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I recently took a trip to Xi'an with my friend Johnathan. We travelled to this historic city during the National Day holiday which is about one week long. This is a time where Chinese people from all over the country make plans to travel and for a city like Xi'an, it was a nightmare at times.

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Chinese people love to visit all the popular tourist attractions in large herds. This means unbearable lines and crowds that become a serious hazard. We went to the famous Terracotta Warriors, which is probably Xi'an's most popular attraction. It was an absolute nightmare. We couldn't enjoy the sight because of how many people were there. We were waiting in lines that eventually disintegrated into a mob of people pushing and shoving to get to the entrance.

Entering the Terracotta Warrior's Excavation Sites

Upon entering, each of the three sites of the Terracotta Warriors was jam-packed with people taking photos with their smartphones. There weren't any available spaces you could stand and relax. It was just mayhem from beginning to end. Herds of people stood against the rails to take photos and it was hard to get near. You had to take photos over dozens of heads which means the photos usually didn't turn out very well.

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Since everyone kept on pushing, there was barely any space to take photos from the front. Eventually things died down near the rear of the building. It was the only spot you could actually stand and take photos semi-comfortably. Unfortunately, that means you are not facing the warriors, but looking at them from the back.

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As you can see from the photo, the massive crowds were all huddled at the front of the building.

This is what happens in China. Watch out for all the famous tourist attractions in China if you are travelling during a national holiday. Chances are they will be filled to the brim. That is why it is always a better idea to make sure you aren't travelling during a national holiday. Usually, these places aren't worth the hassle. A lot of times, these tourist attractions are over hyped and too expensive. It usually isn't worth all the lines, waiting and chaos that ensues when you travel at these times. Look for unique things to do when you travel in China. Check out a soccer/basketball game, go to a bathhouse or learn calligraphy. Do something out of the ordinary.

This is very crucial advice to anyone that wants to travel around this amazing country.