Petravc

I definatly kept the best for last, I just loved the wall! As the Simatai part is closed for renovation sine 17th June, the bus took us to another part, Jinshaling, apparently more authentic. Only the first 5 or 10 minutes were renovated, then the ground became very unequal with briks and sand. It definatly isn't an easy hike as most of the time it's steep up or down. But it's a magnificent view, you see the wall going over the hill. I was so happy that I changes my date as we had the perfect weather, nice and sunny. Before Simatai closed, this was one of the least visited parts of the wall, this will probably change now. But whatever you do, don't go to Badaling as that is the most crowded part of the ... read more

Slight change of plans. They predicted rain for today so I delayed my trip to the wall with one day. Funny that all this is possible the evening before you are planning to leave... I left later then plannned. Used to be up early so I was sure that I would be awake around 8 and ready to go around 8.30 as I didn't need any breakfast, already had bought some for my trip to the wall. I woke up around 6.30 but fell asleep again and it was almost 9 next time I opened my eyes. Still very tired, I decided to start slow and was only at the forbidden city around 11.15. To my surprise, not that crowded or so many mics as I'm getting used to (or often get annoyed by). I thanked ... read more

My next gift to myself will be a backpack on wheels. So it's much easier to go to my hostel/hotel/couch by public transport instead of having to arrange a price for a taxi. Ok, I can ask for a meter, but I'm pretty sure that if the driver wants, he can run up a high bill as well... Arrived this morning with the night train from Shanghai in Beijing South station and had to go to near the North station. I'm staying in Sleepy Inn, a hostel a friend of me adviced. I love the area, the staff is very friendly but it still can't beat the hostel I stayed with in Xi'an. I'm also getting good in changing rooms, they put me again in one next to the street, changed and now I'm at the ... read more

I went on a very ecoligical way to the Xi'an trainstation. As no taxi wanted to stop, I took an electronic motorbike taxi over there. Have to admit that I doubted for a second; remebering the way they drive here. Was so smart to have my big back pack in front between the drivers leggs though... I arrived much too early at the station but as I wasn't planning on doing anything special that morning it didn't matter. As in most Chinese cities I've visited so far, there's always a traffic jam and it takes you a long time to get anywhere. As I had a soft seed on a speed train, I was allowed into the more luxuary waiting room. Was sitting there for only half an hour or so when they signalled me that ... read more

I know I'm long overdue with my blog but I've been a bit lazy in Xi'an. Arrived there ok, a guide picked me up so I found the hotel easily. Was so tired that I more or less went to bed straight away. The next day it was raing so I didn't do all that much. Went to find Nicoles hostel and visited the drum tower where I later met Nicole to visit the Islamic quaters right behind it. It was great, so crowded but fun．After eating I joined her to her hostel which turned out to be more or less around the corner of where I was staying. It was really nice there and to save some money I moved there the next day. 2nd day in Xi’an we visited the Terracotta Army by public ... read more

2nd try as I lost the connection last time when I presses save.... It's a 6-7 hours train ride from Datong to Pingyao. I was the only one getting of the train there and was picked up by my hotel. It was a real beautiful one, in an house. Had an antique bed and furniture. Sadly enough it was cold and drizling.... First a bit about Pingyao. It's Unesco world heritage and it's poverty saved it. Once a very important banking center (during the Ming dynasty) it slipped into obscurity with as a result that it never was modernised. Once you enter the walls around the city, you step back into time, to the last 18th-early 19th century. No cars are allowed into the most inner part of the city. And it's also a small city, ... read more

I left Beijing with the night train, a soft sleeper. Was so lucky to be in a departement with two people who spoke English and helped me with putting up my lugage. Train was great but for one reason, I'm no real fan, they don't really wake you up when you arrive. Only partly as you have to change your ticket into a plastic one and then back to the paper and that happened a bit before we arrived. But I was really lucky that the girl in the compartement also had to get off. And even luckier that she was picked up and offered me a ride... So far my luck. First communication problem in the hotel. They said I had to pay 600 yuan, I was told a room was only 260. No one ... read more

Arrived after a good flight. Talked a bit with my neighbour and got some Chinese lessons. Not that I remeber much apart Lu-u, travel. She also gave me her phone so I could call her if I needed some help, very nice... Once out of the airport, I was picked up and driven straight to my hotel where I met with Michelle. She helped me with the check in and provide me with train tickets to Datong and Pingyano. I have to admit I didn't do all that much on my first date. I was much too tired. I had to meet some couchsurfers that evening but eventhough I had instructions, I couldn't find them. What I did found was Tian'ammem square. Went on it and joined a lot of people who were standing near the ... read more