Dubai Museum
./../img/photos/china/uae1_060506_dubai_museum.jpgWe were on our way to China. Pretty often I flew via Dubai. But somehow I never managed to have a stop over. This time it should be different and we have made a stopover in Dubai for a few days. It was the right decision.
Dubai Creek
./../img/photos/china/uae2_060506_dubaicreek_abra.jpgDubai has a big creek. It extends to some extent inland.
Burj Al Arab
./../img/photos/china/uae3_060506_dubai_burjalarab.jpgAs an architect, it was of course a must to have a look at the Burj Al Arab. Unfortunately we could only look from outside.
Burj Al Arab
./../img/photos/china/uae4_060506_dubai_burjalarab.jpgBut even outside it is worth seeing.
Jumeirah Mosque
./../img/photos/china/uae5_060506_dubai_jumeirahmosque.jpgThe Jumeirah Mosque is interesting because you can enter it even as a non-Muslim. And for the non-Muslim, there are extra guides that explain what people are doing and why.
Burj Al Arab
./../img/photos/china/uae6_060507_dubai_burjalarab.jpgAnd the same thing again by day and with light.
Sheikh Zayed Road
./../img/photos/china/uae7_060507_dubai_sheikhzayedroad.jpgThe Sheikh Zayed Road is the epitome of Dubai. Not so long ago everything was still wilderness. From this perspective one must pay respect to the Dubai people. But the price to pay is gigantic. Even if the salt water is desalinated there remains still a residual amount in the water. Since everything has to be watered the environmental damage is enormous.
Sheikh Zayed Road
./../img/photos/china/uae8_060507_dubai_sheikhzayedroad.jpgBut until then they built on Sheikh Zayed Road. Not far from here just the tallest building in the world is built. Yet it is not sooo high. But even now it is already impressive.
Shanghai Nanjing Donglu
./../img/photos/china/cn01_060508_shanghai_nanjingdonglu.jpgShanghai is impressive. The city has developed rapidly in recent years. Nowadays it is hard to imagine how it looked a few years ago.
Shanghai Pudong
./../img/photos/china/cn03_060508_shanghai_pudong.jpgEspecially in the Pudong. Only 15 years ago there were swamps and fields. What a change.
Shanghai Yuyuan Bazaar
./../img/photos/china/cn04_060509_shanghai_yuyuanbazzar.jpgUnfortunately there are not many old buildings left.
Beijing Forbidden City
./../img/photos/china/cn05_060510_beijing_forbiddencity.jpgWe went on to Beijing. Or, as it once was called Peking. But those days are over.
Beijing Forbidden City
./../img/photos/china/cn06_060510_beijing_forbiddencity.jpgThe Forbidden City is worth seeing.
Beijing Forbidden City
./../img/photos/china/cn08_060510_beijing_forbiddencity.jpgUnfortunately, the Chinese are not that accurate with the restoration. Care is taken only on appearance. More or less at least.
Beijing Forbidden City
./../img/photos/china/cn12_060510_beijing_forbiddencity.jpgBut when you consider the history, what is all happening in the Forbidden City, it is quite impressive.
Mutianyu Great Wall
./../img/photos/china/cn13_060511_mutianyu_greatwall.jpgJust outside, but still easily accessible by bus, there is a section of the Great Wall. Also, this section was largely destroyed, but was restored again.
Pingyao Nandajie
./../img/photos/china/cn15_060512_pingyao_nandajie.jpgPingyao is another example, if restoration is done for tourists.
Pingyao
./../img/photos/china/cn16_060512_pingyao_nandajie.jpgIs quite OK. But if you look behind the facade...
Pingyao
./../img/photos/china/cn17_060512_pingyao.jpg…it is not all gold that glitters.
Pingyao city wall
./../img/photos/china/cn19_060512_pingyao_citywall.jpgBut when you have a look at it the scale is impressive.
Pingyao
./../img/photos/china/cn20_060512_pingyao_citywall.jpgIn early years it must had been impressive when a countryman came into town and is suddenly standing in front of such a wall with such constructions. You feel very small.
Xi’an Terracotta Army
./../img/photos/china/cn21_060513_xian_armyofterracottawarriors.jpgAfterwards we went to Xi'an. And clearly, why do you come here? Correct, the Terracotta Army.
