China – My Brother Traveler

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China – Beijing_2012_P1300599

China – outside Beijing – Ming Tombs – The Main Sacred Way of the Ming tombs_2012_P1220459

China_Badaling_Great Wall_2012_P1220366

China – Beijing – Forbidden City_2012_P1210508

China – Beijing – Olympic areal – The Main Stadium (The Nest) _2012_P1220490

CT-85 Trip to China, Tibet and Hong Kong
Date of travel: Oct 24 – Nov 16, 1985

ITINERARY:
On Oct 24 I took a plane from Los Angeles to Tokyo, JAPAN, but stayed only overnight from Oct 25 to 26. Then Oct 26 I flew to CHINA visiting Beijing (with its Forbidden Palace and other historical places), then flight to Chengdu (they raise pandas there). The time from Oct 31 to Nov 6 our group spent in TIBET flying to Lhasa and taking a bus to Xigaze, where we met the panchen lama, and returning by bus back to Lhasa (we saw many Buddhist temples in Tibet). On Nov 6 we flew back to Chengdu and took an overnight train to Xian (to see the clay solders). Next flight to Shanghai, followed by Guilin and Canton (Guangzhou), where on Nov 14. Last 2.5 days were in HONG KONG which was that time still a British Crown Colony. On Nov 16 we departed Hong Kong on a plane and via Tokyo reached LAX still the same day.

Travel office: Hemphill Harris (through a local US travel office). Accommodation in mostly very good hotels.

Who took part: I traveled with about 15 American tourists. Our leader came from Philippines. We also had 2 Chinese guides and sometimes also local guides.

MC-10 Mongolia and China (Beijing) trip
Date of travel: June 26 – July 16, 2010

ITINERARY:
Early in the morning on June 26 I am driving from Vista to Los Angeles airport. With United Airlines I take a plane from LAX via San Francisco to Beijing, CHINA, where in the afternoon June 27.

After a night in a hotel, we leave early in the morning June 28 Beijing by plane for Ulaanbaatar in MONGOLIA, where at noon. Following day there is sightseeing of the Mongolian capital. The first is Gandan Buddhist Monastery and then the Natural History Museum with skeletons of dinosaurs found in Mongolia. In the evening we are at an excellent concert of Mongolian music and songs including the deep throat and stomach sounds of some singers. Next morning a visit to the Mongolian Historical Museum to see the dresses of various Mongolian tribes and their houses. On the afternoon program there is the Summer and Winter Palace of the Buddhist lords before the Communist era.

In the evening on June 30 a flight from Ulaanbaatar south to the Gobi Desert. Landing is in Dalanzadgad. The accommodation is in gers (yurts) in Dungenee Ger Camp. The gers are quite large with several beds. In this camp we are two per ger. Everywhere else we singles are one per ger. Next day we go by bus west through Gobi Altai Mountains. We reach Hogor Sands which is 180 km long strip of dunes. Later a town Bayandalay built from gers. We are in Juulchin Gobi Ger Camp in the mid afternoon. In the evening there is a ride on Bactrian camels. We also look in gers of local people. They have television sets and solar panels to charge batteries. The following morning we drive past town Bulgan. Before noon we reach Bayanzag (Flaming Cliffs) known for finds of dinosaur bones and eggs, which we saw in the museum in Ulaanbaatar. They got the name due to their red color. In the afternoon we come back to Dungenee Ger Camp, where we slept a night two days ago. Next morning we drive to Yol Valley and the Gurvansaikhan National Park, where is a spot with ice year round. In the evening we fly back to Ulaanbaatar for overnight.
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On July 4 we go by bus from Ulaanbaatar in the northeastern direction. Along the way we stop to view a gigantic statue of Genghis Khan that was recently finished. There is a museum in its foundation and a restaurant in the floor above. In the afternoon we come to Jalman Meadows Ger Camp for 2 nights stay. The camp is in Jalman Mountains in the upper part of the Tuul River Valley. Next day is a storm with thunder and lightning. Most of us stay in the camp. We have a lecture about Mongols by our Mongolian guide.

