This is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within China. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2005:696 RealTravel members http://realtravel.com/images/logo-for-feeds.jpg (c) 2006 RealTravel.com 2008-06-24T05:23:28Z 339994http://www.feedburner.comThis is an XML content feed of journal entries and reviews that have recently published by RealTravel members within China. Use one of the buttons on the right to add this feed to your feed reader. tag:realtravel.com,2007-06-18:4815783 2007-06-18T23:46:25Z 2008-06-24T05:23:28Z Tole & Jessica http://realtravel.com/member-m2024494-tole__jessica.html <p><em>"awash in the vivid colors and patterns of Tibetan life"</em></p> <p>a entry by Tole &amp; Jessica from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/sichuan-china-reviews-hotels-d949491.html">Sichuan, China.</a></p> <p></p><p>Without a doubt, western Sichuan was the real highlight of our trip to China. People say that Tibet really begins in Western Sichuan, and we definitely felt like we had entered a new country and culture. Villages are populated with Tibetan people, have Tibetan architecture and, despite apparent poverty, are awash in the vivid colors and patterns of Tibetan life. These colorful patterns are everywhere: on clothing, prayer flags, and the doors of houses and barns; woven into intricate window patterns and the manes and tails of horses; and flying on prayer flags and long streamers attached ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/sichuan-journals-j4815783.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ufEADhNdPti6wmdClyqbP7pdV6I_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ufEADhNdPti6wmdClyqbP7pdV6I_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ufEADhNdPti6wmdClyqbP7pdV6I_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ufEADhNdPti6wmdClyqbP7pdV6I_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsichuan-journals-j4815783.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/sichuan-journals-j4815783.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-05:6809248 2008-04-05T05:35:27Z 2008-06-14T18:52:03Z Traveling Nomad http://realtravel.com/member-m5631087-traveling_nomad.html <p>a review of Seventh Heaven Cafe and Hostel, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/yangshou-jiangsu-reviews-hotels-d4102997.html">Yangshou, Jiangsu</a>.</p> <p>This place is wonderful! Seventh Heaven used to be a hostel a few years ago, but they upgraded by changing locations and now have hotel-style rooms above the restaurant, a full bar and an extensive menu. The rooms are bright and cheery with fluffy white duvet covers on the beds, the food is tasty, healthy and restorative, and the price cannot be beat! But best of all is the staff. They are all really nice, friendly, helpful and I enjoyed talking with all of them. They offer free internet access which tells you the level of hospitality you can expect to find there. The owner of the hotel left ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/yangshou-reviews-b6809248.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_8RMlqyOgugxixdRF49nM3-wTjgM_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/8RMlqyOgugxixdRF49nM3-wTjgM_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_8RMlqyOgugxixdRF49nM3-wTjgM_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=8RMlqyOgugxixdRF49nM3-wTjgM_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fyangshou-reviews-b6809248.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/yangshou-reviews-b6809248.html tag:realtravel.com,2006-01-11:821833 2006-01-11T09:52:45Z 2008-06-09T11:08:41Z Bruno Mathis http://realtravel.com/member-m543281-bruno_mathis.html <p>a entry by Bruno Mathis from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/beijing-china-reviews-hotels-d6144.html">Beijing, China.</a></p> <p>After 30 years of practice in Aikido, I'm living now in Beijing China. Aikido is not very popular in this country. I had started to learn Calligraphy, and at this school for foreigners , lesson for Taichi, ok I had started too. Since I've nerver stopped ! why ? Cause its the basic for all the Marial Arts.</p><p>http://www.youtube.com /watch?v=db06NH4IkH8</p><p>Essence of everything is in this Art of the philosophy : TAO ( Confucius ). More I progress and more its difficult, the detail of each movement depends of movement you have made just before. This line of driving is for the rest of your ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/beijing-journals-j821833.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_.mNiU3ymWA7zl6YLScsis8K0Roc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/.mNiU3ymWA7zl6YLScsis8K0Roc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_.mNiU3ymWA7zl6YLScsis8K0Roc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=.mNiU3ymWA7zl6YLScsis8K0Roc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbeijing-journals-j821833.