CHINA

CHINA IS NEAR

in 1957, Enrico Emanuelli wrote his travel diary “China is near”.
Nowadays, it’s a different story.

I have been to China twice, arriving in Beijing both by plane and on the Trans-Mongolian train from Moscow.

I’ve always opted for internal flights in China because it’s quite cheap.
I think everyone should have this experience at least once in their lives.
It’s incredible and absurd to see practically all the passengers get up from their seats to take the luggage from the parcel shelf while the plane had taken off for just 1 minute.
It’s quite funny to see that when someone with a seat near the window or in the first few rows gets up to go to the bathroom, at least 10 passengers jump up and run to fill their seat.
And the hostesses just looked on, indifferent.

WHERE TO GO

Beijing – Pekin

Beijing is an incredible metropolis.
I remember the chaos at the exit from the central station after the Trans-Siberian journey.
There were thousands of people walking fast from side to side, cars, buses, taxis, bikes looking for a passageway in the chaotic traffic.
I took a taxi to go to the hotel, but the driver, wearing Formula 1 gloves and a hat that imagined like a helmet, gave himself a few slaps after reaching my hutong because he couldn’t find the right address and was wasting time.

I got out of the taxi and walked to the hotel.

It’s important to note that Beijing is about half the size of Belgium but has almost twice as many people.
Just picture this: you have to go to a little street that isn’t even on any map, in a city that’s 50 km from your home.
Do you think you could do it?

I’d say you’ll definitely need a few days to see Beijing.
You’ll need at least half a day to visit the Forbidden City.
Mao’s Mausoleum is in Tien’anmen Square, right in the exact center of the capital.
Arriving, you remain almost hypnotised by the enormity of the square.
It’s nice to stop and watch the world go by.

If you’re going to Beijing, you’ve got to get lost in its tight hutongs.
You’ll find the old Beijing here, among the elderly who play Chinese checkers and the market where you could eat grasshoppers, scorpions, cockroaches and much more.

If you’re a sports fan, you can imagine being an athlete of the 2008 Olympics by visiting the Olympic Stadium (also known as the Bird’s Nest) and the National Aquatic Center (the Water Cube).

The Temple of the White Cloud is the most important symbol of Taoism.

The Great Wall

The Great Wall stretche for at least 21.196 km along the mountains and the Chinese plains.
It features many distinctive characteristics, some of which are original, while others have been added over time.
There are so many options, it’s almost impossible to choose the best excursion.
I opted for the most authentic part of Jinshanling, which is the furthest from the center of Beijing and therefore less beaten by tourists.
This section is accessible on foot or by cable car and boasts 31 guard towers with a variety of shapes and features.

And don’t believe everything you hear: the Great Wall isn’t visible from space.

Xi’an

Xi’an is a very lively city, even at night.
In the night market you can eat typical dishes at very reasonable prices.

It’s situated right next to the historic walls of the ancient city.
The city has grown up around this protective barrier, which is 12 metres high and 15 metres thick.

Two other city symbols are the Pagoda of the Great Wild Goose and the Pagoda of the Little Wild Goose.

But Xi’an is known worldwide for the Terracotta Army.
On 29 March 1974, Yang Zhifa, a local farmer, was digging a well on his land when he came across a terracotta statue and a bronze arrowhead at a depth of 15 metres.
He advised the government that it immediately got to work on the archaeological excavations, which led to the discovery of the Mausoleum of Qin Shihuang.
The first emperor wanted to bring his army with him to the afterlife.
The Terracotta Army is made up of life-size statues, each one different from the other, built and painted by hand.
There are general representatives, foot soldiers, archers, crossbowmen, carts and horses.
The Army is positioned exactly as it would have been in a military battle.

Even if you’are just looking statue made of terracotta, seeing the army in front of you is pretty impressive, it gives you a certain sense of awe.

Chengdu

Just outside the capital of Sichuan, which you can reach by bus, you’ll find the Giant Panda Research Center.
It’s an amazing feeling when, out of nowhere, a giant panda suddenly appears in the forest and starts eating bamboo.
And then another, and another, and another.

There are lots of giant pandas here, from the big ones to those just born in the incubators.
You can see them eating, playing with each other and sleeping.
They’re a funny, endangered species.

And walking in the avenues of the center, you can seee the smallest red panda.

You’ll undoubtedly enjoy your time here and find it both pleasant and exciting.

Leshan

Just about 150 km from Chengdu, near Leshan, you’ll find the Giant Buddha Statue.
The largest Buddha statue in the world is 71 meters high and show the Buddha sitting with his hands resting on his knees.

The statue was carved directly into the rock, in front of Mount Emei, at the point where the rivers Dadu, Minjiang and Qingyi meet.

In 713, the Chinese monk Heitong started the work so the Bhudda would make the waters calmer for navigation.
The Bhudda, along with the huge amount of rock excavated and put into the rivers at the foot of the statue, has really lowered the water level, making the navigation safer.
You can even see the Buddha from one of the many boats that stop nearby, or by going down the stairs to the side of the statue.