China Explorer Day 16

The day began with a half day city tour. This started at Victoria peak which provided stunning views out over the Hong Kong, the harbour and Kowloon. It was slightly hazy with the pollution, but none the less the views were really great. We stopped at the Peak Galleria, a shopping complex and terminus for the Peak Tram. At its centre is an old tram which acts as the tourist information centre.

From the Peak we drove to Stanley Market for a wander and a spot of shopping. The market is quite famous in Hong Kong as being one of the better markets. It was pleasant enough, but the prices were not as cheap as a few years ago. It would appear that now the island is part of mainland China that the prices have risen. This was true not just of the market, but the upmarket and electronic stores in the city.

From the market we made a stop at Aberdeen. Here we had sampan ride around the harbour. Starting at the Aberdeen Marine Police base, we had a 20 minute ride around the fishing boats and the famous Jumbo Floating Restaurant. This was quite a disappointment really. The harbour is crammed with many boats, large commercial fishing boats as well as the usual 'gin palaces'. The harbour however is polluted and rubbish floats by, it is surrounded by modern tower blocks and really lacks any charm.

From Aberdeen we stopped off at the obligatory factory shop, this time diamonds. Needless to say we didn't buy anything!
From there it was back to the hotel for some well earned R & R !

In the afternoon we took a walk from our hotel along the harbour side back into the heart of the city. It was a very pleasant, if rather hot walk, but well worth it. We took in the Tsim Sha Tsui Waterfront area which includes the Avenue of Stars. This honours the city's film stars, such as Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee.

From there it was a short walk to Nathan Road. This is heart of the shopping district. It bustles with people, traffic and shops of all descriptions. Its buildings are modern steel and glass and designer names abound. It also boasts the most touts I've ever come across! They pester you, mainly for watches, endlessly. It really becomes a pain. So much so that we made a hasty escape and headed to a local park which was as tranquil as the Nathan Road was manic.

The park had a lovely bird collection and a pond with ducks and flamingos. It was a really lovely place away from all the hustle and bustle.

The park linked the Nathan Road with the harbour waterfront where the Macau ferry arrives. It was a good spot to watch the sun go down before we headed off to find an evening meal. Another full, but enjoyable day.

China Explorer Day 15

The day turned out to be another highlight, alongside the Great Wall as the most memorable.

We travelled out from Guilin for a couple of hours along roads which twisted and turned and doubled-back on themselves. Eventually we arrived at Longsheng to visit the Dragon's Backbone Rice Terraces. This is the home to Zhuang and Yao minority peoples.




The scenery is absolutely stunning. The area is made up of steep hillsides, dotted with houses and cut through by rivers. The hillsides are given over to farming, vegetables are grown but the major crop is rice. The hills are sculptured into amazing patterns of rice terraces which draw the eye to their complex patterns and varying colour shades as they ripen.




There is a narrow path which runs up the hill passed small wooden shops and larger wooden houses. You have to compete with sedan chairs being haled up the hill by pairs of men, not any easy task with the gradient and heat. Most occupants of these chairs seemed to fit a mold - rich, fat and lazy, with an air of superiority!








The local people are skilled in embroidery, weaving and dyeing. There are people of all ages sitting inside their shops busily making and creating all manner of goods. The older women seemed to specialise in making embroidered slippers.








Half way up we stopped for a glorious lunch with a magnificent view out over the village and hills. It was a magical spot and a fantastic experience.








As we continued our climb we came across women cooking rice in the traditional way - in a short length of bamboo cooked over a fire, from which the customer eats directly. The people's national dress includes an intricate silver headdress which as you pass the local shops you can see being made.









Your climb eventually leads you to the summit of the hill and to an all round vista of breathtaking views. Everyone stands and has their picture taken - so we joined in. It was a lovely place and one which will undoubtedly draw me back. To see the hills and various times of the year and to walk these hills would be very special.












We made our way down the same way we came up, taking in all the hustle and bustle and of course the views. We returned to our bus and began the journey back to Guilin. Here we went to the airport and having said good bye to both our guides we flew to Hong Kong




It was an incredible transition. One moment we were in a rural China, unchanged for hundreds of years and then we were transported to one of the most modern cities in the world. It was hard to take in and quite surreal.

