::Travelogue::

Tue

22

Sep '09

CHINA - Shanghai

Part of David's adventure in China

I just discovered that i have never written anything on Shanghai before. I always thought i have. Thanks to my reader, Lu Lu, from New Zealand who pointed out this to me.

First of all, i need to warn you that the city of Shanghai needs no introduction. The largest city in China has grown as a result of its location on the banks of the Huangpu River. It is now leading the way for China to become a first world country. It has over 17 million people and every year the number of affluent people grows seeing a slight shift from communism to capitalism. I have been to Shanghai many many times and it’s so interesting to see the city changing every week. Arriving from the Pudong International Airport is very easy. The 430 km/h magnetic train (¥50 single, ¥80 return) makes the 30 kilometres trip in 8 minutes, and arrives at a line 2 metro station (¥4 single) not far from the centre. The metro is modern and safe, but rather infrequent and no platform information is displayed. Good signage on the other hand seems sufficient for foreigners like me to find their way.

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Sat

13

Dec '08

CHINA - XI’AN

Part of David's adventure in China

I just love Xi’An. It should be my favourite destination in China of all time. You’ll be surprised to know most of the 5,000 year history of China are centralised in Xi’An (also known as Western Peace). There is a cosmopolitan feel to the city that I, naively, did not expect to find in China. As with many cities in China, Xi’An is being modernised in a major way but the ancient areas of both the inner and outer city have retained their integrity. Xi’An was the capital of China under the Qin and Tang dynasties. It was also the eastern end of the Silk Road that traders traveled in the days of Marco Polo.

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Highlights:
The Terra Cotta Warriors: Of course, the highlight of every trip to Xi’An is a visit to the 8th Wonder of The World, The Terracotta Warriors. What the Li River is to Guilin, the Terra Cotta Army of Emperor Qin is to Xi’an. Get ready for the most inspiring moment as you enter the site and greeted by thousands of standing warriors with their swords, spears, and horses. A feeling which could not be described.

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Shaanxi Provincial History Museum: The museum houses a collection of cultural and artistic treasures in a setting that blends traditional Chinese architecture with modern museum sensibilities. For those of you (like me) who have never studied or have no knowledge about Chinese history, this would be ‘the’ place for you. Five thousand years of Chinese history are housed in this amazing museum.

The Great Mosque and Muslim Quarter: Dating to the mid-700s, the Great Mosque is the China’s largest and best-preserved center of Islamic worship and is still an active religious sight for the Muslims in Xi’An. The market around the outside of the mosque precincts was my favorite place to shop.

The Forest of Stone Stellae: Once a school founded by Confucious, the “forest” houses a large collection of early Chinese writing and drawing.

Mount Wa Shan: One of the five most important mountains in China is located here. In ancient Chinese history, many great Swordsmen such as “Leng Woo Choong” were all heralded from this famous martial art school located on this majestic mountain.

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Quick Tips/Suggestions:
I would recommend getting a hotel inside the old city wall - that’s where everything’s going on. And my usual China travel advice: carry wet wipes and plenty of them, also Immodium AD. Do not drink tap water. You could get hepatitis from raw fruits or vegetables, so peel, wash or cook them.

Layout of old city:
The Bell Tower is in the center of the old city, and main roads go out in 4 directions, Dong Da Jie (East), Xi Da Jie (West), Bei Da Jie (North) and Nan Da Jie (South).

Best Way to Get Around:
Taxis: Taxis are cheap and plentiful, but small. If you happen to sit in the front, for some reason the shoulder belts are all filthy. I guess they get dusty.

Airport bus: The airport is way far from the city, and i was told a taxi would cost about Y160 (MYR80). There is a nice, clean air-conditioned bus you can catch right in front of the airport that goes to the Melody Hotel (next to the Bell Tower Hotel on Xi Da Jie) for Y25 (MYR12) per person.

Car: I arranged with a driver to pick me up at the hotel for the trip back to the airport for Y100 (same as the bus). Her car was nice and clean, and bigger than a taxi. Her name is Huang Jian Xin, phone 0937-8829339, mobile 13993733646. If you don’t speak Chinese, your hotel could arrange it for you.

Bicycle: If you fancy cycling, i noticed that bike hire is possible at the Bell Tower Hotel for around Y2 (MYR1.00) an hour – the streets are packed with traffic, so you’d need to be on your toes.

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Mon

29

Sep '08

CHINA - Hangzhou

Part of David's adventure in China

Beautiful, breathtaking Hangzhou is the capital and pride of the Zhejiang Province. Being one of the seven Chinese ancient capitals, not only is the history and culture of this legendary city prominent, but its scenic landscapes and serene beauty will leave tourists in complete awe and wonder.

