Dali

Imagine Paraparaumu meets Queenstown. It's nicer than one but not quite as nice as the other, geographically speaking. I realise that Kapiti folk are now trying to work out why I might have such a downer on Queenstown...

This is a smashing place. Relaxed pace, a beautiful lake, a variety of local people (lots of minority cultures are represented, although chiefly Bai in the region and Han in the city), although just a bit touristy.

Yes, of course the weather probably helps.

But the content of the place is very strong (8th century pagdoa flanked by two slightly newer ones)


And a lake like Queenstown's


Maybe I'm a bit less tired, perhaps a bit jollier. But whatever. This is a fine place to be.

Shi Lin (The Stone Forest)

Apparently UNESCO approved this for World Heritage status somewhere in New Zealand. I didn't know this, but I think I was travelling at the time.

It is really pleasant. Not jaw-droppingly spectacular, but good like a big garden. Maybe I've been spoilt.
Saying that, I think the photos look pretty good.





And for those that wanted a picture of me, this is why there are so few...


Not that one. This one... [boom boom]

And native-style dancey stuff. It was a good place to visit.

The Sound of Kunming

You may or may not be aware that I am not a big fan of the musical art form. I have tried a few and not been overly satisfied (although I have taken pleasure from most of them). Nonetheless I have seen three shows in China.
1. Tang Dynasty show in Xian. A bit annoying, with often piped music and clearly aimed at tourists, but the paper-cutting dance (acrobats with spinning things on string between sticks) and the live traditional instruments were excellent and very memorable
2. Beijing Opera. The singing was a bit grating (I thought the volume was up too loud) but the fighting/dancing was brilliantly choreographed, marvellously executed and even occasionally funny.
3. The Minority Show in Yunnan. Exciting, energetic, stimulating, evocative and even sensual (if you ever get the chance to see this lady doing the peacock dance then drop whatever you are doing). Drumming, singing and inventively choreographed and performed dancing were all on show. This being China, the audience took flash photos, joined in the drumming and answered mobile phones during the show (despite prohibitions) but it still didn't ruin the show. The noise, the power, the energy were magnificent. No pictures allowed, sorry.

Shanghai'd

I'm off tomorrow (early) and it should be said that if you go into a Shanghai mode of shopping, eating and well, generally consuming, then it isn't so bad. Thankfully my shoes and trouser wore out so I had an excuse. It made the day more acceptable than I'd expected. I'm not saying it was a rubbish place, but it was less my cup of tea than others and it just didn't go as well as might have been hoped.

Hangzhou

Possibly more than anywhere, Hangzhou has suffered a bit with the weather. It is clearly beautiful, the people are welcoming and charming (and not bothersome at all) and in the West Lake it has an icon of China - showing what vision, age and mass labour can achieve. But in the cold (snow!), rain and fog, it is fair to say that everything was a little off-colour

This is a little garden on the biggest island (there are several, all man-made many years ago) in the lake. Beyond it are interesting pavilions, including the stamp engraving museum. Surprisingly interesting, and not that big a jump from the stuff they try to sell you on every street corner

The view down from the Yellow Dragon Park. A great walk, although why I am volunteering to climb hills is beyond me.

A glimpse of the tower in the park with Hangzhou beyond


One of the many pleasant and gentle bridges joining causeways to islands.

This is another place I should love to visit again

Shanghai

If you'll forgive the generalisation, Shanghai isn't like China. It's a big modern city with brand new buildings and the older stuff being rather European (obviously, given the history).

If you're shopping, or with friends looking for an exciting time, then this would be a great place to be. Despite the overcast, drizzly weather. If, on the other hand, you aren't, then it is a bit... well, dull.
The tourist tunnel under the Huangpu river is bright, shiny and a bit rubbish. The Bund is impressive, but sad. Pudong is astonishing, but cold.

So I've come to Hangzhou. Not the best weather again, and this clearly detracts, but I'll have a look round and see what there is to see.