Blogs from Chengyang, Guangxi, China, Asia
April 17th 2012
Last thursday morning I left my hotel in Ping An very early and walked down the hill in the rain to the carpark to catch the bus to Longsheng. The bus was on time but we had to wait about 30 minutes for some passengers that had been at a large wedding in town and were a little late getting up. It was an enjoyable 40 minute trip and the guy I had been sitting next to showed me the bus to get on for Sanjiang. We left right away and it took only an hour and a half to arrive at the Sanjiang bus station. A couple of the things I have noticed in China is the number of bridges they have, and also how much cement is being used for government works as well ... read more
April 11th 2010
Day 135: Sunday, April 11th, 2010. Chengyang, China. Sing along with me, "Who needs sleep? Never gonna get it. Who needs sleep? Baby what's that for?..." Ugh. So, started to fall asleep and then I woke up about 10 minutes later with my legs itching like crazy. Threw off the very heavy duvet cover and pulled up my PJ pants but couldn't see any bug bites or rashes on my legs and the itching was already subsiding. Weird. Put the duvet back on and about 10 minutes later, same thing. The duvet smelled clean, so I don't think it's bed bugs (especially since I don't see bites), so I don't know if I'm getting too hot because it is a very heavy duvet. Problem with sleeping without the duvet is that it gets pretty cold here ... read more
April 10th 2010
Day 134: Saturday, April 10th, 2010. Liuzhou to Chengyang, China. Per Intrepid Notes, "Days 16-17 Chengyang After a relaxing morning we take a local bus to Sanjiang (approx. 4 hours), followed by a transfer to Chengyang (approx. 1 hour). Chengyang is undoubtedly one of the most special places in China, thanks to its exquisite Wind and Rain Bridge. We stay here in a wooden guesthouse set near the riverbank, and after settling into our accommodation, we enter the village by crossing this special walkway. These bridges, or 'fengyu qiao' as they are called locally, once served religious purposes but are now mostly used as a place for the local people to sit around, chat and sell their wares. They were traditionally built entirely in pegged cedar, and it is often said that not a single nail ... read more
September 14th 2009
...so finally, after leaving the rice terraces behind in the morning mist of a rainy day... after some 3 hours of a bus ride I got to the place I wanted to visit and discover the most on this trip- the land of the Dong minority. With huge huge expectations! A small (cca. 2.9 - 3 million) nation known for it's special talent of carpentry wich results in amazing own architectural styles: two special public building types and very own construction principles for residential building. My first Dong area to stay at for three days was the Sanjiang County, with the famous Cengyang wind and rain bridge and about seven small Dong villages around. the Dong Wind and Rain Bridge A type of bridge got it's name from the fact of being such strong and secure ... read more
Waterwheels, magical bridges....it all feels like it belongs to a different age
Published: August 27th 2009Asia » China » Guangxi » Chengyang
August 27th 2009
Day 422: Tuesday 25th August - It feels like I’ve taken a step back in time to another century Today I swap the fantasy world of the Longji Rice Terraces for a world of yesteryear at Chengyang. I leave Ping’ An on the 9am bus, one last look up the hill at the surreal sight of the beautiful terraces. At Longsheng I part company with Jimmy and Maria who are going on to Guilin. I take a bus to Sanjiang, two hours away. As we approach Sanjiang, driving alongside the river we pass a number of impressive bridges and their refection in the clear water. Bridges is what Sanjiang area is famous for. Sanjiang itself is a dusty, dirty small city and I stay only the length of time it takes to wait for a bus ... read more
June 24th 2009
Most of you (including myself) would be surprised that I ended up back in China since my last visit didn't leave me with a burning desire to go back (it may have had to do with the 40 degree heat and the all city tours). I wanted remote China and this trip through Guangxi (southern China) gave me just that. No other foreigners in sight for days and it was delightful to be able to stare blankly at touts when they tried to talk to me only in Mandarin. Highlights: Hua Shan: Checking out the remote Hua Shan area a few hours away from the Vietnamese-China border and visiting the Zhuang minority villages. We were able to visit the Unesco world heritage Hua Shan Bihua cliff art site likely painted by the Zhuang minority 2000 years ... read more
February 8th 2009
Days 22-23 Chengyang Day 22 we take a local bus to Sanjiang (approx. 4 hours), followed by a transfer to Chengyang (approx. 1 hour). Chengyang is undoubtedly one of the most special places in China, thanks to its exquisite Wind and Rain Bridge. These bridges, or 'fengyu qiao' as they are called locally, once served religious purposes but are now mostly used as a place for the local people to sit around, chat and sell their wares. They were traditionally built entirely in pegged cedar, and it is often said that not a single nail was used in their construction. In the afternoon, we attend a minority performance held in the village, and have the opportunity to take part in bamboo pole dancing as well as to sing along to the 'rice-wine' song. WE WILL KEEP ... read more
December 2nd 2007
We passed out of Miao territory and into Dong territory, eventually emerging back on the tourist trail at Zhaoxing. Dong woman wear a slightly understated version of the Miao traditional dress, the hemp with indigo dye is still used, but with less decoration. Here in Zhaoxing, the village resounded with hammering, not only were many new wooden buildings springing up amongst the age old ones, but hemp for traditional clothing was being beaten until it developed a sheen. Away from the picturesque drum towers and bridges of Zhaoxing were narrow back alleys. In one I discovered a man blow torching rats in preparation for cooking them! The process of blow torching them removes their hairs. He proudly held up one for me to examine. A final day of exquisite riding led us back to the main ... read more
November 1st 2007
A big hello to Big John and the folk in Skeggy. We're now in San Jiang, and have had several excellent days cycling along the left bank of the Duliu river to get here. We have now spent over 300 kms in the company of the river. It started off narrow and shallow, clean with a deep green-blue colour. Now it is broad, deep and moves lazily. Villages of wooden houses are dotted on either bank. The main industry seems to be harvesting of the timber on the far bank, and we watched the pine trunks being slid down the steep slopes to the river bank where they are manhandled to the river for transportation to the near side. One man carries a single small trunk over his shoulder, while the larger trunks are carried by ... read more
