Join my journeys of China discovery

In 2007, at the invitation of Chinese friends, I started to explore China. I found a country that is very different to the negative perceptions held by many people outside China. What I found was the real China – a country with amazing geographic and cultural diversity, stunning natural beauty, abundant historical treasures, and friendly people with the social maturity that 7,000 years of civilization brings.

Our first visit in July 2007 was to the city of Shenzhen, easily accessible as it is located just over the border from Hong Kong. Described as the window of China’s opening up policy, Shenzhen is a good place to commence an exploration of China.

Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government Building (Galleries)

On our second trip to China in February 2008 we visited Henan province and also returned again to Shenzhen. In Henan we enjoyed the spectacular Lunar New Year in my friend’s home town of Xiangcheng, and experienced 2000 years of History in Kaifeng and Luoyang.

Xiangcheng, Henan (Galleries)

Zhengzhou, capital city of Henan province, was where we commenced our August 2009 visit. There we visited the nearby Shaolin Temple and the Yellow River Scenic Area. After that we travelled to Anhui province to visit capital city Hefei, the ancient villages of Xidi and Hongcun, beautiful Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), and the Yangze River city of Wuhu. We also briefly visited Qiandao lake and Hangzhou city in Zhejiang province, and finished the trip with a return visit to Xiangcheng Henan.

Hongcun ancient village, Anhui (Galleries)

February 2010 saw us return for my fourth trip to China and third visit to Shenzhen. In my week in Shenzhen I visited the Splendid China and China Folk Culture Villages theme parks, the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government building, the Shenzhen Museum of History, the Shenzhen Museum of Ancient Art, and Lychee Park. We also took a day trip to Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong Province, where we visited a few of the city’s major attractions – Yuexiu Park, Beijing Road, Ersha Island and the Pearl River.

Beijing Road, Guangzhou, capital city of Guangdong (Galleries)

My next journey of China discovery will hopefully be very soon – look for the story and photos here on discoverchina.info!