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China Travels

How many “wonders of the world” are there?

By Rob Clement of www.silkroadconsultants.com

How may wonder of the world can you name? Let’s name some of those you can see in China.

The Great Wall is one of the oldest. For some they think that the great wall is just a wall in a flat countryside. They think the wall just goes on and on for mile after mile. The wall does go on for mile after mile and some areas it is in need of some restoration. At Badaling you can see just how steep it is and how it follows the contours of the land. At one point the wall stops and you have to take a track outside the wall and realise that the cliff stopped any building there. The path at the top of the wall is worn smooth by the countless numbers of people who walk along a small part of its length. Make sure you have good walking shoes or trainers, some water (as the drinks are expensive) and time to climb.

© Rob Clement - Great Wall of China

The Terracotta army can be found outside Xi’an (ancient Chang’an). Until you see it you cannot understand just how big the army is and how long it took to make. The archaeological dig at the site is still going on as different figures are painstakingly put together again. This is another place that needs time just to take in the scope of it.

© Rob Clement - Terracota Soliders, Xi'an

Staying in Xi’an there is a city wall. Once the whole of the city was confined within its ramparts, now it gives an idea of what it would have been like approaching the walls with its moat and drawbridge. Inside the city there is the old Bell Tower (the Bell was rung at dawn) and the Drum tower (the drum was beaten at dark). You can wander behind the Drum tower to the Muslim quarter with its mosque and narrow market. Some of the area has been modernised with a new market but much of it seems to have been there for years.

What about modern marvels.

We are looking forward to visiting the Three Gorges project. Whatever you may discuss on an ecological basis China needs more water that it gets so this attempt to increase the use of water is needed.

What about the new Maglev (Magnetic levitation) line between Shanghai and Pudong airport? I am told that the trains are only running as tourist attractions at weekends at present.

We have a new railway line opening across the Tibetan plateau. It is due to open in the middle of 2006. Again there are ecological implications but it will be a cheap way of getting to Lhasa and return. People on the train may have more chance to acclimatise to the altitude.

© Rob Clement - Lake at Lhasa

If you are coming for 2008 or 2010 then make the most of the opportunity to see the marvels of the East. If you are avoiding the crowds at those times there is plenty of time to come to see this entrancing country and its peoples.

© Rob Clement - 2006 is the web master at www.silkroadconsultants.com. A web site full of interesting and helpful travel tips.