THE FAR EAST PEARL HIGHLIGHTS
CHINA
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THE TIMELESS PEARL of the orient. One of those places we never imagined we would ever set foot on. I think it's all a bit mystic and we are driven by the thought of a million different things regarding dynasties, multi-millennium culture, communism, spirituality, accelerated growth, dim sum, dragons, unexplored landscapes and great walls.
But it's actually the combination of all these ideas that makes this experience unique!
> OUR TRIP
We went to China at the beginning of spring. We crossed the border from Hong Kong to Shenzhen, and explored the provinces of Guangxi, Hunan, Sichuan, Shaanxi and Beijing. We did almost every journey by train, except for one flight we took to Zhangjiajie.
Every time we think of the highlights of this country so full of wonders makes us want to take the first flight back and do it all over again. Check out our favorites and then tell us if you did not feel like getting off the couch and book a trip to China right now!?
> THE GREAT WALL
Is it wonder that you crave for?! Then here you go ;) lol
We only got a taste of a short length of the 'Stone Dragon', near Beijing. Can you just imagine the other 20,000km?
> ZHANGJIAJIE: PANDORA FEELINGS
The national park and the 'Hallelujah Mountains' were one of the most SENSATIONAL experiences we had in China. They are in the Hunan province, and along with Tianmen Mountain make the this rather-than-surreal scenario.
> STREET FOOD, FLAVOR EXPLOSION AND DIM SUM
We are simply C-R-A-Z-Y for Chinese food, and the Dim Sum ... Oohhhh, Dim Sum straight from the street markets were almost the protagonists of our entire journey!
Speaking about street markets, they are our weakness :) #lovethem
A place that gathers new smells, flavors, textures, sounds and culture has a guaranteed place on top of our favorites list, and in that matter China is one of the champions in our heart.
> XI'AN WALLED CITY
So traditional and modern at the same time. A fusion of the ancient Chinese history with the contemporary world, with marks of all times, without losing the traditions.
> TERRACOTTA ARMY
The army that protects the tomb of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang Di, was found only in the 70's (and by chance) and is one of the largest archaeological discoveries in the world.
It is estimated that there are more than 8,000 warriors, horses, carriages, weapons and also dancers, musicians and precious stones, all buried to accompany and protect the Emperor Qin in the afterlife. Seriously, even you who might not be a 'museum kind of person' would get jaw-dropped here lol
> CHINESE NIGHTS
Seems like that when night falls things gain even more 'life'. A sight to behold! We spent hours just admiring every architectural detail under this new light, it was a whole new horizon once again.
> BABY PANDAS
Get ready for extreme cuteness ♥
> THE GIANT BUDDHA OF LESHAN
The magnitude and energy of the Buddha with its more than 70m in height. Entirely sculpted on a cliff after the dream of a monk, to protect and calm the waters of the three rivers that converge right there.
> BETWEEN SMILES AND PAPARAZZIS
Guyyysss, sympathy is on the rise here! I think the best part of our journey was exactly this exchange, often with just smiles and no words at all. Other times there were conversations in different languages, mimics and a translator app in the middle to make it happen. But the affection we received from the Chineses was definitely something that touched us!
They are also super curious and L-O-V-E to take pictures with foreigners. Get ready for a celebrity moment and even catch some hidden 'paparazzi' looking for you :)
> LI RIVER
A history of beauties, horizons of karst mountains and the millennial partnership between the cormorants and the local fishermen.
> BULLET TRAIN STORY
Really representing the 'New China', the integrated system of high-speed trains and their megalomaniac stations are going to amaze you.
> YES, CHERRY BLOSSOM
Sakuras! Here they bloom too.
> THE FORBIDDEN CITY
It has been in my imagination for such a long time and I dare to use only one word to describe it: ETERNAL.
> BEIJING PARKS
Especially the Temple of Heaven Park and one of the symbols of Beijing! What we loved the most about this complex was the Tiantan Park, particularly a coral that we called 'Choral of Heaven'.
In fact it is very beautiful the use of parks throughout the whole capital. The Chinese go there to practice martial arts (wushu, qigong and tai chi chuan), dance, sing, play chess, cards and so much more. We fell madly in love.
> 告别 Gàobié, China!
Exploring China is not a piece of cake, the language is still a barrier even in the most modern parts of the country. But with a translator app in hand, we dived 'heads first' into this thousand-old culture, which still retains so many traditions that we got simply amazed.
Yes, the cultural shock is still strong. Allow yourself to understand how they think and behave, discover a new way of communicating (including a new way of counting till 10 using only one hand) and immerse yourself in the history of one of the cradles of the civilization.
Go out there and walk through the great wall, eat with sticks, be the target of Chinese paparazzi, go hiking on surreal cliffs, train ride at 350km/h, join the REAL crowds, dance in Beijing parks, taste spicy street food and try to feel a little bit of what's life is like in the far east pearl.
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