Fall 2025 : China

A 22-day adventure by Mark E & Janine Read more

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Trip start
September 30, 2025
Fall 2025 : China
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Day 1
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 8:13 AM
☀️ 68 °F
Altitude: 646 ft
United States O'Hare International Airport 41.978123, -87.91097141°58’41” N 87°54’39” W
Leaving Chicago
September 30 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
TravelerWhoo Hoo 🙌
9/30/25Reply
TravelerHave fun!
10/1/25Reply
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Day 1
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 12:50 PM
☁️ 70 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
United States San Mateo County 37.621207, -122.38844937°37’16” N 122°23’18” W
San Francisco
September 30 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
Quick stop in San Francisco
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Day 1
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 at 12:58 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 43 ft
United States San Mateo County 37.621154, -122.38847937°37’16” N 122°23’19” W
Just a 13 hour flight :(
September 30 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
TravelerMan that’s a long one.
10/1/25Reply
TravelerAnd I thought our 7.5 hour flight from LAX - Papeete was a stretch!!
10/1/25Reply
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Day 4
Friday, October 3, 2025 at 10:48 AM
☁️ 84 °F
Altitude: 30 ft
China Shanghai 31.23757, 121.48528131°14’15” N 121°29’7” E
Roaming around Shanghai on our own
October 3 in China ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
Took a walk from our hotel around Shanghai. Walked along the Suzhuo River, then roamed the People's Park, toward the Huangpu River and The Bund. Walked along The Bund & made our way to Yu Garden via Gucheng Park & through Yuyuan Bazaar, a huge marketplace that was nothing short of population chaos thanks to the Chinese national holiday 'Golden Week' which celebrates the beginning of the Chinese republic (1949).Read more
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Day 5
Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 8:20 AM
☀️ 77 °F
Altitude: 30 ft
China Jing'an District 31.24488, 121.45070731°14’42” N 121°27’3” E
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Walking Shanghai with tour group
October 4 in China ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
We covered a subsection with the tour group of what the two of us covered on our own yesterday: a bit of The Bund, a walk through Yu Gardens, lunch in Yuyuan.
Traveler The technology China has is amazing. Ahead of the US?
10/17/25Reply
TravelerHi Mary! I'd say they're adopting automation earlier than we are. It's certainly eye-opening to see.
10/17/25Reply
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Day 6
Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 10:00 AM
☀️ 86 °F
Altitude: 30 ft
China Jing'an District 31.24487, 121.45073831°14’42” N 121°27’3” E
Between Shanghai & Suzhou
October 5 in China ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
The drive between Shanghai & Suzhou was an illustration of vast differences.
Shanghai is built as a 3-ring roads system. The inner road is pricey: only ~12% of the population can afford to live there. We were told a 2bd/1ba apartment, ~1200 sq ft can be >US$1mil. Purchased real estate can only be owned for 70 years; however what happens then is not yet known (our guide said the rule went into place in 1990, but Uncle Google suggests the Property Law went into effect in 2007. Either way, both are less than 70 yrs, so the "next step' has not yet passed).
Shanghai's population is ~25mil people (!!); Suzhou is ~13mil. Many people retire to Suzhou for a more affordable lifestyle.Read more
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Day 6
Sunday, October 5, 2025 at 11:01 AM
☀️ 88 °F
Altitude: 56 ft
China Gusu District 31.322389, 120.62808331°19’21” N 120°37’41” E
Day trip: Suzhou
October 5 in China ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
Suzhou is ~2hrs west of Shanghai. Often referred to as 'the Venice of the East', Suzhou has a vast series of canals surrounded by a staggering volume of retail. Being a national holiday, we not only experienced the extraordinary volume of local tourism but also got to observe a related local custom of Chinese women getting makeup & dressed up in traditional attire (oftentimes rented for the day) to have their picture taken (via professional, friend or even selfie) in one of the many beautiful venues in & around the canals and gardens.
We took a ride along one of the canals, wandered a few of the retail-laden areas, had lunch in a local restaurant and ended with a visit to one of Suzhou's many garden areas: The Master of Nets Garden.Read more
TravelerAmazing pictures
10/17/25Reply
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Day 7
Monday, October 6, 2025 at 9:40 AM
⛅ 90 °F
Altitude: 52 ft
China Putuo District 31.246384, 121.42923531°14’47” N 121°25’45” E
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Marketplace, Jade Buddha Temple, silk
October 6 in China ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F
Last day in Shanghai: we visited a market where locals shop for their food, a silk store (for the inevitable 'tourist retail' stop), and the Jade Buddha Temple.
At the end of the day, we went to the airport for our flight to Yichang where we'll drive ~1 hour to where our boat is docked on the Yangtze.Read more
Traveler Fishy
10/14/25Reply
TravelerPosted to the wrong trip??
10/14/25Reply
TravelerYup, my bad. 🤭
10/15/25Reply
Traveler That’s cool
10/17/25Reply
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Day 8–16
October 7, 2025 at 9:24 AM - October 15, 2025
8 nights
⛅ 81 °F
Altitude: 466 ft
China Zhanpu 29.845974, 107.62730329°50’46” N 107°37’38” E
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Tribe of the 3 Gorges & Three Gorges Dam
Oct 7–15 in China ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F
A geopark in the Xiling Gorge attempts to introduce guests to the primitive way of life, historic folk culture & traditions across Ba, Chu & Tujia cultures.
In the afternoon we visited the Three Gorges Dam: the largest hydropower plant in the world.Read more
Traveler Yes lovely
10/17/25Reply
Traveler You must be enjoying the performance and culture.
10/17/25Reply
Traveler ❤️
10/17/25Reply
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Day 8
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at 9:01 PM
☁️ 84 °F
Altitude: 505 ft
China Qingxi 29.814354, 107.47216829°48’52” N 107°28’20” E
Evening Entertainment
October 7 in China ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F
It's not big-ship quality, but pleasantly entertaining just the same.
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Day 9
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at 8:06 AM
☀️ 73 °F
Altitude: 522 ft
China Badong County 31.132354, 110.31113931°7’56” N 110°18’40” E
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Shennong ferry, Top of the 3 Gorges
October 8 in China ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
In the morning we took a ferry up the Shennong Stream.
In the afternoon we got to a viewpoint offering a panoramic view of all three gorges.
Traveler Beautiful
10/11/25Reply
Traveler 🤯
10/11/25Reply
Traveler Nice 🙂
10/12/25Reply
Traveler Great pic!
10/12/25Reply
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Day 10
Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 6:33 AM
🌙 79 °F
Altitude: 489 ft
China Fuling District 29.716639, 107.38291929°42’60” N 107°22’59” E
Xiaoguanshan Cultural Park
October 9 in China ⋅ 🌙 79 °F
Today we docked near Fengdu in Chongqing. We explores Xiaogyansgan Ancient Folk Culture Oark with its recreated ancient residential buildings, courtyards, temples, wood carvings and city gstes.
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Day 10
Thursday, October 9, 2025 at 10:42 AM
☀️ 91 °F
Altitude: 791 ft
China Fengdu 29.8779, 107.703129°52’40” N 107°42’11” E
Traditional Dance
October 9 in China ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F
Within Xiaoguanshan is a small theater where we enjoyed a few performances featuring traditional Chinese arts.
TravelerBeautiful
10/20/25Reply
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Day 11
Friday, October 10, 2025 at 7:19 AM
☀️ 81 °F
Altitude: 574 ft
China Yuzhong District 29.567675, 106.58088229°34’4” N 106°34’51” E
Disembarkation, flt to Xi'an, Muslim Qtr
October 10 in China ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F
We disembarked in Chongqing & transferred to the airport for our flight to Xi'an. On arriving, we headed to the Muslim Quarter for lunch & to observe the vibrant markets.
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Day 12
Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
🌧 57 °F
Altitude: 1,342 ft
China Beilin District 34.25436, 108.98252134°15’16” N 108°58’57” E
Dancing locals, Terra Cotta Museum, Silk
October 11 in China ⋅ 🌧 57 °F
Morning visit to Xingqing Park -- a hub of local activity where there a groups who regularly start their day together in exercise, singing &/or dance. We had an opportunity to join in on a local morning dance/music gathering. On the other side of the park, our guide's mother was engaged in an exercise group with whom she has participated every day for the past 25 years. (!)
We then went to the Terra Cotta Museum to view the bronze chariots & horses (~1 mile from the warriors). It seems carving large-scale sculptures of bronze is 'easy' and the real skill is carving smaller pieces. As such, the Emperor had these chariots & horses carved at 1/2-size of real life; he was, in effect, 'showing off'.
After the museum we headed to the silk shop for the requisite tourist-shopping experience. The silk creations were aMAZing (as were some of the prices). All were true works of art!!Read more
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Day 12
Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 2:38 PM
🌧 59 °F
Altitude: 1,558 ft
China Xi'an 34.385105, 109.27428234°23’6” N 109°16’27” E
Terra Cotta Warriors, Tang Dynasty
October 11 in China ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
Bucketlist monent: the eponymous Terra Cotta Warriors!! The Terracotta Army is a collection of life-sized clay sculptures of the armies of Qin Shi Huang(b.259 BC, d211 BC) the first emperor of China (247 - 221 BC), created to protect him in the afterlife. He was a significant influence to China: organizing the empire into units & subunits (today's subdistricts & communities), assigning administrative appointments based on merit instead of hereditary right, standardizing the weights, measurements, currency and chinese characters, prescribing a standard wagon axel length for roads to facilitate transport, and more. He was also apparently a tyrant.
I guess nice guys can't always get it done. 😉

