Weixiao82 | Bethan Liu | Travel Blog - Page 17

Page 17 of Weixiao82 Travel Blog Posts

Middle East » Israel » Jerusalem District » Jerusalem June 20th 2005

Geo: 31.7857, 35.2007It's certainly been a long time since I was in Israel, the first of my exciting travelling experiences, but I shall never forget it. I believe this country touches everyone who visits it, no matter their religion and culture. For me, a Christian, all the Bible stories I had grown up with came alive, and given a concrete context and setting. I remember sitting on the shores of The Sea of Galilee waiting for the sunrise and just being able to picture so vividly Jesus and the disciples out fishing. I gained a whole new appreciation of my religion. At the same time, Israel also homed in on the importance of diversity. That different religions have so much in common and can co-exist very happily. In Jerusalem we started at The Wailing Wall (most ... read more

Julian's Wedding

Asia » China June 12th 2005

Wedding in the countryside

Wedding in the countryside

Wedding in the countryside

Geo: 27.4734, 111.584Whilst in Tianjin, one of our classmates got married to his lovely long term Chinese girlfriend. We all got the train down to Changsha for the ceremony. The reception was at her parents' house right in the countryside. We all had a great time socialising and playing mahjong.... read more

Asia » China » Beijing June 12th 2005

Baidalin Great Wall

Baidalin Great Wall

Baidalin Great Wall

Geo: 39.9082, 116.398China's most remarkable sight. Expectations are high for The Great Wall but it never fails to impress and exceed all expectations. It cannot be appreciated until you've seen it. Even without the wall the scenery is amazing because you're up so high in the mountains. It's very hard work walking the wall, at high altitudes, with extremely steep steps and big big drops! Not for the faint hearted! I've visited the wall on numerous occasions and at many different locations. It's all incredible but Simitai is by far the best. The wall here is at it's most dramatic. It's fairly hazardous walking up it and I always end up probably owing my life to the little old village ladies who literally pull me up! After that, you can't really refuse to buy their 5 ... read more

Climbing Simitai

Huanghua Great Wall

On top of the world!

Asia » China June 12th 2005

Evil camel!!

Evil camel!!

Geo: 40.3556, 111.203It was Spring festival and I had nothing much planned. Then Nurlan phoned and asked did I want to go to inner Mongolia the next day to teach English and I thought why not! So I packed my stuff, took on my Azerbaijanian identity, dumped the new puppy on a kind Scott and off we went. They definitely made us work hard there! My 'smile' button was on full power but it was all very rewarding. Had some lovely students and made some good friends. Discovered a wonderful cafe with swinging chairs that would make cakes in the shape of any animal we desired! Nurlan almost got killed by a mad camel who didn't like blonde hair whilst dressed in Mongolian national costume!... read more

Asia » China » Shanxi » Pingyao June 12th 2005

Pingyao

Pingyao

Geo: 37.5158, 112.74Step back in time in Pingyao! It is exactly how you'd expect to find a Chinese imperial city. Extremely atmospheric and all closed in by the ancient city wall. It's like the more authentic and alive version of The Forbidden City. It is where 'Raise the Red Lantern' was filmed. Definitely worth the visit as it is so close to Beijing (well under 10hrs) and hasn't yet been discovered by The Beijing Hutong Development Programme. Hopefully the dust that hovers over it will hide it for a while yet! Only downfall is the food which is strangely horrid.... read more

Asia » China » Fujian » Xiamen June 12th 2005

Gulangyu Island

Gulangyu Island

Gulangyu Island

Geo: 24.006, 118.088I went over to Xiamen for Autumn festival to visit my friend Tony who had just got a job there. is beautiful, especially the island of Gulangyu. It's almost like being somewhere in Italy, with delightful colonial buildings. The highlight for me was hermit crab picking on the beach. You can see across to Taiwan, it's not easy to get to though for obvious reasons. Xiamen has a real charm and unique almost Mediterranean atmosphere very different to the rest of China.... read more

Asia » China June 12th 2005

Qinhuang Dao

Qinhuang Dao

Geo: 39.1759, 119.048Qinhuangdao is one of the closest beaches to Beijing. Despite Tianjin being a huge port town, it's definitely not a seaside feel and I was in great need of some sea breeze. It's not a great beach. Not real sand but the best I was going to get without travelling down south. A good fun break. Gave many Chinese people much entertainment blobbing around in my swimming costume! Also the weekend I decided to stay in China for another year.... read more

Asia » China » Tianjin June 12th 2005

Geo: 39.9082, 116.398... read more

Asia » China June 12th 2005

'Turtle of Knowledge!!'

'Turtle of Knowledge!!'

'Turtle of Knowledge!!'

Geo: 31.3223, 120.191Suzhuo is pagoda paradise. It's very pretty and green with canals running through it.... read more

Asia » China » Shanghai June 12th 2005

Shanghai Street

Shanghai Street

Shanghai Street

Geo: 30.835, 121.531I love Shanghai! It's so exciting. The bund is just magnificent. European colonial buildings on one side of the river then extremely modern buildings on the other side. Looking over towards Putong at night must be one of the most impressive sights in the world. It's also a lot of fun because lots of Chinese tourists come to have their photo taken with you. The tourist tunnel that goes underneath has to be done. It has nothing to do with Shanghai or China but is like being in Doctor Who's tardis. So many pretty lights. Nightlife in Shanghai is just everywhere. The city never sleeps. There's only one choice for accommodation, 'The Putong Hostel.' Backpackers' lodgings and prices in an old colonial building right on The Bund. Yu Gardens are beautiful. Wonderful Chinese architecture ... read more

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