When
my husband was asked to attend a meeting at Shanghai and he offered me to join
him to visit Shanghai and maybe a couple of more places in China, I was both
excited and apprehensive. China is not a top of the chart tourist destination
for people from India. I was also worried about getting a visa soon since the
time was very short. Once we took a call to visit China, I had to quickly draw
up the list of places and attractions that had to be covered. I was pleasantly
surprised at the ease with which I got my tourist visa in less than a week.
Language and food were my main concerns since I was not a meat eater. After
touring China, we realised that language is indeed a problem and the choice of
food too is very limited if you are a vegetarian or do not eat meat.
It
was a very wise decision to go through a local travel agency for a customized
tour with a private English speaking guide and exclusive vehicle for the two of
us at all the three destinations – Shanghai, Beijing and Xian. We did not to be
herded with a bunch of tourists into coaches and taken from place to another
and be asked to rush through the places. We wanted to explore the cities at our
own pace. It was a little expensive when compared to all those package tours
but it was worth it. So, our China trip became our special and private holiday
in the Land of the Dragons.
The
trip started with SHANGHAI, the
sleek and modern city showcasing the progressive aspects of China. Streets
lines with designer outlets, walking along the riverside at the famous Bund and
Crossing the Huangpu river from the Bund to the opposite side through the Bund
Sightseeing Tunnel was an exciting experience.
Climbing up the Oriental Pearl TV tower and walking on the glass decks
made us almost dizzy and gave us a panoramic view of the city. A visit to the temple of the Jade Buddha and witnessing
prayers being offered there and
strolling in the Yu Garden which used to be a private garden, now open
to public with several oriental structures and ponds inside were beautiful
experiences that we will remember. Shanghai is one of the largest fake markets
for everything designer and expensive. We were constantly approached by agents
with their visiting cards. Buying a fake would mean going with an agent into
non-descript shops and go downs located in long winding alleys behind main streets
and haggling with them . There are also several markets – even indoor markets
with escalators and all, that sell fakes. We stopped by for lunch at the French
Concession, a residential area of Shanghai
once designated for the French, the French Concession is popular with tourists
and expats, and appreciated for its cafes, tree-lined avenues, and tudor
houses. Our priced buys from Shanghai – jade jewellery and ultra light pure
silk quilt, hopefully not fake. I do wonder sometimes.
Our
next destination was at the historic city of XIAN on a domestic flight. The main reason for going to Xian was to
see the fabled Terracota warriors. Our guide was waiting for us at the airport
to welcome us with our car. We didn’t waste any time and went to the Big Wild
Goose Pagoda Park to stroll around the park and admire at the beautiful
architecture. The next day was the much
awaited visit to see the terracotta warriors. The location of the excavated
site is outside the city. Besides admiring the terracotta figures and marvelling
at the efforts involved in the excavations, we realised that Xian used to be
the one of the capitals of Imperial China before it was shifted to Peking or
Beijing. We went on a photo clicking spree to get the right pictures. After
returning back to the city, we were also taken to the Grand Mosque which has
traditional Chinese architecture has an Arabic soul and follows Islamic system
of worship. We learnt of the cultural impact and intermingling of cultures
because of the silk route and Arab traders travelling to China and some of them
deciding to settle down there.
Our
last stop was BEIJING. A visit to
China is incomplete without Beijing. For a tourist the city has so much to
offer and is very historic. The Great Wall of China, Tiananmen Square, the
Imperial Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven which is an architectural marvel
– its magical stairway gives you a feel that it moves with you when you move
sideways, the Sacred Way and Ding Tomb that were eye openers to ancient Chinese
rulers and their ways, a short Hutong Tour to see the well preserved unique
houses, there was so much and we felt the time was so little. We went to the
Badaling portion of the Great Wall and climbed up and walked along the path on
the wall. The feeling to be walking on one of the Wonders of the World was
great. We also did quite a bit of shopping at various shopping centres and
markets including the famous Pearl Market, which sells everything in wholesale
and also pearls and started worrying about excess baggage charges that we may
have to pay to the airline. We even ventured on our own on the metro and took
local taxis to markets with directions from our guides and hotel staff.
Remember to carry your hotel visiting card with the name and address written in
local language if you are venturing out on your own so that you can just show
the card and make your way back to your hotel.
. The people were very warm and friendly and some of them were amused to
see us. There were youngsters who wanted to get pictures clicked with us. Unfortunately
because of my food preferences, I could not try the very popular Peking Duck
delicacy.
It
was a trip that we will truly cherish with very fond memories and a rich
variety of experiences
(D4T editor’s pick)