In the evening, we enjoyed a Tang Dynasty Dinner & Show. A 6-course meal served while watching a beautiful dance performed by the Tang Dynasty Troup accompanied by Chang'an music.Read more
TravelerAmazing to see. We have just been to exhibition in Perth of Terracotta Warriors. Seeing the whole complex would be incredible. So happy for you both
3wReply
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Day 13
Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 2:54 PM
☁️ 63 °F
Altitude: 180 ft
China Xicheng District 39.933644, 116.38330639°56’1” N 116°22’60” E
Hutong Tour
October 12 in China ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Hutongs are lanes no wider than 9 meters formed by lines of siheyuan (compounds comprised of rooms around a courtyard) that connect the ancient city surrounding the Forbidden City. As is tradition, the houses of Old Beijing were constructed in this form on the basis if Fengshui: the ancient Chinese practice of design & spatial arranging.
We traveled through this area on a rickshaw & visited with a local family who allowed us into their home.Read more
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Day 14
Monday, October 13, 2025 at 8:22 AM
☀️ 52 °F
Altitude: 135 ft
China Haidian District 39.975707, 116.37507339°58’33” N 116°22’30” E
The Great Wall: Juyong Pass
October 13 in China ⋅ ☀️ 52 °F
The Juyong Pass is about 50 km (~31 mi) from Beijing.
TravelerFabulous to see. Good exercise!
3wReply
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Day 14
Monday, October 13, 2025 at 11:06 AM
☀️ 64 °F
Altitude: 965 ft
China Changping District 40.292585, 116.06531540°17’33” N 116°3’55” E
Liu Ding Liu Shia; Summer Palace
October 13 in China ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F
Liu Ding Liu Shia is the combined name of this Deity Hall that sits just beyond the entrance to the Juyong Pass base.
After our Great Wall experience, we toured the Summer Palace: a resort of the Emoress Dowager of the Qing Dynasty. She had de facto control of the Chinese government from 1861 until her death in 1908. Quite an interesting history about her. The Summer Palace covers a vast area (2.9km/1.1 mi, 3/4 of which is water) and includes Longevity Hill, Running Lake and Seventeen Hole Bridge.
-- Fun fact: the lake was entirely man made, & the excavated soil was used to build Longevity Hill.
The Chinese don't waste anything. :)Read more
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Day 15
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 7:52 AM
⛅ 52 °F
Altitude: 128 ft
China Beijing 39.903518, 116.42176339°54’13” N 116°25’18” E
Tiananmen Square & the Forbidden City
October 14 in China ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
What a day . . . what a place.
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Day 15
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 12:14 PM
☀️ 66 °F
Altitude: 138 ft
China Chaoyang District 39.988399, 116.38879739°59’18” N 116°23’20” E
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Olympic Structures & CUTENESS ALERT!!
October 14 in China ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Beijing hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics; we couldn't visit but we're able to drive by a few of the notable structures that are still being used.

