August 2019

China

A 15-day adventure by Carlo Read more

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Trip start
August 9, 2019
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- Day 1
- Friday, August 9, 2019 at 8:00 AM
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- China Shanghai Pudong International Airport 31.144344, 121.80827331°8’40” N 121°48’30” E
Shanghai airport and breakfast
August 9, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
We arrived at the Shanghai Pudong Airport (PVG). We met our friend Minghui and he brought us to a restaurant to have the first our chinese breakfast.

We ate some vegetables, dumplings and drink some tea.
What a great way to begin our next two weeks in China. All the food was delicious!Read more
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- Day 1
- Friday, August 9, 2019 at 12:00 PM
- ⛅ 32 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- China Huangpu 31.230416, 121.47370131°13’49” N 121°28’25” E
Minghui house and chinese massage
August 9, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
Chill out at Minghui's home and we got a chinese massage. For me it was really strong!

Oh.. yes! We also played some table tennis!
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- Day 1
- Friday, August 9, 2019 at 7:00 PM
- 🌧 25 °C
- Altitude: 19 m
- China Laozhaijiao 31.158022, 121.3434231°9’29” N 121°20’36” E
Dinner
August 9, 2019 in China ⋅ 🌧 25 °C
We went to a really good restaurant with Minghui's parents and friends. They welcomed us in a really nice way and we had so many good dishes there.

A rounded table with a lot of delicious food: fish, crab, vegetables, xialongbao (dumplings), soups, mushrooms, meat, tofu, hot pot, shrimps, red wine, yellow wine, corn juice, fruits and salad.

Xialongbao are delicious dumplings with soup inside. Awesome!
Hong Shao Rou is speciality. It's a Shanghai-Style Braised Pork Belly.

We made a lot of toasts (Ganbei!!) and they also gave us chopsticks as a gift, really nice ones.Read more
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- Day 2
- Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 10:00 AM
- 🌧 27 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- China Huangpu 31.235689, 121.47970131°14’8” N 121°28’47” E
Nanjing road
August 10, 2019 in China ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
We went to Nanjing Road, the famous shopping street and we had lunch there. We ate dumplings, rice and soups.

We also took a lot of rain. The tifon was near Shanghai.

We realized how crazy the people were driving. Lot of kinds of electric scooters crossing in the street with almost no rules. Really fun to watch but need to be careful.Read more
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- Day 2
- Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 5:00 PM
- 🌧 27 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- China Luwan 31.21541, 121.46894531°12’55” N 121°28’8” E
Boxing Cat Brewery
August 10, 2019 in China ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
Because of the rain storm we spent some hours in the Boxing Cat Brewery.
Beers were nothing special, i had better expectations. But nice place to chill.
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- Day 2
- Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 7:00 PM
- 🌧 27 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- China Shanghai 31.221879, 121.46985931°13’19” N 121°28’11” E
Thai dinner
August 10, 2019 in China ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
We had a great Thai dinner with our friend Minghui and his girlfriend Eva. We ate noodles, meat, vegetables, very spicy food in general.

The mango fruit at the end was so good! One of the best mango i tried in my life.Read more
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- Day 3
- Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 1:00 AM
- 🌧 27 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- China Huangpu 31.230416, 121.47370131°13’49” N 121°28’25” E
Celia disco night
August 11, 2019 in China ⋅ 🌧 27 °C
We went to Celia, an underground techno club. Nobody was there at 1.30 am. People started arriving at 3-3.30 am.

The party was cool. Meet some nice people there :)

We went back to the apartment at 7 am.Read more
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- Day 3
- Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 2:00 PM
- ⛅ 31 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- China Pootung Point 31.240261, 121.49057731°14’25” N 121°29’26” E
Bund
August 11, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
The view at the Bund is amazing. You can see from the photos online. But seeing it with our eyes was absolutely different. SO WOW!

From there we saw the beatiful modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui in the Pudong DistrictRead more
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- Day 3
- Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 7:00 PM
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 22 m
- China Pootung Point 31.233518, 121.50561831°14’1” N 121°30’20” E
Shanghai Tower
August 11, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
The Shanghai Tower is the world's second-tallest building by height. We went up to the observation deck at 562m.