We left the ultra modern airport and travelled to Kowloon. Here we arrived at the hotel and opened our hotel curtains to be greeted by a night time view of Hong Kong Harbour and the city - quite incredible what modern travel allows you to do - a truly magnificent day!

China Explorer Day 14

Li River Cruise

We made our way to the pier to board our boat for the cruise to Yangshuo. There were plenty of boats waiting and on the stern of each you could see the kitchen for each craft with the steaming woks preparing the lunches. Where the water came from to cook the meals I can only assume it was he river, as I saw no sign of any plastic bottles!

We got underway and headed down river with the slow moving current. The water was very shallow in places, only a few feet deep . On each side of the river were sheer-sides karst peaks, some up to 900ft tall. The guide books go on about how the scenery is lifted straight from a Chinese scroll painting - well they are right!

It is stunningly beautiful with many twists and turns and ever changing wondrous views. There are water buffalo wallowing in the water. Local cormorant fisherman with their birds sitting upon the bamboo rafts and local villages on assorted craft making their way to and fro. It is truly delightful. Even though there were quite a few boats and they like sounding their horns, it doesn't detract from the scenic beauty.

We had lunch, including some deep fried local crabs - well George and Richard did. Shortly afterwards we arrived in Yangshuo. This town has grown along with the river boat trade and as such has lost some of its charm. But it was nice to stretch your legs after the boat trip and do some bargaining for some shopping bits.

After an hour or so shopping we returned to Guilin by bus and then after dinner took in some cormorant fishing. Although mainly for tourists know there are still locals who use this ancient form of fishing and it was interesting to see it at close hand.

This left just enough time for an evening stroll around Guilin to take in the night time sights. Another busy, but great day!

China Explorer Day 13

Today was mainly taken up by air travel from Lijiang to Guilin via Kunming. Although this took the best part of the day we still managed to squeeze in some sightseeing once we arrived in Guilin.

Again we were met by a local guide, this time a really bubbly girl named Cheryl. We went straight to the Reed Flute Cave. This proved really interesting as it is a 500m cave within the Guangming Hill, containing numerous weird rock formations which are lit by neon lights. It is very restful and colourful. Certainly far more colourful than in 1940 when the Guilin residents hid from the Japanese invasion inside the caves.

Straight from the caves we returned to town and in the fast fading light - well darkness really - George and I climbed up Fubo Hill, to get some sunset shots. Unfortunately we missed the sunset but did manage to get some reasonable shots of the town and surrounding countryside dominated by the karst peaks.

We had a real treat after dinner. We experienced a Chinese foot massage! This was tremendous fun and thoroughly recommended. You are allocated a masseur, I had a really small but incredible strong girl. Your feet are first soaked in a warm herbal bath and then you have your feet, ankles, calf's and thighs massaged. This is extremely relaxing and painful at the same time!!! Once both feet and legs are done you then have a head and shoulder massage. By the time the hour treatment is done you are completely spaced out, but walking on air!

China Explorer Day 12

We travelled out of Lijiang for about an hour on our way to the Tiger Leaping Gorge. On route we stopped at a marvellous little temple that overlooked the Yangzi. The views were stunning and very atmospheric as the clouds kept rolling in and the view changed constantly. It was very moody and you could have spent a lot of time there just gazing at the wondrous view.

We made our way down to river level and after another hour or so arrived at the Tiger Leaping Gorge. This is very popular with trekkers and is not hard to see why, the scenery is spectacular. The river cuts its way through the mountains and leaves steep-sided slopes where farmers cling on planting crops.

You can if you wish take a rickshaw out to the viewing area, but we walked the mile and half route as it was flat and well paved. The river at first is smooth and peaceful, but as it reaches the point where the gorge narrows it picks up speed until it is a raging, foaming torrent as it is squeezed through the narrowest part of the gorge. There is a viewing gallery next to the waters edge where you can really feel the power of the water.

We made are way back the same way we had come and then after a brief lunch stop beside the river we stopped at a viewing point and small local market to view the first bend of the Yangzi. The views were good, but the market was quite poor, it was really a collection of food and nick knacks - most of which were very poor.

We travelled back to Lijiang and after dinner had a well earned rest in our lovely room. It was nice just to rest and have a chat with our friend George as the pace of travelling had been so hectic that we really hadn't had the time to catch up properly before then!