Weekend in Xi’an

Last week I spontaneously decided to make a trip to Xi’an. On Friday night my flight took off and it lasted about 100minutes until I arrived at Xi’an airport. I took the airport express bus, which directly takes off in front of the exit. It costs 25RMB per person and transports you into the city center (to Melody Hotel next to the Bell Tower). After checking in I had a good sleep and got up the next morning.
At 8.30 I met my local guide Lee from top china trip travel agency in the lobby of the hotel. In a private air-conditioned car we then headed to Banpo Village. It is the first museum at the prehistoric site, and was built at the base of the excavations of the Banpo site. Since 1958 it is open to the public. The Banpo Site is a typical Neolithic matriarchal community of the Yangshao Culture dating back about 6,000 years. At that time, the Banpo people used tools made primarily of wood and stone. Women, the crucial labor force, were responsible for making pottery, spinning, and raising the family, while men went fishing. The archeological excavations showed the structures of the former buildings and gave me an idea of how people used to live that long ago. Especially the importance of women and children was stunning. When children died, they were buried next to the houses of their families.

The next stop was the fabric where nowadays terracotta warriors in any size are imitated and sold to travelers. However I would not recommend buying them there, because in front of the museum of the terracotta army you get them a lot cheaper and with a better possibility to bargain with the sellers.
After another 20minutes drive we arrived at the Museum of the Terracotta Army. It is made up of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses of Qin Shi Huang the First Emperor of China. The terracotta figures, dating from 210 BCE, were discovered in 1974 by some local farmers near Xi'an near the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. The figures vary in height (183–195 cm - 6ft–6ft 5in), according to their role, the tallest being the generals. The figures include strong warriors, chariots, horses, officials, acrobats, strongmen, and musicians. Current estimates are that in the three pits containing the Terracotta Army there were over 8,000 soldiers, 130 chariots with 520 horses and 150 cavalry horses, the majority of which are still buried in the pits. Especially the first hall with the excavated warriors is amazing. It is huge and the warriors are “perfectly” made. My guide told me that each warrior is a unique fabrication. About 700,000 builders have been involved in the construction of the pits and warriors. In my opinion it deserves the entitlement of the “8th wonder of the world”.


After lunch we paid a visit to Huaqing Hot Springs. They are situated at the northern foot of Mt. Lishan in Lintong County, 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from Xian City, and are famous for both its dainty spring scenery and the romantic love story of Emperor Xuanzong (685-762) and his concubine Yang Guifei in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The palace has a history of 3,000 years and the hot springs a history of 6,000 years. We walked through the different bathing houses and saw two of the three springs, where 43degress Celsius warm water flows up from the ground.

Enjoy the Blossom to China During March!

Spring has come from March and everything revives in this season in China. Farewell to winter, it is time to enjoy the warm sunshine, mild wind and beautiful flower seas in China!

Plum Blossom blooms best in South China in early spring. And the best places for appreciating this flower are Suzhou and Hangzhou. There are many routes for plum blossoms enjoying: Xixi Wetland Park of Hangzhou, Xiangxue Plum Blossom and Plum Blooms Sea in Linwu of Suzhou...

There are four places for plum blossoms enjoying: Chaoshan of Yuhang, Gushan Mountain, Lingfeng of Yuquan and Xixi Wetland Park. It is said that the plum blossom of Xiangxuehai has six petals and is especially beautiful. When enjoying plum blossoms of Linwu, you can taste the true Suzhou flavor with small bridges and flowing streams.

Talking about rape flowers, Luoping of Yunnan can not be ignored. And the yellow rape flowers bloom everywhere in February, making up a large-scale yellow sea. It is also the time when the rape flowers bloom in Wuyuan, Jiangxi. The rape flower in Wuyuan has its lingering charm: surrounded by mountains, the rape flowers and Huizhou dwellings compose a wonderful picture. In addition, Longji Terraced Feild in Longsheng County of Guilin has started to plant rape flowers already. When the rape flowers boom, it is yellow all around the field, truly amazing!

