We took an express train from the Shanghai station to the Hangzhou station. It was the first time I experienced what's called overcrowding. Although we purchased two seat tickets, with the shoves and jostling in the train, we decided to surrender our seats to those…Read More

We took an express train from the Shanghai station to the Hangzhou station. It was the first time I experienced what's called overcrowding. Although we purchased two seat tickets, with the shoves and jostling in the train, we decided to surrender our seats to those peasants. Maybe standing throughout the whole journey will be a better choice. At least the higher you stand, the fresher the air you get, or you will feel sober to enjoy the sceneries outside the train. The train stopped intermittent in some rustic small towns. One of them is Jia Xin, which is the one you really need to get off the train to get some meat-rice dumplings. It retains the most original taste and was really awesome. The glutinous rice can really make you overfed for the rest of the day, and it was cheap. A great way to save your money.

When we arrived Hangzhou train station, it was 9:45am. We took a 3-hour coach ride to Yao Ling County, and from there, a 15-minute mini bus ride to the entrance of Chui Yun Tong Tian He, notably to be the longest underground cave in China. Taking a gondola ride inside the cave was a must. No one should miss this. The afternoon sun was blistering at 95°F (35°C), while inside the cave, temperatures could drop as low as 64°F (18°C). This ride not only benefits you with an adventurous cave tour, but it also gets you away from a heat stroke. We spent an hour in the cave and 2 hours outside the cave, where we had our lunch and shot countless photos of the scenic landscapes.

After the cave tour, we took on a bull ride on the unpaved road. All of the sudden, the bumpy ride came to a halt. It was this little beast, looking for a spot to settle its feces. No, it did not spoil my time. In fact, I found it intriguing. The ride moved on. The two most distinguished colors materialized before me, an iridescent blue and vivacious green - the unblemished skies and verdant elevations ran parallel to me. The bull ride came to a permanent stop at Jin Tan (Golden Shore), where we took a 40-minute boat ride. Several houses perched high on the hilltop on the right side of the bank, facing the rolling grasslands where we were about to go in a few minutes. Sunlight dappled on the lake surface, emerging thousands of glittering stars. By the time we got onshore, the sun was near to the horizon. Again, we fired off a few frames of the sun setting before boarding our coach back to hotel.

The second day was a grueling one. Lots of climbing. First, we took the coach to foot of Bai Yu Yuan (White Jade Garden), where the word long (dragon) was inscribed on the mountain side as tall as 26m and wide as 24m. The shuttle to Bai Yu Yuan came every half-hour, so time your schedule accurately. This shuttle would transport you to the nearest entrance of Bai Yu Yuan and the rest would be done yourself. Getting to the top of Bai Yu Yuan was not a simple task. We staggered on the steep, unpaved slopes, clambered flight of granulated stairs, and vacillated on some suspension bridges.

Fu Chun Jiang is illustrious for its primordial atmosphere; rarefied air; and crystal-clear, clean water. Overlooking the summit, an expanse of lawns and forest-covered hills were manifested. As I made the descent, the running sound of the river was obvious in the tranquility. We tracked down the sound then to the river. The sound became louder and the speed flow of the river was even faster. I knew we were very close to a huge cascade. We made our way through the broken branches and twigs spreading across the ground, stepping on the rotten, crushed fruits fallen from the trees, which were essential meals to hundred of thousands of fleas we had to keep shooing. We became wary to the pebbles and stones near the cascade, as you might slip with your guard down. The waterfall that materialized was dubbed the Da Long Men Bu Bu, the greatest cascade found in Fu Chun Jiang vicinity! And we were actually there.

I stayed in this Chinese city for a month on the seventh floor of a hotel, though sometimes the doors on the lift didn't open there, and I had to hop off at the sixth. No problem--that's China. Its development and technology sometimes isn't helpful.…Read More

I stayed in this Chinese city for a month on the seventh floor of a hotel, though sometimes the doors on the lift didn't open there, and I had to hop off at the sixth.

No problem--that's China. Its development and technology sometimes isn't helpful.

The room was fine, clean, and air-conditioned, with a TV with lots of channels, hot water, and toothbrush/paste and shampoo provided.

Even when the super typhoon struck, it didn't knock the power out for long. They had generators up and running.

It was in a red light district on a street with fashion houses. So there was a constant parade of women strolling to shop--eye candy. A short bus ride away was the scenic wonder of Yen Dang Shan, mountain peaks with waterfalls and rock pools--a great day trip with a Chinese tour guide. It was very beautiful and invigorating.

Yue Qing, near Wenzhou, has reasonable shopping, and there's your KFC too for the Western palate, though you can buy chicken and potatoes from the street seller for a fraction of the price of KFC.

VCRs, players, and discs were a good price: a VCR player for 150rmb and discs for 3rmb.

The receptionists were fascinating enough and pleasant, though it helps if you know some Chinese, as they don't know any English.

There's hot water in a thermos and tea bags included in the room price of 70rmb per night. There were two beds in my room, so one was a depository for my bag and clothes. I simply bought some washing detergent and washed my daily change of clothes while showering and hung them to dry on the balcony. The next day, they were fresh.

Being on the seventh floor gave an interesting view of the surrounding hills dotted with Buddhist retreats and of open windows, at times in the opposite buliding of Chinese life.

When I wanted to leave, I found a small bus station opposite KFC. They had a computer and booked me on a sleeper bus north. It was easy. No need to go to the train station in Shanghai and wait and hustle.

There was also an interesting shop staffed by two women wearing traditional ethnic Chinese clothes selling rings and jewellery made by the Buddhists. I bought a lucky dice ring there for 169rmb, silver, and she namasted and put a prayer scarf around my neck.

There is massage and women available, as there are everywhere in China. Perhaps the prices are higher than elsewhere too, but it wasn't a pasttime I took advantage of.

There is a swimming pool. Crowded but refreshing to my friends who also enjoyed a nightclub or two even though one had no room to dance. Must have been a bar.

My favorite food was egg-fried rice for 5rmb at the corner restuarant, where a table could be put on the footpath alfresco-style to enjoy the night breeze with a cold beer.

They do have some nice designer labels from Hong Kong in the fashion shops, staffed by pretty women. Coco's, I recommend. Min Min works there, a stunning vixen. Semiprecious stones also are made into nice pieces of jewellery.

Telephone booths are cheap enough for intra china calls, cheaper than buying a telephone card.

Wenzhou people have a reputation as the jews of china. They are prosperous at business and own properties in shanghai.

Eight ball or pool isn't as commonplace as in other parts of China and are more expensive: 20rmb for an hour. There are lots of bicycled rickshaws for three yuan, and taxi prices start at 5 yuan(rmb).

The receptionists do 24-hour shifts, alternately, and are paid eight hundred rmb a month. Life isn't always easy for women in china and they're always pleasantly cool. Interesting city--the only downer was that an American friend was hit in the face by a rock late one night. The American attitude may rub the wrong way at times in China.

Following the river, I strolled to the top of a hill where there was a pagoda with buddhist temple and an awesome view of the city as well as colorful butterflies and stone pandas. It had steps easy enough to climb.

When it rained for four days, during the typhoon haitang I also walked almost knee deep through water, dirty water on streets. The footpaths were also under water. But there was no feeling of panic, only calm.

Zhejiang is subtropical and alive.

if you're around china for the golden week holiday, i'd highly suggest avoiding the public transportation migration (which is so daunting!) how about riding a bike to an area that's less populated and accessible by car?http://www.mtb.com.cn/bbs2/welcome.htm the club i joined is called the prodigy mountain…Read More

if you're around china for the golden week holiday, i'd highly suggest avoiding the public transportation migration (which is so daunting!) how about riding a bike to an area that's less populated and accessible by car?

http://www.mtb.com.cn/bbs2/welcome.htm

the club i joined is called the prodigy mountain biking club. they plan seasonal trips around the country. you'll join a supportive group of bikers (both locals and expats) and dine with local villagers by night. it's not an overly-touristy experience and an exhilarating journey.

another tip - they have an annual bike trip where you can go around the country eating fresh crabs. i was so sad that i was not in china to experience such deliciousness. Close

Day 1 My short trip started from busiest shopping street in Shanghai-Nanjing Road. Not to my interest, but I'd highly recommend it to all shopping lovers. And then, I moved to the Bund-one of the most recognizable landmark of Shanghai. Day 2…Read More

Day 1
My short trip started from busiest shopping street in Shanghai-Nanjing Road. Not to my interest, but I'd highly recommend it to all shopping lovers. And then, I moved to the Bund-one of the most recognizable landmark of Shanghai.

Day 2
From Shanghai, I flied to that so called Heavenly city-Hangzhou.
Feilaifeng Peak, Lingyin Temple, West Lake and its Red Carp Pond and so many other attractions familiar with everyone.

Day 3
Today, I had the most unforgettable visit to ancient Wuzhen-one of six ancient water towns which located in south of Yangtze River with 1200-year-old history. Strolling along the ancient slabstone-paved streets, looking at its black tiled, tung oil painted timber framework houses, it seems I was walking into a traditional Chinese wash painting and experiencing an atmosphere of antiquity. In Wuzhen you can pay a visit to Jiangnan Hundred Beds Showroom, Indigo-Blue Printed Calico Workshop, Mr.Yu Liuliang's Coin Display Room, Shadow-puppet Theatre, Ancient Stage, etc.

Day 4
Back to Shanghai, before I went back, I visited Jade Buddha Temple, Town God Temple, Hungpu River, Yuyuan Garden and Shanghai Museum. Nothing beyond my imagination, but all the best of Shanghai. Close