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/beijing-journals-j821833.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-04-05:6809276 2008-04-05T05:56:52Z 2008-05-29T01:58:04Z Traveling Nomad http://realtravel.com/member-m5631087-traveling_nomad.html <p>a entry by Traveling Nomad from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/yangshou-jiangsu-reviews-hotels-d4102997.html">Yangshou, Jiangsu.</a></p> <p>My immersion into China was with both feet and a huge smile on my face. I was met at the Guilin Airport by a driver, Mo, arranged for by the owner of my hotel, WIlliam Lu (who is a really nice and warm human being). Mo spoke no English so we rode in silence between Guilin to Yangshou in pouring rain for almost two hours on dark roads through dense fog. The roads outside of Guilin had no lights and limited signs and no English on them so I am glad that I did not decide to try to maneuver on my own, especially at 7:30pm. It was only when I arrived at the hotel that I really saw Mo's face, and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/yangshou-journals-j6809276.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ahm2227h1u7pbWte.b1lWVY.s98_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ahm2227h1u7pbWte.b1lWVY.s98_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ahm2227h1u7pbWte.b1lWVY.s98_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ahm2227h1u7pbWte.b1lWVY.s98_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fyangshou-journals-j6809276.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/yangshou-journals-j6809276.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-05-28:7054778 2008-05-28T17:40:35Z 2008-05-28T17:50:58Z StarGal http://realtravel.com/member-m7054745-stargal.html <p><em>"Tsim Sha Tsui"</em></p> <p>a entry by StarGal from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-china-reviews-hotels-d42202.html">Hong Kong, China.</a></p> <p>5/28/08 6:15pm HK Time (UTC+8)</p><p>Hong Kong is humid. There was no wind in the air, only heat and humidity welcoming us to the Pearl of the East. Nonetheless we were excited. We got on the A21 bus that would take us to Kowloon, where our hotel is located. Sitting on the first row seats on the top deck of the A21 bus, there was no obstruction to the views. I saw familiar HK images, skyscrappers standing tall next to the triangular lush looking mountains. It was exciting to see the familiar postcard images right in front of your eyes. It was then that I realized that I wam in Hong Kong, and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j7054778.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_yDQEvhxs-1rATs3WeHPGwCUt2hQ_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/yDQEvhxs-1rATs3WeHPGwCUt2hQ_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_yDQEvhxs-1rATs3WeHPGwCUt2hQ_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=yDQEvhxs-1rATs3WeHPGwCUt2hQ_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhong_kong-journals-j7054778.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j7054778.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-05-28:7054348 2008-05-28T15:26:41Z 2008-05-28T15:26:41Z katieviventi http://realtravel.com/member-m7046524-katieviventi.html <p>a entry by katieviventi from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/beijing-china-reviews-hotels-d4471510.html">Beijing, China.</a></p> <p>I made it to Beijing with all my belongings. Our hotel is very nice and clean. No single rooms but I'm rooming with Brittany who is from Dewitt. She's cool and I hang out with her and a few other girls mainly. The city is VERY different from Tokyo. Tokyo was more of what I think of a city should be which is one high-rise building after another. However, Beijing is more spread out. The buildings have more lawn space and walkways up to their buildings. Which is nice because it's much more open. My only complaint is that it's very dirty here. After a walking around all day your feet are covered ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/beijing-journals-j7054348.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Z38eK2vbFGAkATm282wgzd5Phb0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Z38eK2vbFGAkATm282wgzd5Phb0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Z38eK2vbFGAkATm282wgzd5Phb0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Z38eK2vbFGAkATm282wgzd5Phb0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbeijing-journals-j7054348.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/beijing-journals-j7054348.