Monthly Archives: November 2009

It was a 20 hour train from Beijing to Huang Shan town in Anhui Province. Too bad there were no sleepers available, so I had to sit from 11:00AM until 8:00AM the next day. Hua Shan Mysterious Grottoes I first … Continue reading →

Near the public Mutianyu section of the Great Wall, I had an exciting chance to visit a beautiful, unrestored, mountainous area of the Great Wall. A few years ago the Chinese government made the “wild” areas of the wall off … Continue reading →

  Xining The capital city of the province. Here I got to try a buffet style hot-pot, which I’ve never seen anywhere else in China. You pay a flat price and then you can go look and carry back all … Continue reading →

Dunhuang The Mogao Caves were a at the end of a long overnight train ride. The caves are famous for its paintings and art, well preserved in the dry desert air for over 1000 years. Unfortunately, I have no photos … Continue reading →

Two years ago I visited Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province. That time I was sick and I didn’t get to see everything, so I’m back for 2009. Han Yanling Museum I missed the tomb of Emperor JingDi (188BC-141BC) last … Continue reading →

October 1st is the National Day of the People’s Republic of China. It is the equivalent of July 4th in the US. This year, 2009 marks the 60th anniversary of the current government and the highlight is a military parade … Continue reading →

By far, the most useful device I brought on my trip this time has been the Nintendo DS. Of course, it has been modified so I can do more than play games on it. The most basic thing is text … Continue reading →

Traffic Every time I arrive here I’m shocked by the traffic and driving rules. I read a little about the Chinese driving rules (if you can call them that) and they explain right-of-way as “first is right.” So whoever gets … Continue reading →

When I left China in March 2009 and kept hearing how depressing the job market is back in Michigan, I bought a round trip ticket to get back to China for my Plan B. And on August 17, 2009, I … Continue reading →