Monthly Archives: February 2014

The next day was time for the most iconic of Chinese sights, the Great Wall of China.  Since I had no desire at this point in the trip to spend 6 to 8 hours in a bus, I chose the … Continue reading →

Beijing is massive, but thanks to an extensive and very logically planned subway system, pretty simple to navigate (as long as you know what subway stop you need for each site).  So, I covered a lot of territory in my … Continue reading →

Pingyao was my last daytrip before Beijing, and warm, convenient, and comfortable Korea (two months of this hectic, fast-travelling lifestyle had me dreaming of being sedentary for awhile… three months as it turned out).  This was by far my smallest … Continue reading →

Xi’an, thankfully, was significantly more interesting than Hangzhou.  This is the site of the famed Terracotta Warriors, one of the many “Eighth Wonders of the World” (as is often the case in China, reality is no match for hyperbole).  However, … Continue reading →

Due to a severely late train and some pretty unclear hostel directions, I didn’t actually get to sightseeing in Shanghai until 3:30 p.m., about 5 hours later than I planned.  The good news as there were only three things I … Continue reading →

When in Guilin, my Nepali buddy pointed out I’d need a multiple-entry visa if I intended on going to Hong Kong and being able to get back to China.  I checked my Tibet travel permit/visa and lo and behold, my … Continue reading →

Guilin is home to a stunning array of green, vegetation-covered karst (limestone) mountains, and to many scenes that likely enter your imagination when you hear “China”.  I stayed at Wada Hostel, a very friendly and helpful place, and opted to … Continue reading →

I was only in Chengdu for one night, but seeing it demonstrated just how ascendant China really has become.  While boasting a long history, most would never equate it with metropolises like Shanghai and Beijing, yet it has three times … Continue reading →

Our first day in Lhasa, we headed over to Drepung and Sera Monasteries, both set on mountainsides on the edge of town, both large and full of whitewashed Tibetan buildings, and both sporting large assembly halls, stupas galore, and more … Continue reading →

After a much better night’s rest in Shigatse, we headed over to its Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, built by the 1st Dalai Llama in 1447 and home to 10 iterations of the Panchen Llama (the 11th is sequestered in Beijing, not … Continue reading →