Currently wandering around trying to find the old streets After a big downpour we found coffee the the “old streets”. Rather invaded by tourist shops but I guess the nature of the hillside and intrinsic buildings remain even if reconstructed. Being wooden reminiscent of alpine village! Initially went to Shibati district going down then Shan …
Agenda: Self guided walking tour of city/meander. 1949 cultural show this evening Very overcast/misty today with risk of thundery showers. Oh well Prices: food very cheap. Full meals 20-30Yuan (£3) yesterday’s feast 138 Yuan (£14) for two. Only fruit is relatively expensive, closer to UK prices for apple and oranges Taxi (Didi) very cheap today …
Interesting fact: Population of England 56million. Combined population of just two cities, Beijing and Chongqing, 53million! Add Shanghai and it’s about same as whole of UK These boxes are everywhere. Basically power bank stations. Scan the code, pay about 3yuan (30p) and out pops a charger. Replace in another station Off to Chongqing today. Expected …
Two plans today if weather holds, warmish but overcast Wandered off to biggest department store we could find, by the Bell Tower. Mid/upper range. Most of cosmetic counters (all around entrance naturally) were international brands. Most of clothing franchises were local Chinese never heard of (but did include some western brands) Prices in that department …
Today off to see warriors. Surprised to know Xi’an is 13 million so not surprising to find it’s an hours drive out (with a lot of other buses) Due to early rise, it was noticeable the mix of vehicle changed and there are lot of bicycles and (electric) motorbikes, and “TukTuk’s” around with everyone commuting …
A relatively easy day today We’d slept badly, no Aircon and overheated but they immediately moved us across the way to a much cooler room. Weather was better, clearing after haze yesterday and temperatures up to 27 Coffee at Luckin Coffee shop. Should have been easy but all through Alipay in Chinese (no counter options). …
Arrived at station “statutory” 1.5hrs ahead of departure. 2mins through baggage scan and ticket (passport) check and now sitting in echoing waiting hall for 1hr 28 minutes! Observations on transport: sitting in BYD taxi, noticed screen showed a rolling road image, with zebra crossing markings. Also graphics of cars and bikes in real time as …
NB I’ve managed to edit and upload the “ghost wall” video, at the bottom of day 6 page Pingyao is an ancient city, walled, in Shanxi, founded in the Qin period (200BC) though existed in 1000BC but has a history dating more than 2800 years, It became a major regional financial hub around the 16th …
Early start 4.30 though checked alarm through the night. Fast taxi to empty station so sitting waiting for 1.5hrs. The landscape surrounding Beijing is pancake flat entirely arable cultivated. Smallish fields with uniform young green planting, not padi? Young wheat/corn? Further on graduated to barren rocky hills, with large areas covered with randomly placed solar …
Today an easy day…. Hectic start and anticipated early 5am start and busy 2 days in Pingyao coming up Visited the Cloisonné Museum. Very quiet. There were 3 floors, historic display museum floor, shop and “factory” floor, and shop floor It was interesting if you like cloisonne but presentation a little sterile. Some pieces are …