to the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum, one of the world-renowned wonders.

exclaimed in admiration after visiting the vaults with figures vividly shaped and arranged in combat formations, “The world used to have seven wonders. The Qin terra cotta figures must make an eighth…Now I’d say that no one who has not seen these terra cotta figures can claim to have visited China.”

Xi’an—around half an hour’s drive. And if you are interested, we can also visit the Huaqing Hot Springs at the foot of the Lishan Mountain in the afternoon. It used to be the emperors’favorite springs to bathe and enjoy the scenic beauty in the Tang Dynasty.

Li： All right! Actually there are abundant historical sites and scenic spots here. Time permitting, I will try to show you as much as possible. I will make out a tentative plan for you to look over first.

Mr. Li Ming is accompanying Mr. Miller on the tour of the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses.

Miller： Is this the Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses? It’s really big. There are so many exhibition halls. Which one should we go first?

Li： Let’s start with the No. 1 vault. It was the first exhibition hall opened to public.

Li： Yes, right here. It is a pit of about five meters deep. Under the arched roof, those pottery figures were lined up and remained in the formation that they were found.

Miller： Wow, how spectacular! So many terra cotta figures! They look very tall?

life-size pottery figures were modeled on the Emperor’s Guard of Honor. The pottery figures were laid out in battle order inunderground vaults supported by wooden frameworks.

Miller： It seems that different pottery figures wear different uniforms and carry different weapons. Does it mean something special?

Li： As far as I know, the archaeologists divide those figures into soldiers, charioteers and cavalry from their arms. Apart from that, many kinds of weapons were unearthed from the vaults including spears, swords, lances, arrowheads, hooks and so on. Those bronze weapons have remained rust-free and as sharp as they were made, even after been buried underground for about 2 millennia.

Miller： It’s incredible. No wonder it is crowned as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

Li： We are very proud of it as Chinese. These unearthed weapons on display in the No. 1 vault exhibition are a good indication of the advanced smelting and weapon production technology of China during the Qin period.

Miller： The terra cotta figures are comparable in quality to the sculptures of the ancient Greeks. It is the most wonderful excavations I have ever seen. Thank you very much, Mr. Li, for you have brought me such an amazing trip and it has turned me on.

Mr. Li Ming is taking Mr. Miller to the well-known Muslim Street, introducing the snacks there.

Miller： Mr. Li, I heard that besides the famous historical sites and scenic spots, there are a great variety of snacks in Xi’an.

Li： That’s right! There are quite a lot. So I am taking you to taste the delicious food in Muslim Street.

many Muslim restaurants and food stands, and shops selling traditional handicrafts. Almost all the local food and snacks are available here. The most famous snack is Pita Bread Soaked in Lamp Soup.

Li： It tastes good! It has been deeply loved by Xi’an local people and people from outside for a long time.

Miller： That’s wonderful! Well, Mr. Li, can you tell me why it is so popular among Chinese people?

Li： Absolutely. Added high-quality beef and mutton with rich ingredients into the pan, the soup is well reserved after alongtime cooking so as to form a pleasant flavor, thick soup and overflowing smell.

Miller： En…, that really sounds appetizing! I can not wait to have a taste of it!

Li： Ha-ha, don’t be in a hurry! There are a number of snacks in Hui Street and we will spend a whole night here tasting the delicious food!

Li： Persimmon cake, cold noodles, steamed stuff buns in soup, Chinese hamburger and so on.

scenic adj. 自然景色的　　　　　　tentative adj. 尝试性的；不确

pit n. 深坑　　　　　　　　　　　　arched adj. 弓形的；拱形的

spear n. 矛　　　　　　　　sword n. 剑，刀

lance n. 骑士，骑兵等的长矛　　crown vt. 给……以荣誉

excavation n. 发掘；开凿　　snack n. 小吃，点心，快餐

Pita Bread Soaked in Lamp Soup羊肉泡馍 ingredient n.（烹调的）原料

flavor n. 味道　　　　　　　　persimmon cake柿子饼

1. Jacques Chirac：雅克·希拉克，法兰西共和国前任总统，出生于法国巴黎，他曾于1977年至1995年间3次连任巴黎市长，并于1995年5月第一次当选为法兰西第五共和国的第五任总统。又在2002年5月，以81.5%对18.5%的绝对优势击败极右翼领导人勒庞（Jean Marie Le Pen）连任。从本届总统开始，任期为5年一届。