And regarding the alert: don't say I didn't warn you . . . be prepared for a genuine 'aawwwww' moment.Read more
Traveler Quite large!!!!
10/20/25Reply
TravelerRight? Thank you for not asking me to bring one of THESE back for you! 🤣
10/20/25Reply
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Day 16
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
☀️ 88 °F
Altitude: 36 ft
Hong Kong Kowloon 22.331236, 114.14482522°19’52” N 114°8’41” E
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Hong Kong
October 15 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F
We had to get up at stupid o'clock to catch an 8a flight to Hong Kong.

We are enjoying this trip, however the heat: not so much. We think (hope) this will be the last leg of these silly temps.

We arrived around noon, met our new guide Cisco who shuttled to our hotel and then took us on a brief walking tour of the area. This evening most of us just skipped dinner & grabbed some much-needed sleep.Read more
Traveler Whoa 😮
10/20/25Reply
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Day 17
Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 9:50 AM
☀️ 86 °F
Altitude: 66 ft
Hong Kong Kowloon 22.298773, 114.16858822°17’56” N 114°10’7” E
Hong Kong Island Tour
October 16 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
Hong Kong is not a municipality but refers to an entire region (specifically the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China). It's governed by the 'one country, two systems' principle since the 1997 handover from the British.
We stayed in Tsim Sha Tsui, a southern part of Kowloon (a district on the mainland of Hong Kong).
Today we drove to the island of Hong Kong --- via tunnel built under Kowloon Bay!

Fun Fact: 'Kowloon' means '9 dragons' & refers to the 8 mountains and an emperor.Read more
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Day 17
Thursday, October 16, 2025 at 11:01 AM
☀️ 86 °F
Altitude: 75 ft
Hong Kong Hong Kong Island 22.277462, 114.18094222°16’39” N 114°10’51” E
Continuing Hong Kong Island tour
October 16 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
We headed up to Victoria Peak, then around Repulse Bay & Beach, ending the day w/ a little jazz 🎶.
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Day 18
Friday, October 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM
☀️ 86 °F
Altitude: Sea level
Hong Kong Tung Chung 22.287313, 113.92783622°17’14” N 113°55’40” E
Lantau Island Tour
October 17 in Hong Kong ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
We started with a cable car ride on the Ngong Ping 360 offering panoramic (360°) aerial views of the mountains and South China Sea. We climbed the steps up tp through bronze Buddha and then visited the Po Lin Monastery, a sacred Buddhist site.Read more
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