Avatar or a wash out, my last post from China.

I arrived at a small city called Zhangjiajie, until a year or to ago it wasn’t a big tourist spot. But a recent movie that had landscaping like the mountains around this city changed that. Zhangjiajie is known for its peaks and there resemblance to the peaks in Avatar

I arrived at about 7pm and headed out in the town for a walk, having been cooped up on the boat for 4 days it was a nice change to have the freedom to wonder about. I took a few side allys and met some locals. So many knew more English than other places in china I had been and seemed to enjoy saying Hi as walked down their neighborhood.

After 2 hours of walking I came across a park with a small covered area, underneath was 7 of the oldest worn pool tables I had ever seen. But it was packed with people playing 8 ball pool. I asked one of the locals if he was interested in a game and it was passed midnight before I left. I think I played 10 games+ and lost everyone. But it was a lot of fun. Sadly I left my camera and bag at the hostel so didn’t take any photo’s.

The following day the heavens opened up and it started to bucket down with rain, it was sad day indeed. I ended up staying at the hostel with everyone else and updating my blog and booking my onward trip to Taiwan.

My last day in Zhangjiajie the rain had still not let up and was coming down harder than ever. But it was now or never to see the peaks so, I took the chance that the mountains may way the rain a bit enough to have a nice walk.

Just a bit wet...

I was joined by Stephen a Scottish guy who was traveling around China doing it rough (sleeping in tents and things, very cool).

After a short bus ride to the mountain and a eco bus inside the park. The first place we stopped off at was a small mini train. Deciding the cost of the train really wasn’t worth it we walked next to it for about 2km. The rain was still coming down but it added a special layer to the peaks that made it magical.

From the mini train we ended up at another part of the park which had a hiking trail. The trail went from the center of the park to the exit, some 12km or so I believe. We headed on the track and up some canyon. Till eventually we reached a place called Echo Valley. It really worked, even the sound of us talking normally Echoed down the Valley for several seconds.

The mountains were truly beautiful and I wish the weather was better, but sometimes you have to play the hand dealt.

The following day, I had already planned my accommodation and transportation so, I left Zhangjiajie and its endless rain, with water logged shoes and ½ my gear wet. I hopped on another 17 hour train bound for Shanghai.

Arriving at Shanghai the following night I headed to the “Bund” a famous road in Shanghai that goes along the river. Its where the old English, French bank buildings are. At night they were lit up with lights and the Shanghai Tower was in a red glow. It all looked very nice.

The following day I returned to the same place, during the day it was a busy shopping street and market area. The place was packed with people.

Walking down the river I came to a small area which is replicated to the old Chinese buildings but full of various markets in jewelry, and silks. I continued walking around Shanghai (without a clew where I was till as I had no map… bad Steffen!). Eventually I came to a street I remembered in the hostel as the nightlife area and during the day it seemed to be the tech part of the city with multistory buildings selling all manner of electronic goods.

Postcard perfect

That night I hit the town with a few others form the hostel and had a ball. I had not been out on the town since Beijing, as I didn’t really want to go out (giving my liver a rest, except the Bijou.).

The next day was very uneventful so ill skip over it. Laundry and such needed attention as my bag was still dripping, and smelly.

The last day in Shanghai was spent at the fake markets, a 7 story building with 100’s of tiny shops on each floor.  I was cautious of electronic fakes since the last one I bought in Beijing caused massive damage to my laptop and I was not wanting a repeat on my last day in China. So I stuck to cloths, I needed a few new shirts anyways as its been 3 months in the same 6-7 shirts.

I came out of the market place with 2 North Face Jackets. One of the Jackets had a jumper zipped into it which could be removed. 4 T shirts of various colors, a Designer JAG watch, and Yoyo… yes a Yoyo I was getting tired of playing Solitaire on the transportation between sites and Yoyo’s seem to be a craze at the moment in China, and I enjoyed it as a kid.. why am I justifying my $2 purchase…

All up it was very cheap the 2 jackets were $40 for both, and the T shirts were $15 for 4. The watch was just over $20 and was a wind up one when you move your wrist, I tested it before I bought it to ensure everything “worked”.

Only in China are they selling Rabbits
and Turtles next to food carts.

Back at the hostel I was pleased with my find till I tried the T-shirts… The one I had tried on in the shop fit nicely just like it did in the shop but the others, even though labeled as XXL were anywhere from Medium to XL. I was sooo pissed. I knew I should have tried it in the shop, but I was more focused on getting the price down I didn’t think about it…  oh well, I just have to lose a few more KG to fit another 2 of them and ill keep the last for trading somewhere.

So cheers China, the trips been short and I have covered as much space by rail as going from Sydney to Perth and back again possibly more. But it was fun.

Now I’m off to Taiwan for 2 weeks, till my Vietnam visa opens. Chinese people still consider Taiwan as part of China but as I write this and post if without a proxy or anything. Its very clear its not.

Cheers Steffen.