Notes From Xi'an 西安随感

SCULPTING IN TIME CAFE (SIT Cafe)- 雕刻时光- Diao1 Ke4 Shi2 Guang1- a very chilled cafe on Shi1 Da4 Lu, no.41, opposite Xi’an Foreign Languages University. Just walk down Shi Da Lu on the right hand side and you will see a circular green sign with a cat on it, it is there on the second floor. It mixes a variety of old furniture with a clean, simple design and wooden floors. It is very airy with a lot of window seating, a peaceful spot. It shows films on a Thursday and has a ‘Chinese Corner’ on a Wednesday (7.30pm). Western Food and Wireless. (Address: 雁塔区师大路41号2楼雕刻时光-西安外国语大学对面- 029 8522 8182)

There is now another SCULPTING IN TIME CAFE (SIT Cafe) in Gao1 Xin1, the High Tech District, it is on Ke1 Ji4 Lu4 (Road), no.55, in the Jin1 Qiao2 Guang3 Chang3- 金桥广场- Jin Qiao Plaza/Mall. It is actually within a new BOOK CITY on the second floor, above Starbucks. This Book City actually has a few imported English Language books, a variety of topics, and I am told they are getting a lot more. The English section is just on the right as you go in. One bus I know that goes there is the 217 from just outside Shi Da University, but a taxi should also do the trick. (Address: 高新区科技路55号- 高新创业广场西侧- 029 8886 0857)

There is 3rd SIT cafe near Jiao1 Tong1 Da Xue (Jiao Tong University- the intellectual hub of Xi’an)- also known as Jiao Da 交大), at 28, Xian2 Ning2 Xi1 Lu. This place is huge, with window seating, private rooms and an interesting mirrored area. Still often quite quiet but I am told busy at the weekends. If you were standing outside  Xing Qing Gong Park, turn left, go across the big junction and it is across the road on the right hand-side. If you were coming out of Jiao Da’s main North Gate, you would just turn right, walk across the junction and it’s on your right. (Address: 碑林区咸宁西路28号- 咸宁西路与兴庆路什字东南角- 029 8537 5772)