Tao Yuanming, a famous poet of Dong Jin Dynasty has given as a detailed description of a perfect peach blooms land so the peach blooms land has become a good choice of appreciating peach blooms. There are over 30 types of peach blooms in Taoyuan County of Hunan Province. Peach Blooms Festival is held here on March 28th every year.

Longquanyi District of Chengdu, Sichuan Province is also a good place where over 1400-mu peach bloom forest is distributed. When spring comes, the peach blooms here are splendid and constitute an excellent picture with delicate farmhouses, green vegetables and yellow rape flowers, attracting endless blooms enjoyers.

You can appreciate beautiful sakura in China as well. The sakura in Wuhan University is about 80 years old already. Another ideal for enjoying sakura is Guangzhou Sunflower Garden where more than 6000 sakura in different colors are located: pink, yellow, bicolor…

Arriving in Ermei Mountain, you must enter a colorful flower world: crystal ice flowers, bright red azaleas, golden rape flowers and pink peach blossoms…the ice flowers form on the golden top of the mountain, like your dream flying in the sky; the azaleas and winter jasmine are brilliant and beautiful, covering the whole mountain. Peach blossoms and rape flowers make the country beautiful as painting.

My Visit of Elephant Trunk Hill

When I got up on Sunday, it was raining badly. This would keep me inside all day, I thought disappointed. But I was lucky: Weather in Guilin can change very soon! At 2pm the clouds had disappeared and the sun was shining warmly.
So I hurried up to buy some water (especially in spring and summer I advise you to always have one with you!) and take the bus downtown. Then I walked down the whole Binjiang Road, which is build along the Li River. Protected by lots of old, big trees, the view on the river is picturesque.
Many old Chinese people are sitting together, playing cards or instruments while watching what happens around them. Families and couples taking walks on the riverside and only few tourists around, I enjoyed this peaceful place a lot! After passing the People’s Hospital, I reached the main entrance of Elephant Trunk Hill. The entrance fee was 33RMB per person; children who are shorter than 1,40m pay less.
When you enter, you directly have a view on the “elephant” drinking from out of the water. It is an adorable picture. Bamboo boat owner offer tours on the Li River and cormorants are sitting on branches. Young women in traditional clothes let you take pictures with them for a small amount of money.
I followed the path to the hill, and crossed the bridge where the Peach blossom River is flowing into the Li River. From each perspective the elephant is looking different. Then I followed the signs to Yunfeng Temple. Only few parts of it are open to the public, but you can see Buddhas and there are always incense sticks enlightened. I went out through the back gate of it and followed the path through a little forest. Finally I found myself “behind” the elephant and facing Li River again. Down at the river many bamboo boats had docked and Chinese people were standing in the water for fishing. Soon I found the stairs leading to the top of the hill and the pagoda, of course. They are very steep and can be slippery, even if the weather is good. So I strongly recommend wearing good shoes when you plan to climb up. From top of the hill you have a good view on the city around you. Unfortunately I had to find out that the battery of my camera died when I wanted to take pictures up there...never forget to recharge your camera! All I could do was walking around the peak and the pagoda, of course, trying to burn everything into my mind. After some time I went down again and headed to the round cave between the elephant trunk and the leg. Many people were sitting there, having a rest and taking pictures, or climbing up some stones. As personally, I don’t like those places when they are too crowded, I went back and sat down on a bench at Li River to relish the silent and peaceful place. For some time I continued walking around slowly. Then I passed the entrance into the direction of a side exit. I passed a small dancing presentation of an ethnic minority and crossed two bridges and the left the scenic area with a feeling of inner peace.

Top Five Amusement Parks in China

5. Merryland – Guilin

This theme park is literally located in the middle of nowhere, about two hours from Guilin; it seems somewhat peculiar that an amusement park can survive in such a remote location. The location does not however detract from the park itself with plenty to rides and activities to keep you busy for several hours at least. The park doesn't have any large roller-coasters but does boast a swashbuckling pirate-ship and a thrilling flume ride. If you're planning to head to Merryland I can only suggest that you go in good weather and early because many of the rides involve water and indeed the huge lake located in the middle of the park is perfect for summertime fun. A word of caution about the pirates of the Caribbean ride; I have never felt more sick after getting off a ride in my life!


