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  • TravelerChina 2024
    1
    Day 13

    On to Xi'an

    Yesterday in China ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Another day and there has been no spanning. We had the morning to wander as the train to Xi'an didn't leave until mid afternoon. We checked out a banking museum (the world's first is said to have originated in Pingyao), a coffee shop and a Confucian temple.
    A few other things while I think of it...
    The infrastructure in China is amazing. 6 lane highways everywhere (some toll roads), fast trains everywhere and a communication system that works everywhere -- for locals. There are some signs of over-construction and who knows about costs. But it's impressive.
    They have taken steps to reduce pollution. There have been clear days. You don't see a lot of solar or wind farms but they have planted heaps of trees.
    Still have not seen a lot of Westerners. Apparently the Chinese are not really concerned about attracting foreign tourism. There's enough domestic tourists to keep them going. And that reflects generally higher prosperity. That said, conditions still appear a bit softer at the moment.    Read more

  • TravelerChina 2024
    1
    Day 12

    Out of Pingyao

    May 14 in China ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C

    Today's sojourn took in two major sights and a lunch. First up, a Buddhist monastery dating back to (I think) the 4th century, but no longer in operation. Buddhism came to China from India via Tibet and took hold without getting really big.
    We then journeyed on to the Wong family compound. He made his money initially in tofu and then some. He had 5 compounds, each of which is huge. Totally excessive really and nearly all of it reallocated by the communists.
    Lunch was at a nearby restaurant. Food out here is spicier.    Read more

  • TravelerChina 2024
    1
    Day 11

    On to Pingyao

    May 13 in China ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    We went to one of 7 Beijing railway stations ( you would need a month in a place to work out where to go -- or go on a tour) to catch the fast train to Pingyao. It took a bit over 4 hours (600 km from Beijing).
    (Old) Pingyao is the last remaining walled city with narrow streets and lanes. Since cars are banned we came to our quaint but comfortable hotel by golf cart. The hotel is an old residence that has been done up rather tastefully. We ate in and had a very nice set menu culminating in banana fritters and strawberry ice cream. Now I wasn't expecting that!    Read more

  • TravelerChina 2024
    Day 10

    (Not) hitting the wall

    May 12 in China ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Sad faces on please. We didn't make it with the group to the Great Wall today. I've come down with a heavy cold and needed to isolate. Despite my protestations, Sue kindly stayed to mop my brow and fetch food and stuff. She has seen it before and will be treated to Peking duck tonight.Read more

  • TravelerChina 2024
    Day 9

    Out and about in Beijing

    May 11 in China ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    Big day today. Tiananmen Square. It's huge. The locals say it holds a million people -- or 500,000 Americans. The scale of the Forbidden City was amazing. Apparently there are 9,999 buildings.
    We then journeyed somewhere and had the local noodle specialty for lunch.
    On to the Temple of Heaven, where the emperor used to drop in from time to time.
    Then to a tea tasting/ceremony which was pretty interesting and enjoyable.
    Finally a walk around a hutong, which is an enclave of small houses with communal toilets. We had dinner at Mr & Mrs Wang house. All 12 of us crowded around a small table in their upstairs bedroom and had dishes prepared by Mrs Wang. A special experience really.    Read more

  • TravelerChina 2024
    Day 8

    To Beijing

    May 10 in China ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C

    We had a Disneyland night last night with dinner at a Russian restaurant Tatoc complete with Chinese people speaking Russian, a serenading saxophonist and absolutely chaotic service. A bit of fun in the travel experience.
    It was an early start this morning to get to the train station. The hotel packed breakfast boxes for us with sausages and an egg. We caught the high speed train to Beijing. (1100 km as the crow flies).Even travelling at up to 303 km/hr it took 6 hours. We had sausages for lunch.
    The hotel is right in the middle of town although it might have seen better days.
    We'll go out to dinner in a while. Hope it's not sausages.    Read more

  • TravelerChina 2024
    Day 7

    Harbin

    May 9 in China ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    We're now in Harbin, a village of 10 million people in the NE of China. It took a Maglev ride (at 300 k/hr) and a 3hr plane ride yesterday to get here. The Maglev was a demonstration gift from Germany but apparently the Chinese were not sufficiently impressed to use the technology elsewhere.
    Harbin has traces of Russian heritage. Russians came here to build the railway ending up in Vladivostok (which was once part of China). White Russians also came after the revolution.
    We are staying at the Modern Hotel which was built in tsarist times. Lots of wood and creaks. Olde world charm.
    This morning we went off to the Unit 731 Museum. The Japanese invaded and took control of northern China in 1932 or thereabouts. They were after resources. They also set up a research centre on chemical and biological weapons -- unit 731. They experimented and fine tuned on the locals. It's an unheralded war crime which was overlooked by the Americans in return for all their well documented research. The Museum was in an impressive building, told a story that had to be told but was obviously not uplifting.
    But we cheered up over some excellent dumplings which are a Harbin specialty. Then a visit to the Sophia Cathedral -- a remaining Russian Orthodox church -- and a stroll along the river.
    We are something of celebrities here. Lots of stares and photos taken and parents thrusting their young children at us to say 'Hallo'    Read more

  • TravelerChina 2024
    Day 6

    Observations on Shanghai

    May 8 in China ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    They say Shanghai is an international and not a Chinese city. I see what they mean. Put aside the 24 million residents and there's not a lot to distinguish it as Chinese. I liked it though. The parts we were in were interesting with Art Deco buildings green spaces flowers everywhere--even on the sides of highways -- interesting history and the whole place was immaculately clean. The people seemed friendly and happy enough. There weren't many foreigners around. Things are not busy as an empty domestic air terminal indicates. It's dear -- international prices.
    We saw a few beggars which was surprising. But apparently the safety net has some holes in it. Basically you have to work -- even if it's cleaning the streets or standing around guarding a door all day.
    They are cleaning up pollution eg EVs and electric scooters (petrol bikes banned). Scooters are the silent assassins on the pedestrian crossings.
    Comms are hopeless. WhatsApp works but nothing else for me. My VPN obviously hasn't been approved. Sue's works (Norton). She can also access emails etc through phone roaming.
    You have to use cash. Retail outlets don't accept cards (only WeChat payments on phones).
    The English signposting makes it reasonably easy to get around, as does the underground metro system. Young people speak enough English to help you out.
    Security cameras are everywhere. Our guide told us of one customer who lost his wallet (place unknown) and another who left his card in an ATM. Both were recovered within 24 hours by reviewing security footage. Would-be thieves are deterred by the ubiquitous camera coverage.    Read more

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