On July 6 we leave the Jalman Meadows by our bus and via Ulaanbaatar driving west for the night stop at ger camp in the Hustai Nuruu Reserve. In the evening there is a visit to area with free roaming Przewalski horses (here called “takhi”). The following day we continue west to Hoghno Khan Mountains. In the afternoon we settle in a ger camp there. On July 8 we make a daytrip farther west to Karakorum, Mongolian capital in the mid 13th century. We visit its Erdene Zuu Monastery, which was the first Buddhist monastery in Mongolia and it is the most important. Its part was destroyed by the Communists. In the city we visit a market, where the most stores are in the ship containers. The day after we drive in the mountains and see some Buddhist temples and stupas. On July 10 we drive back to Ulaanbaatar.

On July 11 and 12 back in Ulaanbaatar we see the “Nadaam Festival,” the major festival in Mongolia. It starts at the main square with solders in historical and modern uniforms followed by an equestrian band. Then we drive to the stadium. There is a ceremonial with speeches and national anthem. Men wrestle. Later we go to the archery range to see the archery competition. In mid afternoon we return to our hotel.

On July 13 in the afternoon we fly from Ulaanbaatar to Beijing CHINA where overnight. Next day is a bus tour to the Great Wall and the Summer Palace. There is 50 km to the Great Wall. We visit the Wall at Ju Yong Guan. Back in Beijing for lunch. In the afternoon we visit the Summer Palace. The following day we visit the Forbidden City. We start at its northern gate and proceed through the palace to the Tiananmen Square. After lunch another visit this time to Temple of Heaven.

On July 16 we leave Beijing and China. My plane depart before 1 PM and via San Francisco, where I change the plane, to LAX where I land after 12 PM local time the same day. I pick up the car at Hertz and drive home to Vista, where at 4:20 PM.

Travel office: Adventures Abroad – Canadian travel company
Who took part: There were 10 of us American and Canadian travelers and two guides (one Canadian and one Mongolian). After our return to Beijing we had a Chinese guide there.

NK-12 North Korea and China (Beijing) trip
Date of travel: Sep 19 – Oct 1, 2012

ITINERARY:
In the morning on Sep 19 I take a taxi from the house of my sister and her husband to the Prague airport. The whole traveling group meets there. Then with Austrian Airlines via Vienna to Beijing, CHINA, where early in the morning on Sep 20 local time. After leaving our luggage in our hotel we go to Tiananmen Square on foot and individually into the Forbidden City. In mid afternoon the sightseeing continue by bus. There is a stop at Drum and Bell Towers, where I have never been before.

In the afternoon on Sep 21 a flight from Beijing to Pyongyang, the capital of NORTH KOREA. On our way by bus from the airport there is a stop at “Victory Gate.” The following day is sightseeing of Pyongyang. First stop is on the Kim Il Sung Square formed by important buildings. Later on we visit one of the most visible building, the “Library.” During following sightseeing we see the equestrian statues of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jung Il, then a gallery with paintings. In the afternoon we take 4 station ride in metro and visit the “Juche Tower,” from which is 360 degree view of the city. Then, outside the city, is a stop at the birth place of Kim Il Sung with a small museum. For a night we are in a Spa Hotel in a forest.
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On Sep 23 we leave the Spa Hotel and drive to the “West Sea Barrage” built to stop floods on Taedong River. At noon there is a stop at a farm cooperative. Later on we are in the town Sariwon to visit an old palace. Overnight we are in Kaesong near the De-militarised Zone in a rather poor hotel. Next morning is a visit to a tomb of one king from the 14th century near Kaesong. Then in Kaesong we see a Kwandok Pavilion. Before noon we are in Panmunjom. There is an explanation about the history and geography of the place. Then we visit the buildings were the talks were held and the results signed. Back in Kaesong we stop under a gigantic statue of Kim Il Sung. From here to Pyongyang with a stop at the “Unification memorial.” In Pyongyang a visit to the “Children Palace,” where we see a very good show by little kids. In the evening we go to see so called “Arirang” in a large open air amphitheatre. It is great show lasting 1.5 hours.

