Including today, there is exactly 11 days left for my China vacation. This is the longest I've been away from home and I think I am getting home sick. After spending just over two weeks in China, I really appreciate what Canada has to offer. We live in a great country, and we don't suffer the same hardships as some Chinese People. Our last day on the Gorge was fun. The cruise ship docked near a river city (Yiching?) When a Chinese Cruise ship docks, it's usu...

Limited access to wifi, that's why the posts are a little late. There is a lot of debate whether or not to cruise the 3 Gorges since the damn was erected 1992 and completed in 2009. The damn increased the water level approximately 135m, and flooded farm lands, cities and temples. We took a Chinese cruise traveling to the 3 Gorges. On this ship, 2nd class has 2 bunk beds (4 beds) and a combination squat toilet & shower (second time I miss the comforts of...

Plan 1/2 day to visit the Terracotta Army, it has been referred to as the 8th Wonder in the World. Qin Shi Huang dreamt about building this empire for his afterlife when he was 13 years old. It is estimated over 700,000 workers were used (mostly slaves) for this project. Those workers that helped with the Emperor's tomb were rewarded with graves beside him. His concubines, servants and the workers were all buried alive with him when he died. In fact, anyone ...

Woke up early this morning in Luoyang to catch the early train to Xi'an, there are some common things I've noticed in all the seven cities we have visited: 1) China is a rapid growing economy - everywhere you look roads are being widened, high rises, commercial building, highways, railway lines are being constructed & old neighborhoods are being torn down. 2) The wireless infrastructure in China is far superior to Canada's. Most Chinese people walk around ...

We arrived in Luoyang @ 12:30am, it was a long flight from Beijing. We got up early today to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Longmen Grottoes (similar to the ones blown up by the Taliban in Afghanistan) and the Shaoshi Shan (Kung Fu made famous by Bruce Lee). China has three great sculptural treasure troves: Mogoa Caves (Dunhuang), Yungang (Datong), and Longmen Grottoes. Reserve a visit to Longmen Grottoes if you come to China! There are 5 main caves...