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-05-05:4449941 2007-05-05T18:44:39Z 2008-05-06T14:59:58Z Kyle & Dan http://realtravel.com/member-m3184337-kyle__dan.html <p>a entry by Kyle &amp; Dan from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/xiahe-gansu-reviews-hotels-d1717570.html">Xiahe, Gansu.</a></p> <p>Xiahe is located in the Gansu province of China, at the northeast corner of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. Its location in this part of rural China was one of the reasons we decided to venture there during our 6 weeks in China; the other reason was due to the makeup of the town and surrounding areas, with half of the population being Tibetan and the other half being either from the Han or Hui tribes. With China being such a vast country, we wanted to see some parts that not only appeared geographically different, but that also had a different ethnic composition. Xiahe definitely fulfilled our ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/xiahe-journals-j4449941.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_RNtpHukI7F-0Yjx3vGv93poQleY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/RNtpHukI7F-0Yjx3vGv93poQleY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_RNtpHukI7F-0Yjx3vGv93poQleY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=RNtpHukI7F-0Yjx3vGv93poQleY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fxiahe-journals-j4449941.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/xiahe-journals-j4449941.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-16:6705211 2008-03-16T07:41:24Z 2008-03-17T17:14:06Z Ruskie And Bella.... http://realtravel.com/member-m5138310-ruskie_and_bella.html <p>a entry by Ruskie And Bella.... from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-china-reviews-hotels-d42202.html">Hong Kong, China.</a></p> <p>Hello everyone! well we have finally arrived home safely, though ill just quickly fill you in on what we got up to on the last week of our adventures. After spending a few days relaxing on the beach in Ko Samet we arrived back in Bangkok where we spent two days exploring the streets and visiting local markets, where basically anything was sold from snakes to puppies. After which we flew into Hong Kong where we were met by a representive from the hotel to take us to luxury. For those of you that dont know while we were in Thialand i recieved an email from my Mum going something like....'Hailes, ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j6705211.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_TPqZbhQYwtBoZdHs4hjNJw8f0Yc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/TPqZbhQYwtBoZdHs4hjNJw8f0Yc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_TPqZbhQYwtBoZdHs4hjNJw8f0Yc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=TPqZbhQYwtBoZdHs4hjNJw8f0Yc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhong_kong-journals-j6705211.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j6705211.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-09:6670170 2008-03-09T15:35:00Z 2008-03-17T17:08:56Z 浪跡天涯 http://realtravel.com/member-m1015647-%e6%b5%aa%e8%b7%a1%e5%a4%a9%e6%b6%af.html <p><em>"什麼頭痛藥、高山藥、紅景天、感冒藥都試過了，也不知道發了多少個噩夢，死去活來似的。。。"</em></p> <p>a entry by 浪跡天涯 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/siguniang_mountain-sichuan-reviews-hotels-d1846067.html">Siguniang Mountain, Sichuan.</a></p> <p></p><p>在一次和朋友的閑聊中 ，偶然得知原來攀登四川四姑娘山並不是遙不可及的事情 ，尤其是大峰和二峰，在未進入冬季、山峰還未積雪前 ，是不需要很高的攀山技術的。擁有一般遠足 、健行經驗的人士均可前往。</p><p>這個消息激起了我前往四姑娘山的欲望。於是 ，在中秋節過後，我和朋友請了幾天假 ，在沒有什麼準備的情況下，中午從深圳飛往成都 ，次日從茶店子車站乘6:30班車前往日隆鎮。</p><p>成都至日隆</p><p>車子上山不久，前方路段開始堵車，司機毅然決定掉頭 ，選擇了一條比較遠的路：經雅安前往大金 。途中經過一個漂亮的湖泊，翻過一個四千米的山口 ，我們在山口下車走了一會，已經發覺呼吸有點困難 ，而朋友由於從未踏足過四千米的地區 ，上車後他頭痛非常，呼吸苦難 ，幸而班車此時向山下駛去 ，才不致出現更嚴重的高山反應。經過十二個小時的煎熬 ，我們到了一個分岔路，再轉乘麵包車前往日隆 ，晚上七點下榻了龍雲山莊旅館 。旅館可飽覽整個日隆鎮的河谷景色，算是不錯。</p><p>日隆（海拔約3000米）</p><p>第三天，早上九點我們約好馬夫王二哥 ，在他家吃了一頓豐富的早飯，然後就租了兩匹馬 ，一匹帶行李，一匹作為後備之用 。同行的還有三個浙江和一個成都的朋友 ，加上三個馬夫和我們一共九個人 ，浩浩蕩蕩的往四姑娘二峰進發。</p><p>鍋莊坪（海拔3800米）</p><p>中午我們 ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/siguniang_mountain-journals-j6670170.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_QKLi3qi1ABFOtgtlaMjCTAaVzig_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/QKLi3qi1ABFOtgtlaMjCTAaVzig_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_QKLi3qi1ABFOtgtlaMjCTAaVzig_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=QKLi3qi1ABFOtgtlaMjCTAaVzig_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fsiguniang_mountain-journals-j6670170.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/siguniang_mountain-journals-j6670170.html tag:realtravel.com,2008-03-17:6716585 2008-03-17T11:05:15Z 2008-03-17T11:05:15Z dangermel http://realtravel.com/member-m1904561-dangermel.html <p>a entry by dangermel from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/lijiang-yunnan-reviews-hotels-d4646850.html">Lijiang, Yunnan.</a></p> <p>Howdy.