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Another weekend, another road trip, and this time it is back to Beijing, again. This weekend had a purpose. The purpose was to visit the Great Wall in its original condition. Again I travelled to Beijing with a friend who also wanted to visit the same section.
We arrived at the Dongzhimen Long Distance bus station around 8:00am to catch bus number 980 to Simatai part of the wall.
The bus that takes you half way for 15rmb drops you off half way at a bus stop that has no connecting bus to the wall. You need to barter a taxi the other 65 kilometres. There are half a dozen taxi drivers waiting for the many tourists that get of this bus. The taxis do start at 240rmb, but do not settle for that price, especially when around Dongzhimen bus station you can jump into a taxi for 150rmb for a return trip.
Simatai part of the Great Wall
This day, we were lucky, my friend and I met up with 6 other foreigners who were going to the same part of the wall, which half of the group speaking really good Chinese. After an hour and a half and walking half way down the street we managed to get a taxi to take the eight of us to Simatai for 80 rmb. At the time we thought we were being ripped off, but after the taxi trip, we now know we got an absolute bargain, we should have really paid 150 rmb or something like it.
The chair lift up.
Once at the Great Wall it will cost 40 rmb to get in, just to walk up to the Great Wall. I suggest you pay an extra 30 rmb and take the chair lift up, for a good view, and save your energy, and then walk back down.
Once you get of the chair lift, a good pair of walking or hiking boots would come in handy, at places it is quite rough and steep. You will also pass many hawkers trying to sell you hand fans and t-shirts. Shortly after, you will be on top of the Great Wall. You will take in the fantastic views of the Wall winding it self throughout the hills, every time you take a foot step.
Simatai part of the Great Wall
I suggest walking to the right first and then walk to the left as the exit down is on the far left near tower two. You will reach the Wall at tower 6. To the right you can only walk so far as you will come to an end and if you go any further, you are at risk at paying a 200 rmb fine for entering a prohibited area. It is very tempting to jump this fence and go further as the Wall climbs a steep peak, that looks safe to walk, but you are being watched by many security guards who are quick to jump up once you break the rules.
The walk down is even better, walking alongside the lake. If you like, you can take the flying fox down.
The walk down from the Wall.
Once at the bottom, you will have the same trouble as getting to the Simatai part of the wall and that is getting a taxi back. Going back we were able to barter a taxi down to 160 rmb which took us back to the terminus to catch the 980 bus back to Dongzhimen.
You will need a full day a Simatai, including the time getting there and back. You will spend 3 to 4 hours travelling to and from the wall, and around the same time there.
Beware! Food and drink are quite pricey at the wall; expect to pay three times the amount unless you buy before you go.
I would have to say it is way better than the wall at Shanhaiguan that I have already seen, but again you need to see where the wall starts or meets the sea.
Simatai part of the Great Wall
This must be the best job in the world, when someone like myself can take so many weekend trips away to parts of China, just last week I was able to pop down to Xian, Luoyang and Zhengzhou and now this weekend popping back to Datong for four days to see what I misses out the last time.
On the Thursday, a friend and myself left Chengde on train service K7712 at 1330pm to Beijing (hard seat - 41rmb). We arrived into Beijing at 1748pm and spent the few hours in the evening walking around before catching the train to Datong.
The train to Datong which is service number 1133 leaves Beijing West station at 2303pm and arrives into Datong at 0520am the following morning (hard sleeper 102rmb).
As I was with a friend who hadnt travelled to Datong before, and I had. I was willing to return back to some of the tourist attractions that I already had visited on a previous visit. If I was not a good friend, as well as, if it was a place that I did not like the previous visit, I would not have done it.
We did the same route or timetable that I mentioned on my previous trip to Datong, with going to the Hanging Temple at 6am Friday morning, then followed by going to the Yuncang caves in the afternoon.
