The Adventures of Tai'an

Tai'an is a smaller city with a a population 787,375. It is the gateway town to the mountain of Tai'shan looming above. Tai'an is much wealthier and more with it than Qufu in the South.

The most appealing part of town lies in the vicinity of the Dai Temple, Hongmen Lu, and the east-west running Dongyue Dajie and Shengping Jie. This area also contains a range of hotels, internet cafes and restaurants. The train and long distance bus stations are in the less attractive west part of town.

There are many buildings - old housing and new housing. Old factories and new factories.

It is always very busy with cars, trucks, bicycles, scooters, bung bungs and pedestrians all mixed otgether. There must be road rules, but I don't know if anyone knows them or uses them. When crossing the road you must always have your wits about you as it is not uncommon to find a car driving on the wrong side of the road.

When I cross the road I walk out into oncoming traffic stopping in the middle for a break in the other direction before proceeding across the full road. It's wise not to make any sudden movements. It is quite daunting. Somedays I just seem to take forever to cross a road, other days I'm like a local.

Owning a motor vehicle is only for the wealthy. Most people get about by bikes, scooters, bus or the trusty legs we were given to walk with. I prefer to walk that way I can stop and see what I like.