So remember when I said traveling in this region was tough? Well, I had the most difficulty in Dunhuang, China. Going to the desert was easy, my hostel was right next door and I just walked. But the other exciting part of town is the Magao Grotto. It is one
The Sunburn Chronicles: Back in the Gobi Desert
Years ago, I took a trip to Inner Mongolia. We went to the grasslands and also took a long car ride to a spot of the Gobi Desert in the northeast section, where you could sled down a dune and ride camels. Well, I ended up back in the Gobi,
The Breathtaking Danxia Rainbow Rocks of Zhangye
I’m human, and even though I get annoyed at “listicles” I can’t help but click on any list called “25 Truly Amazing Places You Must Visit Before you Die,” or “27 Surreal Places to Visit Before you Die!” On almost all those lists is the Danxia Rainbow Rocks of Zhangye.
Spelunking in Mati Temple
I’ve seen a lot of amazing temples in my time in China. One of the most amazing was the Hanging Monastery in Datong, China. It’s built on the side of a sheer cliff face, and is holding up thanks to a few beams and walkways. But the Hanging Monastery has
Back from Xinjiang and Gansu!
I’m back! And what a month I’ve had. I know I always say that each holiday is “the BEST ever!!” but this time I mean it. I walked in deserts, I climbed lush mountains that reminded me of the Swiss Alps, I saw snow covered peaks while I was sweltering
Summer Reads About China
It’s summer, the season of reading, and I thought I’d recommend a few books you can bring with you on your travels. Now these book recommendations are for newbies about China. If you are a China enthusist you have probably read all of these long ago, but if you haven’t,
Typhoon Season in Southern China
Living in southern China sure does bring some exciting weather. Spring is the rainy season, but it’s not normal rain, it’s tropical rain storms which come out of nowhere, throws down fire and brimstone for 20 minutes and then blows away. It’s so quick and sporadic my friends and I all
Ultimate Frisbee in China
From time to time you’ve seen me talk about Ultimate Frisbee on my blog. I talked about playing Frisbee in my fit life, and I went on about how Frisbee is gonna kill us alllllllll. Despite not actually playing a game (I’m too scared after it took not four weeks
Summer Break Can’t Come Soon Enough!
So remember when I said I hate Xiamen? I hate it even more now. It’s SOOOOOOOOOO friggin hot. I walk around wearing a sweat band, and I don’t do it in an ironic Wes Anderson-type way. I wear it because my face sweats so much that if I try to
The Red Dress Hash House Harrier Walk! (Say that 5 times fast.)
I’ve written about the Hash House Harriers and I’ve been doing the walk with some regularity (maybe once a month, though they now have walked 2-3 times per month). But this weekend was a special walk, it was the “Red Dress Hash.” The Red Dress run is a Hash House