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My teacher is from Xian. She keeps telling me how fascinating the terra cotta find is. To be honest, I hadn't heard anything about it, and was just getting ready to perform a search on the subject...
My biggest advice to anyone travelling abroad, and especially to Asia, would be to really learn as much as you can about the customs and attitudes of the locals. When I lived in Taipei, I was lucky to have friends who were from there, and who helped me stumble around in a completely different place.
1. Learn the key phrases... even though chinese is tonal and your pronunciation might not be haoting, it is very respectful to show that you care about their lang.
2. Be careful of your actions... What is totally normal in the US or western culture, may not come across the same way there.
3. Unless you're going on a western style tour, prepare for the squatter toilets.
4. Know in advance how strong or weak your stomach is. I loved everything I ate there, but I had another friend who couldn't handle most things. It's definately not Panda Express. (thankfully ; )
I gather you probably know all of this and more... you probably even speak better mandarin than I do, but having lived there, you feel a certain responsibility to the waigouren to prepare them for their visits.
I loved everyting about living in Taiwan, and knowing that China is a different beast, I think I would love that as well. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time!
If you have any questions (wenti), let me know.
Josh
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I'm never gonna know you now...
but I'm gonna love you anyhow 
-Elliott Smith
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