15th September
We flew into Harbin Airport from Vladivostok, where we were going to stay for one night, before continuing on to Beijing tomorrow by train. The taxi driver didn't miss us for the trip to the hotel, even though he had to stop at an ATM on the way, as we had no Chinese Yuang, and there was no facility at the airport to change money. He made sure to find an ATM though, as he wouldn't take a credit card, and knew he wouldn't get paid until we got some cash. He found the hotel Lyn had booked online, which wasn't easy, it was tucked away behind a shopping centre. Nice room though, even if the window looked onto the back of the hotel sign!
We flew into Harbin Airport from Vladivostok, where we were going to stay for one night, before continuing on to Beijing tomorrow by train. The taxi driver didn't miss us for the trip to the hotel, even though he had to stop at an ATM on the way, as we had no Chinese Yuang, and there was no facility at the airport to change money. He made sure to find an ATM though, as he wouldn't take a credit card, and knew he wouldn't get paid until we got some cash. He found the hotel Lyn had booked online, which wasn't easy, it was tucked away behind a shopping centre. Nice room though, even if the window looked onto the back of the hotel sign!
The view of the back of the hotel sign. Harbin is a fairly big city, mainly industrial, as you can see by the buildings in the background.
16-18
We caught train to Beijing in the morning, and sat backwards all the way. It was a Fast Train, reaching speeds of up to 200 KPH, but there was a bit of vibration in the carriage at certain speeds, not as smooth as I thought it would be. No wifi or power points on the train either, which surprised me. Met Gillian, a girl living in Toronto, who helped us with some local information. Taxi to hotel. We decided to do some sight-seeing on our own, and ended up with sore legs and feet, from too much walking! The Olympic city was nice. Lyn found an organised tour, taking in Tianamin Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. The tour did not live up to expectations, it was not as promised on the website, so we ended up getting our money back. There were 5 of us on the tour, the others were two pommies who worked for Cummins, and a girl from Italy who does providoring for the resorts on the Maldives.
We caught train to Beijing in the morning, and sat backwards all the way. It was a Fast Train, reaching speeds of up to 200 KPH, but there was a bit of vibration in the carriage at certain speeds, not as smooth as I thought it would be. No wifi or power points on the train either, which surprised me. Met Gillian, a girl living in Toronto, who helped us with some local information. Taxi to hotel. We decided to do some sight-seeing on our own, and ended up with sore legs and feet, from too much walking! The Olympic city was nice. Lyn found an organised tour, taking in Tianamin Square, the Forbidden City, and the Great Wall. The tour did not live up to expectations, it was not as promised on the website, so we ended up getting our money back. There were 5 of us on the tour, the others were two pommies who worked for Cummins, and a girl from Italy who does providoring for the resorts on the Maldives.
Some pics of the area where the Olympics were held, the Cube for the diving and swimming, and the main stadium behind Lyn.
Lyn and I at Tiananmen Square
The entrance to the Forbidden City
Us on the wall
19
Late start for the day, then caught the subway to the Summer Palace and back. The Summer Palace is huge, not actually a palace, but a massive garden area with a lake, walkways, and a heap of buildings or temples scattered over the area which is on a hilltop. That night we caught the evening train to Xian, 2nd class sleeper, shared with a chinese couple and their 5 year old son, they couldn’t speak english, but were a nice couple. We both managed to get some sleep, so it was all good.
Late start for the day, then caught the subway to the Summer Palace and back. The Summer Palace is huge, not actually a palace, but a massive garden area with a lake, walkways, and a heap of buildings or temples scattered over the area which is on a hilltop. That night we caught the evening train to Xian, 2nd class sleeper, shared with a chinese couple and their 5 year old son, they couldn’t speak english, but were a nice couple. We both managed to get some sleep, so it was all good.
Above are some of the buildings in the Summer palace grounds
Part of the lake at the Summer Palace
Walkway between some of the buildings in the palace grounds
20
Arrived in Xian, where we booked into a hotel early, and the room was available, so we could go in straight away, a plus. Caught the bus out to the Terracotta Warriors, very impressive, well worth seeing. We paid for an english speaking guide, who gave us the story on the whole thing, very good. Caught the bus back to the hotel, and bought the train tickets for Wuhan for tomorrow, then dinner in the room, a fairly early night.
Arrived in Xian, where we booked into a hotel early, and the room was available, so we could go in straight away, a plus. Caught the bus out to the Terracotta Warriors, very impressive, well worth seeing. We paid for an english speaking guide, who gave us the story on the whole thing, very good. Caught the bus back to the hotel, and bought the train tickets for Wuhan for tomorrow, then dinner in the room, a fairly early night.
Entrance to the Terracotta Warriors
Some of the army in the 1st building, there are over 6,000 figures!
In with the army... not really, there is a room with a very clever background, and some figures you can stand with for photos.
Workers restoring some more figures.
21-22
Took our time to get to the station as we thought we had plenty of time to catch the train, then when checking in realised we were at the wrong station! Panic, then a very fast taxi ride to Xian North Station, and just made it to the train, very lucky! Train does 300 kms /hr, VFT. Terry, a chinese student who stayed with us in 2013 in Australia, met us at the station, good to see him again. He had organised a hotel for us for 2 nights through his work, very nice too, thanks a lot Terry! He showed us the sights of Wuhan over the next couple of days, had a great time catching up with him.
Took our time to get to the station as we thought we had plenty of time to catch the train, then when checking in realised we were at the wrong station! Panic, then a very fast taxi ride to Xian North Station, and just made it to the train, very lucky! Train does 300 kms /hr, VFT. Terry, a chinese student who stayed with us in 2013 in Australia, met us at the station, good to see him again. He had organised a hotel for us for 2 nights through his work, very nice too, thanks a lot Terry! He showed us the sights of Wuhan over the next couple of days, had a great time catching up with him.
Speedo reading on the VFT to Wuhan. Nice and smooth too, you would not think you are travelling that fast.
The Hotel Terry organised for us, very nice, thanks Terry!
Gotta love Chinese English translation, never seen Antler Bacteria on a menu before......
View from the Museum in Wuhan, looking towards part of the city.
With Terry, just before we left. Thanks mate, it was good to see you again....
23
Another train trip, this time to Shanghai,where we booked into the Holiday Inn Express for the night. A taxi took us to food street, then the Bund, and then we managed to catch the metro home.
Another train trip, this time to Shanghai,where we booked into the Holiday Inn Express for the night. A taxi took us to food street, then the Bund, and then we managed to catch the metro home.
Prawns prepared for meals on food street in Shanghai,
and scallops and oysters,
and snakes ready for the pot.........
View from our room over the city of Shanghai
A very european looking night skyline of Shanghai taken from The Bund
A more Chinese looking hotel just back from The Bund. We walked past it on our way to the metro station
The next morning we would catch the plane to Hong Kong, our transit visas for China expire, so we have to leave the country. While Hong Kong is technically part of China, no visa is required, and it it is considered "out of the country" by Chinese immigration, so we are not overstaying our visas by going there. China was interesting, people were friendly, and the industry and building going on there is incredible. I have a feeling we will be back here one day.........
