I was sick of hanging around the hostel, and I dont wanna be like the loosers on Airways, you know the ones "5 minutes just 5 minutes"" I was standing there and you didnt call me". I thought I would get a cab to the bus station cos I havnt cought a Chinese train yet but I have seen the stations and thought it might take a while to sort out. I was standing on the main road trying to get a cab, everyone that came by was full, and a guy pulled up on a scooter and lo...

Im in Chengdu, at Hollys hostel and will be here for 3 days at least. Im going to see the Panda's tomorrow. Chengdu, another.. 5th biggest city in China, home to over 14 mil people and the place where the first paper money in the world was issued about 700 years ago. Between Shenzen, where I started, and here that would be the total population of Australia in 2 cities. Chengdu is the capitol of Sichuan, home of spicy hot food, and the biggest Panda breeding cente...

The locals all seem to call it Zhongdian instead of the new name Shanglr-la. I showed it to some people in my book and they said "Shangrili - la.. ya ya" There is nothing spacial there and no particular reason to go except it is part of Tibet and only part you can go without a permit. I came here with the intention of going overland to Chengdu but have decided not to go that way cos it is too hard with the language barrier. So far I have been OK but it is very ha...

**** its hard....... These computers are rubbish. No one speaks English. Im getting there but slowly. I havnt seen another white person since I left KL. This will be quick cos Im hoping there will be net cafe in Chengdu when I get there. Tomorrow Im going to take the bus to Shangri La (Zhongdian) about 5 hours from here up in the mountains in Tibet. I will only stay for one night then come back here cos I have just booked a flight to Chengdu on Tues morning. I wa...

I got here about 10 last night. Shenzhen is the 5th biggest city, 4th biggest airport and richest city in China and for me a transit stop. It used to be a nowhere till 1980 when the Chinese govt made it a SEZ, special economic zone, to compete with Hong Kong. Most of the city is fairly new but a bit grubby, like most of asia. They now have special tax breaks and a lot of money swirls around the city. You can even get a Shenzhen only visa from Hong Kong. I got up...