On this visit, I noticed a lot of changes happening with both of the attractions, this time the lake/ river in front of the Hanging Temple was bone dry due to building work happening a little further up from the temple, and the builders needing the river/ lake as a road. This ruined a perfect picture for any tourist. Also with the Yuncang Caves all the shops and buildings in front of the caves were knocked down leaving rubble and mountains of dirt. The nice grassed area outside of the Caves was also gone. So many changes in less than a month.
Wooden Pagoda -Yingxian
The following day, we headed out to Yingxian to visit the Wooden Pagoda. The best way to get to the Wooden Pagoda according to the English speaking guys in CITS is too take the local bus, bus number 30 to the terminus from the railway station, it will cost you 1rmb. Bus number 30 will also take around 45 minutes to reach that terminus.
Once at the terminus, the bus will stop by the gate, walk down the back towards the office and/or waiting room and buy your tickets for the public bus, it will cost you 20rmb to Yingxian.
Wooden Pagoda -Yingxian
The bus to Yingxian will take 2 to 2 and half hours.
The bus is also quite slow as every half an hour or so, it will stop at some checkpoint for a check, you will have something like 6 checks.
When you reach Yingxian, the Wooden Pagoda stands out from the main road entering Yingxian, so does the long distance bus station. You will not get lost.
In reading books, a lot of books will say Yingxian is a small village, really it is a small town but quite big. On the other hand the city does look like a small village with all the traditional buildings. Down by the Pagoda, you will agree with me, if you go there, that down by the Wooden Pagoda in Yingxian it is quite attractive and beautiful.
The view of the surrounding street around the Wooden Pagoda
When you walk out of the long distance bus station turn left and walk almost a kilometer, once you walk this much keep a look out on the left hand side, down a street, you will see it.
The Wooden Pagoda will cost you 60rmb to get in.
The Pagoda is set in a garden which is cemented with a lot of flowers.
You can walk up to the third level of the Pagoda but not any further. The stairs are quite steep and still in its original condition. What I could see the Pagoda has never been restored, the beams are rotting away, the signs on the third floor are faded and never been touched up.
The third floor of the Wooden Pagoda
It is interesting to see how the beams were locked in.
The interlocking rotting beams, Inside the Wooden Pagoda
On the ground floor you have a giant Buddha statue that you can walk around and view from the front and back, though you can not take photos of it, but people do.
The Giant Buddha inside the Wooden Pagoda
Out the back you have a few temples that you if you practice the Buddha religion, you can say a prayer.
Inside one of the temples set away from the Wooden Pagoda
You will not spend more than 45 minutes here. Yeah! It is a long way to go for 45 minutes but it is a place to see in China. It is the best Pagoda to see.
Outside of the Wooden Pagoda
On leaving the Wooden Pagoda take 15 minutes or so to look at the architecture down the main streets adjacent to the Pagoda, as mentioned already it is really attractive.
The view of the surrounding street around the Wooden Pagoda
We managed to leave at 1pm on the bus back to Datong, which took again 2 and half hours to get back, because of the distances you need probably a day to do this unless you can do a deal with a taxi. We were given an offer that was for 280 yuan, to leave the station at 8:30am and head down to the Wooden Pagoda at Yingxian, spend 45 minutes there after a one and a half hour taxi ride, and then head out to the Great Wall which is between Datong and Hohhot, take a walk in the mountains and a walk on the wall, in parts where it is crumbling and then a taxi back into Datong. We both regretted we did not do this. I strongly agree you do this.
The next morning we left Datong at 0833am on train service number K616 and got back to Beijing West station around 1415pm in a hard seat costing 54rmb.
Before I end another chapter of my travelling, I have still have to say that nothing changes my view on this city, yeah the outskirts may be dirty and run down, but the city is still hustling and the people here are still way more polite and friendly than anywhere else I have so far visited.
Another long weekend gone by which meant another short break away. This time I headed off to Xian, Luoyang and Zhengzhou for a quick 72 hour road trip to see what I want to see.
