Photographer's Note
XI'AN is the capital of Shaanxi province. Its name means "western peace". For those interested: it's the first two characters in yellow at the top. The first one is "xi" (meaning 'western'), the second one is "an" (meaning 'peace' or 'quiet'). The latter is the symbol of a woman underneath the symbol of a roof.
Looking at the map of China though, you will find the city located rather in the middle, a bit to the east of it in fact! That's because of those big, outstretched, thinly populated western provinces Xinjiang, Gansu, Qinghai and Tibet. Xi'an forms a bridge between main China and those remote but fascinating regions.
Having been an ancient Chinese capital, Xi'an has lots of interesting sights, such as the terracotta warriors. The city feels like a crossroads of civilisations, with lots of ancient Chinese culture, a lively muslim quarter and plenty of influences from the west too.
All this makes Xi'an a regular destination for tourists in China. We were there three times. On our last (latest) Chinese trip to/from Xi'an we visited southern Gansu, eastern Qinghai and the small islamic province Ningxia.
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THIS PICTURE was taken the last night before we flew back to Europe. It's a night scene outside of our favourite restaurant in Xi'an. It had been some time since we were there and we were happy to find it again and still going strong.
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Recently the city has been in the news with a new covid outbreak (relative)
and major lockdowns in operation (not so relative).
I hope everyone is OK!
Fis2, jhm, Royaldevon, PaulVDV, ktanska, ChrisJ, mcmtanyel, aliabazari έχουν(ει) επιλέξει αυτή τη σημείωση ως χρήσιμη
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Fis2
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 14515 W: 164 N: 25214]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-g-g.gif){kind=small}
(169635) 2022-01-27 3:17
Witaj Benny!
A very interesting reportering shot from street.
Good framing, colors and light.
I like this scene from daily life.
Well done.
Good morning.
Krzysztof
jhm
(211734) 2022-01-27 6:03
Goedemiddag Benny,
Bijna acht jaar gelden, maar misschien is het vandaag nog net het zelfde.
De foto is wat donker, maar voldoende om alles een plaats te kunnen geven.
De opschriften zijn zeker heel duidelijk.
Goed foto werk opnieuw, bedankt.
Groeten uit Oost-Vlaanderen,
John
lousat
(138551) 2022-01-27 12:02
Hi Benny,beautiful night scene before returning, you found your favorite restaurant and it was a great thing, a top quality night photo that everyone knew because the pandemic. Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano
jemaflor
(146206) 2022-01-27 13:04
Hi Benny,
A good nightshot about this town, good light capture, your shot reminds me an interesting visit and in particular with the famous terracotta warriors, tfs.
Royaldevon
(85606) 2022-01-27 13:33
Hello Benny,
Reading your notes to the end sent a chill through my body reading about COVID again.
The atmosphere in the photograph looks calm and laid back, far from the panic of COVID!
The illuminations work successfully in brightening the nighttime scene, with enough figures to give a sociable mood.
My warm regards,
Bev 😊
PaulVDV
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6778 W: 24 N: 16016]](http://i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif){kind=small}
(62770) 2022-01-27 15:08
Hallo Benny,
Ja, recent kwam Xi'an in het nieuws omdat alle inwoners er getest werden omwille van de nieuwe uitbraak en de volledige stad in quarantaine ging. Ondanks de strenge Chinese aanpak van het virus blijven er toch steeds besmettingen opduiken.
Ik was ιιnmaal in Xi'an en dat was in 1999. Het terracottaleger werd toen in een grote hangar gepresenteerd op een wijze dat het niet een grote indruk maakte. Ik herinner me de stevige stadsmuren waar boven op ook een wagen reed. Tenslotte was het in 1999 een enorm vervuilde stad. Daarmee bedoel ik de luchtverontreiniging. De smog hing er de hele dag door laag over de huizen. Een gelijkaardige situatie herinner ik me van Lanzhou maar toen ik daar later een tweede keer kwam, had men een oplossing gevonden om de slechte lucht te laten wegstromen. Men had er namelijk met dynamiet een aantal omringende bergtoppen afgetopt.
De Chinese karakters zorgen voor een groot deel van de charme van deze foto en met zijn vele kleuren is dit een mooie avondopname.
Vele groeten, Paul
ifege
(46851) 2022-01-27 21:33
Hi Benny
A good night time street photo from XI'AN with plenty going on below the bright lights.
cheers
Ian
COSTANTINO
(115451) 2022-01-27 22:55
Hello dear Benny
and a have a nice day
and a happy new week end
I like photos like this one
with people enjoying free time...
the life goes on...
regards
Costantino
abmdsudi
(95869) 2022-01-28 7:57
Hi Benny
A striking night capture with eye-glueing colours, light bathed facade and clear detail of the people giving you a much more satisfying composition. You have captured the vibrant atmosphere nicely guided by your interesting foreword.
Congrats
Best regards
mkamionka
(73256) 2022-01-28 8:04
Hi Benny,
Very nice evening street scene. I like the vibrant colors. Plenty of people enjoying the evening out.
I have never been to China. So many countries still on my to do list. I may never make it there.
I am not sure why they decided to use a symbol of a woman under the roof as an equivalent of peace... In my experience it is not something what would first come to my mind,
Great reportage,
M
ktanska
(44446) 2022-01-29 1:02
Hi Benny,
All those lights make this street corner quite attractive. Perfect exposure showing details also on the shady areas. Vertical framing fits well.
Kari
ChrisJ
(171146) 2022-01-29 3:47
Hi Benny,
A superb nocturnal shot from Xian. I was very impressed with the terracotta warriors but a little underwhelmed by the Muslim quarter with its traditional Chinese architectural centrepiece of the Grand Mosque. The Bell towers were worth a visit though. Tfs!
emka
(157280) 2022-01-30 2:49
Hello Benny, Xian has a lot to offer. Of course, the Terracotta Warriors are the main attraction, but also fortifications, Wild Goose Pagoda and much more. Here nice night street scene.
I am trying to learn Mandarin Chinese and I find it fascinating.
Very often, the geographical names are meaningful, sometimes with the world's directions. Beijing means Northern Capital, Nanjing - southern Capital, Yunnan - south of the clouds, Pudong - east of the river Pu (in Shanghai).
The simpler characters join to make more complicated ones with a quite different meanings. Sometimes it is surprising and funny.
Woman underneth of the roof = peace, peaceful An.
Pig under the roof - home (jia)
Cow under the roof = prison, jail.
Too much (of something) tai. But tai tai is wife.
Woman and boy, son = good, hao, Good is the woman who has a son.
Excelllent picture.
Have a nice Sunday
MAlgo
mcmtanyel
(67555) 2022-01-30 16:29
Hello Benny,
It's a well managed nocturnal photo with plenty of color.
Regards,
MT
aliabazari
(21165) 2022-02-19 1:18
Hello Benny
The beauty view of this sidewalk and restaurant with colored boards. Exposure well done. I like street view with people in conversation. Thanks for sharing
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Benny Verbercht (BennyV)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3044 W: 35 N: 6702]](//i1.trekearth.com/misc/g-s-g.gif)
(34730) - Genre: Άνθρωποι
- Medium: Έγχρωμο
- Date Taken: 2015-08-20
- Camera: Nikon D3200, Tamron AF18-200mm 3,5-6,3 XR Di II E 6
- Έκδοση φωτογραφίας: Πρωτότυπη έκδοση
- Οδοιπορικό: China 2015
- Date Submitted: 2022-01-27 1:31
Discussions
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by BennyV, last updated 2022-01-30 12:05
