Friday, 23 November 2007
SHANGHAI Day 1
Thursday, 22 November 2007
HI FROM SHANGHAI!!!
We were exhausted so this morning we are taking it easy. I'll tell you all about yesterday because it was a day to remember. The way these guys drive is the real adventure in this country. I thought we would never make it to the hotel from the airport...Radama and I shared the same nutter taxi driver and believe me when i tell you I thought I'd never see my mum again!
We are off to explore Shangai now. You are all sleeping in Europe so I'll have time later on to update you.
Carpioma with love from SHANGAI
Hi again, we headed to Putong, the Shanghai's City and we went to the Jin Mao Tower, the highest one so far, 340metres (they are building a new one almost besides which will be the tallest) and the lift only takes 40 seconds to get to t
Once there and after posting a postcard Radama and I had a "chat" with the F
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Hola desde YANGSHUO
Nos hemos cruzado con labradores en el campo, arando con bueyes, sacando agua del rio y transportandolas en uos cubos que se cuelgan de una vara de bambu y la cual se apoyan en los hombros...desde luego el bambu es un gran recurso en este gran pais, bebes jugando, gente con vacas, patos, y ladrillo, mucho ladrillo. Habia una pequena fabrica en medio de los arrozales. Estan construyendo bastante en la zona rural y segun parece las autridades locales estan demoliendo edificios para substituirlos por otros de aspecto sospechosamente moderno.
Monday, 19 November 2007
FROM YANGSHUO
Where is it? Yangshuo is a small county in southern China. In the 1980s, many foreign backpackers were drawn here by the introduction of the county in the 'Lonely Planet'.
Yangshuo lies in the northeast of Guangxi Province and to the southeast of Guilin City. The special geography gives it breath-taking beauty while over 1,400 years of history bless it with a deep traditional culture. The diverse ethnic minority groups including Hui, Zhuang, Yao and others, enrich it with special folk cultures represented by their various festivals; while many foreign residents add exotic flavors to its fascination.
The famous Li River traverses the county and brings it the most beautiful scenery. Along the extremely pure river, thousands of hills stand in different poses and with different expressions, such as Moon Hill, Mural Hill and Schoolboy Hill which is the natural stage of the world famous opera 'Impression on Sanjie Liu'. Streets in Yangshuo are well kept in the original style, presenting the simple and primitive atmosphere of the ancient town. West Street is the most exciting one that locals call the 'Global Village'. There are not only many foreign tourists, but also quite a number of foreign residents managing cafés and restaurants. The exotic flavor, combined with the traditional culture, make the West Street world famous.
BEIJING DAY 2- 13th November CHINESE WALL-MUTIANYU
Our trip to the Chinese Wall, Mutianyu section, took 2 hours drive from Beijing.
We hired a local guy that took us for 40 Euro return 4 of us. We left at 8am very excited about the idea of walking on the Great Wall of China.
We chose Mutianyu, the second less touristic side 80km from Beijing and one of the toughest ones.
We were really lucky as I don't think we saw more than 20 people in total so we had the great pleasure to enjoy it to the full . Located in Huairou County about 45 miles from Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall enjoys a long history and is part of the glorious culture of China. It connects Juyongguan Pass in the west and Gubeikou Great Wall in the east. The wall was first built in Northern Qi Dynasty (550 - 557). In Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644), Tan Lun and Qi Jiguang, two famous patriotic generals, rebuilt it in order to strengthen its defensive potential when they guarded the strategic pass. It served as the northern protective screen, guarding the capital and imperial mausoleums for generations.
Mutianyu Great Wall winds 1.4 miles through lofty mountains and high ridges, many sections of which are made of granite. The unique structure makes the wall almost indestructible. It measures 23 to 26 feet high and four to five yards wide. Both of the wall's inner and outer sides have parapets to defend against enemies coming from the two sides. Some parapets are saw- tooth shaped instead of the regular rectangular form. Below the parapets, there are square embrasures the top of which are designed in an arc structure, different from the traditional round embrasures. Besides its strategically important location and compact layout, the Mutianyu Great Wall is also famous for the breath-takingly beautiful scenery. Woods cover over ninety-six percent of the total scenic area. The wall presents different aspects of beauty in the four seasons. Flowers bloom all over the mountains in spring. Grasses dress the hillside green in summer. Trees are laden with sweet fruits in autumn, and especially in October, leaves are turning red or yellow, touching the mountain tops with gold. In winter, the wall is covered by snow, making it seem more magnificent. The pine trees around Mutianyu Great Wall are well-known. There are more than 20 pines over 300 years old and about 200 pines over 100 year old. Besides, spring water at the foot of the wall tastes pure and fragrant, much appreciated by visitors.
In the evening and back in Beijing 3 of us decided to go to the opera in the HUGUANG one.