Xi’ans Terracotta Army
./../img/photos/china/cn23_060513_xian_armyofterracottawarriors.jpgDespite the level of restoration they are fantastic to see. And the sheer number of warriors is impressive.
Xian Terracotta Army
./../img/photos/china/cn24_060513_xian_armyofterracottawarriors.jpgSpecial pieces are placed behind thick glass.
Xi’an Bell tower
./../img/photos/china/cn26_060513_xian_drumtower.jpgEven despite the Terracotta Army Xi'an is a pleasant city.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
./../img/photos/china/cn29_060516_tigerleapinggorge.jpgFinally we had enough of the huge cities and vast amounts of people everywhere. So we went to the countryside. More precisely, in the southwest near Laos.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
./../img/photos/china/cn31_060516_tigerleapinggorge.jpgThere is the Tiger Leaping Gorge. A really great valley. We trekked always along the river. Sometimes high up, sometimes down next to the river. Definitely a highlight of our China trip.
Lijiang
./../img/photos/china/cn35_060516_lijiang.jpgAfter trekking went to relax.
Lijiang
./../img/photos/china/cn36_060516_lijiang.jpgLijiang is a perfect place to relax.
Kunming
./../img/photos/china/cn37_060517_kunming.jpgThe next big city is never far away. In this case, it was Kunming.
Yulong River
./../img/photos/china/cn38_060519_yangshuo_yulongriver.jpgSo let's get out of here. Back into nature. After a ridiculous two days bus ride we arrived at the Yulong River.
Yulong River
./../img/photos/china/cn39_060519_yangshuo_yulongriver.jpgJust after we arrived we rented a few bikes and explored the area.
Yulong River in Guilin
./../img/photos/china/cn40_060519_yangshuo_yulongriver.jpgThe area is made for cycling.
Yulong River in Guilin
./../img/photos/china/cn41_060520_yangshuo_lijiang.jpgThe region around Guilin and Liangjiang is famous for the landscape.
A bathroom and you're fresh and clean again
./../img/photos/china/cn42_060520_yangshuo_lijiang.jpgAgain, soak up the atmosphere.
Yangshou close to Lijiang
./../img/photos/china/cn46_060520_yangshuo_lijiang.jpgThen it was time to say goodbye again.
Final look at Yangshou
./../img/photos/china/cn47_060520_yangshuo_lijiang.jpgFinal look at Yangshou.
Suzhou the Tourist City
./../img/photos/china/cn49_060526_suzhou.jpgIt got touristy as hell.
Tourists Alarm
./../img/photos/china/cn50_060526_suzhou.jpgWell, Lijiang is also touristy. But as Lijiang is much bigger it does not feel so touristy. As Suzhou is much smaller it felt really intense.
Packed Suzhou
./../img/photos/china/cn51_060526_suzhou.jpgThere is no escape.
Modern Shanghai: Pudong
./../img/photos/china/cn52_060526_shanghai_pudong.jpgIf so many people, then go for the real thing.
Nanjingdonglu in Shanghai
./../img/photos/china/cn53_060526_shanghai_nanjingdonglu.jpgFor example, on the Nanjingdonglu, Shanghai's number one shopping street.
More from Pudong
./../img/photos/china/cn54_060527_shanghai_pudong.jpgBack in Pudong.
Back in Pudong
./../img/photos/china/cn55_060527_shanghai_pudong.jpgIt is really impressive that the people achieved in such a short time.
Shanghai the Mega City
./../img/photos/china/cn56_060527_shanghai.jpgIndeed Shanghai is an absolute megacity.
Shanghai the Mega City
./../img/photos/china/cn57_060527_shanghai.jpgFor its size I can not imagine living there. A big city is OK. But that's just a little bit too much.
Pudong from above
./../img/photos/china/cn58_060527_shanghai.jpgA view over Podong.
Shanghai wherever you look...
./../img/photos/china/cn59_060527_shanghai.jpgFrom above you can experience the full scale of the city.
Change of perspective
./../img/photos/china/cn60_060527_shanghai_pudong.jpgA change in perspective might help. In front of all skyscrapers the ocean liner seems to be tiny.
