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China 2024

A 31-day adventure by Orion Global Nomads Read more
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  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Morning View

    September 23, 2024 in China ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    After our long day on the road we had a nice relaxing evening. This was our morning Mountain view.

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Jiuzhaigou National Park

    September 23, 2024 in China ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    📍Jiuzhaigou National Park – a real-life fairyland! 🌲🌈

    If you love jaw-dropping scenery, this place is a must. Nestled in the heart of the Min Mountains, Jiuzhaigou is famed for its crystal-clear lakes and multi-tiered waterfalls. Did you know the turquoise and emerald colors come from mineral deposits and algae?

    Highlights:
    🌊 Nuorilang Waterfall – one of the widest in China!
    🌊 Five Flower Lake – it’s like nature’s perfect mirror, with vibrant underwater trees and constantly shifting colors.

    Fun fact: Jiuzhaigou, or “Valley of Nine Villages,” gets its name from the nine Tibetan villages scattered throughout the park. You can still visit a few and experience the traditional culture of the Tibetan and Qiang people. 🎶 Their songs and dances echo ancient legends – one of my favorites is the story of the Dalu God, whose tears formed the stunning lakes here.

    Ecological wonder: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to over 220 bird species, along with endangered animals like the giant panda 🐼 and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey. So much biodiversity!

    If you're into history, Jiuzhaigou’s roots run deep. It has been a place of harmony between nature and humans for centuries, and its sacred landscapes have been preserved by local ethnic communities.

    Jiuzhaigou – magic in every direction!✨ Who’s in for a future trip? #TravelAdventures #Jiuzhaigou #FairylandInChina #NatureWonders #TibetanCulture #UNESCOHeritage    Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Time For Sone Hot Pot!

    September 23, 2024 in China ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

    After a long day of hiking, we had a rewarding hot pot dinner. The mountain vegetables including various mushrooms and greens were delicious and fresh. The dipping sauce you construct yourself was fun and tasty. I opted to not level up on spices😅!!!Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    En Route to Huanglong National Park

    September 25, 2024 in China ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

    🌲 Jiuzhaigou Adventures & Beyond! 🌄

    After an epic day at Jiuzhaigou National Park 🏞️ (those colorful lakes and waterfalls are surreal! 😍), we wrapped up with an incredible dinner at a Tibetan restaurant🍽️. The food was a feast of unique Tibetan cuisine that totally hit the spot, and the atmosphere was next level with live music🎶. The staff wore colorful traditional Tibetan clothing – their vibrant outfits were a perfect match to the lively vibe!

    After a late night of packing 🧳, we started early, boarding a van to our next adventure: Huanglong National Park 黄龙风景区 (UNESCO World Heritage Site 🌏)! After breakfast ☕, we set off for Huanglong, also known as the “Yellow Dragon” 🐉 – wait till you see those rainbow-colored pools! 😮

    Along the way, we stopped at a Tibetan Bon Temple ⛩️, which predates Tibetan Buddhism. Bon is an ancient spiritual tradition with a history stretching over 18,000 years 📜! The temple beautifully combines elements of both Bon and Tibetan Buddhism, showing how the two faiths merged. 🧘🏽‍♂️✨ Bon’s deep connection to nature 🌿 and the sky is especially inspiring.

    Onward to more discoveries! 🏔️🚐 #Jiuzhaigou #Huanglong #UNESCO #BonReligion #TibetanCulture #GrayCuisine #TravelAdventures #DiscoverTibet    Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Huanglong National Park

    September 25, 2024 in China ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    📍**Huanglong National Park, China** 🇨🇳
    🌿 We just spent a magical day exploring this UNESCO World Heritage site nestled in the **Minshan Mountain Range**! 🏔️🌈 The park is perched between snow-capped peaks, with breathtaking views of **Xuebaoding**, the highest mountain in the range at over 5,500 meters. 🌨️❄️

    Fun fact: The park’s stunning *fairyland-like* terraced pools shimmer in turquoise, green, and yellow, formed by thousands of years of limestone deposits! ⏳🪨 Truly nature’s work of art! 😍

    Ecological highlight: Huanglong is home to over 3,500 plant species 🌸 and several endangered animals 🐼, including the giant panda! Being surrounded by this rich biodiversity and the grandeur of the mountains is pure rejuvenation! 🌬️💧

    Hikers, this one’s for you! 👣💚

    #Huanglong #MinshanMountains #Xuebaoding #UNESCOWorldHeritage #EcoTravel #NatureLovers #ChinaAdventures    Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Panda Shenanigans

    September 29, 2024 in China ⋅ 🌫 17 °C

    🌿🐼✨ Wolong Panda Base - A Day with the Gentle Giants

    What an unforgettable visit to the Wolong Panda Base! Located in the stunning Min Shan mountain range in Sichuan, China, this UNESCO World Heritage site is home to some of the world’s most beloved pandas. 🌍💚

