Visit to China in April 2004

The purpose of my visit was mainly  to see a lot of birds.  According to information the diversity of birds is enormous , especially because China is a big country with a great variety of habitats.

I had planned the trip with a Chinese tour-operator, which I found through the Internet:   China highlights Travel. The whole organisation of the trip went smoothly. During the planning-phase I had always contact with the same person, who made all kind of suggestions and answered all my questions, which finally resulted in an interesting itinerary.

So far so good. What I really did not realize is, everything that had once been planned, could not later during the trip virtually  be changed. Not from reluctance, but to improvise by a Chinese tour-operator really does not exist. Absolutely nobody will take the risk that something will occur with a "foreigner". That makes travelling in China very safe, but also very limited. The whole trip was fantastic, but all attemps to change small details were extremely friendly accepted with words but in practice completely ignored.

 Do you have plans to do something similar, keep into account the following points: 
 
Avoid to eat in the typical tourists restaurants, but arrange (in advance) something more authentic.  
After a few days in China the sight of a parking lot filled with buses is already enough to let disappear your appetite.

It is not that all such restaurants are not good, but the food is as you would expect when cooking is done simultaneously for groups of a thousand people

There are really good restaurants, where really nice food can be eaten also meeting "all requierments"

Probably every day there will be scheduled a visit to a shop or factory to stimulate buying local treasures. Think about it and make up your mind. you want it or you don't

To visit shops and workshops is "stimulated" by the government and everybody involved get its benefits. There are certainly also places where wonderful things can be bought for relatively little money, but after a few days it starts to be annoying to be brought to those places and "spend" time. Before you book the trip be clear about what you want or not want. 

At all locations I was accompanied by a pre-booked guide. Normally they are students who want to earn some extra money by guiding tourists. They were all fluently in English or Spanish.  The only male-guide (see photo below) was actually a French guide, but for the opportunity to have an extra Spanish speaking client he had an intensive course Spanish. To explain all kind of interesting details he was able to speak Spanish quite will (probably learned by head), but when I asked him the most simple question he did not understand a word.

 
 
 Click on next to go to - Beijing

Peking or Beijing is the Capital of China and of course worth a visit. The Tian'anmen Square, the world's largest square, is situated just across the "Forbidden city" from which the Chinese emperors governed for over 500 years. Beijing is a perfect location from which you can visit the "Great Wall". See below for some photos made during the trip in 2004.

Below some photos of this famous square and the "Forbidden city", of which the main entrance is clearly visible on the photo above. Click on one of the photos to see a bigger image. 

 The "Temple of Heaven" is the most holy of Beijing's Imperial temples. Here the Emperors prayed for good harvests and rain, or gave thanks for the harvest.

The Summer palace with the royal gardens is a favourite place for people of all ages. 

From Beijing it is rather easy to visit "The Great Wall", that's why most visitors use Beijing as a base for their visit.
To climb all the way up is a guarantee for beautiful views, but you need some stamina

It is really impressive
 

Click on next to go to - Xi'an

 Xi'an is the capital of Shaanxi province, located in the centre of China. Historically the city has been very important. As much as 13 dynasties, including Zhou, Qin, Han and Tang had their capital in this place. It is therefore not surprising that in Xi'an and the surrounding areas many historical monuments can be seen.
The most famous "monument" is the Museum of Terracotta Warriors and horses, also called the Eighth Wonder of the World. 

A group of local residents found pottery when they were digging to create a well. This was back in 1975. They warned the local government, which in turn warned a group of archaeologists

The man in the photo is considered to be the discoverer of the terracotta warriors. He is present in the museum almost every day. Actually just to have his photograph taken.

He has been amply compensated by the government,
 

The terracotta figures are lifelike in size and design, and made as the royal guard must have looked like in those days. The museum covers more than 16.000 m2 and 3 places where interesting pieces have been found. In  total there are 7000 figures and horses discovered.  Many of those have been restored.

The discovery of the Terracotta Warriors is so important, that in 1987 it has been added by Unesco to the list of most important cultural legacies.

The Terracotta Warriors are extremely lifelike. The average height is about 1.80 m. The bottom part is solid, the upper part is normally  hollow. Originally the figures were painted in bright colours, but in the more than 2000 years of guarding the colours are gradually blurred. The eyes are focussed in the distance. Some have a special hairstyle. The details of the figures are amazing.The well muscled horses have bright eyes and wide open nostrils and it looks as if they are ready to break into a gallap.

They also found many weapons. In the museum all the objects are well displayed
 

 Click on next to go to - Guilin

This rock formation close to Guilin is one of the most photographed places in China. Typical are the boats in the foreground. The fisherman with its Cormorants, very well trained to catch fish for their "owners".

One of the nice things in Guilin, a cruise on the Li river all along to the picturesque village of Yangshou.
You have to take into account that at the same time many ships will depart, but it is still funny

The scenery is very beautiful, and it is interesting to see and get an impression of daily life along the river.

Lunch served abord is certainly worthwhile.
 

Below some photos I made during the cruise. Click on a photo to see a larger view.

Click on next to go to - Kunming

Kunming is the capital of Yunnan province in the south-west of China. Yunnan is bordering with Vietnam, Laos and Birma. This province is rich in flora and faune, and also houses a large variety of etnic groups. Unfortunately I only stayed a few days in this beautiful province, and moreover I had not choosen the best time of the year. Kunming has the nickname  "Spring city". I did not enjoy a lot of that.

One of the most important attractions is "The stone forest" a formation of rocks formed during many years by erosion and weather influences. It is now a park where they have given special names and significance to the various forrmation.

On the photos you can see examples of etnic groups. Click on a photo to see a larger view

Below some more photos made in Kunming. If I will visit Kunming again it is important not to stay in Kunming, but to see some more of the province.

 Click on next to go to - Birds in China  

Birds in China

Eventually I went to China, because China is a country with an enormous bird variety. At the end I have seen birds, but far from what I had expected. Now I know how my next trip to China has to be organized to enjoy more. However I have seen some birds .... Below you will find some photos.

Most birds I saw in Hongkong.  Hongkong is a paradise for birders, also if you want to buy a camera or one of those electronic tools ...

Below you will find some photos of birds I found. click on an image to see a larger one

And this is Hongkong ....

To see more photos of Chinese birds have a look at the Gallery - China - Birds