Blogs from China, Asia

Hi All, While on holiday I've been reading a book written by Dr. Li ZhiSui who was Mao Zedong's physician from after World War II until Mao's death in 1976. In the book Mao told Dr. Li of a meeting in Chongqing between the communists and nationalists to set up a united front in the war against Japan. Before this meeting Guo MoRuo saw that Mao wasn't wearing a watch so he took his watch off his wrist and gave it to the Chairman. Mao wore this watch until he died. I had no idea who Guo MoRuo was so I did a little research and found that he was from a village on the outskirts of Leshan called Shawan, and that his family home had been turned into a museum. It is only a hour ... read more

Tour Day 118, Cruise Day 16 – Day at Sea Tour Day 119, Cruise Day 17 – Day at Sea Tour Day 120 & 121, Cruise Day 18 & 19 –Shanghai, China – Just a note for my irregular readers and a refresher for my regular readers. I began the application process for a Chinese visa long before my departure from the United States last October, but, part way through the application, I was asked if my arrival would be by land or air. A small drop-down box (the ones with the question mark) informed me that arrivals by sea would have to complete their application in person at a Chinese Embassy. The closest embassy to Mesa, Arizona is Los Angeles, California (a one-day drive each way) but I learned that there was, fortunately, an embassy ... read more

Am 7. Oktober frühstückte ich ein vorerst letztes Mal in Taipeh. Ich wünsche der Stadt und der Insel alles Gute und hoffe, dass sie nicht bald das Opfer einer chinesischen Invasion werden. Mein Spaziergang zum Abschluss führte mich zum nahegelegenen Xingtian Temple. Der ist relativ modern und war auch wieder gut besucht. Der ursprünglich geplante National Revolutionary Martyrs' Shrine wäre etwas weiter weg gewesen und ich hatte nur Late Checkout bis 12:00. Ich checkte also für meine Flüge online ein und badete nochmals, bevor ich mit dem MRT zum Flughafen Taipeh Taoyuan fuhr. Hatte ich schon gesagt, dass die Bahn dorthin etwas langsam fährt? Immerhin hatte ich dort einen Sitzplatz. Am Airport angekommen, erlebte ich eine Überraschung bei der Gepäckabgabe. Anders als auf dem Hinflug, konnte ich mein Gepäck nur bis zum Zwischenstopp in Shanghai aufgeben ... read more

After my expensive Starbucks the previous morning, I headed to McDonald's for my caffeine fix. Much cheaper, but a lot scruffier. I took the subway to Yingwanzhen station, which is near the start of the trail up Yuelushan mountain. There were a lot of people heading to the mountain. There were entry gates and it was the same mini program as the one I was unable to use for Orange Island so I just snuck through when the gates opened for the person in front of me. The mountain isn't much of a mountain, more like a big hill. The first part of the trail was along the road and just a gradual climb. I passed the entrance to the cable car that can take you to the top, but it was closed for maintenance. The ... read more

An unexpected few days off work meant I was able to visit Changsha. I had wanted to visit in the National Day holiday but train tickets were impossible to get. Changsha seems like a popular city for Chinese people to visit, but not really known so much outside of China. The train journey itself was nondescript and after a couple of hours or so, I arrived in Changsha. I was mildly irritated that I had had been unable to set up the subway app on my phone as it only worked with Chinese ID numbers. Luckily, ticket machines in all the subway stations were plentiful so it was easy enough to get a ticket, it just meant I had to know where I was going at all times. Exiting the subway station, I was in one ... read more