China is a massive country which I had the pleasure of visting in 2009 for the longest eclipse of the century. So far, I've only been to China once - but hope to return. This is a small summary of what I'd like to do again and what I hope to do in future.
Hangzhou -
Hangzhou is often billed as one of the Chinas most
beautiful cities. And it's difficult to disagree. Where
other Chinese cities seemed very built up, the green
of the parks and the openess of the West Lake were a
welcome relief from, what appeared to me as, sprawling
urbanisation.
Chengdu -
Chengdu was the most pleasantly surprising of the cities
I've visted in China. Perhaps because it was our first
encounter with China or perhaps it was the lack of other
Westerners. One of my most abiding memories of Chengdu
is the afternoon we spent at the Wenshu
Temple with its very enjoyable vegetarian restaurant
and even better tea rooms.
Lhasa - Lhasa
was definately one of the highlights of our trip
through China and Tibet. In spite of the slight headaches
and affects of altitude, just getting into Tibet was
a fine achievement. With regulations toughened up and
a very visible security presence, visiting the Potala
Palace and the Jokhang
Temple - two of the most important buildings in Tibetan
Buddhism - was a privilege.
Grand
Buddha at Leshan - It's
hard to describe the monumental size of the Grand
Buddha at Leshan but standing at the statues feet,
cricking your neckd to see his face makes the trip
down the narrow stairs worth every minute. It really
is, errr, monumental. Take the boat ride as well
- that really gives the scale to compare the statue
against people.
There are several things I'd like to do in China. This is a short list of the most important sites and places I'd like to go experience.
Shanghai -
The Bund is famous for it's numerous colonial era buildings
which. Sadly, On our last trip
to China we didn't get to walk along The Bund in
Shanghai as the Bund had been closed off in preparation
for the 2010
Expo.
X'ian - Home to the Terracotta Army - one of the worlds most amazing burial monuments - I've only glimpsed the Terracotta Army once at and exhibition at the British Museum. One wonders what it's like in real life.
Great Wall of China - One of the most photographed of the worlds iconic buildings. It's a bit like going to Paris and seeing the Eiffel Tower - probably has to be done but it is a marvel of engineering.
Dazu Rock Carvings - A series of Chinese religious sculptures and carvings depicting and influenced by Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist belief systems, some from as far back as 7th century A.D.
Beijing and the Forbidden City - The Chinese capital and the Forbidden City have been central to Chinese history both in Ancient and Modern times and will be worth to see.
Chengdu - trip to the Wenshu Temple - Travelogue from our afternoon in the Wenshu Temple in Chengdu
Chengdu - three day stay in Chengdu - Travelogue from Chengdu, including the Wenshu Temple during our 18 day trip to China
Visit to Chongqing - Travelogue from our time in Chongqing during an 18 day trip to China
2008 eclipse in Nunavut, Canada - Information on and about the 2008 total solar eclipse section in Nunavut, Canada
2008 Solar Eclipse Path - Path information for the 2008 total solar eclipse, including an orthographic view
2008 Total Solar Eclipse - the post-mortem - Total Solar Eclipse in 2008 - post-mortem
2008 Total Solar Eclipse travel information - Travel ideas for the Total Solar Eclipse in 2008
Barnaul - Getting to and from Barnaul
Nadym - Getting to and from Nadym
Nizhnevartovsk - Getting to and from Nizhnevartovsk
Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook