Dali to Hong Kong- the last days Just a couple additions to last few updates as have found my notes!! 1. Apparently the Grand Buddha (at Leshan) is called DAFO and has just celebrated 1200th birthday - it's the largest stone carved Buddha in the World. 2. Emeishan is one of the four Buddhist mountains in the Middle Kingdom - there are now only 20 active temples there - one of which we stayed in! 3. Lijiang is the home of the Naxi people - one of the Minority...

Lijiang and Tiger Leaping Gorge. Another short flight (thank goodness) and I'm drinking yunnan coffee,smoking a cigarette, looking out of the first floor window of the Prague cafe in the old town of Lijiang, the sun is shining and the tree lined streets are busy with people and the sound of a nearby singer.....well I was when we ( Catherine has not started smoking yet) started this...but we have had so little free time. The last two weeks have been quite physic...

Lijiang and Tiger Leaping Gorge. Another short flight (thank goodness) and I'm drinking yunnan coffee,smoking a cigarette, looking out of the first floor window of the Prague cafe in the old town of Lijiang, the sun is shining and the tree lined streets are busy with people and the sound of a nearby singer.....well I was when we ( Catherine has not started smoking yet) started this...but we have had so little free time. The last two weeks have been quite physic...

Xi'an to Emeishan.... We arrived in Xi'an early in the morning to rain and a high level of 'smog' almost at danger levels where you need a mask!!! Hard to believe London was like this 100 years ago, so not great but no problem as after quick shower we were off to see the Terracotta Warriors. This really was an eye opener, the whole site is permanently covered and it's amazing to realise there is so much more history still to unearth. I imagine that at night it w...

Hello again, sorry it's been so long ...such a busy 3 or 4 weeks but we've seen so much and really enjoyed the experience. Decided we need to split the blog/pictures up - so be prepared for a few updates over the next couple of days - just like buses!! So ....Qingdao to Beijing: Qingdao, (still on our independent tour), was nice, not exactly at the beach as anticipated but in the Olympic marina with the beaches about 20 minutes walk away. Great promenade at n...