4. Minsk World – Shenzhen

This is certainly one of the more quirky, unusual sights you'll see in China and indeed Minsk World may leave you giggling rather than trying to catch your breath. This theme park is called Minsk World because its centerpiece is a full-size Soviet aircraft carrier, Minsk, that was decommissioned and then eventually purchased by a Chinese consortium and moved to Shenzhen. The park is centered around the aircraft carrier but there is also an array of Chinese and Soviet artifacts as wells as the frequently held re-enactments of staff dressed in kitchen mock military uniforms. Despite this park somewhat showing its age it's defiantly worth a visit if only for the spectacle.


3. Dalian Discovery Kingdom- Dalian

Dalian Discovery Kingdom is what could be referred to as a 'classic' theme park, no campery or staff dressed like colonel clink, just rides. Opened in 2006, this park is still relatively new and as such most of the rides offer a level of excitement above that of most Chinese theme parks. The park has three roller-coasters and two water-rides as well as a vertical drop tower and a plethora of smaller rides to suit stomachs of every size. This is by no means a seven-flags park but for those who get up to the harbor city of Dalian in Northeast China and have a day to kill Dalian Discovery Kingdom is well worth it. Discovery Kingdom only opens in the summer months (June-September).


2. Disneyland – Hong Kong

The opening of Disneyland in Hong Kong was considered to be a milestone of Chinese culture development, there was concern amongst some sections of Chinese society that Disneyland epitomized opulence and wastefulness of western society and that this was a slippery-slope that would lead to the degradation of Chinese culture; of course their fears were completely irrational. What Hong Kong now has is a shiny new Disneyland what almost perfectly replicates what you would find in California, complete with 'Main Street U.S.A'. This park usually gets incredibly crowded so be prepared to do your fair share of queuing, you'll find all the stock-standard rides that you're used to. A word of caution: after rain the walk ways around the park become soap-like and it's very easy to fall over!


1. Happy Valley – Beijing
Happy Valley is possibly not as good as Disneyland but its located in Beijing which makes it largely more accessible for tourists visiting China, and it's a lot cheaper! This theme park is basically a Chinese imitation of Disneyland but with some improvements to make it adult-friendly as well. Located only 10kms from the centre of Beijing, Happy Village Park is complete with several different 'worlds' including Atlantis, the Lost Maya and Ant World etc. It is very easy to soak up a day wandering around and enjoying rides, there's more than one roller-coaster, several flumes, and IMAX theater and a shopping complex, as well as my favorite a little Disney-style train that encircles the whole park. I know that it may not be to everyone's taste to go to China and spend a day at an amusement park, but if the raft of temples, gardens and bridges are getting you down, then why not switch it up for a day?!

Knowing about Hong Kong

After seriously injuring my knee while playing soccer in a university competition in early May and said knee not showing any sign of healing I had to go to Hong Kong to seek expert medical attention, after finding the standard of medical treatment in Guilin somewhere short of satisfactory. It's been a long time since I've visited Hong Kong and this time it left me with a striking impression.

Getting There
Travelling to Hong Kong by air is undoubtedly the most convenient way to get to Hong Kong but it is also the least economical, typically speaking. The most affordable way to travel to Hong Kong is to flight to one of the surrounding major cities located within the Pearl River Delta, namely Shenzhen or Guangzhou, from here you will be able to connect to Hong Kong through fast efficient ground-transport; for example there is a direct bus connection from Shenzhen airport to Hong Kong Island for the cost of only Y90 (US$19), the best delivers you directly to Kowloon, Jordon or Hong Kong Island, stopping only at the border to allow passengers to complete customs. These buses leave at hour-an hour intervals making them most convenient, the journey takes around seventy-five minutes.