</p><p>And hasn't today been an eventful day? Yes, I finally got off my arse and rented a bike. Hip hip hurrah! But not before having breakfast at some Marley playing Japanese joint (but did I eat ethnic food? DID I HELL. Toast and jam for me, mateys), and then helped one of the staff with the English on their Customer feedback form. By the time I'd left it was pushing midday, but I thought an afternoon of cycling would still do me wonders, which indeed it did. The wind in my (actually rather greasy... note to self: wash) hair, and sun beaming down on my carefully factor 40'd (but ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/lijiang-journals-j6716585.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_9GO49pVz3uraQ-GpvAmh5.AmSyI_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/9GO49pVz3uraQ-GpvAmh5.AmSyI_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_9GO49pVz3uraQ-GpvAmh5.AmSyI_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=9GO49pVz3uraQ-GpvAmh5.AmSyI_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Flijiang-journals-j6716585.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/lijiang-journals-j6716585.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-03-20:4031538 2007-03-20T13:44:34Z 2008-01-23T07:03:58Z Bill Benson http://realtravel.com/member-m2926551-bill_benson.html <p>a entry by Bill Benson from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/beijing-china-reviews-hotels-d6144.html">Beijing, China.</a></p> <p>Bejing – March 17, 2007</p><p>It’s the first Saturday St. Paddy’s Day in 7 years and I’m stuck in a ‘gaming' café hoping my Couchsurfing host will show up. Turns out I printed a map with an old phone # and she was waiting for me at the apartment I had just been at. Aaah, the thrill of budget travel.</p><p>After finally meeting up and a few hours of playing boardgames it’s a nice dinner of spicy Kung Po chicken with a Tsing-Tao beer for my St. Patrick’s day meal. No Guinness, no corned beef n cabbage, no Quiet Man screening and I wasn’t there for Nicole’s Birthday. Yeah, I was a bit depressed ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/beijing-journals-j4031538.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_m0ldOze6h6fQHmm6MQhh3JqqsJE_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/m0ldOze6h6fQHmm6MQhh3JqqsJE_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_m0ldOze6h6fQHmm6MQhh3JqqsJE_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=m0ldOze6h6fQHmm6MQhh3JqqsJE_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fbeijing-journals-j4031538.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/beijing-journals-j4031538.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-09-26:5640865 2007-09-26T17:05:37Z 2007-12-18T05:22:17Z sdabby http://realtravel.com/member-m5176521-sdabby.html <p><em>"Look at the Room and the FOOD!...BANG."</em></p> <p>a entry by sdabby from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-china-reviews-hotels-d42202.html">Hong Kong, China.</a></p> <p>If Shanghai is the city that tries really hard to be Western, Hong Kong is the city that puts the West to shame.</p><p>Let’s start with the basics. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) is composed of several islands stemming from the mainland; Hong Kong Island, where Central and Admirality are situated, is home to almost all tourist destinations and businesses. Kowloon, directly across from the Island, also features many businesses, hotels, and shops. In many ways, it is the saner version of Hong Kong Island, but only a metro stop away.</p><p>I was surprised to discover Hong Kong ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j5640865.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_2qNej6bEqPSqy5TUDC0SSrRDuq8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/2qNej6bEqPSqy5TUDC0SSrRDuq8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_2qNej6bEqPSqy5TUDC0SSrRDuq8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=2qNej6bEqPSqy5TUDC0SSrRDuq8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhong_kong-journals-j5640865.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j5640865.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-09:6160394 2007-12-09T03:00:25Z 2007-12-13T15:00:30Z Fiona & Dave Slater http://realtravel.com/member-m5595929-fiona__dave_slater.html <p><em>"Beautiful city, fantastic cake......"</em></p> <p>a entry by Fiona &amp; Dave Slater from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/dali-yunnan-reviews-hotels-d914601.html">Dali, Yunnan.</a></p> <p>Took a sleeper train from Kunming to Dali- cabin of 4 beds to ourselves and comfier than some of the hotels we've stayed in! Arrived about 7am and after checking into our hostel we headed straight into town.