Archive for 'Culture'
Move Over Tsingtao – Craft Beer in China Posted by sasha on Apr 8, 2015
While much of the content on this blog focuses on the traditional aspects of Chinese culture – the festivals, cuisine, wedding customs – it’s also important to shed some light on the modern side and the absorption of more recent foreign influences and their affect on popular culture. Over my five years living, learning, teaching, and…
Li River Cruise and Motorbike Trip in Yangshuo Posted by sasha on Mar 26, 2015
The best part about visiting Yangshuo is getting out of town and taking in the area’s stunning landscapes – the karst mountain peaks and majestic Li River. Spend the morning cruising up the river in a bamboo raft to see the scenery so famous it’s on the back of the 20 RMB note. Then rent a…
10 Tips for First Time China Visitors Posted by sasha on Mar 23, 2015
After living in China for five years, I’ve had plenty of experience giving advice to people traveling here for the first time. Thanks to my involvement in the Couchsurfing community, I’ve had tons of guests over the years who have picked my brain about visiting the Middle Kingdom. There are also at least a few times…
Stunning Scenery and Wild Nightlife in Yangshuo Posted by sasha on Mar 19, 2015
Join us on a video tour of one of the most scenic spots in China – Yangshuo, a town in the autonomous region of Guangxi. Famous for its karst mountains and the Li River, Yangshuo is a great place to visit. Cycle or get a motorbike to explore the stunning countryside, catch an impressive cultural…
10 Reasons Why Yangshuo is Still Awesome Posted by sasha on Mar 15, 2015
Back in the 1980s, long-haired backpackers looking for rocks to climb on discovered the karst peaks of a small town called Yangshuo (阳朔 – yáng shuò) in the Zhuang autonomous region of Guangxi (广西壮族自治区 – guǎng xī zhuàng zú zì zhì qū). With no real tourism infrastructure in place, locals began housing the strange foreign…
A Very Chinese Chinese New Year Posted by sasha on Feb 25, 2015
After a 6-year hiatus from celebrating the Spring Festival in China, I decided to keep it local this year and take a short trip through southeast Yunnan’s Honghe Prefecture in favor of a beach vacation. Check out some highlights from our trip through this stunning part of China, home to many Hani and Yi people…
A Beginner’s Guide to the Spring Festival Posted by sasha on Feb 18, 2015
Chinese New Year is almost here, which means we’re about to say goodbye to the Year of the Horse and welcome in the Year of the Goat. This year, China will celebrate its New Year’s Eve on February 18th with the annual CCTV Gala, and plenty of fireworks will usher in the New Year that begins…