The night view of Shanghai with all the lights is really nice. From there we could see how small people are compared to these giants skyscrapers.Read more
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- Day 3
- Sunday, August 11, 2019 at 10:00 PM
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 11 m
- China Pootung Point 31.240261, 121.49057731°14’25” N 121°29’26” E
Bund by night
August 11, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
We came back to the Bund to see it by night. The scenery is completely different and all the lights reflected in the river changed the atmosphere in something magical.
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- Day 4
- Monday, August 12, 2019
- ☀️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 28 m
- China Suzhou 31.298974, 120.58528931°17’56” N 120°35’7” E
Suzhou
August 12, 2019 in China ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
We travelled 30 minutes by train to get to Suzhou. The city's magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Sites include the stunning Grand Canal and dozens of classical gardens.
We visited:

- The Humble Administrator's Garden
- Lion Grove Garden
- Tiger Hill

The gardens were really nice but crowded so we didn't enjoy them like we could.
The Tiger Hill was better and the park was really quite. We had a nice stay there.Read more
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 9:00 AM
- ☀️ 31 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- China Shanghai French Concession (historical)31.225731, 121.49250731°13’33” N 121°29’33” E
City God Temple
August 13, 2019 in China ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
We went to the City God temple, a folk temple located in the old city of Shanghai. Lot of chinese people were praying and lighting the incense.
Very spiritual place.
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 2:00 PM
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 7 m
- China Nanjiao 31.173807, 121.45191131°10’26” N 121°27’7” E
Longhua Temple
August 13, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
We visited the Longhua Temple, a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha which the largest, most authentic and complete ancient temple complex in the city of Shanghai.
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 3:00 PM
- ⛅ 28 °C
- Altitude: 16 m
- China Puxi 31.241347, 121.44512131°14’29” N 121°26’42” E
Jade Buddha Temple
August 13, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
The last daily visit was the Jade Buddha Temple. As with many modern Chinese Buddhist temples, the current temple draws from both the Pure Land and Chan traditions of Mahayana Buddhism.
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- Day 5
- Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 4:00 PM
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 9 m
- China Huangpu 31.230416, 121.47370131°13’49” N 121°28’25” E
Floatasian Float Spa
August 13, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
We tried this unique experience: the floating tank. We did one session (1 hour) for 375 RMB. A Swedish guy explained us the benefits of this for the body and the mind.

At the beginning was strange and a bit hard to completely relax, but after 15 minutes (in the dark and without sounds) i was floating and relaxing in 24cm of water full of salt.

A bit hard to describe. I think every person has different feelings. But it's like going in the space for an undefined time.

When the music played for telling me that the session was finishing i was thinking: "Really? Now? I was there only for 20 minutes......" but 1 hour passed.

After that i felt really good and relaxed. We drank a tisane and we discussed about our feelings and personal experience.

It was really intense and unique. I recommend everyone to try this.Read more
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- Day 6
- Wednesday, August 14, 2019
- ⛅ 34 °C
- Altitude: 29 m
- China Hangzhou 30.274084, 120.1550730°16’27” N 120°9’18” E
Hangzhou
August 14, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C
We took almost one hour by train from Shanghai to go to Hangzhou. This city is famous for The city's West Lake, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

We wanted to go by bike around the lake but it wasn't a good idea. We had to make a citizen card (for 250 RMB) to take the public bikes.
We followed a chinese man to arrive at the West Lake but we discovered that we couldn't pass with the bike in the street just around the lake. What a pity!

We walked to admire the beauty and tranquility of that place.

Our first stop was the Baochu Pagoda. We left the bikes there and we walked for 30 minutes to get to the top of the mountain. It was really hot. But it was worth it. From there we saw an incredible view of the West Lake. It was a mix of modernity, culture, spirituality and nature.

After a few kilometers in the delirious traffic of Hangzhou we decided to abandon the bikes.

We took a taxi to go to our next stop: the Lingyin Temple.
It is a Buddhist temple of the Chan sect located north-west of Hangzhou. The temple's name is commonly literally translated as Temple of the Soul's Retreat. It is one of the largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples in China, and contains numerous pagodas and Buddhist grottoes.

This beautiful temple is immersed in a natural landscape and is rich of amazing statues and spirituality.

Our last stop was the tea village. We saw tea plantations at the sunset and we went in a tea house to try some Longjing tea, sometimes called by its literal translated name Dragon Well tea. It is a variety of pan-roasted green tea from the area of Longjing Village in Hangzhou. It is produced mostly by hand and renowned for its high quality, earning it the China Famous Tea title.

We also bought three small boxes for 400 RMB in total.Read more
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- Day 7
- Thursday, August 15, 2019
- ☀️ 33 °C
- Altitude: 381 m
- China Zhengwang 34.341574, 108.9397734°20’30” N 108°56’23” E
Xi'an
August 15, 2019 in China ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
We travelled for 5 hours by fast train to go from Shanghai to Xi'an.

In the late afternoon we went to the city wall and we rode a bike for 14 km around the Fortifications. It was really cool and we saw a beautiful sunset and also the full moon at night.

We had some delicious noodles (big ones) with vegetables and meet at "Biang Biang Noodles".

