China

A 15-day adventure by Serenity Read more

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Trip start
September 2, 2017
China Serenity
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Friday, September 1, 2017 at 7:18 AM
☀️ 12 °C
Altitude: 23 m
Australia Brisbane -27.471001, 153.02430727°28’16” S 153°1’28” E
Almost packed
September 1, 2017 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C
This time tomorrow we should be at the airport heading off on our Chinese jaunt. Our first experience as part of a group tour. Heaps of land tours and the only cruise component will be 4 days down the Yangtze. Not our usual holiday format.Read more
Cam GordonHave fun!
9/1/17Reply
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Day 1
Saturday, September 2, 2017
🌫 23 °C
Altitude: 420 m
China Xi'an 34.258301, 108.92859634°15’30” N 108°55’43” E
Xi'an
September 2, 2017 in China ⋅ 🌫 23 °C
To say we were pleased to arrive at our hotel at 1am this morning would be an understatement (long day traveling). China does not allow access to so many social media sites so don't think we will be posting to fb. A tour of X'an is on the itinerary for today. Rain is expected but the weather is quite warm.Read more
TravelerSo glad to hear you've arrived safe and sound. Rest up and enjoy your travels xx
9/2/17Reply
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Day 2
Sunday, September 3, 2017 at 8:55 PM
🌙 19 °C
Altitude: 420 m
China Xi'an 34.258301, 108.92859634°15’30” N 108°55’43” E
Sights of Xi'an
September 3, 2017 in China ⋅ 🌙 19 °C
Great day today. Terracotta warriors are amazing. Shame it was a wet gloomy day, but at least it wasn't cold.
TravelerLooks amazing Joccy
9/3/17Reply
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Day 3
Monday, September 4, 2017 at 7:46 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 48 m
China Beihai Park 39.928902, 116.38829839°55’44” N 116°23’18” E
Beijing
September 4, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
After a long domestic check-in process including numerous security checks (including pat-down) for every passenger, we were finally in the air for our short flight to Beijing. Our new tour guide offered to take us on a tour of the Temple of Heaven as we had free time before dinner. Certainly got our exercise today!Read more
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Day 4
Tuesday, September 5, 2017 at 9:31 PM
🌙 24 °C
Altitude: 48 m
China Beihai Park 39.928902, 116.38829839°55’44” N 116°23’18” E
Beijing
September 5, 2017 in China ⋅ 🌙 24 °C
Wish I had been wearing my Fit Bit today - heaps of walking. First stop, Tiananmen Square, one of the largest squares in the world. Then we walked to the Imperial Palace in the Forbidden City. Such a huge place and quite beautiful. It took over 2hrs to walk from one side to the other. Thankful to be able to rest and enjoy a wonderful lunch before heading off to the Summer Palace. Joined another couple at a Mongolian Hotpot restaurant for dinner tonight - such a fun meal, trying to order with our language barrier. Staff were wonderful.Read more
TravelerLooks like you're enjoying being busy exploring all the wonderful places of interest
9/5/17Reply
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Day 5
Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at 9:48 PM
🌙 22 °C
Altitude: 48 m
China Beihai Park 39.928902, 116.38829839°55’44” N 116°23’18” E
1
Beijing
September 6, 2017 in China ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
This morning I thought walking some of the Great Wall would be the highlight of our day and at the time it was! We both made it up the steepest option which was quite an accomplishment in the 30deg+ heat. Then there was the Peking Duck dinner which also was terrific. But the spectacular show we went to this evening was so amazing it makes it so difficult to chose the highlight of the day. It even included a huge on-stage waterfall.Read more
Traveler Yummy!!
9/7/17Reply
TravelerLooks absolutely amazing
9/7/17Reply
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Day 6
Thursday, September 7, 2017 at 9:38 PM
🌙 25 °C
Altitude: 48 m
China Beihai Park 39.928902, 116.38829839°55’44” N 116°23’18” E
Final day in Beijing
September 7, 2017 in China ⋅ 🌙 25 °C
Today was a little more laid back. First it was a trip to the zoo to see giant pandas 🐼. Such cuddly looking characters. A beautiful lunch at a traditional family home in the Hutong area - the last remaining area in it's tradition form - followed by a rickshaw ride through the old streets. Next stop, the Lake District with it's cafes and shops, for some free time and a coffee. The final stop was at the Night Market and food market with it'a strange collection of food such as fried scorpions, sea horses, crickets, tarantula etc on sticks! Must say, none of them tempting me to partake!Read more
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Day 7
Friday, September 8, 2017
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 14 m
China Pingjianglu 31.326956, 120.62179631°19’37” N 120°37’18” E
Beijing to Suzhou
September 8, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
Off to Suzhou this morning by bullet train. Great trip at over 300kph for our 5hr journey. Lovely hotel room with a view over a square with huge groups of people ballroom dancing, line dancing, exercising and young children playing rollerskating games. Wonderful use of community space. Early to bed tonight as we head off for a little sightseeing in the morning on our drive to Hangzhou.Read more
TravelerLooks like quite an adventure you're both having. Enjoy yourselves
9/9/17Reply
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Day 8
Saturday, September 9, 2017 at 9:40 PM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 35 m
China Sijiqing 30.254631, 120.16883930°15’17” N 120°10’8” E
Suzhou to Hangzhou
September 9, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Our Suzhou to Shanghai tour guide Summer took us to The Lingering Garden in Suzhou this morning. Such beautiful and peaceful spaces. Next was a visit to the Silk Spinning Factory to learn about silk worm process into silk garments etc (and of course the chance to purchase some pure silk product). Lunch was at a huge restaurant within the factory then back on the bus to our next stop The Grand Canal to take a cruise in a traditional Chinese boat along the ancient waterway to view the ancient houses and way of life. An almost 3hr drive saw us safely arrive at our next beautiful hotel, Grand New Century Hotel Yuhang. Tonight we scored an executive room 👍 early start tomorrow.Read more
