The weather was expected to be cool to cold, instead it was warm and humid in the South, Cooler in the Middle and very cold in the North of China by the time we got to Beijing.
Guillin featured in the HSBC advert with the Cormorant fishing - it was a misty day when we sailed down the Li river. The river was very shallow as the rainfall in the rainy season was not as much as normal.
Some of the Karst scenery on the Li River
We had a delightful time in Yanshuo the town at the end of our Li river cruise. It is a backpacker mecca and many westerners have settled there.
Chengdu is the home of the Panda sanctuary, where Panda numbers have been increased by artificial insemination as Pandas in the wild breed very rarely being very solitary animals.
Panda without a care in the world.
The highlight of Xi'an is the Terracotta warriors. Part of a mausoleum built for the first Emperor of the United China, Emperor Qin, the warriors are his army in the after life. When first discovered they were vivid in colour with lifelike painting on their body, armour, faces and hands etc. but this faded quickly. Once this was discovered then excavation stopped and it is estimated there are another 6000 or so to still be found. All of them are damaged by a destructive peasant revolt, a fire and the ravages of time, so none are complete and have to be re-built from fragments. Every face is different and so far about 1600 have been uncovered.
In Beijing came Tienanmen square, the forbidden city and outside the city, The Great Wall- first started by Emperor Qin.
Tienanmen square and Forbidden City gate picture
Great Wall and the final tower on a long climb- took 1.5 hours to get this far- only 40 minutes to get back- would have been quicker back but very slippery.
There were many other amazing sights- took 1700 photo's and some video, so plenty still to work through.
Great summary! Love the highlights and pics. Can't wait to see more photos :)
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