    Wolong plays a vital role in panda conservation, especially after it was impacted by the 2008 earthquake that destroyed the original Hetaoping center. Today, the newly constructed Gengda Wolong Panda Center is thriving, housing around 60 giant pandas in a habitat that closely mimics their natural environment. 🏞️🐾

    During our visit, we learned some fun facts about pandas:
    - They spend up to 12 hours a day eating bamboo! These adorable creatures consume around 26-84 pounds of bamboo daily. 🌱🐼
    - Pandas may look slow, but they can be surprisingly agile when climbing trees. 🐾
    - At Wolong, visitors can observe pandas of all ages, from playful cubs to mature adults in their various zones, including the “Baby Panda Zone” and “Wildness Training Zone,” where pandas are prepared for life in the wild. 🍼🌿

    It was heartwarming to learn about the rescued pandas, especially those that were part of the recovery efforts after the earthquake. The center's staff is dedicated to ensuring these "national treasures" have a bright future, and some pandas here have even become global icons, representing China's successful conservation efforts. 🌏🐼

    If you're a panda lover, this is a must-visit! 💙 #Pandas #WolongPandaBase #Conservation #ChinaAdventure#OrionGlobalNomads    Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Last Dinner in Chengdu

    September 29, 2024 in China ⋅ 🌧 22 °C

    One Last Feast in Chengdu After Exploring the Szechuan Region!

    Our final night in Chengdu ended the only way Sichuan could possibly allow — around a table overflowing with extraordinary food, laughter, stories, and one unforgettable tasting menu at The Bridge.

    After days exploring Sichuan together — from giant pandas and ancient Tibetan temples to turquoise mountain waters, mist-covered valleys, and our unforgettable pilgrimage to Mount Emei — it felt fitting that our journey would end with one final spectacular meal shared with ST, Wilson, and Emily.

    And honestly… what a finale it was.

    Course after course arrived like edible works of art:
    delicate flavors layered with the bold heat and complexity Sichuan cuisine is famous for, beautifully plated dishes, rich broths, perfectly prepared meats, fresh vegetables, and desserts that somehow found elegance after all the spice.

    Fun fact: Sichuan cuisine is one of the Eight Great Culinary Traditions of China and is famous for its signature málà flavor — the combination of spicy chili heat and the mouth-tingling sensation created by Sichuan peppercorns.

    Another incredible detail? Chengdu was named a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, recognized globally for its deep culinary heritage, tea culture, street food, and centuries-old cooking traditions.

    But what made the evening memorable wasn’t just the food.

    It was the feeling at the table.

    The kind of dinner where conversations slow down because nobody wants the night to end. Where every dish sparks another memory from the journey:
    the pandas,
    the mountain roads,
    the quiet temples,
    the rafting valleys,
    the endless scenery of Sichuan unfolding around us day after day,
    and the peaceful climb and spiritual atmosphere of Mount Emei.

    A few moments I’ll remember most:
    • Watching dish after dish arrive with anticipation and surprise
    • Sharing stories from the road between courses
    • The warmth and energy of Chengdu at night outside the restaurant windows
    • Reflecting on our pilgrimage to Mount Emei and the serenity we found there
    • That bittersweet realization that great journeys always seem to end too quickly

    Travel memories are often tied to landscapes.

    But sometimes they’re tied to a table shared with good people at the end of an unforgettable adventure.

    And somewhere in Chengdu, over one last extraordinary dinner, Sichuan gave us the perfect goodbye.    Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Rafting Through Fairytale Valleys

    September 30, 2024 in China ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Hidden deep within the mountains of Jiuzhaigou National Park, we found ourselves drifting through one of the most beautiful landscapes we’ve ever experienced in China.

    Towering green mountains. Forested valleys wrapped in mist. Crystal-clear water winding beneath dramatic cliffs. It honestly felt less like a national park and more like stepping inside a painting.

    As our raft moved quietly through the valley, the only sounds were rushing water, distant birds, and the occasional laughter echoing off the canyon walls.

    Fun fact: Jiuzhaigou means “Valley of Nine Villages,” named after ancient Tibetan villages that have existed in the region for centuries. The park is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its surreal blue lakes, waterfalls, and alpine scenery.

    Another incredible detail? The colors of Jiuzhaigou’s water come from mineral deposits, algae, and incredibly clear glacial runoff, creating shades of turquoise and emerald so vivid they almost look unreal.

    A few favorite moments from the day:
    • Floating beneath massive mountain ridges disappearing into the clouds
    • Cool river spray cutting through the summer heat
    • Looking up at untouched forests covering the valley walls
    • That peaceful silence that only exists far away from cities and crowds

    What surprised me most was how calming it all felt. No rush. No noise. Just water, mountains, and nature unfolding slowly around us.

    Sichuan is often famous for pandas and spicy food… but places like Jiuzhaigou remind you it also holds some of the most breathtaking landscapes anywhere in Asia.

