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.
March 22nd 2008Asia » China » Yangtze River » Three Gorges Dam NOTE: this should have been #18 of 21 - somehow got missed.
We had supper at a restaurant that specialized in spicey food -- however we were told that they would not make it too spicey for us. You ... [full story]
March 23rd 2008Asia » China » Yangtze River » Three Gorges Dam The Yangtze river is the third largest river in the world and the Three Gorges between Chongqing and Yichang are one of the most visited sights in China. There are various cruise options for this rout ... [full story]
March 25th 2008Asia » China » Yangtze River Late in the night my bunkmate wakes me up and points out the window that he stands beside. I crawl out from my bed as he moves the curtain aside. "Yangzi," he says. Our train is crossing the Yangzi ri ... [full story]
March 22nd 2008Asia » China » Yangtze River » Shennong Stream We were warned about not drinking too much this morning as the toilets on the ferry are "squatties". We take a ride down the Shennong Stream where we transfer to peapod boats. Teh Shennong Stream is ... [full story]
March 22nd 2008Asia » China » Yangtze River » Three Gorges Dam The msit and sun are up and the river is smooth. Master Chin led those gathered in a basic tai chil sequence. I finished with some yoga poses facing downstream in the bow of the boat.
Breakfats w ... [full story]
March 20th 2008Asia » China » Yangtze River Still know plans settled for getting home. In th amking.
Started yesterday withTai chi on the sundeck.
Entered the Xiling Gorge. It is just like you see in paintings and photos. We went throu ... [full story]
March 19th 2008Asia » China » Yangtze River » Three Gorges Dam I spent so long on the phone with the insurance compnay this morning (never mind the hours last night) that I missed breakfast. I have an hour before the bus leaves fir the airport so I am going to h ... [full story]
November 29th 2007Asia » China » Yangtze River » Three Gorges Dam Its been a while now, and so much has happened!! As i said in my last blog, i have been particularly loking forward to the Yangtse river cruise, as we booked a 4* luxury liner for our 3 day/4 nighter. ... 16 photos[full story]
January 31st 2008Asia » China » Yangtze River
We set off early morning in darkness for our supposed 4 hour bus ride to Wanzhou. From here we would be setting sail down the Yangtze River through The Three Gorges.
How little did we know!
... 5 photos[full story]
January 24th 2008Asia » China » Yangtze River We check out of our great big bargain hotel and are taken by our private driver to the river docks to board our cruise ship for our 3 day Yangtze River Cruise. We are first on board - quelle surprise ... 29 photos[full story]
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