[Self] China 2009
Did my second tour of China. Quick thoughts:
- Northeast: The trip to NorthEast was worth it. Got deep freezed by piercing blasts of chilling wind, and saw some unique sights.
- ShenYang: Good for 2 days. The 2 historical sights were worth it (故宫 + 北陵). But the city itself was quite boring it lacked character as there was a lot of concrete but all were square or rectangular blocks in unison. Perhaps 1 or 2 city structures were different, but they seemed out of place admist the vast uninspiring concrete structures instead of being uniquely outstanding.
- DanDong: Has potential but is not properly marketed nor is the infra for tourism really developed. It's a key battleground in the Korean War, and it also is where the Eastern Great Wall originates. Had hoped to have more access to North Korean authentic food but nope it was somewhat a letdown. There's a Feng Huang Shan in the outskirts but I skipped it figuring they were not really prepared for winter tourism.
The Eastern Great Wall was 2 tough and dangerous climbs. 1st on the way up and down actually taking on the great wall. 2nd when you are at the end of the 1st climb, and need to go through a series of really dangerous steps that were hammered into the mountain walls (a fall would have definitely resulted in injury).
No recourse you had to either do the 2nd climb, or double back through the 1st climb. BUT hey, that's China for you, and that's part of the fun (as long as you don't die or cripple yourself) :D
- DaLian: At first glance it is like a Singapore in the making. There's a feeling in the city that says - we can become hyperefficient and have lots of rules but make life worth living in the next 10~20years! There are sections of the city that have a more historical feel to it, but after that it feels like more of a work in progress so it was hard to label.
But I have to say the underground malls are madly vast and a labyrinth that is hard to navigate. It's a place to shop like crazy. The nicer parts of DaLian I guess should be the docks and the seaside (which didn't have much activity as it was wintertime). I did really like the Tigers though, very majestic.
- Northeast: The trip to NorthEast was worth it. Got deep freezed by piercing blasts of chilling wind, and saw some unique sights.
- ShenYang: Good for 2 days. The 2 historical sights were worth it (故宫 + 北陵). But the city itself was quite boring it lacked character as there was a lot of concrete but all were square or rectangular blocks in unison. Perhaps 1 or 2 city structures were different, but they seemed out of place admist the vast uninspiring concrete structures instead of being uniquely outstanding.
- DanDong: Has potential but is not properly marketed nor is the infra for tourism really developed. It's a key battleground in the Korean War, and it also is where the Eastern Great Wall originates. Had hoped to have more access to North Korean authentic food but nope it was somewhat a letdown. There's a Feng Huang Shan in the outskirts but I skipped it figuring they were not really prepared for winter tourism.
The Eastern Great Wall was 2 tough and dangerous climbs. 1st on the way up and down actually taking on the great wall. 2nd when you are at the end of the 1st climb, and need to go through a series of really dangerous steps that were hammered into the mountain walls (a fall would have definitely resulted in injury).
No recourse you had to either do the 2nd climb, or double back through the 1st climb. BUT hey, that's China for you, and that's part of the fun (as long as you don't die or cripple yourself) :D
- DaLian: At first glance it is like a Singapore in the making. There's a feeling in the city that says - we can become hyperefficient and have lots of rules but make life worth living in the next 10~20years! There are sections of the city that have a more historical feel to it, but after that it feels like more of a work in progress so it was hard to label.
But I have to say the underground malls are madly vast and a labyrinth that is hard to navigate. It's a place to shop like crazy. The nicer parts of DaLian I guess should be the docks and the seaside (which didn't have much activity as it was wintertime). I did really like the Tigers though, very majestic.
posted by keensoon at
Monday, December 15, 2008
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