• Home
  • About
    • Who We are
    • Affiliates
    • Disclosures & Guidelines
    • FAQs
    • Privacy Notice
  • Funding Your Travels
    • Banking on the Road
    • Credit Cards in Our Wallet
    • Spending
  • Contact
    • Media
    • Submission Guidelines
    • Partnership Opportunities

i should log off

log off and live!

  • Travel & Planning
    • Travel Reflections
      • Good, Bad & Ugly
      • Re-Entry
    • Travel Resources
      • Travel Tips
      • Travel Bloggers
    • Reviews
      • Gear
      • Operators
      • Travel Clothing
    • Travel Gear
      • Cameras
      • Danny’s Clothes
      • Electronics
      • Health & Hygiene
      • Jillian’s Clothes
      • General Gear
  • Destinations
    • Travel Guides
    • Africa
      • Egypt
      • Ethiopia
      • Lesotho
      • Kenya
      • Malawi
      • Morocco
      • Mozambique
      • Namibia
      • South Africa
      • Sudan
      • Swaziland
      • Tanzania
      • Uganda
      • Zimbabwe
    • Asia & Oceania
      • Armenia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Georgia
      • India
      • Kazakhstan
      • Laos
      • Thailand
      • Turkey
      • Uzbekistan
      • Vietnam
    • Caribbean
      • Antigua
      • Cuba
      • Jamaica
    • Central America
      • Belize
      • Costa Rica
      • Guatemala
      • Honduras
      • Nicaragua
      • Panama
    • Europe
      • Armenia
      • Austria
      • Belgium
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Georgia
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Italy
      • Spain
      • Turkey
    • North America
      • Canada
      • Mexico
      • USA
    • Middle East
      • Egypt
      • Israel
      • Jordan
      • Oman
      • Turkey
    • South America
      • Argentina
      • Brazil
      • Bolivia
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Peru
      • Uruguay
  • Weekend Adventures
    • Cycle
      • Pastimes
        • Beer & Wine
        • Books
        • Cooking
        • History & Culture
    • Dive & Snorkel
    • Hike
    • Trek
    • Whitewater
  • Photos
    • Photo of the Day
  • Family Travel
You are here: Home / Archives for Destinations / Asia & Oceania / China

Everybody likes Kung Fu Fighting…

November 1, 2010 By Jillian

IMGP8740It probably shouldn’t have surprised us, but every bus or train that took us closer to Beijing seemed to take us to some place busier and more touristy. Coming through the ‘backdoor’ to China, we found ourselves in bigger and bigger cities with more people, more smog, and more noise.

It was time to get out of the ‘big city’ chaos that is China and headed to Pingyao, a city famous for being unchanged over the centuries.

Known as the “ancient city of Pingyao”, it is a famous destination amongst the Chinese mostly because so many old buildings still stand. The first place to implement a banking system, as well as paper money, Pingyao was once a significant commercial trading center.  With a banking system came security, and yup, martial.  Although there were tons of old buildings, homes and shops to walk around it, we had the most fun working out in the martial arts demonstration areas.  Sing it with me now, “everybody likes kung fu fighting…” We practiced our Kung Fu fighting in the courtyards, alone except for a few birds, some imaginary opponents and a cold breeze.  Those aggressive vendors better watch out!

While few buildings have been changed over the centuries, they are the best attraction in what could otherwise be described as a tourist trap. Thankfully we escaped the hordes of tour groups deep inside the grounds of the Confucius Temples, and old banking houses.  IMGP8731 We wandered around the gardens and courtyards of the old temples with a feeling of momentary seclusion, only to have it broken by an enormous tour group a few seconds later. Pingyao was definitely a tourist trap, but if you’re interested in ancient Chinese architecture (or the worst English translations you’re likely to find anywhere) it would be worth a stop.

