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Background: For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

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By Snowfrake
July 1st 2006

Zhongwei and Xiahe

Asia » China » Gansu » Xiahe

The Tengger Desert
Our guide...Leo!

Hello again my dear family and friends As I have said before, another day in China brings many interesting stories! I was just in a small town called Zhongwei, which is actually quite large but the Chinese think it's a town! It is situated in a very unique convergence of desert and lush agricultural land, as it is next to the Yellow river and Tengger desert. The first day I arrived, I stayed at a very fancy hotel on China's terms. I had my own washroom as well, it was great. I also went to a Buddhist and Daoist Temple, called [View Full Entry]

By yaron and hagit
June 4th 2006

silk road

Asia » China » Gansu

Things you find in the market
This is a strewbarry drink but what are the fungi things floating arround?

Hi guys I ( Hagit ) have decided to share with you my thought and feeling after a month on the road in order to help you understand a little more about the experience that we are having; the happy times and the difficult ones 。 getting ready to the trip the months of mental preparations before the trip， both by Yaron and by our friends helped me adjust to the idea of leaving everything behind and going to a long trip for the first time in my life 。 I was a little scared but knowing Yaron has traveled before [View Full Entry]

By lmh
July 13th 2005

The Tibetan Grasslands

Asia » China » Gansu » Xiahe

Wooden prayer wheels at Labrang Monastery
There were hundreds of these colourful wheels around the perimeter of the monastery - they were very heavy to spin.

We left Xian railway station bound for Lanzhou on yet another 13 hour overnight trip - the best part of which was being able to see the first class waiting room! It was full of very comfortable sofas and large screen tv’s and quite a contrast from the usual railway waiting rooms. Nick said that Xian is the only city that automatically allows foreigners to use the first class waiting room, regardless of whatever class of tickets they hold. We arrived in Lanzhou early next morning and only had time for a quick trip to the loo and then onto a [View Full Entry]

By Zoroaster
July 8th 2005

The very very long bus ride

Asia » China » Gansu » Xiahe

Before i say anything i want to warn everyone that this will be a boring blog! 5:00am, Tara Guesthouse I got up and felt really well. No headache, and i didn't feel like puking. After buying some bread with yak butter, i wanted to hear the sutra chants of the monks before i depart from Xiahe to Xining at 6:30pm. I went back to Labulang, leaned against the wall at the main prayer building and heard their chants. It was eerie yet peaceful. 6:30am, The bus station Great. No bus to Xining today. Looks like i won't be staying with those [View Full Entry]

By Zoroaster
July 7th 2005

The Grasslands

Asia » China » Gansu » Xiahe

Sangke Grasslands

9:00am, Tara guesthouse, Xiahe I was so excited today. At 10, i have got a tour with one of the monks through the monastery and after that, a horse ride through the grasslands of Sanke. I heard Ganjia Grasslands was better but i can't afford going there alone. So i'd settle for second best. 10:00am, The Labrang (or Labulang) Monastery Ehhh, the monks of all monks! My guide is the youngest of three sons. His two borthers is also learning (since learning never stops in buddhism) in one of the colleges at the monastery. Labulang monastery has altogether 6 colleges. Lower [View Full Entry]

By Zoroaster
July 6th 2005

A river runs through it

Asia » China » Gansu » Xiahe

A monk chillin out

7:00am, Linxia I was awakened by my two friends and they made sure i got on the right bus this time. They saw me off and its another five hours bus ride into the mountains. My bus broke down halfway and it took them an hour to fix it so make it SIX hours. But the view on the way up was amazing. We went up this road that is in a valley and a river runs through that valley. So in between us we were flanked by tall green mountains. I was actually excited when my bus broke down. I [View Full Entry]

Spinning the prayer wheel.. there are over 1000 of these things

The pilgrims come from all over the tibetan plateau

By Cumberland Sausage
June 11th 2005

The burning ring of fire

Asia » China » Gansu » Xiahe

Pearl Shoal Waterfall, Jiuzhaigou

Jung Chang, in her 2003 introduction to "Wild Swans" makes the following observations about her visits to modern day China - "Exhaltation and excitement are exhausting. So are exasperation and outrage, which dog my every step here." Well, on a slightly less dramatic level, we know how she feels. In the interests of anyone reading this, I'll save my winge to the end. Our overnight loogie express from Beijing deposited us surprisingly refreshed in Xian, although without a Pacsafe cuddling my camera gear for the night I wouldn't have slept a wink. I've always scof [View Full Entry]

By XuJia
May 2nd 2001

Singing Sand Dunes

Asia » China » Gansu » Dunhuang

Ming Sha Shan
The Singing Sand Dunes (Mingsha Shan) in Dunhuang, on the old silk road in Gansu Province.

When the sand slides down the dunes, it produces a strange sound, hence the name "Singing Sand Dune". [View Full Entry]

By XuJia
April 30th 2001

The Yellow River

Asia » China » Gansu » Lanzhou

Mother of Yellow River
A photo in front of the "Mother of Yellow River" sculpture.

Having heard so much of the Yellow River, I was finally there .. [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Asia » China » Gansu