On Sep 25 we leave Pyongyang by bus going east across the peninsula to the port of Wonsan. After a half an hour driving we stop at the tomb of king Tongmyong, who founded Koryo Kingdom. From the world Koryo evolved the name of Korea. Early in the afternoon we come to Wonsan. Later on we visit a kindergarten outside the city and a house of one family. We also spend some time at a sandy beach. Overnight in a hotel in the city. Next morning we visit an International Children’s Camp. Then we see a railway station in Wonsan. It is a museum now. The last stop is in the harbor with only one freighter there. During our drive back to Pyongyang a stop is made at a waterfall. When in Pyongyang we go on board of American spy ship Pueblo, which was detain by North Korea in 1968. At night we go to the Kim Il Sung Square to make night pictures of the city.

We leave the North Korean capital by train in sleeping cars in the morning on Sep 27. In the mid afternoon there is very thorough inspection of our luggage by North Korean border guards. They are checking even photos in our cameras. The Yalu River forms the border between North Korea and China here. The train crosses the river over a high bridge.

The city of Dandong is on the Chinese side of the river. The Chinese border guards want to see only our passports. Next morning we come to Beijing. After rest in our hotel there is a visit of a store in the afternoon. Later on we see a very good Kong-fu show. On Sep 29 there is a trip to Great Wall to the place called Badaling. On our drive there a stop is made at jade company. Badaling is a place which I visited during my first visit of China in 1985. On our drive back we see the tombs of emperors from Ming Dynasty. Back in Beijing we take a walk through the 2008 Olympic area. In the morning of the next day we visit a market with antiques, then we go to a large store selling copies of famous brands. After that we take a ride in metro. We go only 3 stops.

On Oct 1 morning flight with the Austrian Airlines from Beijing to Vienna, where at noon the same day, then a 30 minutes flight from Vienna to Prague. Mirka and Karel take me to their house.

Travel office: ESO Travel – Czech travel company
Who took part: There were 10 Czech travelers (including me) and a Czech guide speaking English. In North Korea we have 4 Korean guides. In Beijing we had always one guide. Occasionally I helped with translation from English to Czech.

01China – Beijing – downtown – morning exercise_2012P1210481

02China – Beijing – downtown – Golden Street_2012P1210485

03China – Beijing – downtown – Golden Street_2012P1210488

04China – Beijing – downtown – Golden Street_2012P1210490

05China – Beijing – downtown – Golden Street – morning exercise_2012P1210492

06China – Beijing – downtown – Golden Street_2012P1210493

07China – Beijing – downtown – Tian anmen Square_2012P1210499

08China – Beijing – Forbidden City_2012P1210505

09China – Beijing – Forbidden City_2012P1210510

10China – Beijing – Forbidden City_2012P1210513

11China – Beijing – Forbidden City_2012P1210523

12China – Beijing – Forbidden City – Rock Garden_2012P1210528

13China – Beijing – Bell Tower_2012P1210532

14China – Beijing – view from the Drum Gate_2012P1210534

WC-16 Western China
Date of travel: Apr 22 – May 5, 2016

ITINERARY:
In the evening on April 22, 2016 I drive in a rented car from Vista to Los Angeles airport. After midnight I take a flight in an A-380 plane from LAX some 14.5 hours to Guangzhou (Canton), China, where early in the morning on Apr 23 (due to 180 meridian). Another 2 hours in another plane brings me to the City of Xian. A local guide takes me and another member of our group to see the famous Terracotta Soldiers. I have already seen them in 1985, but since that time much more statues were uncovered.

The following day with another 5 American tourists I take a flight from Xian further west to the City of Dunhuang. During the next two days we sightsee the city, Magao Grottos and Han Great Wall in its vicinity. This is followed by a train ride to the City of Turpan in the China’s westernmost and largest province Xinjiang with its restless Uighurs Moslem population. Here we visit the city and its surroundings including Bezkli Thousand Buddha Caves, Astana Tombs, ruins of ancient town Qocno and others. Next morning another ancient town called Jiaohe, Karez Well Museum and Sugong Minaret. In the afternoon a bus ride from Turpan to the province capital Urumqi. It is a bustling city of several millions people. A bus tour to snow covered Tien Shan Mountain and a visit of beautiful Xinjiang Regional Museum. Late at night a flight to the City of Kashgar famous as a major stop on the Silk Road. From here we have a two day trip on the Karakul Highway to the Pakistan border.