We also went to the Muslim quarter: lot of foods and smells were coming from the streets full of people and vitality.Read more
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- Day 8
- Friday, August 16, 2019 at 9:00 AM
- ☀️ 29 °C
- Altitude: 482 m
- China Sunjiaping 34.384115, 109.27849234°23’3” N 109°16’43” E
Terracotta Warriors
August 16, 2019 in China ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
We visited The Terracotta Army, a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. It is a form of funerary art buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE with the purpose of protecting the emperor in his afterlife. The figures were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Lintong County, outside Xi'an.

There are three pits to see. The first one is the biggest and contains the main army of more than 6,000 figures.

Personally i had more expectations about that place. But it was very crowded and i didn't enjoy it so much.Read more
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- Day 8
- Friday, August 16, 2019 at 2:00 PM
- ⛅ 36 °C
- Altitude: 428 m
- China Xincheng 34.259467, 108.9470234°15’34” N 108°56’49” E
Bell Tower and Drum Tower
August 16, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 36 °C
We went inside the Bell Tower, built in 1384 during the early Ming Dynasty. It's a symbol of the city of Xi'an and one of the grandest of its kind in China.

After that we visited the Drum Tower, erected in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty. Drums were beat at sunset to indicate the end of the day. Each was decorated with intrinsic and beautiful Chinese writing, which symbolizes good fortune.Read more
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- Day 8
- Friday, August 16, 2019 at 8:00 PM
- ⛅ 33 °C
- Altitude: 425 m
- China Xincheng 34.257243, 108.94582134°15’26” N 108°56’45” E
Friday Evening: dinner & disco
August 16, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C
We had a great dinner with a grill in the middle of the table. We ate really good fish, meat, vegetables and mushrooms.

We had Kweichow Moutai. Maotai or Moutai is a brand of baijiu, a distilled Chinese liquor (spirit), made in the town of Maotai in China's Guizhou province. Produced by the state-owned Kweichow Moutai Company, the beverage is distilled from fermented sorghum and now comes in several different varieties.

Our chinese friends gave this Moutai as a gift. Thanks! I read that in China is a status symbol and they drink it in very important dinners.

We went do Deep Club, a disco in Xian. It was really fun: we were the only western boys there! The music was EDM/Electronic and we met some nice chinese friends.Read more
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- Day 9
- Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 12:00 PM
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 431 m
- China Xi’an 34.259521, 108.93873634°15’34” N 108°56’19” E
Roujiamo and Cold Noodles
August 17, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
We had lunch with Xi'an meat burger (Roujiamo), the famous chinese hamburger, and some cold noodles (Liangpi) with some nice Ice Peak (the Xian orange soda).

We enjoyed it. It had a nice taste.
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- Day 9
- Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 3:00 PM
- ⛅ 30 °C
- Altitude: 424 m
- China Beichitou 34.218243, 108.96415234°13’6” N 108°57’51” E
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda
August 17, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
We went inside the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda to see the view from the top. Around the pagoda there are a number of squares and gardens built to present the grandness of the pagoda and the cultural spirit of the Tang Dynasty. To the north is the famous North Square with a spectacular musical fountain.

We waited until 9 pm to see the musical fountain show. It was relaxing to hear the chinese and the water sounds.Read more
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- Day 9
- Saturday, August 17, 2019 at 8:00 PM
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 432 m
- China Beichitou 34.227009, 108.96320334°13’37” N 108°57’48” E
Xiao Long Xia
August 17, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
We ate Xiao Long Xia, the red little dragon shrimps. They were very very spicy and so tasty! Loved them!
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- Day 10
- Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 10:00 AM
- ⛅ 29 °C
- Altitude: 411 m
- China Qingzhen Dasi 34.263177, 108.9390634°15’47” N 108°56’21” E
Great Mosque of Xi'an
August 18, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
We visited the Great Mosque of Xi'an, an active place of worship within Xi'an Muslim Quarter and the largest mosque in China.

It has really nice courtyards and a big prayer hall. Quiet place and only few people there.Read more
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- Day 10
- Sunday, August 18, 2019 at 2:00 PM
- ⛅ 34 °C
- Altitude: 398 m
- China Xiwang 34.29196, 109.05925234°17’31” N 109°3’33” E
Chinese Herb Market
August 18, 2019 in China ⋅ ⛅ 34 °C
We went by taxi a bit far from the center to see the Chinese medicine herb market. It's a traditional market where peasants and wholesalers sell bags and bags and boxes and boxes of interesting herbs, medicines and medicinal foods.

There were lot of strange things. The most common things we have recognized were Ginseng, Goji Berries, licorice and some kind of mushrooms.

The funny guy owner of the shop told us the benefit of each herb and gave us a special wine made with undefined herbs and mushrooms. It was really strong and tasted quite bad but he told us that it hadn't collateral effects.

We bought some Goji Berries for 50 RMB (250g). Cheap price and good quality.

It was a really interesting experience for us.Read more
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