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Tag: History

Journey to Lhasa and the Roof of the World

Journey to Lhasa and the Roof of the World

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…

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Xining: A Cultural and Geographic Crossroads

Xining: A Cultural and Geographic Crossroads

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…

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Walkabout in the Former French Concession

Walkabout in the Former French Concession

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…

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Exploring the Famous Longjing Tea Village

Exploring the Famous Longjing Tea Village

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…

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Explore Gaoqiao West Street for the Authentic Vibe

Explore Gaoqiao West Street for the Authentic Vibe

Gaoqiao West Street is a pretty cool street to visit and part of Gaoqiao Old Town which dates back to the Southern Song Dynasty. Gaoqiao is located at the northern end of Pudong, on the east bank of the Huangpu River. Although still in Shanghai, the city vibe and amount of English drops off dramatically. It’s not a touristy place although quite accommodating and a good respite from the usual activities. I combined my visit with the weird Holland Village…

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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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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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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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So, I Hiked Up Mount Tai and it was Good

So, I Hiked Up Mount Tai and it was Good

Mount Tai is one of the Five Sacred Mountains of China and happens to be the grandest of them all. Since Mount Tai is the easternmost mountain it is associated with sunrise and renewal. Over time the mountain has become a cornerstone in Chinese religion and for over 3000 years emperors and others have visited to offer sacrifice and pay homage. Because of Mount Tai’s significant cultural importance it is a very popular destination for Chinese and somewhat of a…

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