This is an introduction to my blog on a trip to China, a country which has been fascinating me for years. Please visit my travel blog for all other posts to various countries together with my historical, culinary, cultural and artistic details.

1. CHINA - A BOOK WITHOUT A LAST
PAGE, 2018
A secret passageway to my travel blog at:
http://mytravelblog.belginyucelen.com/

2. A place detached from reality, China has been fascinating me
for many years.
Only here I came across women sweeping blossoms that
cover the square as soon as they are removed, and men
hammering iron without seeing the light of day

3. During the ten days we spent in Xi’ān, Píngyáo, Dàtóng and
Beijing we were completely out of touch from the outside
world
One can live in a world of illusion like
many here in China

4. In the Shaanxi Province,
where it all started, our
“journey” began. In our
room across from Xi’ān’s
Ming era city walls
I meditated in the early
hours of our first day and
most days after.

5. Xi’ān is where the first dynasty of a unified
China had started in 221 BC by Qin Shi.

6. Fine bred stray dogs were resting in squares lined with trees
where calligraphers were selling their scrips on large rice
papers. Old men were playing chinese checker on sidewalks

7. We had
lunch at a
restaurant
famous for
pot sticker
fried
dumplings
by
the Muslim
Quarter,
home of the
Hui
community

8. At the Shaanxi Museum bronze pots with dainty dancing
figurines, ox headed agate cups and terracotta Chinese zodiac
sculptures were displayed

9. Chanting of the monks who were asking for blessings
were penetrating the gardens among the blossoming
trees and peonies

10. Terracotta Warriors do
not look serious like a
warrior should. Rather
they have subtle smiles
and expressions. Some
look like they are holding
on to what they want to
say all these years

11. They were built by the
first Emperor of China,
Qin Shi Huangdi who
believed that he would
continue to govern after
his death

12. Close by is the Tomb of Emperor Jingdi

13. Great Mosque founded in
the eight century is a
fascinating combination
of Islamic and Chinese
architecture and is one of
the most magnificent
monuments in China

14. The stone gardens between
the Ming and Qing dynasty
pavillions were fresh with
scents of spring
The rest of the trip is on my
travel blog:
http://mytravelblog.belginy
ucelen.com/