On the Friday afternoon, I hadnt my normal classes, so I was fortunate to hop on the 13:30pm train from Chengde to Beijing (service number K7712 costing 41rmb for a hard seat) before making my way to Beijing West station to take train number T43 to Xian at 21:36pm (costing 256rmb for a hard sleeper). This train arrived into Xian just minutes before 9am. From there, I walked out the station and to my left where all the long distance buses congregate, where bus number 306, of which is a coach takes you to the Terracotta Army. It will take around one hour by coach as it drops off a few people along the way at the Hot Springs. The coach cost 7rmb each way.
Once at the Terracotta Army, you may need to go to the toilet, wait until you are inside the gates as the toilet outside will charge you for using a dirty toilet.
Front of the building of Vault/ Pit 1..Terracotta Army
On the way to the ticket booth, as well as past the entry gate, you will be greeted by many apparent English tour guides wanting to show you around. You can purchase English audio from the ticket booth, but if you like me, and you rather read than listen, and do it at your own pace, you just then buy the admission ticket. The Terracotta Army will set you back 90rmb.
One you walk through the gates, you then have a 10 or 15 minute walk to the vaults/ pits or site.
Inside Vault / Pit one...Terracotta Army
Once at the site, the building to your right, the exhibition hall, will only let you in once, but the rest of the buildings you can re-enter when you want.
Pit one to your left as you approach the buildings (opposite side to the exhibition hall) is what most people go there to see, but toward the back of the hall at Pit one, they are still working.
Pits two and three also still have excavation work going on, but they are not as good as Pit one.
Really, to be honest, when you go there, you need to have an open mind; it was nothing like I thought it was going to be like. Firstly, I did not expect the pits to be under modern roofs or sheds. Thought it was still impressive and you need to go.
After the Terracotta Army, I headed back into town, and boarded a local bus (one Yuan) to head down to the Big Goose Pagoda, Small Goose Pagoda and Bell Tower. I do not know how they get people to go into the Big Goose Pagoda as it is a very unattractive building from the outside, the only good thing down there was the fountain display.
Really, I am not going to say much about Xian as it is a very over rated city which is full of pollution, has not got the places to eat ie the outdoor barbecues that all the other cities have and noticeable gangs on the streets. I was not even in the city of Xian for 30 minutes walking around before witnessing a gang running and chasing a man on a bike, pulling him of the bike and forcing him into a van, with many on lookers looking on. Not a site you want to see as a tourist.
Just out the front of Xian railway station looking down the street
I honestly do not know why foreign students want to go and study in Xian.
That night I boarded the train T198 from Xian to Luoyang at 00:28am costing 101rmb for a hard sleeper. The train gets in around 5:30 in the morning where you exit the station, walk to you the left of the concourse and board local bus number 81 for 1.5rmb which takes you to the Longmen Caves. You do not have to worry about where to get off as the start of the route is the train station and the terminus is at the Caves, but expect a long walk to the gates past many stalls.
There is nothing else to see in Luoyang but the Longmen Caves, so if you are on a tight schedule, I suggest arriving by train into Luoyang, then visit the caves and head straight out again. A perfect stop over city on route to Xian or Zhengzhou.
Outside the main gates of the Longmen Caves at around 6:30am in the morning
While I was at the Longmen Caves the stalls were not open.
You will arrive at the gate some 30 minutes before the gates open. Where you can take a sit on the bench and watch the many anglers with their rods trying to fish. The Longmen caves are set in a bit of a valley on either side of the river and the early morning fog or smog.
The Longmen Caves will set you back 120 Yuan. They do accept union pay cards, but make sure you have cash on you, as I could not see a ATM.
Longmen Caves
Honestly, if you have been to Yuncang Caves in Datong or are planning too, do not worry about Longmen Caves. Yes! There are more caves, but the detail is not as good, and most of the Buddhas heads are missing. It just is not as well preserved as the Yuncang caves.
Longmen Caves
At the Longmen Caves, expect a lot of walking up and down the side of the mountain, as it is the only way to view the caves.