Alternatively Hong Kong is also directly connected to Guangzhou via high-speed rail link, travellers arriving at Guangzhou airport need to take one of the regular buses to the city (Y25) and then use the subway/taxi to Guangzhou East Station, which is conveniently located close to the airport bus terminus. Trains depart frequently from Guangzhou to Kowloon taking around two-hours and tickets cost Y190 (US$38), this is only a much more economical way to reach Hong Kong but also a chance to get a glimpse at the most developed and prosperous region in China as you zip through the Pearl-River Delta Region, trains terminate at Hung Hom subway station in Hong Kong.


Enjoying Hong Kong
The purpose of my visit to Hong Kong was strictly to receive an expert diagnosis on my knee so there wasn't a lot of time to put my feet up (the doctor's examination aside) but the impression of Hong Kong that I did gain was stark and confronting. The whole island looks like a movie set; the ramshackle alley ways with Neon signs crowding out the skyline and small noodle restaurants packed with people slurping-up their dumpling noodles seems like the set of blade-runner of Jackie Chan's latest movie, while the forest of colossal buildings that sprout up over the metropolis seem to lend themselves to a thriller about greed, betray and secrets. The whole city seems to teem with life in a way that few cities do, as if you have fallen into an ant hive.

I stayed in the slightly exorbitant Langham Hotel in Mong Kok which was amazingly furnished and superbly positioned right in the centre of the Kowloon side of the city, although it costs over a thousand Hong Kong dollars a night it may just about be worth it as it gives you a chance to understand what Hong Kong is about: exuberance, luxury and grandeur. Hong Kong has managed to fuse east and west in a way Shanghai could all dream about, anything one could wish to find or do can be found and done, it's a city of unlimited potential and opportunity, that throws open its doors open to people from every corner of the globe. Hong Kong also has to been the dining capital of China; whether it's a gourmet sandwich or gourmet Cantonese food you'll find it all, Hong Kongese people seem to have an obsession with eating and there is an over-supply of restaurants crammed together on every-street, it's not hard to find something to suit your palate.


Medical Treatment
A word on Hong Kong's medical treatment, which is China's best by quite a stretch. A large majority of Hong Kongese physicians have received their training from abroad, typically in the United Kingdom or Australia; Hong Kong also possesses a highly-developed hospital system that runs on world's best practice, my consultation with a leading physician cost HK$500, which is reasonably comparable to a western consultation, if you are in need to medical treatment or a consultation, Hong Kong should defiantly be your first port of call!

Day trip to Longsheng

Yesterday I went to Longsheng with two German friends, Basti and Fabian, and Basti’s parents to see the Longji Rice Terraces. They are located approximately 27 kilometers southeast of Longsheng County, a vast region of rice terraces and are the most amazing terraces in China. The construction began 700 years ago during Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), and continued until the early Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The Longji Rice Terraces are the culmination of both the profound wisdom and strenuous labor of the Zhuang people and cover an area of 66 square kilometers.

Basti had organized a private car which picked us up at 8am. The weather was cloudy and not extremely warm. The driver left Guilin city and drove northwards to Longsheng County. After one hour the driver drove into the mountains and the street became very curvy. Suddenly mist surrounded us and it was impossible to see more than 20m far. We reached the entrance to Longji Rice terraces at approximately 10.30am. The entrance fee per person was 50RMB. From the very first moment we felt like being demoted in time. At the side of the street women of Zhuang and Yao nationality were selling souvenirs. They are famous for their very long black hair which they wear like crowns. They cut it maximum once in their lifetimes and only wash them with rice water. The street was paved but bumpy and the air was a little misty. The path led us to a Wind and Rain bridge and the stairs curled up the hills. Finally we walked through Longji village, where houses had been built into the mountains. We already had a great view on the valley beneath us and hundreds of rice fields on the mountains.

The clouds between the mountains led to a very beautiful view. We continued climbing up to the first look-out point. All of us were deeply impressed by the beauty of the landscape stretching out in front of us. The Longji Rice terraces were peacefully and perfectly built into the mountains and the valley was full of silence.