</p><p>Dali is a very atmospheric old town, completely surrounded by a stone wall (about 20ft high) with narrow cobbled streets. We spent most of the first day just wandering around the town. Each street or section is divided into a different product so you get, for instance, the butchers street, metal-workers street etc. There's also a market in one corner which was special because of how ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/dali-journals-j6160394.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_wDscJeFGvCPqVFRHaZQFg2Ku52E_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/wDscJeFGvCPqVFRHaZQFg2Ku52E_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_wDscJeFGvCPqVFRHaZQFg2Ku52E_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=wDscJeFGvCPqVFRHaZQFg2Ku52E_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fdali-journals-j6160394.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/dali-journals-j6160394.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-09:6160418 2007-12-09T03:03:14Z 2007-12-13T14:54:58Z Fiona & Dave Slater http://realtravel.com/member-m5595929-fiona__dave_slater.html <p><em>"Gorges and back streets"</em></p> <p>a entry by Fiona &amp; Dave Slater from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/lijiang-china-reviews-hotels-d6223.html">Lijiang, China.</a></p> <p>Took a bus for the four hour journey north to Lijiang and found the MCA Hostel where we'd reserved a room. Took a stroll to try and find some lunch but got totally lost - Fiona was directing! Back on track and managed to find our way to the old town. A lot of the city was damaged in an earthquake in the 1990s and has been carefully rebuilt- the entire old town is now UNESCO heritage listed. Unfortunately the rebuild means the majority of the area is for tourists rather than locals but it's been done so well that's forgiveable.</p><p>The town is a collection of narrow winding lanes, many with ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/lijiang-journals-j6160418.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_WB5XGHhqrpZbEFs3mrnuK7f9Y.M_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/WB5XGHhqrpZbEFs3mrnuK7f9Y.M_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_WB5XGHhqrpZbEFs3mrnuK7f9Y.M_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=WB5XGHhqrpZbEFs3mrnuK7f9Y.M_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Flijiang-journals-j6160418.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/lijiang-journals-j6160418.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-13:6183644 2007-12-13T04:24:32Z 2007-12-13T04:59:05Z MickyS http://realtravel.com/member-m3156553-mickys.html <p><em>"Currency is also a weapon of mass destruction, a prized export that is loathed and loved at the same time..."</em></p> <p>a entry by MickyS from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/guangzhou-china-reviews-hotels-d6183.html">Guangzhou, China.</a></p> <p>Currency is a stange and wonderful thing indeed. It’s an unspoken language between competing forces, flashing everywhere on signs outside banks, chalked on blackboards near the dark booths of shady money changers in alleyways, frantically fingered into oversized, talking calculators at marketplaces and thumbed through hundreds and thousands printed onto brightly-coloured, multilingual pieces of paper and plastic by everyone.</p><p>Currency is also a weapon of mass destruction, a prized export that is loathed and loved at the same time, a profound source of economic inspiration and, ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/guangzhou-journals-j6183644.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_yyElNONGumdXSZE1wyFcfF87KC8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/yyElNONGumdXSZE1wyFcfF87KC8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_yyElNONGumdXSZE1wyFcfF87KC8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=yyElNONGumdXSZE1wyFcfF87KC8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fguangzhou-journals-j6183644.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/guangzhou-journals-j6183644.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-13:6183443 2007-12-13T04:19:01Z 2007-12-13T04:24:33Z MickyS http://realtravel.com/member-m3156553-mickys.html <p>a review of Ramada Plaza Hotel, a place to stay in <a href="http://realtravel.com/guangzhou-china-reviews-hotels-d6183.html">Guangzhou, China</a>.</p> <p>We managed to get a really good deal just phoning up at the last minute and asking for the best price on 3 nights. When we arrived, our room upgraded. All in all, this meant that we paid a fraction of the usual price for pure 5-star comfort... not bad!