Recently, the Guangyuan International Community on Zhongyin Road in Guilin city erected a sculpture named “Helping the Elderly”, the sculpture being two “stark naked” women carrying a man, the inscription below reading “Wife on the left, daughter-in-law on the right, the moral is of family harmony, harmonious coexistence, supporting each other, respecting and loving the elderly”. (more…)

Gazing from the top of Mount Tai (Tai Shan 泰山), Chairman Mao proclaimed, ‘The East is Red’.  Confucius st0od on the peak – outside his temple door I guess – and uttered the words, ‘The World is Small’.  I ran up, stood at the summit, opened a can of beer and shouted, ‘Cheers..  One day my son will do this climb.’ (more…)

Even though China ‘opened-up’ to foreigners there are still some parts that are strictly ‘no-go’ areas: Lushun 旅顺 is one such place, a bus-ride from Dalian city centre.

The lady at the bus ticket office had no problems selling me a ticket (more…)

PanZhihua in Sichuan Province has become the next victim in the obvious shift of plates that once, a long time ago helped to create Mount Everest.  I was in PanZhiHua in the Winter of 2007 and, to be honest found nothing to write about.  I didn’t even think I had taken any pictures but here are two, along with some thoughts on the place.

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When you’re travelling in China it is wise to book your onward travel tickets as far in advance as possible purely because of the number of people on the move.  However, when in Dali, Yunnan in Winter, beware the weather. Most backpackers leaving Dali will be heading north to Lijiang and by bus that means via one single road which ‘goes over the top’.

NB: Even if you can book your own tickets (more…)

Where to stay in Dali, Yunnan?  We suggest the Number 4 Guesthouse on HuGuo Road, otherwise known as the Yuan Garden Hotel.  Beware the ‘vultures’ at the gate to Dali Old-town where the bus will drop you off – they will convince you to stay outside of the city walls!

Be brave, don your backpack and walk under the southern gateway (more…)

Are you looking for a great friendly and cheap backpacker hostel in Beijing? I often travel to Beijing and have had the pleasure and displeasure of many Beijing hostels. Here is one I do recommend in the Sanlitun Embassy District of Beijing.

Try the Sanlitun (Utels) Hostel. You can contact them (more…)

What is a visit to China without a trip to the ‘birthplace of martial arts’, the Shaolin Temple, home of the legendary Shaolin Monks.  Shaolin Temple is in SongShan mountains and about 60km east of Luoyang.  It is an easy day-trip from Luoyang and I’ll explain the easy and cheap way to do it. (more…)

Still looking for those elusive Salt & Vinegar crisps in China? Look no further than April Gourmet, a shop in the Sanlitun district of Beijing.

Yes, I have finally found a place where I can buy my most craved-for food. Of course, they don’t come cheap! There is only one size of packet available, 184.2g and it costs 26.9元.
That price, by the way, is slightly more than the cheapest train ticket from my place in Qinhuangdao to Beijing in order to buy them.
Worth every ‘fen’.