In September 2024 we had a 20 day tour of China. Highlights included Beijing, Xi'an where the terracotta army is, Chengdu, home of the Giant Panda research center then a Yangtzer River cruise followed by a bullet train to Shanghai.
Click here to see some of the best pictures from this trip, or click one of the pictures below to see more pictures from that part of the trip.
Below is the map showing where we took photos. Click the picture to see an interactive map. Click any of the pins in the interactive map to see more details on that photo and a link to the blog entry.
Sep 10 to 13, 2024 - Beijing
There are actually a number of spots where you can visit the Great Wall of China. We visited two sections on different days.
Tiananmen Square was originally designed and built in 1651 during the Qing Dynasty. Tiananmen itself, the "Gate of Heavenly Peace" which is the entrance to the Forbidden City was built earlier (approx. 1417–1420) during the Ming Dynasty. The square was significantly expanded to its current massive size in 1958.
The Forbidden City was the residence of Chinese emperors from the Ming to the Qing dynasties. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of 800 buildings with more than 9,000 rooms.
Click the picture above to see an album with additional sights of the Drum Tower and other areas near the Forbidden City. The album also shows the Peking duck from that nights dinner.
This was the second section of the Great Wall that we visited.
Click the picture below to see more pictures from this day including a visit to the Ming Dynasty Tombs.
Sep 14 to 16 - Xian
On the 14th we flew to Xian, home of the world famous Terra Cotta Soldiers. On the 14th we visited the Wild Good Pagoda. On the 15th we visited the Terra Cotta Soldiers before boarding a high speed train to Chengdu.
Sep 16 to 17 - Chengdu
We started the day in Xian, visiting the ancient Xian city wall, before boarding a high speed train to Chendu, home of the Panda Research Center.
The People's Park was on our way to visit a Mahjong parlor. In this park parents post the "resume" of their single sons and daughters, hoping to find a good match for marriage.
Sep 18 to 21, 2024 - Yangtze River Cruise
Today we boarded a Yangtze River cruise to take use from Chongqing to Yichang and the Three Gorges Dam.
This was the same scene as the previous picture but from aboard the ship and at night, just before departure.
Sep 19, 204 - Fengdu
Today we went to the Fengdu Ghost City. Notice how the dock allows for great variations in river height. The Yangtze River level can vary significantly, with an average annual fluctuation of roughly 65 feet.
The main attraction for the day was a visit to the Fengdu Ghost City. Click the picture below to see more of the figures and architecture from the Fengdu Ghost City.
That evening we went to a large scale outdoor show which included live actors and horses plus 3D holograms, fire and water effects. The show depicts the Feng Yan San Guo, also known as "War Fire of Three Kingdoms" a legendary tale from the Three Kingdoms period of 220-280 AD. Click the picture below to see more pictures from the impressive show.
Sep 20, 2024 - Qutang and Wuxia Gorges
Sept 21, 2024 - Three Gorges Dam
Today we visited the Three Gorges Dam before taking a train to Shanghai.
Sep 22 to 23, 2024 - Shanghai
The Shanghai Smart Eye is on the 126th floor of the Shanghai Tower. It's part of a custom designed electromagetic system to reduce building sway and stabilizes the tower against strong winds and seismic activity.
For visitors of the Shanghai Tower it is the highest art space on earth.
Sep 24, 2024 - Hangzhou
Today we took a train from Shanghai to Hangzhou for a day tour.
It's estimated that there are 300 to 470 rock carved Buddhist statues in Lingyin Temple.
Sep 7 to 25 - Whats App Bonus Pictures
Below are pictures from WhatsApp shared by various people in our tour. Because WhatsApp removes embedded information, including date taken, they are shown in the order people posted them which is not the same as the order they were taken. Click any of the pictures below to see a large photo album of WhatsApp pictures.
Click one of the pictures above to see more pictures for that part of the trip.
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