China, 2006 Galleries

Beijing : We began our September holiday in Beijing. We arrived in the afternoon and, once we had checked into our hotel, immediately went sightseeing. Our first 'meal' was at the night market. Beijing was far better than we had expected. The air seemed to be reasonably clean. Traffic was orderly. There are plenty of clean and user friendly public toilets. It seems, a great deal of effort was (and is) being made to make Beijing a showcase for the Olympics. Their efforts, given Beijing's previous reputation, have been amazing. You've got to say this about the Chinese, when they decide to do something then it will be done . . . on time.

Beijing

We began our September holiday in Beijing. We arrived in the afternoon ...

Updated: Oct 07, 2006 3:22pm PST

Pingyao : Pinyao, a walled city that reflects the architecture and life of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Pingyao

Pinyao, a walled city that reflects the architecture and life of the M ...

Updated: Oct 07, 2006 1:37am PST

X'ian, China : We did a whistle-stop tour of X'ian. Arrived at 9:00am by train from Pingyao. Straight to the hotel and booked in. Found a cab to take us to the terracotta warriors. Got back to the hotel at 2:00pm. Walked (and got lost along the way) to the Muslim quarter. Wandered around the Chinese mosque. Got back to the hotel, then straight to the Shaanxi Dance Theatre. Flopped into bed at 10:00pm. Phew!

X'ian, China

We did a whistle-stop tour of X'ian. Arrived at 9:00am by train from P ...

Updated: Oct 07, 2006 1:51am PST

Shanghai and surroundings, China : We stayed a few days in Shanghai. Not from choice, really. Getting sick meant that we had to stay a little longer, but there is plenty to do and see around Shanghai, so it was an interesting place to be detained.

Shanghai and surroundings, China

We stayed a few days in Shanghai. Not from choice, really. Getting sic ...

Updated: Oct 07, 2006 2:11am PST

Guilin and surroundings, China : When we spoke to locals in Beijing, X'ian and Shanghai about our trip and we mentioned that we were going to Guilin, the Chinese would say, "Ah, Guilin is very beautiful." They said this, even though they hadn't been there, in reverential tones. Well, I must say, when we arrived in Guilin, we were a little disappointed. Guilin owes its fame to the surrounding countryside and, I suppose, its place within a strange landscape. Despite its setting, however, Guilin lacks any distinctive character. Nevertheless, its a good jumping-off point for visits to surrounding areas . . . which are beautiful in their own right.

Guilin and surroundings, China

When we spoke to locals in Beijing, X'ian and Shanghai about our trip ...

Updated: Oct 07, 2006 2:41am PST

Yangshou, China : Yangshou is an odd place. It obvious that in the recent past it has been a tourist destination for young backpackers. There remains of evidence this in the style and the names of cafes and shops found in the tourist precinct. It has a seventies ambience. This is changing rapidly. Construction of large hotels is taking place. It won't be long before the quaintness of Yangshou disappears entirely to be replaced by . . . ? This is not a judgement, just an observation. The Han Chinese propensity to turn small tourist operations into monopolies is relentless. As it stands, local guides and small local operations have been steadily marginalised in Yangshou, only to be replaced by centrally controlled CTS (China Travel Service) operations. This often means that the tourist dollar does not benefit the local population to the same degree that it would if CTS took a community development approach to tourism, which is sad.

Yangshou, China

Yangshou is an odd place. It obvious that in the recent past it has be ...

Updated: Oct 07, 2006 3:44am PST

Hong Kong :

Hong Kong

Updated: Oct 07, 2006 3:59am PST