China

9th May 2017

China – Beijing

The nine million bicycles have dwindled to about three. There are at least nine million cars instead, probably more, as it has a population of 22 million.

30th August 2016

China – Xinjiang

Shangri-La is punctuated by stops at border crossings for more passport checks as we inch closer to China. There is the pre-border check in Kyrgyzstan, then the stamp the passport Kyrgyzstan stop,

1st October 2012

Macau

I’ve had varying reports on Macau. It’s reported as nothing but casinos, tawdry.

19th August 2011

China – Shanghai, Yangtze Gorges and locality

China has changed a great deal in 15 years. The people are friendlier and seem to be quite a bit taller too.

31st October 2000

Hong Kong

Perhaps the best part is the bus journey back to Hong Kong airport with marvellous views of the city and skyscrapers lit up against the whole of the bay.

31st August 1996

It was really a good route right up through the middle, with a wiggle to the west and Sichuan/Yunnan) taking in all the major tourist sights. In those days touring was still very controlled and there was a lot of army surveillance, hotels were dubious and the many diverse sights amazing

11th September 1988

China – Tibet

The bus breaks down frequently. When it does the drivers disappear underneath, brandishing spanners and more Tibetans appear miraculously and help to get it on its way again. If our bus runs smoothly the road is blocked by other buses or trucks that have broken down, often tipping ominously to one side.