Longmen Caves
The best time to view the caves would be at 7am when the gates open, as there is no one around but you.
There are a few caves on the other side of the river, which I could not see, as I did not know how to get in. The only negative about doing it early, there are no staff showing you the way.
To sum up the Longmen caves, to me they were not worth the money; I would rather pay 120rmb at the Yuncang Caves instead of the 60rmb. On the other hand, the scenery and the surroundings at the Longmen caves is much better than at Yuncang.
From the Longmen caves, I headed back into the city of Luoyang where I jumped on a long distance bus to Zhengzhou which cost 40rmb for a 3 hour bus trip. From Luoyang, you can buy a seated ticket on the train, so I suggest pay the extra 20 rmb and go by bus.
By lunchtime, you should have made it into Zhengzhou. You will be dropped of at a long distance bus station somewhere in Zhengzhou, but just in front of the bus you get of will be a bus taking you into the train station.
If you walk to the train station, face it and then turn around, walk to you left diagonally and there will be bus number 16 that takes you to Yellow River Park for 5rmb in each direction. This bus is full all the way for the 45 minute or so journey. If you do not get a seat on the bus the first time, wait until the second bus.
Yellow River Park
The park closes at 6pm, so I suggest as soon as you get into Zhengzhou, board the bus to Yellow River Park, to see everything here you need probably 6 hours. DO NOT READ ANY BOOKS ABOUT THIS PLACE. I WARN YOU. I am travelling with Rough Guides, and almost did not go. I only went there to chew up time, and am I glad I went now. The park was the highlight of the three cities that I went too.
Yellow River Park
Yellow River Park will cost 30 rmb to get in. You can pay an extra 20 rmb for a ride on one of those golf caddies if you are lazy and do not feel like the walk up there. There is a lot of walking up and down the mountains to check out different views of the river, also to check out temples that sit at the top of the peaks. Some of the trails are quite steep to climb. All the trails are stepped and cemented though. Definitely have a bottle of water on you. You can walk down to the river and relax on the river bank and even have a picnic down there. After visiting the park, I am now looking forward to travelling south China. I now have the insight of what China can look like when it is green.
Yellow River Park
Yellow River Park
If you have time and a normal weekend free head down to Zhengzhou and go to Yellow River Park. Tickets to Zhengzhou to and from Beijing are very hard to get, I warn you. I tried to get tickets over a two month period. They sell out very quickly. With Zhengzhou, there is not much to visit there, though there is a lot of hustle and bustle around the city with heaps of shops and cheap markets. Good for any girl who likes to shop. When walking around the main part of the city in front of the train station beware of turning buses turning behind buses.
Railway station square, Zhengzhou at night
Try the food in Zhengzhou as well, there are so many choices of places to eat especially down the alley ways or even set up in many of the shops. The street to the right of the station, if you have your back to the station, is lined with food stalls on the pavement.
A ticket back to Beijing from Zhengzhou leaving at 22:16pm in the evening will cost you 167rmb for a hard sleeper.
Another long weekend in China, meaning an extra long weekend for myself, which meant a weekend away to Datong.
Well, what do I say about this city
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The past couple of weeks, it has really sunk into me, you really need to know your school before you teach there. By this I mean, at least have a few conversations by email or instant messenger before you actually arrive, because when the times get tough, there is not anything to fall back on, and the times get tougher.
