Lhasa and the world-famous Potala Palace marks the final destination on my quest to see all the sites depicted on the back of the Chinese bank notes (the Palace is on the 50-yuan bill). What started as a fun personal goal ended very well as Lhasa and Tibet are certainly at the top of my list of favorite places. Tibet is called the “roof of the world” for good reason as the plateau rises sharply with an average height of 4500…
The Rainbow Mountains within Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park are a spectacular display of Earth’s beauty. The mountains are famous for their bright palette of colors of alternating strips similar to a rainbow. The site was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 and it is very popular destination for Chinese and foreign tourists. The Zhangye Danxia National Park is located in the Gansu province about one-hour car ride from the Zhangye train station. In recent years the site…
Xining 西宁市 is the capital city of Qinghai province in western China and the eastern gate of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. Xining is a great city to fly into then branch off on adventures to other places of interest such as Zhangye’s Rainbow Mountains, Qinghai Lake, Silk Road tours, and of course the train to Lhasa, Tibet. Xining was a major trading hub along the Silk Road and western stronghold resisting attacks from the west. There are many Muslims and Buddhists who first…
In Shanghai’s Hongkou district is a building of such interesting mystique and history that it stands out prominently among the thousands of others in the city. The 1933 Slaughterhouse combines function with intriguing design elements that some describe as eerie and “Escheresque“. The building was designed and used to slaughter and process perhaps millions of animals up to about 1960 when it closed. After some years of abandon and disrepair, the building was resurected in 1998 to become an events…
What’s the Former French Concession? The Former French Concession in Shanghai was an area controlled by the French government from around 1849 to 1946. The French obtained the area from the Shanghai government which conceded certain territory for a French settlement. Shanghai was, and still is, an important port city and many foreign governments established themselves in various areas around the city. However, the French Concession remains the most iconic and popular among tourists and expats The area is well…
Zhujiajiao 朱家角 is a water town on the western outskirts of Shanghai and was established about 1,700 years ago. Today, the central portion of the area is a popular tourist destination. The old water town is fairly large with a big river in the middle and of course, there is a bridge. The small canals are quite charming with lots of food and shops. The surrounding neighborhoods are more authentic and still lived in and I recommend wandering around a bit….
South Bund Fabric Market 南外滩轻纺面料市场 The South Bund Fabric Market is quite famous amongst visitors and locals alike for its plethora of tailors and seamstresses. If you have any desire for custom made clothing then this is the place. Just about any kind of wearable items can be made to order and all you need to do is come prepared with an idea of what you want. Even better, bring a photo or sample for them to copy. You’ll need…
The Yangtze River is China’s longest river at 6380 kilometers from western China to the Pacific ocean and the third longest in the world. The river has a long cultural and economic importance for China and was prone flooding and fast flowing rapids prior to the Three Gorges Dam project completed around 2009. The river also forms a natural dividing line between North and South China lending to quite different climate and culture. For our cruise we started in Chongqing…
Longjing or Dragon Well is a small village up in the hills just west of Hangzhou’s West Lake. This is the place where the most famous tea in China comes from. Every spring when the tea bushes wake up from their winter sleep and start budding, millions of enthusiasts clamor for a taste of this very special tea. So, What is Longjing Tea? Legend from during the Qing dynasty has it that dragons lived in a well at Longjing Village and…
Zhouzhuang Water Town (周庄) is said to be the oldest water town in China [1] situated in Kunshang City just south of Suzhou and about 90-min bus ride from Shanghai. The old town is famous for its canals and traditional style buildings dating from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1368-1911) of which about 60% remain in excellent condition. Often described as the “Venice of the East”, Zhouzhuang is flooded with tourist who come to experience the historical beauty, shops, and…