The last two days we spent on flights from Kashagar to Guangzhou and Guangzhou to Los Angeles, where I land in the evening on May 5. Then in a rented car home to Vista.

Travel office: Spiekermann Travel Service
Who took part: 6 American tourists

CIN-17 CHINA
Date of travel: Sep 16 – Sep 30, 2017

ITINERARY:
In the morning on Sep 16, 2017 I drive a rented car from Vista to Los Angeles airport. There I take an Air China plane for a 12-hour flight to Beijing CHINA, where because the Date Line I am in the evening on Sep 17. This is followed by a 2-hour flight to Shanghai where all the members of the group meet. Overnight in a hotel.
There is a sightseeing tour of the city on Sep 18 where some 25 million inhabitants have their home. First, visiting the “Bund” (since my first stop here in 1985 a whole “Manhattan” of skyscrapers has grown on the opposite side of the river). Later we browse through the “Old Town” with the “Yu Yuan Gardens” and a “Silk Museum.” Some of us see a Chinese show in the evening.
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On Sep 19, flight from Shanghai to Chongqing (with 32 million people the largest city in China). There we board a riverboat hotel “Victoria-Anna” for a 4-day and 3-night cruise on the Yangtze River. First full day cruising we dock at the town Shibaozhai and see a wooden 12-storey pagoda built more than 3 centuries ago. The second full day on the river our boat passes through Qutang Gorge (5 miles long) and Wu Gorge (25 miles long). There are sheer mountains on both sides of the gorges. Later in the day we board small boats to explore a side gorge called Goddess Stream. Then our boat enters the last and longest Xiling Gorge. At night on Sep 22 our riverboat passes through the 5 locks of the “Three Gorges Dam” and docks under the dam. In the morning, there is a sightseeing tour of the world’s largest hydro-power project. Before noon our riverboat continues down the river for an hour and half before it lands.
At that time, we leave our 600 km’ Yangtze cruise and board a bus for 5-hour drive to the 10 million Wuhan city. We stay here 2 full days and 3 nights visiting a “Hubei Provincial Museum,” East Lake Park, a place where Mao lived for a while the first day and having instruction in “Taiichi” (shadow boxing), visiting a vegetable market and going on a river ferry to see 5-storey “Yellow Crane Pagoda.”
On Sep 25, our group flies from Wuhan to Xi’an in the morning. Fourteen million people Xi’an used to be China capital for 3 dynasties. In rainy weather, we do sightseeing of the “Big Goose Pagoda” whose beginning dates to 652 AD. Later, we see a “Jade Museum.” In the evening, we see a colorful theatre show from the time of Tang Dynasty with explanation also in English. The following morning is a visit to the “City Walls” surrounding the old town, while afternoon is spent exploring the excavations of the most famous “Terracotta Warriors,” number one attraction in Xi’an.
Morning on Sep 27, we fly from Xi’an to Beijing. There are 22 million people living in the present capital of China. There is a sightseeing of the “Temple of Heaven.” The next day under the sunny skies we see the “Tiananmen Square,” the “Forbidden City,” and the “Summer Palace.” The third day with great weather, we drive some 50 km north to the “Great Wall” and the “Ming Tombs.” During return we pass by the Blue Cube and the Nest from the 2008 Olympic Games and the Beijing hutong (old town) with the Bell Tower.
On Sep 30, our excellent China trip is over and we take planes home. Some of us fly to Los Angeles at noon. Again, thanks to the Date Line we come after almost 12-hour flight to LAX the same day in the morning. In a rented car, I am back in Vista just after lunch.

Travel office: smarTours (my 4th trip with them)
Who took part: There were 23 American tourists, one Chinese tour director and local guides and drivers.