HangZhou(杭州) - Shanghai(上海)

[Feb 18, 2010]
It is really enjoyable to take a boat ride at West Lake (西湖). Xī Hú is a famous fresh water lake located in the historic center of Hangzhou, in Zhejiang province of eastern China. The lake is divided by the causeways of Sū Tí (苏提 / 蘇堤) , Bái Tí (白堤), and Yánggōng Tí (杨公堤 / 楊公堤).

We headed toward green tea plantation. Famous green tea in HangZhou named LongJing (龙井).

Everywhere in HangZhou looks like a painting. So amazing!

On the way to Shanghai, we passed by WuZhen (乌镇). Wuzhen's uniqueness lies in its layout, being divided into six districts. These are: traditional workshops district, traditional local-styled dwelling houses district, traditional culture district, traditional food and beverage district, traditional shops and stores district, and water township customs and life district.

Another boat ride at WuZhen. You should not miss it! ^_^

It's already 6pm when we reached Shanghai. Sunset earlier during winter and it is freaking cold at night... It is not advisable to stroll around under such killing weather. By the way, the tour guide brought us to NanJing shopping street (南京路步行街) after dinner. Mum and I was hiding ourselves inside the shop. At least we feel warm there. :P

We stayed in this hotel for 2 nights because tomorrow we will only stay in Shanghai! No more moving from town to town...

NanJing(南京) - HangZhou(杭州)

[Feb 17, 2010]

The 1st stop of the day and also the last stop in NanJing (before headed to HangZhou) was Dong Shui Guan Gate (东水关城墙遗址). I am not really understand the history of the gate. I think you can find more in website if you're interested. :P

We spent about 3-4 hours journey from NanJing to HangZhou. It was really a tiring move, but it is alright for me as long as the heater is on in the bus. :P We visited HangZhou Grand Theatre (大剧院). It is designed by internationally known Canadian architect Carlos Ott. and it covers 100,000 square meters with a total construction area of 55,000 square meters. It consists of an opera house, a concert hall, a multifunction hall, an open air stage and a culture square.

Hangzhou International Conference Center (国际会议中心) is one of three symbolic buildings of Qianjiang New CBD axis line. The artistic waterscape has 5 programs. Sector waterscape integrates with buildings and roads.

From City Terrace (城市阳台), you can see HangZhou Bay Bridge (杭州湾大桥). HangZhou Bay Bridge is a long highway bridge with a cable-stayed portion across Hangzhou Bay in the eastern coastal region of China. It connects the municipalities of Jiaxing and Ningbo in Zhejiang province.

We headed for dinner at Ba Guo Bu Yi (巴国布衣). Its name translates as "Sichuan Common People," which describes both the restaurant's style of food and the local clientele it attracts. The menu is a greatest hits of Sichuan cuisine, including mapo tofu, braised tofu with chili and brown pepper, and lazi ji (chicken smothered in chili peppers). Furthermore there is mask changing (变脸秀) performance on the stage every night.

After dinner, we strolled around at West Lake Xin Tian Di (西湖新天地) in cooling night. You can find a lot of restaurant or coffee shop (like starbucks / coffee bean) here.

That night we enjoyed 1 hour West Lake Cultural Show (西湖之夜文化表演). This show is really impressed me. Contented with the myths and legends of the West Lake, the show leads you to a sweet thousand-year dream.The special concealable auditorium provides a wide and bird’s-eye view. Show time: 19:45-21:00.

Checked in hotel after end of the show. Must have a great sleep because tomorrow I will move to Shanghai. ^_^

WuXi(无锡) - NanJing(南京)

[Feb 16, 2010]

Take a traditional boat ride at TaiHu Lake(太湖) is another MUST-DO activity. Taihu Lake is the third largest freshwater lake in China. It is located in the southern part of the Yangtze River. It is a famous scenic spot in China and is famed for its lake, its hills and its splendid man-made scenery.

Next we visited Fisherman Island (渔夫岛) and XiShi Island (西施岛) Island. It is a secret lake for XiShi living place, a 2400 years legend of the manor. Bo Gong Dao Garden (渤公岛公园) is also one of the attractions at WuXi. I nearly cannot recognize every garden visited because they are almost similar.. :P

After lunch, we headed to NanJing (南京). NanJing always makes me think about the movie "NanJing Massacre 南京大屠杀". This time I have opportunity to visit this memorial hall. It is sorry to listen every stories that stated inside the hall.

NanJing Yangtze River Bridge (南京长江大桥) is the first bridge to be built across the Yangtze River in Nanjing, China. It was completed in 1968 and is the first double-decker, double-track highway and railway bridge designed and constructed by the Chinese without outside engineering assistance.

At night we headed to Confucious Temple street (夫子庙步行街) for shopping. There is a suitable place for you to grab for your souvenirs.

Check in hotel after dinner. It was definitely a torturing night in hotel. Outside was snowing non-stop. Inside the room, no matter how I higher the temperature of heater, my mum and I still shivered. Until the next day morning, we found out that we forgot to close one of the small window. ="= I promise never miss any windows during snowing night anymore...

Postcard from Melbourne

Just received a postcard from Melbourne. Not from my friends or relatives, but from myself.. hehehehe... I have been visited Melbourne last week. The weather is nice! Would advise my friends visit to Melbourne around April - May. Cooling. ^_^ By the way, I have been sick for 3 days after trip due to the unexpected change weather. ="=

LOVE Melbourne very much! ♥ its garden! ♥ its building! ♥ its weather! ♥ this greenish land! ♥ its EVERYTHING! ^_^ I wish I can visit Melbourne again~

SuZhou(苏州) - WuXi(无锡)

[Feb 15, 2010]

Our 1st stop of the day was Lotus Garden (耦园). It is listed as one of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a grinder boat ride to visit Lotus Garden is the most advisable. Boat owner will even sing for you. Remember to give some tips to express appreciation.

After that we headed to silk factory. Inside factory, there are not just demostration on how the silk forming, but also fashion show. Of course, you also can find silk pillow, silk blanket, and etc here. From their explanation, silk has a lot of advantages to our health. But then the price is really scare me. >_<

We headed to WuXi after lunch. 1st stop in WuXi was Li Garden(蠡园). The lake of the Li Garden ripples gently and green hills stand in the distance. Long corridors, embankment, arbors, pavilions in the garden are all engraved with elegant and colored drawing.

Next destination would be Lingshan grand buddha(灵山大佛). The giant buddha is named by its location which is Lingshan Mountain. The Mountain was so named by Tang Xuanzang, a Tang-dynasty Buddhist Monk whose pilgrimage trip to India is well-known throughout the Chinese history.

FanGong(梵宫) is also one of the attraction on Lingshan mountain. It has splendid design and architecture. Must cover your shoes with the cloth before entering in oreder to maintain cleanliness. I guess, this action is also one kind of respect to this place.

After dinner, we stayed a night at WuXi and then tomorrow would be headed to NanJing. The hotel room is great and clean.