Highlights:
West Lake
The one thing in Hangzhou that struck me most was the tranquility of the famous West Lake, with its fascinating legends and myths that have surpassed time and dynasties. It is the backdrop of all the stories told to me as a little child, including famous legends like “The Lady White Snake” and “The Butterfly Lovers.” Surrounded by vast mountains and lush, misty forests on three sides and the flourishing city on one side, the lake provides an elegant mixture of wilderness, serenity, and modernization.

Song Dynasty Town
Another tourist attraction not to be missed in Hangzhou is the Song Dynasty Town’s singing and dancing performance. Hangzhou, being the capital of the legendary Song Dynasty, pays tribute to this ancient dynasty with traditional dancing, gorgeous, colorful costumes, dazzling laser lights, water displays, stunning backdrops, and a real cannon! The performance was the most memorable Chinese performance I have seen, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it… Definitely a Hangzhou highlight!

Peak Flown from Afar
Other significant places I visited in Hangzhou were the Peak Flown from Afar and the Ling Yin Temple. The Peak Flown from Afar are actually grottoes with hundreds of Buddha statues carved into the stones, which were rather intriguing to me… they are simply ancient works of art.

Ling Yin Temple
The Ling Yin Temple, farther up the mountain from the grottoes, showcases huge gilded Buddhas, beautiful murals, and the highest copper hall in the world! At first I thought it may well be another tourist trap with “the highest in the world” and “the biggest in the universe” catchphrases, but mind you, this temple is worth visiting for its magnificence and grandeur alone.

Overall, Hangzhou can be enjoyed by cruising around the West Lake, strolling on the lakeside at dawn or dusk, hanging out at one of the many bars along the lake, watching the locals play a game of chess in the park, or simply lazing in the gardens. This peaceful city is undoubtedly the Oriental capital of leisure.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
There are things I did not leave Hangzhou without: Sampling the traditional cuisine of Hangzhou, tins of Dragon Well Green Tea (the mother of all teas in China), a silk scarf (Hangzhou is not nicknamed “The City of Silk” for nothing), and a delicately carved sandalwood fan.

Another important note: When in Hangzhou, relax and unwind. Do what the locals do… do nothing.

Best Way to Get Around:
Local Guided Tour
It is best to visit Hangzhou with a guided tour. That way, you can visit all the popular tourist spots and restaurants and don’t have to worry about getting around or not speaking the language.

Buses
If you’d rather stay independent, the buses in Hangzhou are abundant and come in various kinds: common buses, air-conditioned buses, medium-sized buses, double deckers, and tour buses. Stops are reported in both Chinese and English, with prices ranging from RMB1(common) to RMB5(tour).

Taxi
Taxi services are also available in Hangzhou and are charged according to meter. The first 4km costs RMB10.

As in most cities, rush hour is from 7 to 8:30am and 5 to 6:30pm, so try to stay off the extremely crowded buses and limited taxis during these times.

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Fri

29

Jun '07

CHINA - Macau

Part of David's adventure in China, Macau

Highlights:
Macau is such a colorful place. It is full of arts, history, and sights. By day it reveals the Portuguese-inspired buildings as well as traces of Chinese heritage through its temples. I have learned to appreciate Macau through tourists’ eyes during my most recent visit. The good Macanese meals are always a plus. Driving over the bridge (now there are two) to Taipa and Coloane, shopping for such delicacies as chinese tea, passing snake stores in the old streets, and darting motorcycles and swerving cars and pedestrians were all highlights.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
Though this Portugese colony has since reverted back to Chinese rule last December, not much has changed. It has had its share of bad press in the time before the handover as local triads (organized crime units) fought for territorial power. There were shootings and car bombs, but all that has died down. I suggest you don’t wander too far away from main sights. Watch out for pickpockets. I’ve never had a problem, but maybe because I’m always with locals. Most people stay on the resorts on Taipa and Coloane and rent mini-Mokes to get around.

Best Way to Get Around:
Taxis: Taxis are convenient. There are many of them in line right outside the boat terminal. This place is very modern these days. I still remember the time when the pier was no more than a small building, basically a mess especially going through customs. I’ve also paid a taxi for a day’s rate (it’s very reasonable, especially compared to US rates) and the driver would just drive and wait. During lunch, I invited him to join us, but of course, that’s not essential.

Buses: There are a lot of buses-locals get around using the efficient public transportation.

Car: I don’t recommend renting a car, as driving tends to be a little crazy here. You could rent a mini-Moke if you are staying on the islands of Taipa and Coloane. These are cute little jeep-like vehicles. They go a bit slow but there is not much traffic on the island so it’s fine.

