2015 was my first opportunity to visit the Far East, specifically The People’s Republic of China. My girlfriend (Yanan) was going back home to visit family and friends and invited me to join her.
I guess I’d always wanted to visit China but the language barrier put me off. I’m not a linguist and even European languages where I recognise some words scare me. Chinese being totally unknown to me was a huge stumbling block.
With Yanan it would be much easier. She would translate for me, not just for the language, but also of the culture. As a ‘local’ she would be able to explain what we saw.
So on 24th July 2015, with passports and visas in hand we set off. Our itinerary was:
- Manchester to Guangzhou, via Dubai (and return)
- Guangzhou
- Laibin
- Shiling
- Liangshui
- Guilin
- Yangshou
- Jinxiu
There were other places along the way but I didn’t always know place names. I can summarise them all in one word though…amazing!
Whilst in China I met loads of Yanan’s family and friends. I hadn’t known what to make of the Chinese people before my first visit. I’d met very few and they seemed nice, but I’d be meeting many who had never ventured outside the huge country. Would they be different? I’d grown up in the Cold War era where I was used to seeing a dour looking population all dressed the same, so I wasn’t sure what to expect!
I’m pleased to report that the Chinese people are fantastic! Very friendly, even without a shared language, incredibly generous with their time and hospitality, and not at all serious…they are great fun too.
We returned to the UK on 10th August and after an amazing trip I was hoping that wasn’t the last time I’d visit China.
This blog is part historical and, hopefully from July 2017, a live update of my continued travels in China. I hope I can give you a feeling of the country, the sights, the people and the food and drink. I have enjoyed my time there and hope to enjoy more time there over the coming years. Maybe I might even persuade some of you to travel there too?
A meal with some of Yanan’s family
A view from my first bullet train journey from Gaungzhou to Laibin
Guangzhou railway station
Going fast on a bullet train
Dubai Airport – halfway there