Yading: A Journey to Inner Peace
Tonight, my mind wandered to thoughts of Shangri-La—the mythical place made famous by James Hilton’s 1933 novel, Lost Horizon. Where could it be? Was Yading the real Shangri-La?
How to Hike the Great Wall from Gubeikou to Jinshanling
Embarking on a journey from the Gubeikou Great Wall to the Jinshanling Great Wall is more than just a hike; it's a voyage through history, nature, and human endurance.
Beijing to Datong High-Speed Train Day Trip: A DIY Guide
A day trip from Beijing to Datong? Yes, it’s possible—and it’s easy. Just hop on a high-speed train and in just under two hours, you’ll find yourself in one of China’s most historic cities.
Grandma’s Hanging Basket: A Memoir of Resilience and Love
My grandma died of stomach cancer at the age 76. Her doctor said my grandma had damaged her stomach by eating a kind of dirt known as the Goddess mud to fight the hunger when she was a kid.
My Father, the Happy Military Veteran of Gan Xiu Suo
Gan Xiu Suo (干休所 ), literally meaning "PLA retirement homes", have been supported by provincial Military Districts since the end of 2017. These are the units catering for high-ranking retired officers. All this is directed by the Ministry of Veterans Affairs (MVA) .
My Wife’s Fractured Right Ankle
A few days ago, my cellphone rang. It was my wife calling from Lijiang, a poetic old town in Yunnan Province in the landlocked southwest China. She was on her solo trip there. She told me that she had her right ankle broken and she got the disappointing result after X-rayed in a local hospital.
Beijing is My Second Hometown – Calm and Down to Earth
Two days ago, I made a solo long-distance drive from my hometown Hangzhou all the way up north to Beijing which I call my second hometown where I once lived consecutively for 20 years. And now I still stay on and off in Beijing with strong nostalgic feeling for this great city.
Trade and Internet Promote the Similarity Between China and the West
In the past 10 years I've been living on and off mainly between my home country China and Canada. Now each time when I return to Hangzhou - my hometown in China, I don't feel much difference or any inconvenience materially as I did 10 years ago. The reason is very simple: The West is "in" China now.