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.
April 23rd 2008Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La Nach der spektakulären Anreise war die Ankunft im 3000m hoch gelegenen Zhongdian erst einmal ein kleiner Antiklimax. In dieser wilden, himalayischen Berglandschaft ist das letzte was man erwarten würd ... [full story]
April 23rd 2008Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La Nach der spektakulären Anreise war die Ankunft im 3000m hoch gelegenen Zhondian erst einmal ein kleiner Antiklimax. In dieser wilden, himalayischen Berglandschaft ist das letzte was man erwarten würde ... [full story]
June 22nd 2008Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La We got up at 7:45am. We couldn't find showers last night or this morning so had to skip. Had breakfast at the resturant/kitchen whatever it was (with the friends we met last night). Breakfast was Naxi ... 24 photos[full story]
March 22nd 2008Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La Day two in Shangri-la and having slept soundly not to mention warmly it was time to head out exploring. My first stop was Napa Lake (Napa Hai) a decent hours ride out of the city. It was without doubt ... [full story]
March 22nd 2008Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La Day two in Shangri-la and having slept soundly not to mention warmly it was time to head out exploring. My first stop was Napa Lake (Napa Hai) a decent hours ride out of the city. It was without dou ... [full story]
March 22nd 2008Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La I'm once again a few days behind as I've been in the Tiger Leaping Gorge for the past three days and they don't have a lot of internet access there! So here goes with a little catch up. Monday the 17 ... [full story]
March 21st 2008Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La I'm once again a few days behind as I've been in the Tiger Leaping Gorge for the past three days and they don't have a lot of internet access there! So here goes with a little catch up. Monday the 17 ... [full story]
March 15th 2008Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La Dag allemaal,
Met lood in onze schoenen en te veel kilo's op onze rug slenterden we op 5 maart moedeloos de Chinese grens weer over. Na drie zalige maanden van luxe, easy traveling en warme tempera ... 50 photos[full story]
February 29th 2008Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La So I think this is now our sixth day in Shangrila and we're feeling fully recovered from our bout of giardia and ready to get back on the road.. G was having a hard time recovering and refused to tak ... 5 photos[full story]
December 23rd 2007Asia » China » Yunnan » Shangri-La I am wearing most of my clothes; leggings, trousers and waterproof over trousers, 5 tops, a down jacket and my over jacket, plus two hats, 3 pairs of gloves and 2 pairs of socks. My fingers and toes ... 55 photos[full story]
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