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Author: Billy Whimwa

Chengdu Spicy Sichuan Happy Flavors

Chengdu Spicy Sichuan Happy Flavors

Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province in China, is probably best known for it’s Panda Research Base. However, it’s arguably better known for the signature flavor of the hot & numbing Sichuan peppers that give Sichuan cuisine its unique taste. The flavor of Sichuan peppercorns is sort of  lemony and most interestingly has a tingling or numbing sensation. The peppers are used for flavor and actually are not really very hot. The intense spice in Sichuan cooking comes instead from…

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Xi’an Terracotta Warriors and Villages

Xi’an Terracotta Warriors and Villages

Our journey to Xi’an was with a tour company called Insiders Experience. First day breakfast we stopped for delicious local foods on our way to see the famous Terracotta Army. Afterward we visited an ancient Taoist temple in the Lishan Mountains and then a local lunch. After lunch and the next day we drove around the countryside visiting small villages and exploring rural China. Xi’an Terracotta Warriors The official name for the “museum” is Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor…

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A Nice Stroll Around XinChang Ancient Town

A Nice Stroll Around XinChang Ancient Town

XinChang Ancient Town (新场古镇) is a charming water town nearby Shanghai. Take a break from the busy city and enjoy a peaceful lunch next to the canal. That’s what I did. XinChang was also known as Xin Yan Chang which means “New Salt Place”. The town belonged to a salt manufacture that operated nearby the sea. At some point they moved the production to XinChang so it’s called “New Salt Place”. Salt traders would come to the town to do…

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The Joys of Using the Bathroom in Asia

The Joys of Using the Bathroom in Asia

Everybody poops right? But bathroom equipment is not always the same. Most travelers from the US and Europe are familiar with the sit down toilet which is often called a “Western” toilet in Asia. However, around Asia, and much of the world actually, there are some important differences travelers should know about. Top tips: Always carry a little tissue pack with you. Almost no public restrooms have any toilet paper. Get in the habit of carrying tissues all the time….

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Quick Day-trip to Nanjing

Quick Day-trip to Nanjing

Nanjing is a famous historical and culture city about an hour or two from Shanghai by speed train. It served as the capital  during several dynasties over the course of China’s history and most recently was the capital under the Kuomintang until 1949. There are quite a many historical sights and things to do in Nanjing however we only had two days to explore. On my to-do list was run around on the City Wall of Nanjing, play at Xuanwu…

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Drinking and Reading in Shaoxing

Drinking and Reading in Shaoxing

Shaoxing is probably most famous for its Yellow Rice Wine (绍兴黄酒) which is sold almost everywhere. The wine has been produced there for centuries and is thought to be one of the oldest kinds of wine in China. Also of great importance is Lu Xun’s home is there. Lu Xun is considered one of the most important modern writers in China and people travel in droves to visit his old home. There is quite a lot to see and do…

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China Art Palace

China Art Palace

China Art Palace (中华艺术宫) The China Art Palace, also known as the China Art Museum, is a museum of modern Chinese art. The museum is housed in the iconic China Pavilion of Expo 2010 that looks like something out of Minecraft. I highly recommend seeing the exhibition that is on the top floor called Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival (清明上河图). It is an electronic rendition of the original that spans about 100 meters along the wall with undulating, moving scenes….

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Come for the Huge Scale Model and Learn Stuff Too

Come for the Huge Scale Model and Learn Stuff Too

Shanghai Urban Planning Exhibition Center 上海城市规划展示馆 The Shanghai Urban Planing Exhibition Center (SUPEC) is one of Shanghai’s many cool museums and quite popular. Inside on the 6th floor is a scale model of the whole city which you can view from a perimeter walkway or gallery above. If you are in Shanghai then of course you’ll want to try and find your hotel or apartment. In addition, there are many other interesting displays to enjoy including an art gallery and…

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Sri Lanka and the Way of Life

Sri Lanka and the Way of Life

Sri Lanka really surprised me with it’s rich history and culture. Before arriving, I knew very little about the country other than where it is and Ceylon tea comes from there. However, after ten days of traveling around the Central region I was blown away by what I discovered. I learned about the long, rich history of Sri Lanka people, the food, landscape, and culture. It truly was life changing and I look forward to another visit to Sri Lanka….

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Skiing in Hokkaido Japan

Skiing in Hokkaido Japan

We stayed at the Sheraton Hokkaido Kiroro Resort which is a “ski-in/ski-out” hotel and ski lodge. This arrangement couldn’t have been more convenient as the lifts and mountain are right at the hotel. Each morning we would have a good breakfast then hit the slopes for all day skiing. The snow in Hokkaido is perfect. It’s light and fluffy and this area gets plenty of snow. We arrived after Christmas and the snow was about two meters deep at least….

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