While teaching in China, you will notice at a young the Chinese are full of energy, they are so keen to learn, but as they reach their teenage years, they lose that energy, they become shy and they lose their confidence
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Where do you want to go? How long for? How you going? Why you going? Are all questions that you have to think off when planning to travel. Once this is decided dont just jump into the first package or airfare you see. I suggest stay away from travel agents. Travel agents are dead. They will charge you their commission firstly, and then most travel agents are just going to book your airfare and hotels from the web anyway. I have seen it in China, once you go through a travel agent in person or on the web they up the price or for example in China they say prices in U.S dollars which is the same numeral value as in Chinese Yuan, so you are actually paying 6 or 7 times the value what you will pay if you bought in China at the tourist attraction/ hotel or train etc. So, I suggest plan and book yourself through websites, booking direct. It will save you so much time. This way if you do have any special requirements ie disabilities or eating for example you can speak to the company direct. Travel agents will never pass on 100% of the information. Again, when booking do not take the first price you see, start searching 6 to 12 months before you go. These websites will start with cheap airfares or accommodation from 6 to 12 months before departure; this will save you hundreds or maybe thousands of dollars. A lot of these websites have happy hours each day, and then have special periods each month. Once you know, you have found an airfare or accommodation at a price that you can not beat, and then take it. But, you got to do your research. Booking over the web will again save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars than going to a travel agent. Once your flight is booked, and your accommodation is booked around the days that you want to spend in a place, you can then concentrate on the smaller things like the trip checklist below. With tours, again you need to do research, ask around to people who have traveled there, for example buying a tour in the U.K for the U.K will be more expensive than buying in Australia for the U.K, but then buying a tour in Australia or U.S.A for China is way way way more expensive than buying in China for China. You also need to find out if the tour goes to where you want to go, it may also only make a short quick stop there, sometimes it is better to plan a tour yourself and go by your self or friends/ family and just do one day tours. One more thing to add on accommodation, if traveling by yourself or with just a partner or friend, I suggest do not stay in hotel, it is a waste of money. How much time really are you going to be in that hotel, you are not going to spend all day in it and at night time you are sleep, so you do not care. If you are spending the days inside of your hotel room, then you may as well stay at home. Hostels are the next big thing. Most hostels these days are becoming like hotels at quarter the price for a double room with an ensuite and TV, and also you are able to meet other tourist quite easily. To me, Hostels are a better option than Hotels. One thing you do have to think off as well, when overseas your travel plans change, you hear or see things that you did not know off before you left. Me personally, when I travel overseas or to a destination, I just buy by airfare or transport there and the first stops accommodation, so at least you have accommodation for the first night or two, and take it from there after you speak to people who are in that country or region, but everyone is different.
At the Airport. No turning back. Your luggage is on the plane. You are about to go on a adventure or dream holiday of a lifetime.
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When will the people of Australia ever learn and not to listen to the rubbish that the Liberal party of Australia dribble out of their mouths.
After the Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey said on Thursday to reporters in Sydney that the "Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will never deliver a surplus budget and 300,000 workers will lose their jobs under Labor
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This weekends plan was to head down to Zhengzhou for a day trip to see the Longmen Caves and Song Shan, but due to unexpected changes I did not go. Instead of wasting a weekend I chose to spend the day with in the Forbidden City, just one of the things that I wanted to see in China mostly.
But firstly, this weekend I learned a lesson, and that lesson was to pre-book my train tickets. From Beijing, there are trains every hour from Zhengzhou, but they are totally full. The trains leave from Beijing West which is around a 20 minute walk from the Military Museum stop on the subway line
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Another weekend has just gone by, and I have just taken another weekend trip. This time too Harbin.
I was lucky enough to have a five day break from my teaching duties. The students had exams on the Thursday and Friday, meaning that I had no classes for those two days. Already, I have a three day break, and for the living life of me, I was not going to sit around Chengde for five days and be bored. So, I jumped on the train at 06:53 am Thursday morning to Shenyang costing 110 rmb for a hard sleeper. Most of this journey, I did lie down, as I have seen this part of the country before, as I have already traveled it twice.
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After Newcastle Uniteds two nil loss to Chelsea on the weekend, it all but seems like the Geordies will be a Championship team next year.
The Geordies are currently sitting third from the bottom in the Premiership, and are four points from the safety position
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Comment by Andrew Aigner-Muehler
on Australian Prime Minister to blame for world recession according to Liberal Party...
I will handle your complaint...
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