I still can't quite believe that I've been to China! Over 2 weeks I visited 7 different places, and that barely scratched the surface. China is such a vast country, and doesn't seem to do anything on a small scale. Both the cities of Beijing and Shanghai have a population of 21 million people. Compare that to the whole of Scotland which is around 5.3 million - crazy! I went to China with my friend Clare as part of an 'On the Go' tour. Starting in Beijing, the tour covered Luoyang, Xi'an, Yangshuo, Guilin and Shanghai, and we added on a couple of nights in Hong Kong at the end before flying home.
China is a land full of contrasts and controlled freedom. Home to some of the most technologically advanced cities in the world as well as beautiful scenery and rolling rice terraces. It was really interesting travelling on the bullet train between some of the cities (and not just because it can reach speeds of 300km/hour!). Huge skyscrapers seem to suddenly give way to rural areas and farm land - suburbs just don't seem to exist. The train passed through several 'ghost cities', eerily full of empty apartment buildings and seemingly few people.
Given what I'd read about China's history from the past century, I was surprised at how many historical sites and artefacts are still intact and open to visitors/ on display. China's history is as vast as the land, stretching back over many dynasties. A bit much to take in for an ignorant tourist like me, but fortunately we had (on the whole) very good tour guides explaining things to us.
It's never possible to see and do everything that a country has to offer, especially in only 16 days. Joining a tour group gave us the chance to pack in as much as possible without the stress of having to sort our own accommodation and transport. Apart from Hong Kong, I think China would be quite difficult to navigate by yourself. Some people embrace those awkward language barrier situations, but having had my fair share in Rwanda, I was quite happy to trot around after our local guides.
Of course we did the best known attractions: The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Terracotta Warriors, the skylines of Shanghai and Hong Kong, pagodas, temples and good food. I embraced my inner tourist - camera around neck, reapplying my factor 50 sun cream whilst adjusting my backpack full of 'just in case' items, which of course I didn't need. Standing on The Great Wall was, well, great! It's so iconic and it just felt so surreal to be walking along it. We visited the section at Badaling aka tourist destination for all, complete with souvenir shops, restaurants, a hotel, overpriced ice creams and hundreds of other camera wielding visitors. Some sections of the wall are incredibly steep, with railings to hold onto. Add to this the blistering hot sunshine, and soon enough the crowds thin out and give way to a more peaceful view, only occasionally interrupted by the die-hard souvenir sellers. It's incredible to see how the wall winds it's way through the hills, not seeming to follow any contour line, as if a child drew a squiggly line as to where it should be built. According to Google [spoiler alert], apparently the Great Wall is not, I repeat not, visible to the naked eye from space. How disappointing! Fortunately, I no longer need to go to space to see it.
Another highlight for me was visiting China's national treasure - the panda! It's estimated that only 1000 - 3000 giant pandas remain on the planet, making them one of the world's most endangered species. Shaanxi Rare Wildlife Rescue & Breeding Centre has been operating since 1978, acting as a shelter for ill or injured giant pandas in the region, as well as other rare wildlife. We arrived at 8.30am, just in time to see some of the pandas being given their breakfast. It was amazing to see these creatures so close up - they look incredibly cute and cuddly! Also at the centre were golden monkeys (including one who seemed to enjoy bouncing off the wall and body slamming the floor - an aspiring wrestler?!), black bears, an impressive looking leopard (in a less than impressive enclosure), red pandas (very inquisitive and a beautiful colour), ibis birds, peacocks, owls and vultures. The centre had open enclosures for the pandas, which had been totally empty when we'd walked past earlier in the day. We tried again later on and found 3 pandas! One of them was hiding at the back, but the other two were close to the front of the enclosure so we had a great view of them. At first they were just chilling, munching on some bamboo, but then they started play fighting - rolling over, pushing and punching each other! They also competed with each other to see who could climb a tree first. I reckon they were brothers! I loved seeing them so close up and could have watched for hours.
