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Emei Shan – The Holy Mountain

 

Emei Shan, the Holy Mountain, near Chengdu, China

Emei Shan, the Holy Mountain, near Chengdu, China

Emei Shan is one of China’s four famous Buddhist mountains and thus the destination for zillions of Chinese tourists and pilgrims. Not that we could distinguish who was making its way up or down Emai Shan for what purpose, but what was so overwhelming was the sheer number of people on a normal weekday in the low season. Continue Reading →

Chengdu – Temples & Chinese Opera

Chinese Opera in Jinjiang Theater, Chengdu, China

Chinese Opera in Jinjiang Theater, Chengdu, China

In Chengdu, there are also quite a few temples. Some are more like a monastery, as Wenshu, with living quarters for the monks, various temples, shrines & a tea house. Unless some Chinese tourists are screaming into their mobiles, it can also be place to soak up a bit of tranquility in this big city. Continue Reading →

Moving North To Sichuan

In Chengyang, a Dong Village near Sanjiang, Guilin region, China

In Chengyang, a Dong Village near Sanjiang, Guilin region, China

From Ping’An, we zipped to Guilin by bus. From there we continued by plane to Chengdu, the provincial capital of Sichuan. Airline tickets bought online are indeed often so discounted that they are cheaper than a soft sleeper on the train! Continue Reading →

Minority Villages Near Sanjiang

Chengyang Wind & Rain Bridge, Dong Village near Sanjiang, Guilin region, China

Chengyang Wind & Rain Bridge, Dong Village near Sanjiang, Guilin region, China

After the madness of Ping’An, it was such a relief to find Ma’an, famous for its Chengyang Wind and Rain Bridge, a quiet relaxed place. The about 100 year old bridge was built by the villagers only using wood, no nails and is covered by what looks like a cascade of roofs. The rice paddies next to the river are irrigated by large squeaking waterwheels. Continue Reading →

The Rice Terraces Of Ping’An

Mass Tourism At Its Fullest

Rice Terraces of Ping’An, China

Rice Terraces of Ping’An, China

We were well aware that visiting a main tourist attraction in China during the May 1st holiday week would not be a lonely affair! Nevertheless, what we experienced in the tiny village of Ping’An was beyond our wildest imaginations. The area is famous for its extensive and elaborately sculptured rice terraces, a truly magnificent place. BUT! Since it caters mainly to Chinese tour groups coming up for the day from Guilin or Yangshuo, the place turns into a zoo during the busy holiday season. Continue Reading →

Yangshuo’s Other Highlights

Yangshuo Cooking School, Yangshuo, China

Yangshuo Cooking School, Yangshuo, China

One morning we joined a lesson at Yangshuo Cooking School, run by an energetic young lady with a good sense of humor. The class started with a trip to the local market where our little group was introduced to ingredients typically used in Chinese cuisine. The “school” is located in the country side in the midst of rice paddies. Continue Reading →

Medical Care In China

Inside the Drum Tower, in Pingtan Zhai, a Dong Village near Sanjiang, Guilin region, China

Inside the Drum Tower, in Pingtan Zhai, a Dong Village near Sanjiang, Guilin region, China

Since Heidi suffered from a persistent cold, she decided to see a doctor in Yangshuo. Accompanied by Sally, a young lady who works at our hotel, she headed for the local hospital. Unlike many people in Yangshuo, nobody spoke a word of English there! Her experience at this provincial hospital made us curious and we dug a bit deeper to learn more about health care in China. Continue Reading →

East Meets West

In Chengyang, a Dong Village near Sanjiang, Guilin region, China

In Chengyang, a Dong Village near Sanjiang, Guilin region, China

Since we first entered China, we observed a fascination of Chinese tourists with Western tourists and their children in particular. During a boat ride on the Li River, there was an American family with small boys on board. Everybody tried to hold them, pat them, have them sit on their lap in the overcrowded bus from Xingpin back to Yangshuo. Or at least have their photo taken together with the kids!

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Yangshuo

 Cycling Along The Yulong River & Cruising The Li River

Karst Landscape along Yulong River, Yangshuo, China

Karst Landscape along Yulong River, Yangshuo, China

One of the best ways to see the extraordinary scenery is riding a bike along the Yulong River. Here tourism is presently finding its way into the local farmer communities along the river. This area is undergoing a major transition: you see farmers working their rice paddies or taking their animals home in the evening, while others are building bamboo rafts or taking tourists down the river on these floating devices. Some people try to sell conic hats or fruits and most farmers along the river have added a few floors onto their modest dwellings, probably expecting tourists soon wanting to stay out there, away from the hustle of West Street. Continue Reading →