by Calvin Sun | Jan 11, 2017 | China, Crisis, Fail, Fit for Foodies, Walking Tours, Winter 2016: The Trans-Mongolian & Tibet
After yesterday’s shenanigans on 2 trains, we slept in for about 3-4 hours before having to wake up for a 7:10am arrival at Beijing Railway station, thus formally and sadly concluding our Trans-Mongolian Railway journey. After picking...
by Lei Zhao | Feb 13, 2014 | August 2013: Lei Goes to China, China, Guest Posts, How Did You Do That?, Public Transportation, Way Way Off the Beaten Path
The following is the third of 4 guest posts on China by Lei Zhao, who continues to contribute to the Monsoon Diaries adventures time and time again. Lei Zhao and I have been close friends since 7th grade of middle school. Saying that we’ve been through a...
by Stephanie Quan | Aug 24, 2011 | China, Fit for Foodies, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
Leaving in two days for the states. gulp. In beijing now, rediscovering a city I had only briefly seen before. I love these back alleys and tea shops. Two things I should start this entry with: 1. I was raised Chinese (well, as well as my parents could manage in...
by Stephanie Quan | Aug 24, 2011 | China, Introspection, Post-travel Reflections, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
Traveling, as cautioned about in many a health class, is addicting. Sometimes dealers will give you the first few hits free. You’ll see a city or two on your own, find some interesting parts in your exploration and claim an unique experience/high. Then you get...
by Calvin Sun | Aug 8, 2011 | China, Fit for Foodies, Getting that VISA, Summer 2011: From the Middle East to North Korea
The last time I was in Beijing was exactly 10 years ago and I was 14 years old. Has it changed much then? Yes. I feel there’s a greater air of confidence among the city life, the infrastructure and cleanliness have improved from the 2008 Olympics, and the...