"China, Land of Diversity" China by aukjejetty

China Travel Guide: 35,886 reviews and 78,811 photos

Travelling through a vast country

My first trip to China was in the year 2000. I flew to meet my partner in Beijing and we traveled across the country for seven weeks with stops in Pingyao, Shaolin, Xi'An, Hangzhou, Huangshan, Suzhou, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Yangshuo. I was so happily surprised by the beauty of China, I knew then and now that I want to come back here many times.

My second trip was in 2001, travelling through the north-west of the country. As soon as I entered China from Laos the memory of noise and smoke came back to me. That loudness and those cigarettes will not keep me away from China though, because there is so much to see beyond that.
This time we went to the following places: Jinghong, Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Zhongdian, Xiangcheng, Litang, Kanding, Chengdu, Lanzhou, Turpan, Kashi, Karakuli, Tashkurgan, KKH into Pakistan

Nationalities

A Tajik Family in Xinjiang Provence

China is a unified state of as many as 56 nationalities. The Han people take the largest number, of about 94 % of the total population, mainly living in the east part of the China. Each nationality has its own long history. The 56 nationalities are the Han, Mongolian, Hui, Tibetan, Uygur, Miao, Yi, Zhuang, Bouyei, Korean, Manchu, Dong, Yao, Bai Tujia, Hani, Kazak, Dai, Li, Lisu, Va, She, Gaoshan, Lahu, Shui, Dongxiang, Naxi, Jingpo, Kirgiz, Tu, Daur, Mulam, Qiang, Blang, Salar, Maonan, Gelo, Xibe, Achang, Pumi, Tajik, Nu, Ozbek, Russian, Ewenki, Benglong, Bonan, Yugur, Jing, Drung, Oroqen, Hezhen, Moinba, Lhoba and Gelo

Pros and Cons

Pros:Culture, culture, culture, nature and a lot more
Cons:Smoking locals in all the busses, and bad toilets
In a nutshell:Every city (or nature site) is an adventure

Last visit to China: Jun 2001
Intro Updated May 5, 2003
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Reviews (27)

Cupping Local Customs (8)

Cupping refers to an ancient Chinese practice in which a cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is... more travel advice

This is an amzingly clean traintoilet. - China

Bring Your Own Paper What to Pack (1)

Never forget to take toiletpaper along!!! Chinese toilets often don't provide toiletpaper, sometimes they do sell some... more travel advice

Family Members Local Customs (8)

The Chinese people have the tradition of respecting the old and loving the young. Though many young couples do not live... more travel advice

Eating Mongolian Hotpot in Beijing - China

Try Everything! Restaurants (5)

There is an enormous variety of Chinese food that differs greatly from region to region. One thing you should do while... more travel advice

Warnings Or Dangers (4)
See All Splash On Your Face!
Things to Do (2)
See All Incredible Poetic Mountain
Off The Beaten Path (3)
See All Don't stick to the main streets

Comments (26)

sugarpuff Feb 15, 2005 at 11:38 PM Report Abuse

i too often think about the scenario of sitting too close to an open window..its really quite gross thinking about it! And the toilet you pictured is super clean for china!!!!Show me a real one!!!
XenoHumph Feb 8, 2005 at 1:34 PM Report Abuse

Excellent tips on this vast country!! I am happy the window could not be opened then the only time I took a train in China!!
artform Jul 7, 2004 at 10:16 AM Report Abuse

Really enjoyed the advice on travel in China. I loved the pictures, Can't wait to get there. more pictures please.
ukirsari Jan 20, 2004 at 9:33 AM Report Abuse

Wonderful presentation with very beautiful pictures [the most I love is picture about mountains range and padi field :)] Thanks for sharing!!!
Boniunia Jan 5, 2004 at 1:00 PM Report Abuse

Great tour through China!!! Beautiful photos and interesting narration!! Will come back later to read your other pages[always] under construction..;-)
whitecliff62 Jan 2, 2004 at 3:05 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for the chopstick lessons Aukje, that will come in really usefull down the local takeaway tonight hehehehehe.
nepalgoods Sep 7, 2003 at 1:25 AM Report Abuse

Absolute helpful page about China!! Happy birthday!!!
babar_1 Jul 28, 2003 at 8:48 AM Report Abuse

Very helpful for those planning to visit China.
simcard Jul 2, 2003 at 10:25 PM Report Abuse

very interesting and special tips.. I love the tips about chop sticks.. but I can't find my own way there. Maybe lesson 4 (D)? Or perhaps I do it completely wrong. :-)
Bonobo2005 Jun 20, 2003 at 3:43 PM Report Abuse

You're seem very much into Chinese culture...makes it a very interesting page... Huang Shan in the mist looks fabulous as well!! Hartstikke goed...!!