Zhenjiang Guoji Hotel

... for the day, and the very kind host of a fantastic week in China, and headed back to the train station to journey to our next destination. <br><br>Despite arriving at the station an hour before the train was due to depart (an hour we filled with postcard writing and games of ********, under the gaze of curious locals) we only just made it onto the train. Us passengers were only allowed onto the platform five minutes before departure, and with a huge bottle necking effect, hundreds of ...

As an old Chinese poem states, spring is the best season to visit Yangzhou, an ancient city. I have read so much about it that finally I decided to pay a visit by myself last spring. Yangzhou once had its glorious days in Han and Tang dynasty but went downhill in Qing dynasty. It boasts about its long history,elegant gardens and all kinds of handcrafts, e.g. jade ...

... t get a very good write-up in the guidebooks but we thought it was stunning and really friendly in a less leery way than Suzhou. The main attraction is the Slender West Lake which is a pretty park. Ge Garden was so lovely - almost as nice as Suzhou's Master of the Garden of Nets!

Took us quite a bit to actually get this started, but taking advantage of the facilities in this school (meaning the free internet while we are waiting for Manny and Jacky to play pingpong) we have managed to get this roling: zzze infamous Blooog! As some of you already know, we are on the 3rd stop on our 5 month trip. Hongkong was our fairly westernized introduction to China, leaving contradictory memories (at least for me) of the ...

... sont légions et dans les jardins les pièces d'eaux sont éssentielles mais comme les montagnes sont loins on en créé de petites artificielles et la nature suit, bonzaï à profusion... Demain je fais un bond vers le sud de quelques milliers de km, je prend un avion pour m'emmener dans les montagnes kastiques du sud ouest de la Chine. La c'est l'aventure qui m'attend car j'ai un billet pour m'y rendre mais pas pour revenir...

... each we all headed to the top of Cishou Ta the seven storey pagoda. It was so hot inside and when we reached the top we were met by a beautiful cool breeze. Needless to say we stayed seven storeys high for sometime. After the pagoda we spent a few hours walking around Jinshan Si and its very beautiful gardens. We sat on the grass chatting and getting to know each other more. How happy was I when Cheng ...

... gardens. The monastery was beautiful and the gardens were peaceful and I lay for a sleep for an hour until it began to pour with rain. Luckily for me it was just after I woke. <br> <br>I then turned very Chinese and instead of running for shelter I simply squatted beneath my umbrella until it stopped and continued walking. <br> <br>The pathway that takes you around the island wasn't what I actually hoped for and also much shorter ...

... eatery just off Jiefang Lu and Zhongshan Donglu. There seems to be a huge night market that covers several streets and nearly as long as a city block. I haven't been to explore yet but I will on my way home...which was supposed to be three hours ago. Argh, you can do these things when you travel. Beers N Noodles toya.....shane ________________________ The soundtrack to this entry was The Chemical Brothers The album was 'Surrender' Out of control mate!

... wouldn't have paid the entrance fee again and therefore would have missed out such an awesome day. And don't even consider skipping the Bonsai Gardents! Beers N Noodles toya.....shane _________________________ The soundtrack to this entry was the greatest band ever. Melbourne's 'Underground Lovers' The album was the 'Takes You Back' EP

... another Salt Merchants 'former residence'. I paid my 10 Yuan entrance fee and wallah, another outstandingly beautiful abode. These places really are unbelievable! They all have an extensive use of expensive wood for everything from window frames to stunning carved furniture. All the gardens are stunning and I'd say ...