Jul 21, 2006 - CHINA: Travelling China. Change of Plan!

From Xian we were heading to Chongqing. ... When we arrived in Chongqing we decided that if we could train it to Kunming we would! Only 22 hours on the train after our 5 hrs on buses and planes! Last minute decision but the 3 gorges were looking more & more expensive, more touristy and a bit of a time-eater! We were happy to move on knowing we could spend more time in Yunnan and South China. ... We're getting used to this by now, but this was particarly bad with Chongqing in the midst of a heatwave and being the 2nd hottest city in China! Being 38c but at a whopping 80% humidity! Nice and fresh for our long train ride. ...

Jun 25, 2006 - Chongqing and First day on Cruise

In the morning we said goodbye to our very capable local guide called Jessica and went to the airport. We left Xian at about 1:30 pm to catch a 1 hour flight to Chongqing. ... Chongqing is very interesting because it is the largest city in the world with over 32 million inhabitants. ... Here we will board our boat for the Yangtze River Cruise.In the morning we said goodbye to our very capable local guide called Jessica and went to the airport. We left Xian at about 1:30 pm to catch a 1 hour flight to Chongqing. ... Chongqing is very interesting because it is the largest city in the world with over 32 million inhabitants. ... Here we will board our boat for the Yangtze River Cruise....

May 23, 2006 - Flight to Chongquing

Today we flew to Chonquing, the largest city in China with 30 million people (but we are all wondering why none of us had ever heard of it).Today we flew to Chonquing, the largest city in China with 30 million people (but we are all wondering why none of us had ever heard of it)....

May 12, 2006 - Yangtze River Cruise & The Three Gorges, China

We arrived in Yichang and we were met by our local guide, Maggie, who would be transporting us to our river cruise.We arrived in Yichang and we were met by our local guide, Maggie, who would be transporting us to our river cruise....

Apr 28, 2006 - Wuhan to Xi'an - China

We have been travelling since yesterday! We left our cruise at 3am yesterday and were put on a five hour bus to Wuhan, which is a major train hub.We have been travelling since yesterday! We left our cruise at 3am yesterday and were put on a five hour bus to Wuhan, which is a major train hub....

Apr 28, 2006 - 21, 22 Chengdu and Chongqing

Early morning trip to the Panda sanctuary was great. After the Pandas we had a 4hr bus trip to Chongqing listening to Chinese Pop Stars all the way and watching the Chinese version of "Hey Dad" - very ordinary!!! Chongqing was not the small town we thought it would be and has a population of 34 million. ... It is a huge city on the banks of the Yangtze and the city lights at night were amazing.Early morning trip to the Panda sanctuary was great. After the Pandas we had a 4hr bus trip to Chongqing listening to Chinese Pop Stars all the way and watching the Chinese version of "Hey Dad" - very ordinary!!! Chongqing was not the small town we thought it would be and has a population of 34 million. ... It is a huge city on the banks of the Yangtze and the city lights at night were amazing....

Nov 20, 2005 - Chongqing and the Yangzi River Cruise

I bought my one-way flight the night before for $35, arrived at the airport an hour early and boarded a very comfortable, timely flight to Chongqing. ... After checking in for the cruise, we wondered around Chongqing - a city that we had been told we didn't need any time in, but that we found to be a very pleasant city to be in. ... Chongqing was quite different than Beijing and Xi'an in that there were no bicycles b/c of the hilly terrain, but many motorbikes and cars. ... The downtown area of Chongqing is very nice, centering around the Liberation Monument (originally built of wood to commemorate Sun Yatsen's death, but rebuilt in 1945 to celebrate the end of China's war with Japan) and an area of pedestrian-only streets. ... After only about 5 hours in Chongqing, we met our boat guide and the 3 guys from Holland and we hiked to our cruise ship. ...

Nov 17, 2005 - Xi'an

Last night we went to the Beijing train station where I wish I could have taken a picture to go along with this update.it was a true test of our abilities to navigate China on our own and we did pretty well! Tomorrow morning we're flying from Xi'an to Chongqing where we will board a three night & two full day cruise (more like a boat with a basic 2 bed room which we paid a little extra not to share w/ strangers) down the Yangtze River. ... We've heard this is a MUST in China and we're fortunate to see the famed Three Gorges before the dam in complete in 2009, flooding the entire area and displacing over 2 million Chinese inhabiting the area.Last night we went to the Beijing train station where I wish I could have taken a picture to go along with this update.it was a true test of our abilities to navigate China on our own and we did pretty well! Tomorrow morning we're flying from Xi'an to Chongqing where we will board a three night & two full day cruise (more like a boat with a basic 2 bed room which we paid a little extra not to share w/ strangers) down the Yangtze River. ... We've heard this is a MUST in China and we're fortunate to see the famed Three Gorges before the dam in complete in 2009, flooding the entire area and displacing over 2 million Chinese inhabiting the area....

Oct 25, 2005 - Chongqing

in Chongqing . ... Can't wait to get on that boat to do just that!!! We arrived in Chongqing at about 7:30am where we were met by our guide, Amy, who will be putting us safely onboard this evening. ... lets hope we have a couple on board with us!! Chongqing is a real "port" town and we enjoyed a cup of coffee whilst watching some ferries come in. ...

Sep 28, 2005 - Chongqing - End of River Cruise

B: The Three Gorges themselves were spectacular.B: The Three Gorges themselves were spectacular....

Aug 16, 2005 - Start of the Yangtze

With everyone feeling ill, we made it to Chongqing with few issues and onto the boat in time for our 8 PM departure. ... We had a chill night- got dinner and watched a film with Richard, this cool Londoner we met on the bus from Chengdu to Chongqing. ... He's been traveling for 20 months, and is heading home in 2 weeks.With everyone feeling ill, we made it to Chongqing with few issues and onto the boat in time for our 8 PM departure. ... We had a chill night- got dinner and watched a film with Richard, this cool Londoner we met on the bus from Chengdu to Chongqing. ... He's been traveling for 20 months, and is heading home in 2 weeks....

Jul 20, 2005 - Chongqing

Helloooo! In a few hours me and Nico will be catching a boat down the Yangtze river to a town called Yichang - it's going to take us 3 days or so, then onwards to Shanghai, though we only have time to spend one night there, and then one night in Beijing until we fly out t Delhi.Helloooo! In a few hours me and Nico will be catching a boat down the Yangtze river to a town called Yichang - it's going to take us 3 days or so, then onwards to Shanghai, though we only have time to spend one night there, and then one night in Beijing until we fly out t Delhi....