After spending a few days in Beijing, We take the train in the direction of Xi'An, the former imperial capital of China.
The hostel sends a shuttle bus pick us up in the morning at the exit of the railway station ! I had already chosen this address (Han Tang Inn) During my first stay in China, but this time we opt for a little more comfort double room.
This was an opportunity to remake a walk in the old town (that I start to well know but my girlfriend discovered), very lively Muslim market and where we eat all kinds of things, and cycling on the walls (big sunburn to the key !).
But what I was aiming above all, It is the Hua Shan, one of the peaks sacred of Taoism, a hundred kilometres from Xi'An. We left in the morning, tickets in his pocket (2,5€ for 1 h 30 journey) to arrive in a small countryside station in a run-down city. We find a minibus for visitors centre, and first surprise : access to the mountain is expensive (about €25, then we will then discover that the cable car is extra : still € 20). More and more sites (natural sites and monuments) subject to adjustments “grandiose” (visitor centre, shuttles, cable cars, roads, concrete paths, observatories…) and therefore an entrance fee high. Hua Shan is still impressive, You can spend several days if the calves are the shock (We did spent only a day).
The Hua Shan
We were also invited in the mother of a friend, Chinese families are always also friendly !
Lijiang
One evening (or rather a night, because of the delay), We fly to Lijiang, City Naxi (one of the ethnic minorities in southwestern China) preserved. Finally, preserved urban renewal in Chinese, not the hordes of tourists ! It is in fact a large “Disneyland” saturated with shops to tourists that sell (almost all inclusive) : of “flower cakes”, yak meat, Tibetan crafts, tea, and the tam-tam (at least 20 shops of percussion that pass the same song loop !). We therefore decide to leave for Shangri - la
Shangri - la
Four hours by bus from Lijiang is Zhongdian, nicknamed Shangri-la - the reference to the Buddhist Paradise on Earth (and to attract a tourist windfall). This town is at 3200 m above sea level in the foothills of the Himalayas, at the gates of Tibet (also everything is dubbed in Tibetan, even the KFC and the McDo storefronts !).
Unfortunately, a large fire has razed much of the historic city in January, only remains a public toilet cabin. A large temple at the Summit of a Hill has been spared, and we climb… gently, because the altitude reminds us to order !
The old town to the South of the temple
What remains of the old town north of the temple…
With once again an exorbitant entry fee, We visit a Tibetan temple nicknamed the “Small Potala Palace” for its resemblance to that of Lhasa, but who is still active. The walk around the small lake front of the temple is very nice.
For the more adventurous, Shangri-La is a starting point for treks in the high mountains, or to enter Tibet itself says. We left after two days because my girlfriend poorly supported the altitude and the weather became… Lille. But I think that I will come back for a longer stay.
Shanghai and Suzhou
We spend a few days in Shanghai because I had planned to meet a French company. I do not a big fan of this city, There's not much to see apart from shopping malls ! We spend a day in Suzhou, City of canals known (to reason) for its traditional gardens.