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Wed

21

Mar '07

CHINA - Suzhou

Part of David's adventure in China

Suzhou…Land of beautiful classical gardens. Capital of the famed Gusu silk. Venice of the East.

I suppose Suzhou is lovely in every way. It offers the modernity of a contemporary city minus the hustle and bustle of a busy metropolitan life. Being in Suzhou is being able to relax, unwind, and get lost in the midst of the stunning landscaped gardens found all over this pretty little city. It is rather obvious why Shanghaians seem to think Suzhou is a good vacation place to run away from all the troubles of a big city life. Situated in the Jiangsu province, only a 2-hour drive away from the lively Shanghai, this unpolluted city is an apparent contrast to what vacationers and “runaways” have left behind. Everything here is straightforward, simple, and uncomplicated.

Highlights:
People: The people of Suzhou are easygoing and make do with their low costs of living, having pays as low as RMB400 to RMB800 a month. This may seem insufficient, but mind you, the residents here eat well, sleep well, and take extremely good care of their health and well-being. There are almost 100 people aged more than 100 living in Suzhou at the current moment. So, in a city where health is an important issue, what could be more significant than… the FOOD?

Food: It is hard not to notice the restaurants in Suzhou. The restaurants here are simply enormous, brightly illuminated with neon lights and banners. Suzhou people believe that eating is one of life’s greatest gifts, so they love having big meals and dining in huge fancy restaurants. Amazingly, despite the eye-catching lightings, the prices in most of these restaurants are inexpensive and very affordable.

Gardens: And not to be missed is the classical gardens of Suzhou. I loved walking along the pathways of weeping willows and strangely formed rocks. Being in the gardens creates a calm sense of security and serenity… and it really is a perfect place to disappear or lose yourself in.

So when you do run away to Suzhou, leave all your worries behind and get lost in the present moment filled with quaint canals, stunning gardens, hearty food, and beautiful ladies in elegant silk.

Quick Tips/Suggestions:
There are an amazing amount of gardens located in Suzhou, but only a few are open to the public. The most popular of the gardens are the Lingering Garden and the Humble Administrator’s Garden. A visit to these two gardens is sufficient enough to understand the extent of the beauty of classical gardens.

Also, do visit the place that gave Suzhou the nickname “Venice of the East,” the Zhou Zhuang water village, with its canals and Chinese “gondolas.”

And don’t forget the famous Gusu silk!

Best Way to Get Around:
Like all small cities in China, it is not easy getting around if you don’t know the language. For taxis, you will need instructions written in Chinese, and as for buses, there are not many around Suzhou to begin with. So I guess it’s best to forgo all the hassle and join a tour!

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Fri

19

Jan '07

CHINA - Beijing

Part of David's adventure in China

A visitor’s first stops in Beijing should surely be the famous Forbidden City which houses the country’s most ancient and well-preserved buildings, the 2,000-year-old Great Wall of China (just to the north of the city), and Tiananmen Square. But China’s capital city is surprisingly modern as well. Skyscrapers rub up against temples, and there’s an intriguing youth culture beginning to emerge. To escape the Western influences of this vast metropolis, just head to a traditional tea shop.

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Highlights:
I’d never forget my visit to Tiananmen Square. It was a bitterly cold day, the wind was ferocious, and the red flags were vigorously flapping, but the square was constantly occupied. I guess you don’t visit Beijing without a walk across this historic square.

Take in a few parks, as Beijing does these really well, and although they were not awash with blossoms, they were still spectacular. I’d heartily recommend an organised trip to a Hutong and try to eat in local restaurants.

The Summer Palace, Forbidden Palace, Great Wall, Beijing Zoo, Tibetan Temple are all synonymous with Beijing? I did them all. I saw snow, high winds, bright blue skies, and heavy rain–what contrasts.

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Quick Tips/Suggestions:
My first tip is an obvious one - get yourself a decent map and try to orient yourself before embarking on a journey. If you’re clear where you’re going, you will be less likely to be pounced on by the ever-ready art students. They hover round corners waiting for tourists who look unsure, and be sure they will always have a free day, want they opportunity to practice their English, or have a new exhibition that they need people to view to ensure they pass their practical examinations.

The other potential predators are the aspiring official guides who need to practice on you so they can secure a job as games official when the Olympics come to Beijing. I’m a cynic and believe that both groups wanted to sell their knowledge to me as a guide for the day. I’m afraid I gave them little time.

Credit cards are really not accepted nor are traveler’s cheques at merchant stores. The Bank of China seems to be the only bank that exchanges currency and luckily is open on weekends.

Beijing has a few beggars. Avoid eye contact and keep walking. They are a nuisance but soon go away!

