Sep 2008

Shandong Province is famous for cultural relics in China. Jinan and Qufu both are well known cities for their history and culture. There are 1 303 historical relics under protection. The most famous ones are Confucius' Temple, Mansion and Cemetery in Qufu and the Dai Temple in Tai'an. More than 4 000 historical sites have been excavated.

Valentines Day in China is held on the 07th August. Which explained why there were men running round with red roses everywhere.

I received my first valentines in China but also the last person to be me a valentines present would have been Jason and let's see that would have been maybe 12 years ago!

I receive a Text message that says - 'Hello! Do you have know me. I am VK. Today is Chinese lover's day. So good luck for you!' I had to rack my brain to who VK was. Finally it dawned on me that he was the Chinese boy from the hairdressers who helped me get a taxi after I had been kicked out of the shopping centre.

Whilst in Shanghai we took the opportunity to have a day trip in Tongli in Jiangsu Province.

Tongli is a canal town that is 18 km's from Suzhou. It has a weather beaten charm. It was quite an amazing place with ancient homes and cobblestone roads.

Tongli, a water township with delightful scenery is well known for it's low bridges, running water and small villages. It has been named "Venice in the East." Surrounded by water, Tongli town has more than 55 bridges.

We explored the old town the best way - on foot. It is so easy to get lost whilst wandering aimlessly alongside the canals and past a maze of bridges.

There are 3 old residences. The best is Gengle Tang. The estate has 52 halls and 5 courtyards.

The Pearl Pagoda has recently been restored. Inside there is a large residential compound, a hall, a garden and a stage. This was the place where the story Pearl Tower takes place.

Tuisi garden is Tongli's main attraction. The name means to retire and contemplate as it was the official retirement home for the Qing government official's. The surrounds have pavilions, rocks and a pond. In the centre is a 2 storied hall with tiled floors and terraces looking out over the canals. The 2nd level was for people like me - unmarried women. Lucky I wasn't around then as an unmarried woman had separate living quarters and were not allowed to mingle with guests from outside the family. How are they ever to meet anyone if they can't mingle?!?
The whole garden is simple but quietly elegant. Half of the area is covered with water and buildings are close to the water so it looks like the buildings are floating on the water.

Chongben Hall is not big but with a tight refined layout and particularly famous with the richly ornamented building. There are more than 100 wood carvings. The structure of the building is quite 'green.' The height of the buildings increase from the main hall to the houses which is good for ventilation and lighting. May even qualify for a green home loan!

Jiayin Hall's main structure imitates the style of the Ming Dynasty. The entire court is tall and spacious.

Gufeng garden is divided into 3 sections - hundred-bed, wood carving and curios. It shows separately all kinds of ancient beds in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. All kinds of wood carvings. Many different kinds of China ware, bronze ware, jade articles, emeralds, amber lacquer works and crystals.

1200 pieces of natural song ping slab stone paintings are displayed in Dendrite Wu Yuan hall. These were collected by a couple formerly engaged in new railway surveys and designing in the past 30 years.

Ming Qing Street is a shopping street. The 300 metre long street has been maintained with the original stone path.

The three bridges are the typical bridges of Tongli. They are located at the centre of town. The Tongli people will walk through the 3 bridges to pray for peace, happiness and auspicious when a baby is born, a couple is married, and on your 65th birthday.

Chen Qubing residence is located in Sanyuan Street. The total area is 2 1/4 acres. There are 42 rooms and the gate faces west.

Xiodian Lake Forest Park is located in the east of the town.

The Historical relic exhibition was the former residence of Wang Shaoao, the former Vice Minister of the ministry of Finance.

Getting to Tongli was quite an easy process. Firstly we caught a taxi to the Shanghai Stadium. The bus was supposed to leave at 9 am, but didn't leave until 10 am. The bus takes 1 3/4 hours. The ticket was Y120 which included admission to the town and all sights except the Chinese Sex Museum. Fortunately I had no inclination to go to the Sex Museum.

The bus dropped us off at Tongli Lake. We then had a boat trip across to the lake. This was free. Possible because there is nothing to see at the lake. We then took a shuttle to the city. The shuttle was Y5 each way.

We had a traditional lunch at Tongli although is was nothing to rave about.

Next to the entrance to the Yuyuan gardens is the Huxingting Tea house. It is the most famous tea house in China. You can sit and look at the people walking around the garden.

A cup of tea here is expensive. I had Oolong tea for Y105. At that price you need to hang around and enjoy the scenery.

Shanghai was to be the host city for the Olympic football matches. Upon learning this I tried to get tickets as Australia was playing Serbia. I was unable to get tickets, however at Starbuck's I found a magazine that told you what was on and where. I found a sports bar that was bound to play the football. So off to the Big Bamboo Bar to watch Australia play.

Waiting for the game to start and they bring out a flag that is not the Australian flag but the Kiwi flag. I go up to the TV to get a better look. I missed the game. This was the NZ V China game. Anyway we stayed to watch it before heading back to the hotel for a sleep.

We watched the Opening Ceremony at Malone's American Cafe. We did not understand anything so thought the whole thing was a bit boring. When it was explained to us by our families in the days following, we then had a better appreciation for the opening ceremony.

There was this french guy hanging around us, whom I really found quite annoying. Anyway he said, "Do you sleep around?" In a stern voice I asked him to repeat. This time he said "Do you sleep around here?" I'm not sure whether he was trying or for someone who had lived in China for 8 years his English was really bad.

Whilst we were waiting for the parade of countries, my American friend asked me what is the full name of Australia? I was astonished. Although I shouldn't have been as I have come to realize that American's I have met are very limited in their knowledge of the outside world. Is it ignorance or arrogance? I'm not sure. They certainly do not know much about the little place down under.