The city of Xian claims to be over 3000 years old and the start of the Silk road, or the end depending which way you look at it. It is one of the few citys in China with its original wall still intact but dont let that fool you there is nothing old here at all. This is the most tourist town I have been to so far. A lot of the signs are in english, there is KFC on every corner and cheap T shirts. ( kids what do you want a picture of Chaiman Mao or I love China) Th...

I was sick of hanging around the hostel, and I dont wanna be like the loosers on Airways, you know the ones "5 minutes just 5 minutes"" I was standing there and you didnt call me". I thought I would get a cab to the bus station cos I havnt cought a Chinese train yet but I have seen the stations and thought it might take a while to sort out. I was standing on the main road trying to get a cab, everyone that came by was full, and a guy pulled up on a scooter and lo...

Im in Chengdu, at Hollys hostel and will be here for 3 days at least. Im going to see the Panda's tomorrow. Chengdu, another.. 5th biggest city in China, home to over 14 mil people and the place where the first paper money in the world was issued about 700 years ago. Between Shenzen, where I started, and here that would be the total population of Australia in 2 cities. Chengdu is the capitol of Sichuan, home of spicy hot food, and the biggest Panda breeding cente...

The locals all seem to call it Zhongdian instead of the new name Shanglr-la. I showed it to some people in my book and they said "Shangrili - la.. ya ya" There is nothing spacial there and no particular reason to go except it is part of Tibet and only part you can go without a permit. I came here with the intention of going overland to Chengdu but have decided not to go that way cos it is too hard with the language barrier. So far I have been OK but it is very ha...

**** its hard....... These computers are rubbish. No one speaks English. Im getting there but slowly. I havnt seen another white person since I left KL. This will be quick cos Im hoping there will be net cafe in Chengdu when I get there. Tomorrow Im going to take the bus to Shangri La (Zhongdian) about 5 hours from here up in the mountains in Tibet. I will only stay for one night then come back here cos I have just booked a flight to Chengdu on Tues morning. I wa...