http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher Teaching Adventures in China. Thu, 27 Aug 2009 05:20:27 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en XIAHE One of my key reasons for visiting Western China was to see Labrang Monastery in Xiahe (Gansu Province).  People say that being here is the closest you can get to feeling like you’re in Tibet, without actually being there!  Labrang Monastery is one of the six major Tibetan monasteries of ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/labrang-monastery-xiahe-in-gansu-province.html ZOIGE/RUOERGAI I didn’t like Zoige/Ruoergai very much because quite frankly, the rough-looking Tibetan nomads looked pretty scary to me.  Most wear traditional ‘chorpas’ (long-sleeved Tibetan coats) and many cover their faces as if they’re afraid of being recognized.  The official reason for this, I was told, is that face covers are ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/western-sichuan-zoigeruoergai-and-langmusi.html I am going to borrow the following quote from Lonely Planet-China’s Northwest:   To the north and west of Chengdu is where green tea becomes butter tea, Confucianism yields to Buddhism and gumdrop hills leap into jagged snow-capped peaks.  Much of the area in Western Sichuan kisses the sky at between 4000m ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/western-sichuan-tibetan-villages-kangding-danba.html I love Chengdu, having visited several years ago.  So it was my pleasure to show Kathleen around.  Although my favourite downtown hostel, Holly’s Hostel, wasn’t available the first nite, I made sure to arrive early the next day to secure us a room for the remainder of our stay.   I ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/chengdu-sichuan-province.html Back in Kashgar again, we took the opportunity the next day to visit Abakh Hoja Tomb (along with Juin and Kathleen). At first glance it seems to resemble a miniature Taj Mahal. It is also called the “Fragrant Concubine’s Tomb”. Located on the outskirts of Kashgar, it was wonderful to ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/kashgar-part-ii-xinjiang-province.html The next day was our big overnight adventure to KARAKULI LAKE, a highland lake at 3600 metres, sitting below the majestic Pamir mountains between Kashgar and the border town of Tashkurgan (the border town between China and Pakistan). This place was definitely one of the major highlights during our 30-day trip.  ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/karakuli-lake-near-kashgar.html Our plane from Urumqi to Kashgar was filled to barely 1/3 capacity, so Kathleen grabbed the opportunity to wander around, taking photos of the spectacular scenery through the windows along both sides of the airplane. We had clear visibility throughout most of the flight which was absolutely fantastic! After arriving in ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/kashgar-part-i-xinjiang-province.html I just came back from an amazing yet emotionally grueling trip to Xinjiang and Sichuan Provinces in China.  My friend Kathleen and I returned earlier than planned (30 days vs 40 days) because of itinerary changes and because, basically we're really tired, both physically and emotionally.  It was quite a trip, ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/xinjiang-and-sichuan-provinces-china.html I “LOST IT” in a sports shop earlier today.  That’s right, it’s not all fun and games when you live in a foreign country.  You try not to let the little things get to you, but sometimes….! I was waiting in line to buy something, noting how many of the local ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/i-lost-it-today.html I just got back from a wonderful holiday to Yangshuo, a picturesque ‘backpacker haven’.  It is located a 2-hour flight west of Shanghai in Guanxi Province, 1 hr. from Guilin City.  This was my third trip to Yangshuo, so obviously I really like the place.  I first fell in love ... http://blogs.bootsnall.com/chinateacher/yangshuo-for-new-years.html