My final tip, again obvious, is to carefully plan your time in Beijing. There’s so much to see that you don’t want to waste a minute

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Best Way to Get Around:
Metro: Beijing does have an fairly efficient tube station, but I have to confess that i was put off with the thought that many of the stations are not signed in English (or so i was told). The subway has two lines, line one runs from east to west and has a stop right in front of Tiananmen Square. Line two is shaped liked a square and encompasses the major sights like Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Lama Temple and Behai Park. Two more lines running north and south are in progress.

Taxis: Shuttles from the airport don’t start until 8:00am, but a taxi into town is only about Y96 (USD12). My hotel had given me a card with key place names in both English and Chinese. This proved really helpful, as i was always able to head back to our hotel or to a key tourist attraction. Drivers were able to speak a little English, but not enough to rely on. Never accept a taxi-trip off the meter. It will be more expensive than the metered fare.

Buses: Beijing has a comprehensive bus service, but i didn’t really get to grips with it, and it always seemed crammed full.

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Mon

30

Jan '06

CHINA - ChengDe

Part of David's adventure in China

Chengde, 230 kilometers away from Beijing city, is well - known as ” the pearl outside the Great Wall.” Chengde is on the list of Famous Historical and Cultural Cities in the first batch, the Ten Palace of Interests, the Forty Best Tourist Attractions, and the National Major Scenic Areas. In 1994, UNESCO approved Chengde Imperial Mountain Resort and its outline as the world cultural heritage.

Chengde has the rich multinational history and culture. The Eight Outer Temples were constructed during the regin of Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong in Qing Dynasty. They are not only famous for various types of scenery characteristics of both north and south, but also eye - witnesses to the progress of national unity and solidarity in Chinese history.

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As the largest imperial garden in China, Chengde Imperial Mountain Resort covers a total area of 5, 640, 000 square meters and the surrounding wall measures 10 kilometers. The resort can be divided into palace area and garden area. There are mountains in the western part of the resort, and lakes in the East. The mountains are undulating with green pine trees and luxuriant grass. The architectures are austere, simple, unadorned and elegant. The vast expanse of grassland has birds singing in the sky and the reindeers roaming about. The lake area has a maze of islets linked by causeways and small bridges. Towers, terraces, pavilions, and garrets are scattered all over the resort, dotted with rookeries. In the resort, there are 36 scenic spots, and each was given a good name or a vivid description with 4 and 3 words by Emperors Kangxi and Qianlong respectively. It incorporates the best craftsmanship of the garden construction and possesses the scenery characteristic of both north and sorth China. The aplendid garden was praised by Emperor Kangxi as ” the mountains can lead to the North Pole and the beauty of resort can surpass that of the West Lake.”

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The complex of temples, resplendent with gold and emerald, is a magnificent sight. The architectures combine the best artistic style of the Buddhism buildings of the Man, Han, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Uigur nationalities. They are the symbols of the national unity and fightings against foreign invasions. These temples and stone tables spread all over the Mountain Resort. The general configuration of the earth’s surface around the city is peculiar, belonging to the typical Yardang landform that is rarely seen in north China. After thousands’years of the natural movement, the landscape in Chengde is varied as people look at different points. No wonder people say:” The views in Chengde can be as different as that in larger regions.”

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The scenery, centered by the Chengde Imperial Mountain Resort and the temple complex around, continues to the outside. To the North, there is the famous imperial hunting ground - Mulan Hunting Ground, with now is reserved as a national forest park. You can enjoy the dense forest and vast grassland in summer and appreciate that snow gives the ground a magnificent silver hue in winter. To the South, the imperial garden in the past becomes the Wuling Mountain Natural Reserve. The No. 1 Grassland Resort to the North of Beijing and the White Cloud Ancient Cave are to the West. To the East, you can find the Chaoyang Cave, imperial Spring Palace, Liaoheyuan Resort, and the Great Wall under water in Panjiankou Reservoir. The precipitous jinshanling Great Wall is in the middle of the Jingcheng highway. Possessing so many tourist attractions, Chengde forms the famous ” golden tourist zone ” to the North of Beijing.

Chengde is one of my favourite travel destinations in China. Convenient transportation, complete facilities, and quality service are the advantages of the tourism in Chengde, and you can be fully satisfied at the request of food, accommodation, transportation, sightseeing, shopping and entertainment. The people in Chengde welcome friends from all over the world! I want to thank my local guide by the name of Xiao Chui, who showed me what Chengde is made of.

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CHINA - Shanghai

CHINA - XI’AN

CHINA - Hangzhou

CHINA - Macau

CHINA - Suzhou

CHINA - Beijing

CHINA - ChengDe