</p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/guangzhou-reviews-b6183443.html">[Read full review]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Rnefg.cCz98M4lBBVchgUqCoySc_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Rnefg.cCz98M4lBBVchgUqCoySc_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Rnefg.cCz98M4lBBVchgUqCoySc_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Rnefg.cCz98M4lBBVchgUqCoySc_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fguangzhou-reviews-b6183443.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/guangzhou-reviews-b6183443.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-09:6162793 2007-12-09T10:30:54Z 2007-12-09T11:02:53Z MickyS http://realtravel.com/member-m3156553-mickys.html <p><em>"...a funny saying that seems to help me solve pretty much all of my problems: “don’t just do something, sit there!”"</em></p> <p>a entry by MickyS from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/shangrila_zhongdian-yunnan-reviews-hotels-d1139818.html">Shangri-La (Zhongdian), Yunnan.</a></p> <p>Long holidays are inevitable lessons in how to live life. Travelling on the road for six months, a year, or even longer, we learn to recreate ourselves in strange and new communities where no one knows us or our life story. We are continually thrilled, amazed and challenged by our experiences and often learn to move outside our comfort zone and push the envelope of who we are.</p><p>Then again, there is that nagging existential void that sometimes takes over, swelling to the point where we might feel for a day, a week or more that life has lost its meaning, or in the words of Anne Rice, ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/shangrila_zhongdian-journals-j6162793.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_Q5-8xwQiEfxCFKorx1SvDLegHNY_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/Q5-8xwQiEfxCFKorx1SvDLegHNY_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_Q5-8xwQiEfxCFKorx1SvDLegHNY_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=Q5-8xwQiEfxCFKorx1SvDLegHNY_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fshangrila_zhongdian-journals-j6162793.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/shangrila_zhongdian-journals-j6162793.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-09:6160370 2007-12-09T02:51:22Z 2007-12-09T10:38:00Z Fiona & Dave Slater http://realtravel.com/member-m5595929-fiona__dave_slater.html <p><em>"Back to an 'organised' country"</em></p> <p>a entry by Fiona &amp; Dave Slater from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/kunming-china-reviews-hotels-d6213.html">Kunming, China.</a></p> <p>After an early breakfast and a bit of confusion about minibuses we finally left Sapa en-route to the border at Lao Cai. We were dropped, with no understandable explanation, at a random empty office where 2 men kept walking through, past us and out the front door. After virtually accosting one of them it turned out we were in the right place and he issued our Chinese bus tickets.</p><p>Having got through Vietnamese border control- completely chaotic with no-one making any effort to explain why they spent 15 minutes with our passports while people were streaming through unchecked- we crossed a ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/kunming-journals-j6160370.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_ylmNu3P.MNdSU45-DG-ZHr6Xf.w_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/ylmNu3P.MNdSU45-DG-ZHr6Xf.w_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_ylmNu3P.MNdSU45-DG-ZHr6Xf.w_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=ylmNu3P.MNdSU45-DG-ZHr6Xf.w_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkunming-journals-j6160370.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/kunming-journals-j6160370.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-28:6086828 2007-11-28T08:02:59Z 2007-12-09T07:08:46Z Shane S http://realtravel.com/member-m4831432-shane_s.html <p><em>"One beer - one buzz! And it was a sweet buzz too... one of those happy like a teenager again buzzes."</em></p> <p>a entry by Shane S from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-china-reviews-hotels-d42202.html">Hong Kong, China.</a></p> <p>I arrived in Hong Kong after relaxing in the Maldives - and I needed the relaxation! Hong Kong is a cross between NYC and Tokyo. Streets are very narrow and packed with people. They have a great Metro that takes you around (about $.50 per ride) w/ cheap internet access (about $1.50 p/hr).</p><p>HK is really cool and definitely a party town! I stayed the first half of my trip in Wan Chai. Wan Chai is sort of like the 'red light' district in Amsterdam - of course w/o the red lights and girls behind windows. Bars open crazy late and girly bars if you want to go. Chinese food shops with ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j6086828.