China 2025

3 weeks in the Far East started with some time in China. After long flight via Hong Kong we found ourselves in Beijing, where we found the only bar that allowed us to order a Deliveroo to our table (thanks to the help of some Japanese businessmen and a lovely barmaid!). In Beijing we visited Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven and the Summer Palace, but the highlight had to be a trip to the Great Wall at Juyongguan where we climbed and climbed before reaching a fantastic viewpoint.  One evening in Beijing we even “enjoyed” a very dubious Kung Fu performance. Then it was the overnight train to Xian where we spent time walking the City walls and visiting the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. The main attraction there was the Terracotta Army—amazing! Back on the train to Xining where we spent some time at the Tibetan museum before once again boarding an overnight train (21 hours to be precise) train into Tibet. 

After our time in Tibet we flew from Lhasa to Chengdu where we spent some time (in the rain) at the People’s Park and wandering around the narrow and wide alley. The big draw in Chengdu is, of course, the Panda breeding and research centre. We spent a whole morning there, seeing lots of pandas, young and old it was a fantastic experience. It was a sad time as we said goodbay and flew on to Hong Kong for the next part of our adventure.

Impressions of China? Using a sqattie pottie on a moving train, pot noodles, facial recognition cameras everywhere, very obedient population and very, very modern!