Sunday, October 9, 2011

CHINA

China is going down as one of our best trips ever - still trying to process all that was there - thousands of years of culture and history and people all in two weeks. Here's just a sample. I'd be more than happy to show you more where these came from!
Near Beijing - the Great Wall - you can hike on it or right beside it for 1500 miles.

Tianamen Square - just outside the Forbidden City. There weren't any signs forbidding photos, (unless they were in Chinese?) but maybe this guard was contemplating why there weren't.
The skyline in Shanghai - OJ's favorite place.
Thousands of warriors in Xi'an. When he was only thirteen years old the emperor ordered them made for his tomb. That's planning ahead. It took about 70,000 craftsmen several decades to create them. Each is life size and unique.
6:30 AM In Hangzhou on the banks of West Lake. I thought this was a fabulous way to start off your morning - a little tai chi by the water with all your friends.
The Lijiang River cruise with its beautiful and unique mountain range was a highlight for us.
Our group stopped in Hong Kong for a couple days on the way home and in lieu of little grandsons, there just happened to be two other mouseketeers in the group and this is where we ended up :)

It goes without saying that our first choice would have been to have each of you as travel companions but this group of friends was wonderful too. We feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to see and learn so much of such an amazing country.

6 comments:

Bonnie White said...

This is still on my bucket list. All 1500 kms of that wall. Except maybe not Disneyland. I feel like the empty lamped virgin.

Nora said...

What great pictures! It looks like you guys had a great time :)

Rico said...

Looks pretty amazing!

LiNds said...

The Shanghai skyline looks like that one cool city in Star Wars! I love the Lijiang River cruise pic the best. You guys should frame that one!! thanks for sharing and yes, would love to see more! Love you!

woozie said...

Wow that is amazinggg! Love all the pics, looks like you guys had a fabulous experience of a lifetime.

Karyn said...

Sounds like a fabulous trip. I loved the great wall pic. it is so amazing to walk along the wall and think of all the workers toiling away to build it. What a marvel.