（http://baike.baidu.com/view/32567.htm?fromenter=jacques+chirac）

2. Huaqing Hot Springs：华清池亦名华清宫，位于西安东约30公里的临潼骊山北麓，是中国著名的温泉胜地。1982年华清池被列入中国第一批重点风景名胜区，西安事变旧址五间厅被列为中国第二批重点文物保护单位。1996年，国务院公布唐华清宫遗址为中国第四批重点文物保护单位。

（http://baike.baidu.com/view/6688.htm）

3. Lishan Mountain：骊山是秦岭北侧的一个支脉，东西绵延20余公里，最高海拔1 256米，远望山势如同一匹骏马，故名骊山。骊山温泉喷涌，风景秀丽多姿，自3000多年前的西周就成为帝王游乐宝地。这里有被称为“关中八景”之一的“骊山晚照”；烽火戏诸侯的“烽火台”；纪念西安事变的兵谏亭；纪念女娲补天的老母殿等。（http://baike.baidu.com/view/50705.htm）

4. Qin period：秦帝国（公元前221年－公元前206年）是中国历史上一个极为重要的朝代，由战国时代后期的秦国发展起来的统一大国，它结束了自春秋起五百年来分裂割据的局面，成为中国历史上第一个统一的、多民族的、中央集权制国家。自秦始皇至秦王子婴，共传三帝，享国十五年。

（http://baike.baidu.com/view/6586.htm）

5. Muslim Street：回民街作为饮食集中的街区而出名，这里现在虽然被当作了针对外地游客的旅游点，但其实当地居民一直把这里当做吃小吃、逛街休闲的主要场所，尤其是夏天的夜市上在此吃饭纳凉消磨时间的市民的更多。其实整个“回坊”地区都是饭馆林立，各种各样的清真食肆与摊点密密麻麻连成一片，其中不乏当地人最认可的老字号小店。“回坊”地区除了北院门、大学习巷、西羊市外，还包括大皮院、东羊市、北广济街、桥梓口等一大片区域，老西安把这一带叫做“坊上”，在坊上可以探寻最平民最真实的西安生活。不过后几个地方要从回民街向深处走得远些，不容易找到，外地游客相对很少。

1) We both want to pay a visit to the Terra Cotta Warriors Museum, one of the world-renowned wonders.

2) Now I’d say that no one who has not seen these terracotta figures can claim to have visited China.

3) Under the arched roof, those pottery figures were lined up and remained in the formation that they were found.

4) These life-size pottery figures were modeled on the Emperor’s Guard of Honor.

1) 博物馆在西安市的东面，大约距市区35公里——需要半个小时左右的车程。

2) 看上去，不同的陶俑身着不同的制服并且手持不同的兵器。

Find a partner and act the following roles according to the described situation：

Situation： Mr./Miss. Li Ming is accompanying Mr./Miss. Miller on a sightseeing tour of a city.

You are Mr./Miss. Li, manager of ABC company in this city.

1) Introduce the city to him/her.

2) Enquire about his/her knowledge about the city.

3) Ask him/her if s/he has a tour plan.

4) Guide him to the destination.

You are Mr./Miss. Miller, who has just arrived at a new city.

1) Ask things that intrigue you about this city.

2) Ask your company’s recommendations about the sightseeing spots.

3) Ask if your guide can give you some suggestions for your tour.

“A great guide can make a successful trip just as quickly as an average or sub-par guide can ruin one,” says Austin, co-founder and Director of Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), an active tour company based in Billings, Montana.

Here are the top traits ALA looks for in selecting tour guides：

1. Focused with laser-like precision on making sure that guests feel like a V.I.P.

2. Naturally intuitive and has the innate ability to foretell what a guest is thinking or wanting.

3. Spontaneous and can seamlessly deal with the unexpected, both pleasant and potentially disastrous. This means having a Plan B ready in case of such things as sudden weather changes, lodging snafus, and road delays.

4. Passionate and eager to share his/her knowledge about an unfamiliar destination.

5. Multi-tasks, switching from chauffeur, coach, and doctor, to teacher, culinary wizard, athlete, mechanic, social worker, and psychologist, all in a heartbeat.

6. Has sense of humor and can loosen everyone up to break out of their shell, helping to create strong bonds between absolute strangers.

The quality of a vacation can be enhanced or soured by a tour guide. Austin equates a tour guide as a “guardian angel looking out for you.”