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 …
Started the day with 1.5hr taxi drive out of town to National Botanical Gardens with Mr Bob (and weave) Grumpy Joined the same million other people at the gardens though this time the space accommodated us all Busy but reasonable. Had to teach (and failed) Ying how to do Instagram poses which were de rigeur …
Off to the Great Wall at Mutianyu today. Sky very grey and slightly hazy coming out through suburbs. Temp 20-24c After a painless drive (taxi) to Mutianyu Ying had asked the driver what translation app he used We are now the proud face of Chinese tourism 2026! He had gone off and found the Tourist …
Our first full day Together we had a good nights sleep…. Ying was awake til 4am, I woke up at 5… Hotel breakfast was extensive, 30yards of buffet. I was surprised at all the pork/bacon. Not in Malaysia now! And to Ying’s delight, free flowing coffee Breakfast cafeteria. It’s has everything you could desire , …