    The kind of place that makes you stop paddling for a second just to take it all in.    Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Wall-to-Wall Wonder

    October 2, 2024 in China ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    The Great Wall of China – Bucket List: Checked

    They say you haven’t been to China until you’ve stood on the Great Wall…
    Well, we stood, we climbed, we sweated, and we high-fived at the top like victorious mountain goats.

    🧱 Over 13,000 miles long
    ⛰️ Built across mountains, deserts, and dreams
    🚶‍♀️ Steps that never seem to end (but the views are so worth it)
    🌬️ Wind in our faces, history under our feet

    Fun facts:
    — It’s not visible from space with the naked eye (myth busted!)
    — But it’s very visible from your legs the next day
    — Some parts date back over 2,000 years — and yes, we walked on them like time travelers in sneakers

    We visited the Mutianyu section — fewer crowds, more wow.
    Stone by stone, this wall left us speechless (and breathless).

    #GreatWallGoals #ChinaAdventure #MutianyuMoments #HistoryYouCanHike #WallOfLegDay #TravelWithMe #GreatWallOfChina #WanderlustChina    Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Summer Palace of Beijing

    October 2, 2024 in China ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    Wandering Through the Summer Palace of Beijing

    There are places that feel grand because they are large… and then there are places like Summer Palace that feel grand because every bridge, pavilion, corridor, and lake seems designed like a living work of art.

    Walking through the Summer Palace felt like stepping into an imperial painting.

    Golden rooftops reflected across Kunming Lake, willow trees drifting in the breeze, mountain views rising behind ancient temples, and endless covered walkways stretching along the water’s edge. Even with visitors all around, there were moments where everything suddenly became peaceful and quiet.

    Fun fact: the Summer Palace was originally built during the Qing Dynasty as a retreat for emperors escaping the brutal summer heat of Beijing. It later became closely associated with the powerful Empress Dowager Cixi, who restored and expanded much of the palace complex in the late 1800s.

    Another incredible detail? The famous Long Corridor inside the palace grounds stretches over 700 meters and is decorated with more than 14,000 individual paintings — making it one of the longest painted corridors in the world.

    A few favorite moments from wandering the palace grounds:
    • Watching the light shimmer across Kunming Lake
    • The contrast between peaceful gardens and enormous imperial architecture
    • Looking up at layered rooftops backed by Longevity Hill
    • Quiet corners where the sounds of the city completely disappeared

    What struck me most was the balance of the place. Despite its scale and imperial history, the Summer Palace somehow still feels calm and deeply connected to nature.

    It wasn’t designed just as a palace.

    It was designed as an escape.

    And walking through it, you can understand exactly why emperors kept returning here generation after generation.    Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    The Temple of Heaven

    October 4, 2024 in China ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Heaven, Harmony & A Whole Lotta Steps

    Temple of Heaven – Beijing, China

    If peace, precision, and perfect symmetry had a home… it would be right here.

    We visited the iconic Temple of Heaven (天坛) — where emperors once prayed for good harvests, and now tourists pray for the perfect selfie angle.

    ⛩️ Built in the 1400s during the Ming Dynasty
    ☁️ Meant to connect Earth to Heaven
    ⚪️ Everything is round = Heaven
    🟦 Everything is blue = Sky
    🟥 Everything is beautiful = FACT

    Highlights:
    — Walking the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, which has zero nails (yes, it’s all wood + genius)
    — Exploring the Echo Wall, where whispers travel like ancient secrets
    — Watching locals do tai chi, dance, and even fly kites in the surrounding park — a full vibe

    This wasn’t just a visit — it was a lesson in balance, beauty, and sky-level serenity.

    #TempleOfHeaven #BeijingViews #AncientChinaVibes #MingDynastyMagic #SkyHighHistory #TravelWithMe #WanderlustChina #BuiltForTheGods    Read more

  • Orion Global NomadsChina 2024Traveler

    Forbidden? Not Today.

    October 5, 2024 in China ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    The Forbidden City – Beijing, China

    Stepped into the world of emperors, dragons, and dynasties today — and it did not disappoint.

    Once off-limits to ordinary people for 500+ years, the Forbidden City (紫禁城) is now wide open… and absolutely jaw-dropping.

    🏯 980 buildings
    🐉 Dragons on rooftops, doors, and everywhere in between
    🟨 Yellow tiles = imperial power
    🟥 Red walls = good fortune
    👣 We walked through centuries of secrets — and about 8 miles of stone courtyards

    Fun facts:
    — Home to 24 emperors of the Ming & Qing dynasties
    — The entire palace complex is aligned with the cosmos
    — It’s the largest ancient palace in the world
    (also: shade is limited, bring water and patience)

    It’s more than a city — it’s a universe of detail, symmetry, and ancient power.

    #ForbiddenCity #ImperialChina #BeijingHistory #WalkWithEmperors #DynastyVibes #WanderlustChina #TravelWithMe #RedWallsAndGoldenRoofs    Read more

  • Trip end
    October 3, 2024