60 years of Communism in China

During the first week of October China celebrated 60 years of communism, obviously this is bigger than anything else. The streets of every city in China had started to get red already in August - different statues with big 60, red flags, red Chinese flags, red Soviet Union flags (with hook and sledge hammer). The big culmination was 1st of October with a parade in Beijing lasting for 14hours.

So we did the crazy move and decided to visit Beijing during the celebration week. For future if you are planning to visit Beijing and especially interested of these famous must-see places Forbidden City, Summer Palace and pagodas, then definitely 1st week of October is not the time to go there.
In the Forbidden City fighting with the crowds didn't leave much time to see and visit actually the buildings. Well, that was not a problem, as I had seen enough of traditional Chinese architecture.

At the same time traditional old Hutong streets were very perfect to be discovered by bicycle.






Rehearsal for the big day, Shanghai








Shanghai-Beijing night train









9 million bicycles in Beijing







Fruits on the stick









National Theater










National Theater









Bird's Nest in the Olympic Area








Inside of Bird's Nest







Pan Gu







and Bird's Nest in the grass









China Wall in Mutianyu section



















Rows of mountains









The Wall








This is how close I got to the Beijing Roast Duck this time. Even though it was just 11:30 in the morning the restaurant was so packed with people, and queue was 45minute just to get a seat.










Sunset in Summer Palace










Sunset









Streets in red










Street musician









In China it is a symbol of status to own a car, not everybody can do it, often it is years of saving to get one. And then to get a registration plate on the car costs around 4000EUR in Shanghai. And then all other kind of possible taxes. So finally when the owner can drive the long awaited vehicle he might get very excited when expressing the love.







The backside of the loved one







When Boeing has a hangover

Shanghai through new eyes

Shanghais is one big city, even after 9 month of living here it is still so easy to discover places so different. Moganshan Street had been in the list of place to go already for long, finally we made it there with Kristel and GT.
This area is the place to go, if the interests towards art, especially modern art, are a bit deeper than the photos with silhouette of Shanghai and its TV-tower or EXPO2010 Haibo-art from commercial pedestrian streets.





Life still rolling in its old traditional routes, old man in the park







Every cup has its own place






Butterfly Bay






Getting closer to Moganshan street. Graffiti is not that common in China, most probably it is very serious crime and as there are everywhere very watchful eyes, it is seen rather rarely.







Moganshan art in gallery







Act on the door






Moganshan art in gallery

Hiking 2009 - Terracotta warriors

My favorite breakfast - fruits and yogurt. When having it in non-home locations some of the ingredients can sometimes broaden the horizons. This one had oat flakes that I usually don't include to my daily selection, but nothing strange about it. But what popped my eyes wide open was the salad leaf.









Terracotta warriors









In China pomegranate grows already in plastic bag. No wonder plastic bags are so popular here :)







Pottery figures from Han Jingdi Tomb







Xian. Crossroad - delegation of 7 traffic officers - this must be the safest crossroad in the world. This was not any big special crossing, it was not any special celebration day - just a normal day, normal traffic.

Hiking 2009 - Xi'an

Xi'an was not in the original plan, but after noticing how close we were (only 14h by night train) to this famous location, small modifications to our route were made.

Xi'an is the ancient capital of China, the capital for Han and Qin dynasties. 1976 local farmer discovered by accident an army of pottery warriors, known as a Terracotta warriors - around 6000 life size figures lined up to go for battle. Nowadays this city is one of the top touristic destinations of China.




The ancient wall of Xi'an - 14km long - actually not ancient, it has been almost 100% rebuilt as tourist attraction in its original location. Wall fading in Chinese fog-smog.







My very own tap... only I can use it... if I had the key








Getting ready







Backstreets






View from the restaurant window






Cooking food in front of an eating place. Flames bursting out from the fireplace.








Inside the eating place, next to our table fresh dumplings were made
















Stolen photo from the photo shoot

Hiking 2009 - Qinghai lake

Qinghai lake is the largest lake in China, it is salt water lake at 3.2km altitude. We were heading towards the lake not knowing what to expect and wondering if it was worth that long day in bus.
This place was something extraterrestrial, especially considering how crowded usually China is, last 10km were long straight stretch of road with no cars, at one side sand dunes at the other side somewhere far big lake glittering. Nothingness.
Taxi stopped in front of a single roadhouse by the highway and driver told we have arrived. Before we let him go we made sure that this is a place with any sign of life. Behind the road house were mongol tents it was possible to sleep there and only then let the taxi leave.
The friendly people of the place explained that they will make us food but before that we should go to the lake. How far is it, 3km. We noticed 1 house by the lake and started to walk towards it. It came out...



... the house very far left was Qinghai Lake Yachting Club







Shepherd's tent












The lonely yacht club waiting for the day when it is actually allowed to sail on the lake.






Qinghai lake






View to the lake from top of the sand dune, even the yacht club can be seen







Our tracks up and down and one happy face, author GT