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_iR2hz7YUU2SUTHTeQ4e2Db7lKL8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/iR2hz7YUU2SUTHTeQ4e2Db7lKL8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_iR2hz7YUU2SUTHTeQ4e2Db7lKL8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=iR2hz7YUU2SUTHTeQ4e2Db7lKL8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhong_kong-journals-j6086828.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j6086828.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-09:6160464 2007-12-09T04:31:14Z 2007-12-09T04:31:14Z Eli & Jess Travel http://realtravel.com/member-m4833672-eli__jess_travel.html <p>a entry by Eli &amp; Jess Travel from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/kunming-china-reviews-hotels-d6213.html">Kunming, China.</a></p> <p>Welcome to China. From Lao we took a bus ride across the border into the Yunnan Province, and were introducted to the Chinese way - no line forming for immigration stamps, hacking and spitting everywhere by everyone, and lots of construction. We immediately saw the difference between the China and Lao - in China, directly after the border crossing, the hills were being excavated, piles of gravel and dirt were everywhere, dump trucks, cranes, steel building frames abounded. China is indeed developing, and quickly. Huge cities were being constructed in the middle of nowhere. I won't forget ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/kunming-journals-j6160464.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_2rlqsT8W.wxDvCUPWfO5vv-sLx0_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/2rlqsT8W.wxDvCUPWfO5vv-sLx0_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_2rlqsT8W.wxDvCUPWfO5vv-sLx0_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=2rlqsT8W.wxDvCUPWfO5vv-sLx0_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fkunming-journals-j6160464.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/kunming-journals-j6160464.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-12-01:6107390 2007-12-01T10:33:17Z 2007-12-02T13:17:37Z beth in asia http://realtravel.com/member-m5264230-beth_in_asia.html <p><em>"Asia's largest seated outdoor Buddha"</em></p> <p>a entry by beth in asia from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/lantau-china-reviews-hotels-d2433805.html">Lantau, China.</a></p> <p>Lantau island is the largest of all Hong Kong's islands. It is twice the size of Hong Kong island (the island I live on). The international airport on its northeastern coast, built in 1998, has not greatly changed the rural quiet village life here. You can take the MTR (subway) to get to the island from Central district, or you can take a ferry from Central. We took the ferry and then a bus to the Pon Lin Monastery (about a 40 minute bus ride).</p><p>The Po Lin ("precious lotus") Monastery is well known for its "Big Buddha", Lantau's number-one attraction. It claims to be Asia's largest seated ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/lantau-journals-j6107390.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_bC89.8PmFLsFi.RwJOnM2DGh.E8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/bC89.8PmFLsFi.RwJOnM2DGh.E8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_bC89.8PmFLsFi.RwJOnM2DGh.E8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=bC89.8PmFLsFi.RwJOnM2DGh.E8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Flantau-journals-j6107390.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/lantau-journals-j6107390.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-27:6082840 2007-11-27T15:29:17Z 2007-11-27T17:23:45Z Carrie and Jesse http://realtravel.com/member-m4709278-carrie_and_jesse.html <p><em>"Wherein Carrie does all the writing"</em></p> <p>a entry by Carrie and Jesse from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/yongzhou-hunan-reviews-hotels-d1072794.html">Yongzhou, Hunan.</a></p> <p>Hello everyone! Although we didn’t travel to anywhere exciting this month we still saw and did a lot of interesting things. Our friend Joan invited us to go to the countryside to visit her family and celebrate her mother’s uncle’s 89th birthday. Dong’an is in Yongzhou prefecture, about 2 hours from our city. We took a bus halfway, then as we were waiting for our transfer bus Joan talked with her mother and found out that she was coming by car and we could wait to join her. [A note here from Jesse about the bus trip: Imagine the worst road you have ever seen in the states. I hope your ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/yongzhou-journals-j6082840.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_p0XqckXqQeH.kaFEjH7tpGuGaGE_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/p0XqckXqQeH.kaFEjH7tpGuGaGE_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_p0XqckXqQeH.kaFEjH7tpGuGaGE_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=p0XqckXqQeH.kaFEjH7tpGuGaGE_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fyongzhou-journals-j6082840.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/yongzhou-journals-j6082840.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-27:6083534 2007-11-27T17:16:36Z 2007-11-27T17:16:54Z spookie149 http://realtravel.com/member-m5883984-spookie149.html <p><em>"It was 400 steps to the top"</em></p> <p>a entry by spookie149 from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-china-reviews-hotels-d42202.html">Hong Kong, China.</a></p> <p>Time for an update!</p><p>A few weeks ago it was convocation for many of the students here. Or, as they like to call it, "Congregation". Very odd. Signs up all over campus announcing congregation. Students for the last few weeks have been swarming on campus taking pictures of the most random things. I haven't mentioned it before, but the Chinese looooooove taking pictures - of nothing and of everything. When I was in Beijing in September I got stopped at least 1/2 a dozen times by strangers asking me to pose with them. This was just the polite people- there were at least a dozen taking sneak ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j6083534.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_g7fmATbHUApVxbc5hup0V1st5k8_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/g7fmATbHUApVxbc5hup0V1st5k8_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_g7fmATbHUApVxbc5hup0V1st5k8_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=g7fmATbHUApVxbc5hup0V1st5k8_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhong_kong-journals-j6083534.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j6083534.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-24:6051904 2007-11-24T10:17:57Z 2007-11-24T10:17:57Z Scott & Nancy http://realtravel.com/member-m4179993-scott__nancy.html <p>a entry by Scott &amp; Nancy from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-china-reviews-hotels-d42202.html">Hong Kong, China.</a></p> <p>After our fourth and final overnight train, we arrived in Hong Kong. This was our final night with the group and our final dinner to say goodbye. We ended up at a Mexican spot named Coyote (pretty good actually), but all of us were slapped pretty quickly with the realization that meals no longer cost $4-5 each anymore – welcome to Hong Kong. The prices are actually comparable to western prices, but when you get used to everything being soooo cheap, it is a shocker at first.</p><p>Our few days in Hong Kong were meant to be relaxing downtime before we started our next tour in Thailand, Laos and ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j6051904.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_M2kI-EkAPKsFbNeKTRmH-.UVa4A_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/M2kI-EkAPKsFbNeKTRmH-.UVa4A_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_M2kI-EkAPKsFbNeKTRmH-.UVa4A_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=M2kI-EkAPKsFbNeKTRmH-.UVa4A_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fhong_kong-journals-j6051904.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/hong_kong-journals-j6051904.html tag:realtravel.com,2007-11-20:6032223 2007-11-20T07:59:28Z 2007-11-20T07:59:28Z MickyS http://realtravel.com/member-m3156553-mickys.html <p><em>"...sound curious? It is! Try a foot massage today!"</em></p> <p>a entry by MickyS from a trip to <a href="http://realtravel.com/xian-china-reviews-hotels-d6258.html">Xi'an, China.</a></p> <p>OK – I’ll admit it. One of the many reasons I travel to Asia so often is the prospect of a good foot massage – well, many, to be a little more precise. When what costs upwards of AU$50 back home can be fetched for a mere song over here, it’s hard to stop oneself going a bit “reflexology crazy” when one sees that beloved novely-sized foot in the shop window, replete with its pictures of vital organs in every crevice just to remind you that our feet are in fact a very important part of our body. I find that many of my walking tours are frequently punctuated by the brief 45 minute ... </p> <p><a href="http://realtravel.com/xian-journals-j6032223.html">[Read full entry]</a></p> <p><map name="google_ad_map_fH5nFYJvmZtDbhE8en6gLPWfkeA_"><area shape="rect" href="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/imgclick/fH5nFYJvmZtDbhE8en6gLPWfkeA_?pos=0" coords="1,2,367,28"/><area shape="rect" href="http://services.google.com/feedback/abg" coords="384,10,453,23"/></map><img usemap="#google_ad_map_fH5nFYJvmZtDbhE8en6gLPWfkeA_" border="0" src="http://imageads.googleadservices.com/pagead/ads?format=468x30_aff_img&client=ca-pub-1956712303939423&channel=3810559515&output=png&cuid=fH5nFYJvmZtDbhE8en6gLPWfkeA_&url=http%3A%2F%2Frealtravel.com%2Fxian-journals-j6032223.html"/></p> http://realtravel.com/xian-journals-j6032223.html