Having completed a 16-day trek through China and Tibet, I am overwhelmed with emotions, thoughts and impressions about this great country, its people, food, history and opportunities for the future. Unlike my other trips, I was not able to write and post regular blog updates – for one, I was completely exhausted at the end of every day to even think about writing something half-way intelligent. But my official excuse is that the Chinese censors did not allow access to my own website, my blog and the entire Facebook. I refuse to question the infinite wisdom of the Internet censorship around the world and will just update the blog having returned to the “land of the free and the home of the brave”.
Part 1 of 6. Suzhou Notes: 26 June 2011
Suzhou is a charming town with a wonderful network of canals, gardens and castles located in the historical center and surrounded by a huge grid of industrial parks, special development zones and other commercial enterprises. It is well worth a day visit to take a boat ride along the canals, climb an ancient pagoda, wonder through a luscious garden and have your picture taken on the castle walls. Then it is time for a two-hour drive into the financial heart of China – Shanghai.
Part 2 of 6. Shanghai Notes: 27 – 28 June 2011
This is my third or fourth visit to Shanghai, yet I don’t get tired of this amazing megapolis, which just gets better and better. Now that the 2010 Expo is over, Shanghai is showing off its reconstructed Bund riverfront, space-age skyscrapers, wide avenues, international cuisine in the leafy French Concession area, and the endless shopping opportunities! If you ever decide to visit this amazing city, make sure to take a night-time cruise on Huangpu river – you will be astounded by the illuminated buildings along the riverfront on the English-looking Bund side and on the futuristic bank of Pudong. As for us, it is time to fly to Lhasa, one of the main attractions of our expedition!
See the next installment…
Keep on traveling,
Lenka info@lenkatraveler.com