Hoping a night train to Datong, we didn’t expect things to get much better. Bleary eyed as the train let us off at 4am, we prepared ourselves for what we were sure would be another disappointment. China has three famous buddhist caves: Dunhuang, Luoyong and Datong. Having been to Dunhuang, which was amazing, we were cautiously looking forward to the caves at Datong. IMGP8914To compare the two is unfair, the caves at Dunhuang were far more spectacular with more elaborate work and in much better condition. However, you can explore Datong on your own unlike the relatively short tour you’re forced to stay with in Dunhuang.
About 65 km from Datong is the hanging monastery, which for me us was one of the coolest sites in all of China. Perched on the side of the cliff, Danny and the guys we were traveling with all agreed that it was likely the spot Christain Bale’s Batman used to learn all his very cool ninja moves for the last set of Batman movies. Who knows, but the monastery was rather incredible. Small, but richly decorated, the monastery is really a series of small temples linked together hanging off a cliff face. The religious icons aren’t the most incredible, largest or most detailed I’ve ever seen, but the atmosphere of the place, being surrounded by Buddha’s and such while looking down 100 feet into a valley is pretty cool. The tour was short but enjoyable, mostly because we got to climb through the temples and walkways on our own.

IMGP9023Heading back to Datong, we were delighted to find an all you can eat pizza buffet with a manager who spoke excellent English. Gorging ourselves, we got back on the train and promptly slept for 4 hours until we arrived in Beijing.

IF YOU GO: Pingyao is easily accessibly by bus or train. Getting train tickets out (especially to Xian) can be difficult and you should try to buy them on arrival. With a student ID, a 50% discount is available on the “Pingyao Ancient City” ticket, which will give you access to all the historical sites. The sites had signs in English, but the descriptions were poorly translated- use your guidebook through the sites.

From Datong- trains to Beijing were full, it was only with the help of a Chinese girl that we were able to negotiate the only tickets available for ourselves. It is imperative you try to get tickets out on arrival if you’re headed to Beijing. The Datong Buddhist Caves are accessible by public bus (Bus 3 – 1rmb), but you’ll have to take a tour or a taxi to the hanging monastery. It’s best to negotiate for a taxi in town- taxi drivers outside of the caves won’t accept less than 200rmb. Both sites offer a 50% student discount with ID.

Filed Under: Asia & Oceania, China, Headline Tagged With: buddhism, caves, religion, toursism

Foodie Friday: Tofu on a stick?

October 29, 2010 By Jillian

IMGP6122We learned from our mistake a few weeks ago, and to date we’ve successfully avoided intestine ever since. That doesn’t mean that we’re not having delicious and creative food here in China. As one of our readers pointed out in last week’s foodie friday, there must be Chinese food that we don’t get in the USA. That my friends is the vegetarian food, and truly we’re missing out.

We’ve had more Tofu in the last month than ever before in our entire lives, and something about the way they prepare it here makes it absolutely delicious. Although I’m not really a fan of tofu, mostly because of the texture, if you hadn’t told me it was tofu I probably never would have known. IMGP6126I’ll likely never get Danny to give up his infatuation with meat on a stick, but trust me, tofu on a stick isn’t so bad either! Plus there’s the added appeal of not having to inspect the dish before each bite or wonder what animal part you’re eating. And trust me, that’s a huge appeal after a few weeks.

Probably the best meal we’ve had in all of China was in Chengdu, at a vegetarian restaurant as the guests of our hostel owner. He ordered an array of vegetable and tofu dishes and everything that came to the table was incredible. From stir fried vegetables to soups to meat tasting tofu dishes, the diversity of the menu was astounding. My sister is a vegetarian and I’m used to seeing her eat uninspired pasta dishes and salads at restaurants so the menu and preparation was really astounding. Hopefully this kind of Chinese food makes it back to the US quickly because I’m starting to get used to the taste of tofu!

Filed Under: Asia & Oceania, China, Food, Headline Tagged With: vegetarian

An Army of Pottery

October 27, 2010 By Danny

IMGP8454An army of over 8,000 soldiers, 500 horses, 100 chariots, and millions of tourists annually. This is what China’s first great emperor, Qin Shi Huang, who also began construction of China’s Great Wall, needed with him as he journeyed to the afterlife.

