China is a simply massive destination. Unlike most large countries like Russia, Australia and Canada, China is incredibly densely populated, meaning travelers have a lot of amazing places to explore. Every major city in the world seems to have it’s local Chinatown and yet the idea of visiting the land Read more…
If you are planning a trip to Asia you’ll probably need to book a hostel or hotel at some point in your trip. I usually like to leave my plans relatively open on longer trips where I can choose to stay longer in one place and even pick new destinations Read more…
After spending a wonderful 5 days rock climbing, cycling and enjoying the night life on West Street in Yangshuo, I finally made my way to the famous Avatar Mountains called “Zhangjiajie”. Remember James Cameron’s smash hit movie “The Avatar” that took place on an imaginary planet called Pandora? With giant blue people with Read more…
I finished off my 30 days in China in Qingdao, a city that wasn’t really on my radar and travel itinerary until I found a cheap flight to Fukuoka, Japan. To my delight, I discovered Qingdao’s beautiful heritage still visible today in the German Architecture and Festivals like the Annual Read more…
Dalian and Lushun (Lv Shun) are seaside cities on the Liaodong Peninsula. The region isn’t as popular as nearby Beijing or Tianjin for international tourists, but it may be worth exploring for those who love military history or technology. Dalian is the Tech Hub of North East China while the Read more…
Welcome to the Summer Palace! The last of the big three tourist destinations in Beijing! The others being the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. The Summer Palace was the summer home of the Chinese Imperial Family for centuries. But before that, it was already a popular location for temples Read more…
Choosing the right hotel for your stay can make an enormous difference. But each traveler has their own preferences when it comes to accommodations. Hostels are easily the cheapest and often offer the most flexibility and social atmosphere. I’ve met some of my closest friends in a simple dorm room Read more…
It’s amazing how something like the Great Wall of China can be the experience of a lifetime for some and simply a pile of bricks and crowded lines for others. If you know of the famous hero Qi Jiguang, the dire reason for moving mountains of dirt and stone and Read more…
The Forbidden City is truly one of the great historic sights in the world today. The 600 year old palace is extremely well preserved and has witnessed the fall of empires, revolutions and a dramatic shift in policy. It was forbidden to enter… now the palace sees over 16 million visitors Read more…
Xi’An is one of the most historic cities in China. The downtown core is a UNESCO world heritage site thanks to the giant ancient wall that stands as a reminder of the Empires that rose and fell beneath them. From the Qin Dynasty’s capital in Xianyang where China was first Read more…
Sleeping in a room with 5+ other people can be very annoying. It’s essentially a giant sleep over in a foreign country. And yet, it’s the best way to solo travel, or travel with friends. The people you meet along the way can easily become lifelong connections, close friends, new Read more…
The Standing Terracotta Army is probably the grandest artistic project and act of self preservation in the history of civilized mankind. 8,000+ hand carved clay statues, each one a unique masterpiece armed with weapons to defend the first emperor of China in the afterlife. Nearby is the Emperor’s Mausoleum, an Read more…