What To See and What To Miss in Central China
Based on our experiences through Central China and keeping in mind that one man's meat is another man's poison, here goes What to See:
- The first eight days in Shanxi Province was the most interesting part of the entire trip. The fantastic Yungang Grottoes; DON'T MISS the Hanging Monastery; extremely engrossing Pingyao Ancient City; Jinci Si Temple and Gardens; Wang Family Compound; and Wutai Shan would have been another plus if the weather had cooperated.
- The train system throughout China is easy with help. I don't know if we could have managed buying the tickets ourselves and communicating with the almost always non-English speaking train personnel. Suggest paying a little extra and having your hotel/guesthouse/hostel do the hassle over the train tickets. It's worth it.
- The next seven days in Henan Province had a little less that interested us. The surprising "musts": the Shaolin Wushu/Kung Fu Complex; 100-year old woman in her cave home...View image...; and Henan Museum. The minor sights and experiences: the dinner in Dengfeng; and watching the locals at the Peony Festival in Luoyang.
- Hangzhou was great and we enjoyed every moment. ...View image... The "Peak Flying From Afar" at Lingyin Temple was one of the most visually stunning sights in Hangzhou. And Hefang Street was a blast.
- Apart from Central China, we always have a wonderful time in Shanghai. Other's do not.
- The gorgeous children...View image... View image...and locals going about their daily lives are always a highlight in China.
What to Miss?
- The Longmen Grottoes (an UNESCO World Heritage Sight), Yellow River Scenic Area, and White Horse Temple all in Henan Province. These are considered historical sights and of major interest, but we were bored. The Yungang Grottoes interested us more perhaps because of the colors and still vivid paint on the sculptures.
More Thoughts:
- Keep in mind that Central China is filled with heavily populated cities, 7 million and up, and this is one of the most highly polluted areas in China. A result of the gigantic coal, steel and manufacturing industries. Lots of smog and poor air quality.
- I'd try to book all four berths on an overnight train (if there are two or more of you traveling and it isn't too expensive). This will avoid the snorers and occasional smoker even though smoking is forbidden on the trains.
- We ate, and tasted, wonderful Chinese food throughout in the small local restaurants and there was always a McDonald's, KFC or Pizza Hut available when eating Chinese three times a day became a little too much.
- Added one more Mandarin (or local) colloquialism to our six-word Chinese vocabulary...mah mah who who (my phonetic version) that means "so-so." At this rate, we'll be 130 years old before we can complete one sentence.
- No big complaints, stayed healthy, had a few excellent guides and learned a lot.
We always enjoy visiting China and look forward to exploring even more of it, hopefully, next year. Put on your thinking caps and fill me in with comments and suggestions. Until then, zai jian (goodbye in Mandarin)...
