We made our way to Xi'an on our 1st sleeper train. Being budget travellers we took the cheapest 'hard' sleeper, being top of three.Luckily (cos you couldn't sit up and getting up and down was a tricky task!), lights were out at 10pm. The locals in with us were friendly one heading for a Nokia staff team building trip and a merry man who kept apologising for drinking too much, whilst trying to chat with us about the Olympics.

Xi'an was the smoggiest place ever, but had a good mix of modern shopping etc and a busy Muslin area serving up yummy + spicy food.We found one local café which sold amazing grub, spicy noodle soups for Tracy and yummy rice and spicy beef for me, all chosen by pointing out pics on the wall for the 10yr old waiter, we tried to leave him a tip and he came running out after us to give us our money back!

Tracy was suffering from China's pollution and was a bit poorly so we took it easy taking in the sights inc. the Wild Goose Pagoda & Terracotta Warriors.

We did make it out one night not realizing it was Halloween and stumbled into a mad fancy dress party at a top hostel (we wish we'd booked it!)…Tracy ran away from one staff member who made a guest appearance as a zombified bodypopper, but calmed down after a 'Pink Lady' cocktail.On our way back we shamefully snuck into Maccy D's & were kept company by a young local girl who seemed to take a shine to Al.

After 4 nights in Xi'an we decided to head for HK.