We continued climbing up the stairs, stopping at several sales stalls of local women. Finally we reached the highest view point. Unfortunately in this moment the peak was surrounded by clouds and we could not see anything. We decided to have a beer and licorice from the Netherlands (Basti’s parents had brought it for us) while chatting a little while. After we had finished the beer, the view was clear again and we were amazed by the picturesque view which arose in front of us. Even if the climb had been tiring and straining, it was definitely worth it!

We descended again and made a stop in the village, where we had our lunch in a restaurant. We ordered chicken in a bamboo steamer and a local specialty: rice which had been steamed in bamboo with some vegetables.
We continued to walk down through the village, stopping at several sales stalls to bargain with the women and buy some souvenirs.
At 3pm we left the Longji Rice Terraces and took our car back to Guilin! I have to say that I did not expect them to be as amazing as they have been and definitely recommend visiting them when you come to Guilin!

Train Journey from Guangzhou to Gansu

After seeing the doctor in Hong Kong I needed to find my way to North-west China to begin my summer holiday adventures which consist of trekking up and down the province of Gansu to visit Dunhuang, Jiayuguan, Lanzhou, Wuwei I got myself from Kowloon in Hong Kong to Guangzhou, and then headed to Guangzhou railway station, upon arriving at the train station I was shocked and dismayed to learn that not only had the train had already sold out of sleepers but had also sold out of seats and the only type of ticket they had remaining was 'non-seat' ticket, which is akin to standing/sitting wherever there is space. Faced with no other choice I bought the ticket, at least it was cheap! I decided not to buy too much food to take on the train, limiting myself to a small packet of biscuits, I always feel that bad food consumed in a bad environment is never beneficial for the body.

Waiting in the train station I just realised what I had got myself into, into China there are four types of trains: bullet trains, express-trains, fast trains and 'normal' trains; normal being code for 'don't count on getting anywhere fast'. The train from Guangzhou to north-west China fell into the 'normal' group, meaning not only that it was slated to stop at an endless list of stations but also it would be behind any other type of train in terms of gaining access to key rail corridors. It was to be in carriage three, upon getting aboard there was already barely any room to move, I found myself half-a-metre of space nestled comfortably between a rubbish bin and a lavatory, hoping that later in the journey space would free up.

Well, what of the journey itself? It was something like being jammed into a coffin filled with rotting garbage and cigarette smoke, I'd considered myself relatively tolerant to such situations having found myself in them several times before, but even by my standards this was tough; sitting in the linking section between two carriages meant that this was the thoroughfare in which fellows came to enjoy the odd cigarette or two, by the time I got off the train I felt I had developed lung cancer. In china, the hierarchy of transportation is will defined and basically airtight; the more uncouth and uncultured you are, the further towards the front of the train you are. Sleep was impossible as I kept being trod/spat of by passing travellers, my last grip on sanity was a book I had bought (my ipod battery died without notice), by hour 28 I felt like asking one of my rural comrades for a cigarette despite not being a smoker myself, the sight of the toilet after 34 hours was enough to make even the most iron-stomached person chock back in disgust.

The most delightful part of the trip came forty-two hours in, when hope of salvation was near, the train suddenly ground to a complete stop; heavy rains in Shaanxi province had damaged the tracks, the train was delayed indefinitely, it was also at this point at which the toilet flooded, spewing an malevolent ooze which quickly snacked its way towards my luggage, the five-hour delay was the nadir of my journey, if not my life, hungry, tired, dazed with thirst and thoroughly sick of every cigarette puffing wood-chiselled Chinese man asking me where I had come from and what was I doing here. At last, the train creaked into gear and began petering along at a tortuous pace, a swift six-hours later after countless stop and several cubic meters of second-hand smoke inhaled we finally reached the station.



I can only hope that this experience never happens to me or anyone else, if you choose to travel by train, you'd better buy the sleeper ticket in advance, or join the China Train Tours provided by Online China tours to enjoy the soft sleeper. If you can't a bed or cannot stand the long journey then just spend the extra thousand yuan and fly!