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Day 9
Sunday, September 10, 2017 at 9:38 PM
🌙 28 °C
Altitude: 11 m
China Huangpu 31.23056, 121.46870431°13’50” N 121°28’7” E
Hangzhou to Shanghai
September 10, 2017 in China ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
Early start today as we make our way to Shanghai. A visit to the Lotus Gardens and a boat trip on the Great Lake was our first stop. Very humid today. Next, we visit a green tea plantation for some tea tasting before lunch. Pleased to be back on the air conditioned bus, we begin our 3 hr drive to Shanghai. Beautiful 5 star hotel for the next 2 nights.Read more
TravelerLooks beautiful and peaceful
9/11/17Reply
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Day 10
Monday, September 11, 2017 at 10:42 PM
⛅ 24 °C
Altitude: 23 m
China Huangpu 31.23262, 121.47049731°13’57” N 121°28’14” E
1
Shanghai
September 11, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
This morning we drove into town for a walk along The Bund before visiting the Shanghai museum. Had time for a little retail therapy and grabbed a bite of lunch before heading back to the bus for a trip across the river to the new financial district and the tallest building in the world. Unfortunately it was a rainy day which limited visibility. Then we were off to a fabulous market area where we took advantage of a free tea tasting and more retail therapy. Next, was our farewell dinner at The Bund Hotel. Finally, we took a cruise on the river to see the lights of Shanghai. A very long day, but did manage to be back at the hotel in time for Happy Hour!Read more
TravelerFabulous pics Joccy. It sounds as though you are getting plenty of exercise on this trip as well as the beautiful sights
9/11/17Reply
Traveler Love the beautiful building
9/16/17Reply
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Day 11
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
⛅ 28 °C
Altitude: 46 m
China Wuhan 30.598616, 114.27589430°35’55” N 114°16’33” E
Shanghai to Wuhan
September 12, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
A welcome sleep in this morning. Pick up at 11am for our drive to the airport for a 2pm flight to Wuhan. Tour guide Cindy met us at the airport, then began a 5hr drive to Yichang then Xiling Gorge to join the boat. Dinner had been arranged by our guide at a restaurant an hour or so out of Yichang. Different countryside on the way - more rice paddies. The boat was a welcome sight after our long trip. We took a cable car down to the ship as the river is lower than the road. Finally into bed around 11pm.Read more
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Day 12
Wednesday, September 13, 2017 at 7:35 PM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 464 m
China Datian 30.21568, 109.42874330°12’56” N 109°25’43” E
Xiling Gorge
September 13, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Woke up this morning to find another boat tied up alongside - strange to be able to look into other cabin windows! After breakfast we took a tour up to the Xiling Gorge Dam project. Very impressive. Many ships were waiting patiently to go through the locks at the dam. Unfortunately we didn't get the opportunity to see any boats go up the boat lift. Then a very enjoyable afternoon relaxing on the boat.Read more
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Day 13
Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 10:19 PM
⛅ 13 °C
Altitude: 1,106 m
China Xiushui 30.26241, 108.77283430°15’45” N 108°46’22” E
Shennong Stream
September 14, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C
This morning we transferred to another boat to cruise up the first of the Three Gorges. Hard to believe that so many villages and farmers were displaced when the Gorges were flooded during the dam building process. Very reminiscent of Fiordland, but without the beautiful waterfalls and clean water! Such a shame to see the amount of rubbish floating down the Yangtze. After 1hr we stopped at the information centre for the usual shopping opportunity and show. Back on board our boat, early afternoon we entered the Wu Gorge, the second Gorge. The Qutang Gorge is the last of the Three Gorges and the shortest at 5 miles long. Later in the afternoon, some local fishermen pulled up alongside and tried to sell some of their catch.Read more
TravelerGlad you've had a wonderful holiday. Safe travels home 😘
9/17/17Reply
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Day 14
Friday, September 15, 2017 at 5:56 PM
⛅ 11 °C
Altitude: 267 m
China Gujingwan 29.98293, 107.85410629°58’59” N 107°51’15” E
Shibaozhai
September 15, 2017 in China ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C
This morning we disembark and fight our way through the myriad of stalls and vendors desperate to sell their goods. Items with an initial price of 160 yuan often end up at bargain prices such as 20-30 yuan After a 15min walk we arrive at the "shaky bridge" a very rickety bridge leading to the Red Pagoda. It is situated atop an 80m rock, built in the 1800 and containing not a single nail. A precarious climb up to the 9th level rewards a spectacular view. Captain's Farewell Banquet tonight.Read more
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Day 14
Friday, September 15, 2017
☀️ 30 °C
Altitude: 173 m
China Daba 29.60994, 106.74439329°36’36” N 106°44’40” E
Captain's Farewell Dinner
September 15, 2017 in China ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Beautiful dinner tonight with the captain.
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Day 15
Saturday, September 16, 2017 at 10:19 PM
🌙 28 °C
Altitude: 299 m
China Chongqing 29.549256, 106.52809329°32’57” N 106°31’41” E
Chongquing to Brisbane (via Guangzhou)
September 16, 2017 in China ⋅ 🌙 28 °C
Time to head home. A quick tour of Chongquing (pop approx 34 million) then off to the airport for the first leg of our journey home. A 2hr layover at Guangzhou then 9hrs home.
TravelerFabulous pics Joccy 😊
9/17/17Reply
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Trip end
September 16, 2017