The so called Terra Cotta Army was commissioned around 200 BCE. Each member of the army has a different, unique face and is made with solid legs to carry a hollow, terracotta body. The heads were actually attached later as the bodies needed a vent in order to allow hot air to escape while being hardened in the oven. IMGP8532The army consists of foot soldiers, archers, calvary men and generals all over 6 feet tall. The construction of the army was likely one of the first uses of the assembly line, despite what Ford might try to tell you.

The army had been forgotten by history until 1974 when a local farmer happened upon a large head while trying to dig a well. This farmer now sits about 100 meters from the site of his failed well with an autograph pen in his hand and in front of a ‘photos prohibited’ sign. The archaeological site itself is huge and features three different pits all filled with various soldiers in varying army formations. The vanguard is always in front and on all sides has soldiers facing ‘out’ in order to protect the group.
The most interesting part, outside of the size and scale of this ancient undertaking, is the current undertaking. As the site was being excavated, archaeologists found that the beautifully painted statues they were uncovering, lost their beautiful paint in as little as 30 minutes. IMGP8556 Looking at the scale of the army it is easy to see just how much paint has been lost, but the vast majority has yet to be excavated for that very reason. The pits that house the excavated soldiers are mostly still unexcavated….and there are as many as 600 sites in the surrounding hills that have not even met a shovel yet.

IF YOU GO: There is a city bus (#306) that runs regular service from the Xi’an train station to the Terracotta Army. It is cheap and if you choose to book a tour you will be limited in the amount of time you can spend there as the tour promises to take you to additional, smaller and less significant sites as well. We signed on for the services of a guide, Jason, at the entrance of the site for 100 yuan and found this extremely worthwhile. Visit the gigantic pit #1 last so that you aren’t disappointed with the other pits. We stayed at the 7 Sages hostel in town which represented excellent value even if the staff was filled with bad advice.

Filed Under: Asia & Oceania, China, Headline, History & Culture Tagged With: ruins

Haven’t we meet before?

October 25, 2010 By Jillian

IMGP8349The world is a small place, even on the road, and it’s not unusual for us to run into people again on this journey. Usually it is within the same country, but in Chengdu we were fortunate enough to run into our couchsurfing hosts from Buenos Aires. Of course it wasn’t exactly serendipity (no frozen hot chocolate either), but it was a welcome break to see a familiar face.

You never know when people are going to walk back into your life and sitting in the hostel one evening another surprise- in walked in an expat couple we had met in Xinjiang province. Small worlds collide in Chengdu and for a few days it felt like we were back at home hanging out with friends. Needless to say we spent a few extra days in Chengdu soaking it all in.

Thankfully there was a lot to do in and around Chengdu and we treated ourselves to a few special travel treats. Heading out to the country side we spent a day near Ping-Li, an old feeling village about 2.5 hrs from Chengdu. The town was touristy and although we spent a lovely afternoon being poled up and down the river on a reed boat drinking green tea and chatting away, the best part of the excursion was hiking through a tea plantation. Upon our arrival at the tea plantation we weren’t sure what was going on. We were served tea, but it became clear we had interrupted some sort of meeting. As time went on we became convinced we were part of a local communist party meeting, which may be in truth unlikely, but it still makes for a fun story.

IMGP8359Exploring the tea plantation and the bamboo forests surrounding it was peaceful and completely different than the chaos and hassle of big-city China. It was a relaxing way to spend a few hours and frankly one of the best things we did in Chengdu.

