Photo taken inside of Guangzhou – Cathedral of the Sacred Heart when we were traveling there from Yangshou.

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Straw Travel

Straw Travel

Straw Travel

Straw Travel

    One of these definitely is and always will be for us the Thousand Buddha Temple of the convent in the city of Meizhou. In a previous post we have talked about how we were able to visit the workshop which operates under the supervision  of the convent. Now we invite you to take a look at the temple itself, as well as its immortal gardens and its main attraction – the pagoda which hides the relic of the convent the ancient Thousand Buddha column.

 Thousand Buddha Temple – Immortal Garden’s statues>>>

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Straw Travel

   We had the opportunity to visit Xiamen for a few days and of course we also visited the wonderful island of Gulangyu. In the 19th century many foreigners started to settle on this island, resulting in the building of consulates and beautiful villas thought which Gulangyu became known as the “museum of world architecture”.

   Wandering on the back alleys of the island everything seems as you have traveled back in time to 19th century Europe. We first didn’t understand why was the island so quiet and peaceful despite having a number of tourists roaming it. A few hours later we finally realized that there were absolutely no cars nor motorbikes on the island. Also the whole island is populated by many banyan trees which result in an extraordinary mix of architecture and fauna which gives it a very interesting look. It’s is like you have entered into a long lost word.

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   We really do like Xiamen, the southern town of Fujian province; the inhabitants, the narrow streets in the old neighborhoods, wide avenues, everything! There is something in the air that just makes you take up the cozy rhythm of the city. This city is a wonderful blend of Europe and China, ancient and modern, commotion and tranquility you have got it all here.

   This city is located on an island in the Taiwan Strait, for several centuries it was the largest port in the country. European ships have visited this island for centuries and have left a definite influence on this little city. If you ever find yourself in China it is worth to take a little stroll on one of the most famous parts of Xiamen the Gulangyu Island and Nanputou Temple.

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   About this city so many movies, books and hundreds of photos were takes, still to really feel it you must visit it. Some people love it, some hate it but definitely it leaves nobody indifferent. We go here so often that it seems when we finally will stop doing so we will never forget all the international-multi-lingual music on the streets, smell of cuisines from all over the world, beautiful people, colorful lights, funny money and of course crazy prices! The place we are talking about is of course Hong Kong (香港, literally – “fragrant harbor”).

Fragrant Harbor

   In fact this is not a city but a city-state. For nearly a century and a half Hong Kong was a British colony but from 1997 it became a special administrative region of China. Many argue that Hong is not China. Indeed, we must only agree, it is felt immediately as soon as you cross the border there is already a big difference.

   So you ask what’s the difference? Let’s start perhaps with the fact that everybody speaks English to a degree were as in China it is a phenomenon if a person speaks at all English. People are dressed bolder and better. Women smoke much more and at the same time there are fewer places where smoking is permitted. The streets are no longer filled with bicycles or rickshaws but with long lines of red taxis and double decked trams and buses. The public transportation system is very smooth, it really helps the locals and tourists to navigate between Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong Island and over 50 other islands easily. If you arrive from the Mainland of China you get stunned for a few moments by the prices in Hong Kong, they are extremely high. If you compare prices of any hostel in Mainland China’s metropolises and Hong Kong they are all about 2-3 times more expensive then back in the Middle Kingdom.

   The island of Hong Kong hosts all sorts of administrative offices, business centers, banks and boutiques of all kinds. Kowloon attracts by its colorful signs promising to sell anything you want. Without question our favorite place in Hong Kong is next to metro station Tsim Sha Tsui. This is definitely the most ethno-colorful part of the city. As you get out of the subway you somehow end up in a world full of saris, turbans, hijabs and fezzes. For a moment you simply don’t understand is this Hong Kong? The answer is YES. Here you can meet up to 120 different nationality peoples around, try their food and have a nice stroll next to the Victoria Harbor.

Alley of Happiness

Souvenir Heaven

   Hong Kong is a city of paradoxes. For example the most pricey hotels, restaurants and shops can co exist with the most shabby ones. It sometimes doesn’t matter if you have enough money in your purse sometimes the most spectacular sight are for free. What matters the most is to have enough to ride the subway. This city is a completely different planet with its own style, rhythm and sometimes you realize that you unknowingly become part of it.

Symphony of lights

   In general this is how Hong Kong is – bright, noisy, cheerful and full colors. It is a city of business, grand get-together and meetings but not for life! Although it is sometimes good for a change from the backlands of the Middle Kingdom.

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