Chengde Hotel

... much needed shopping at the local, underground department store. I got myself a coat, pair of pants and a shirt and a new, small suitcase for these little trips that don't need my massive fly cases I came to China with. I got my gal one of the same and a sweat-coat with the big buttons. Since we spent above a certain amount of money we got a rice-cooker for free (China is strange), I won't fight it since I need one, but it was really a pain to carry back.

... all dynasty period buildings lining the north end of the city, the one we visited being the largest of the 7. <br><br> The temple we visited is named Putuo Zongcheng. The temple itself was a rising hill of small, gilded buildings and artistic carvings leading up to a massive red temple that reminded me of the castle at Lhasa. Inside the building we spent some time viewing presentations put on by ...

... surrounding countryside, the wall's strategic positioning became evident and it's incredible to think that anyone actually managed to breach this defense. Approaching via the steep, overgrown slopes would be almost impossible and the closely-spaced vantage points above, coupled with the row of arrow slits, should have prevented any attack. But that was Chinggis for you - it's not for nothing that the Mongolian national beer ...

... 20+ story apartment buildings and busy market streets and department stores. Even small towns in China have a way of becoming quite busy and prosperous compared to my quite 'villages' back home in Oregon.<br><br> The many family lunches and dinners aside, I'll just list off some of the most memorable experiences and let the soon to be posted pictures do more talking.<br><br> The day after ...

... en malade. <br><br>D'apres mes observations, pour obtenir un permis de conduire en chine, il ne faut suivre qu'ue seule regle tres simple: respecter les feux rouges. Tout le reste, on a le droit de le faire. Meme pour traverser une rue a pied c'est intense. Les autos ne s'arretent pas pour les pietons, et inexplicablement les pietons eux non plus ne s'arretent pas pour les autos. Comment ca marche pour pas qu'il y ait de mort? Eh bien c'est comme ...

... seemingly endless frieght trains journeying across the country<br>- I counted over 100 carriages on one before it powered out of sight. <br><br>We spent a very pleasant day yesterday wandering round the parkland and gardens of the Imperial palace, where deer wander freely around the woodland, lakes, and many pagodas. The park is enclosed by a majestic wall looking a little like a mini version of the Great one, and at the far end, away from the ...

... I am ready to go to the temples around town and get temple overload.<br><br>My first temple was Putuozongcheng Temple, which built based on the model of Potala Palace in Tibet. This is the closer I could get to Tibet as I can (on this trip anyway). It was interesting to gain a view on the Tibetan culture. As it was the beginning of spring, I was one of the few tourists there. The climb to the top of the temple is not for the faint hearted, but the ...

... to Beijing, where we looked around the Summer Palace. We were glad we saw the Summer Palace after Chengde, because it was prettier, and more tranquil. We looked around the palace buildings and gardens, and went to the top of the Tower of Burning Incense, which gave us a good view of the lake and the dragon boats. We went to Suzhou Street, a street built around a river inlet.It was very pretty. After this we were very tired so went back to town and caught an overnight train to Datong.

... and wall. - Also on the border of the city are 6 major temples. One of which houses the largest Buddha in the world (although we have found 6 of these so far) which is glorious. If you donate money to the big man, you also get a chant and a few minutes of music from local monks on odd instruments. - A further temple in the style of the Potala Palace in Lhasa. Astounding in size etc. 4 others, but we only had 2 days to spare. We ...

... was about six storeys high with the Temple built around it. It must have been about 20 feet in diameter and had 42 arms. That would make this Budda an excellent goalie. Certainly spectacular. On the way out our tour guide, Peter who is from Chengde and teaches English here showed off an impressive musical talent. Outside were a group of 8 Lama's or Monks who for a small financial offering would play a tune together which Peter said would give ...