The other treat was the Chengdu Opera. Opera isn’t really the right word for the show we saw, it was more like a variety show, and although clearly for [mostly Chinese] tourists, it was very entertaining. From shadow puppets, to marionettes, to true operatic performances and violin-like solo’s, the show was lively and for the first time in a long time we had a taste of the local professional performing arts. Perhaps the most interesting part of the show was the up-close show by the tea-pourers. Holding the tea in large brass tea pots with spouts well over a meter long, the tea-pourers seemed to be able to shoot the tea out of the spout into your cup several inches away. It was an incredible presentation and not once did our pourer spill, even across four people!IMGP6096

IF YOU GO: Try to combine a tour of Ping-Li with a tea plantation. We hired our own taxi for the day through our guesthouse. Ping-Li is very touristy, but we enjoyed wandering around after dark. Trips to the Chengdu Opera shows can be arranged inexpensively through lodgings, and often freebies- such as a VIP upgrade (which basically just means unlimited green tea) transportation and a tchochky are included. We stayed at Sim’s Cozy Garden, after first staying at another less nice place….we recommend you do the same.

Filed Under: Asia & Oceania, China, Headline Tagged With: friends, normal, people, tea

Foodie Friday: Szechuan Food

October 22, 2010 By Jillian

For me China has been a food paradise, but frankly we struggle just to order. It usually amounts to a middle-aged lady handing us a menu entirely in Chinese, Danny throwing up his hands and one of us walking into the kitchen or walking around the restaurant awkwardly inspecting other people’s dishes and pointing at them to order. The food is mostly delicious, but just as often it is oily and only semi-spicy. Finally we were at a breaking point and at a hostel we enlisted the help of a local. Asking her about a few popular dishes in America, our new Chinese friend replied to nearly each one- that’s from Szechuan. That’s from Szechuan. Thankfully our next stop in fact was Szechuan province.

IMGP6004Turns out she was right. We love spicy food, but it wasn’t until Szechuan, known for its bold flavors and peppers that we really had S-P-I-C-E. Heavy on the garlic and red chili peppers, you might know it as Kung Pao Chicken, Dan Dan Noodles, Twice cooked pork and the list goes on and on. I love Szechuan food and I ordered Gong Pao Ji Ding (Kung Pao Chicken) for dinner each of our first three nights there, mostly because I could actually order it in Chinese, but also because it’s my favorite dish. That was until my tongue went numb. Yup, that’s right. My tongue went numb.

I know, you’re thinking those chili peppers in China must be really powerful, but the secret is- it wasn’t the chili peppers. (Actually, the chili pepper comes from the Americas anyhow so they aren’t really all that different than what we have in Mexican food) Although I’ve had enough Kung Pao Chicken in my life to know that I prefer the 5 chili to the 3 chili at Chinese restaurants in America, but nothing could have prepared me for the Szechuan peppercorn. It’s not spicy, in fact its a little citrusy…but it numbs. Seriously, it numbs your tongue and mouth producing a weird tingly sensation in the middle of your meal. Locals believe it helps to balance the red chili peppers, but frankly I just can’t get used to the taste. From now on its Szechuan food all the way for me, but without the Szechuan peppercorn, thanks.

IF YOU GO: Szechuan food comes in many different varieties and although its probably best known for its spicy flavors, Szechuan cuisine also includes several preparations that aren’t spicy at all. As always in China, there is something for everyone. Chengdu is known for its hotpot, a fondue like dish whereby the diner “dips” vegetables and meats into a pot of really hot and spicy liquid. If you do it, watch the locals and by all means DO NOT drink the liquid.

Filed Under: Asia & Oceania, China, Food, Headline Tagged With: spices

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • Next Page »

Connect With Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Featured Posts

Our Bucket List
How We Travel For Free
$ Travel Tips

Recent Comments

  • Barbara on Kayaking Kauai’s Na Pali Coast
  • Lori Hubbard on Review: Eneloop Batteries and Charger
  • TK on The Trouble with Philadelphia

Banking on the Road

It can be very hard to keep track of your finances while you're on the road long-term. Be sure to check out how we took care of our finances while traveling and feel free to email us any questions you have.

Adventure Guides

Torres Del Paine
China Adventure
Uzbekistan Overland
Egyptian Odyssey
Malaria
Argentina Adventure
DIY African Safari
South Africa Guide
Bolivia by Bus
How-To African Visas

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright 2008-2015 · All Rights Reserved · Contact I Should Log Off · RSS · Partner With Us · Privacy