September 3rd, 2011 | by admin | published in eating & drinking
If there is one thing you may have noticed about me and food is that I love Dim Sum! Of course there are so many fantastic Chinese dishes that I miss now that I am back in Melbourne for a while but I can say without a doubt that the Shark Fin House has sensational [...]
August 25th, 2011 | by admin | published in places
Surrounded by river on 3 sides this seemingly lost ancient hamlet ensconced amongst lush fields of sugar cane and banana plantations just 30 kilometres from Nanning is packed with mementos of a colourful past.
Founded in the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279 AD) Yangmei slowly developed over hundreds of years finally transitioning into a prosperous river [...]
July 15th, 2011 | by admin | published in latest posts, things to do & see
Imagine strolling through a verdant, well maintained garden and being wowed by the range of uses each plant has in traditional healing methods.
The meticulously maintained Guangxi Medicinal Herb Botanical Garden is the largest facility of its type in Asia and is the place to see around 4,000 varieties of plants. The garden is arranged [...]
June 28th, 2011 | by admin | published in latest posts, things to do & see
A lion appeared at the opposite end of the courtyard. Standing for a few moments then dramatically jumping up onto the first set of poles which looked to be around a metre high. Within moments he had bounded a further two or three times in perfect unison to the beating drum. This initial burst of [...]
March 30th, 2011 | by admin | published in other stuff
Seeing groups of men huddled around on the streets of most Chinese cities can only mean one thing – Chinese Chess!
A very popular past time this game of skill and strategy is a battle between armies and has a couple of thousand years of history behind it. Whilst it can only be played by two [...]
November 28th, 2010 | by admin | published in featured, latest posts, things to do & see
A Qing dynasty relic of Lingnan culture which seems to have survived the cultural revolution relatively unscathed now houses the Guangdong Museum of Folk Art in a few of its many halls.
Elaborately carved Chaozhou styled wooden doors depict classic Chinese scenes while mythological characters feature in the colourful, intricate lime sculptures that grace the eaves [...]
January 18th, 2010 | by admin | published in latest posts, other stuff
Being Popular in the World’s Most Populous Nation Brings its Challenges.
An article in Wanderlust magazine discusses the “Threatened Wonders 2010”, which sees Yangshuo as number 2 on the list. Needless to say I found some of the comments quite interesting and thought I might toss my opinion out there.
Most of China’s naturally stunning and picturesque [...]
December 4th, 2009 | by admin | published in latest posts, things to do & see
Jingshan Park located across from the North Gate of the Forbidden City is somewhere which should be included on your “things to do in Beijing” list.
The Wan Chunting pagoda offers 360 degree panoramic views of Beijing including amazing vistas back across the Forbidden City which help to put in perspective the size, scope and former grandeur of [...]
November 26th, 2009 | by admin | published in latest posts, places, things to do & see
Most of the guidebooks don’t have so much to say for Nanning however I found it to be one of China’s more likeable cities. Green spaces and a population that is incredibly relaxed and happy.
Dancing is a past time that you can see happening most early mornings and evenings all around China however in [...]
October 24th, 2009 | by admin | published in latest posts, things to do & see
If you only get to Hong Kong rather than the mainland and still want to get your own kitsch piece of “Mao Memorabilia” then head to the antique market area at Upper Lascar Row in Central (just off Hollywood Road).
This small, street market area has a great range of Mao items – little red books, [...]
