THE WONDERFUL WELCOME MAT OF SHAANXI PROVINCE
July 2008 to Present
To keep the Great Welcome Mat Of China clean I've created this page to seperate my time in the South and North of China.

From here you can walk beside me on my current pathway in Shaanxi Province.

After a year and a half teaching, travelling and eating noodles in the wild terrains of the east coast province of Fujian it is time to begin a new adventure and that adventure will take me to the middlish province that is considered one of the cradles of the Chinese civilisation where an unbelievable thirteen feudal dynasties made their capitals over a period of one thousand years.
 
The province's capital city Xi'an is one of the four great ancient capitals of China and is not only where one can find the Terracotta Warriors but it is also the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, which leads to Europe, Arabia and Africa. Once again I will find desert but happily that can be found in the north where the province borders with Inner Mongolia. I will be found riding amongst the Qinling mountains which run east to west in the south central part and happily there will be a subtropical climate.
 
Life will be as beautiful as always and weekends and holidays will once again hopefully find me with my pack on travelling to small rural towns with friends to relax with a beer and find China's greatest BBQ.

XIAN CITY - As both Luo Wei and I live near Xian we both meet there several weekends each month so I have decided to treat Xian City the same as Shangzhou city (as my local or home city). 

I HAVE ALSO WOVEN ALL PHOTO'S FOR EACH ENTRY TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE. SIMPLY SCROLL DOWN TO VIEW THEM!


Aselection of interesting enteries from Shaanxi
July 2008 - Present

September 2008 - Space Sharks and My New School and Apartment
Besides Shangzhou County the Shangluo area is made up of six other counties and one hundred and ninety six townships and villages. Shangzhou County is one of the less developed areas of China in terms of education.
October 2008 - The 2008 Great Aussie Vegemite Care Package
Seriously, where would be without our friends and family? Today I received a Care Package from both.
November 2008 - English Week Prep & JB's & No F n C's
What! No F & C's even after a few JB's!
Yep, the Youth Hostel I eat at in Xian now stocks Jim Beam and Cola stubbies
December 2008 - A Pre-Christmas G'Day & a Catchup Coffee
Life moves on and waits for no man! Live in a rice field or marry your sweet and have a few kutchie koo's!
A wise man once said, Do That Which Blows Your Hair Back Young Fella!
February 2009 - Black Saturday Friends Family & Southern Australia
No matter how hard I try I will never understand the human mind.
We have almost destroyed the very thing we need to survive.
February 2009 - How Much MORE Can A Koala Bear?
Extreme drought, ferocious bushfires and urban development are killing Australia's koalas!
And could push the species towards extinction within a decade!  Koala is an aboriginal word meaning "no water".
April 2009 - My Chopsticks Will Fly in a Furious Frenzy
My chopsticks will fly in a flurry of furious frenzy if I find out who stole my bike. You can steal a mans iPod, his computer and even his girl (only because 'to be stolen' actually means she wants to go) but never, EVER steal a mans Beers N Noodles and defiantly not his damn bike, especially when he's just started riding again and the weather is perfect riding weather.


Aselection of market place nights, festivals and celebrations from Shaanxi
July 2008 to present

September 2008 - Happy Chinese Teachers Day N Pagoda Hill Walk
There was only one bottle of beer and of course it was bloody warm!
In the other 'big party' room everyone was yahooing and having a great time.
September 2008 - Mid Autumn Festival N its Strange to Feel Strange
Do you often sit and look at the Shangzhou hills and wonder what is up there? Me either, I just thought I'd ask.
Actually I did today so I went on walkabout to find out and do you want to know what is up there?
October 2008 - Happy Birthday China N The Martyrs Cemetery
Soon Shane entered China, left China, went home for a spell and thought to himself, 'Hey Man, I think it's time to get me one of those Chairman Mao suites, I'm heading back to China for awhile.  In his wake schools have flourished and new breweys opened.
October 2008 - National Day..Green Parks, Temples N Good Friends
As they had only an afternoon left I put plan B into action!
That being what I normally do, allow a completely unplanned day come to life!
October 2008 - The Aussie Roo's 4th Birthday in Mysterious China
Do you ever sit and wonder where your time goes? So do I and I think we all do! Can't bring it back! Bugger!
December 2008 - Today Is Dumpling Day & Winter Solstice Festival
Today is the Winter Solstice Festival and you guessed it, its also about food. Happily for me the food consumed to celebrate it is Jiaozi, or dumplings which I gorge myself on regulary. I was told I HAD to eat Jiaozi today as they help stop your ears from freezing and falling off.
December 2008 - Happy Xmas Beers & Noodles 2008 Mate
I know it doesn't sound strange like maybe a box of lego. Or maybe even porn flick or two from your girlfriend's mother. But isn't it beneath a Christmas tree where your presents are supposed to go?
December 2008 - 2009 New Years Beers N Noodles To You All
I am sitting comfortably and warm before my computer and Luo Wei is out like a light.
Happily for me, this time she is sleeping soundly on my couch right behind me. What a lucky boy I am!
February 2009 - Its a Bird! Its a plane! Its the Lantern Festival!
Falling on the 15th day of the first month of the Lunar Year, the Lantern Festival takes place under a full moon, and marks the end of Chinese New Year festivities.  The entire city has gone mad!
March 2009 - The Months Wrapup and a Family Birthday Catchup
Birthdays, they say its good to get most of them out of the way in as little time as possible that way you have less chance of forgetting them and therefore you can stay in the good books with almost everyone.
June 2009 - Celebrating Change, Friendship & Childrens Day
Oh sweet Sheezus, just one more bowl full please! They are so good and I know you think you know how good they are but it is impossible because they are mine, mine, mine all mine but now they are finished and you will never ever know how good they were....tomorrow I will restock and begin again!


Aselection of bike rides and walks around town from Shaanxi
July 2008 to Present

July 2008 - A Warm Welcome N To The City Bell Tower
The Bell Tower or Zhong Lou:   Located northwest within the Muslim Quarter.
The Bell Tower is a stately traditional building that marks the geographical center of the ancient capital. From this important landmark extend East, South, West and North Streets, connecting the Tower to the East, South, West and North Gates of the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty.
July 2008 - Xian City Walk N Inside The Big Drum
The Drum Tower in Xian was initially built in 1380 during the reign of Emperor Hongwu of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and was renovated twice in 1699 and 1740 in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). It is a two-storied post and panel structure, 34 meters (about 112 feet) high and 52.6 meters (about 172 feet) long from east to west as well as 38 meters (about 124 feet) wide from north to south.
July 2008 - Islam Markets N Stoopid Tourist Faces
Just as its name implies, Moslem Street is the hub of the Moslem community in Xian City, Shaanxi Province. Located beside the Drum Tower, it is about 500 meters (about 547 yards) long from south to north. This street is paved with dark colored stone with green trees providing heavy shade during summer; the buildings on both sides of the street are modeled on the styles of both the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing Dynasties (1644-1911). Some of the constructions are restaurants; while others are stores.
July 2008 - The Muslim Quarter - The Great Mosque & Ancient Taoist Temples
Behind Drum Tower, built in a perfect mixture of Islamic and Chinese architecture styles with seating for 1,000 worshipers and the Muslim Street around it. The Great Mosque in Xian is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Islamic mosques in China and its location is northwest of the Drum Tower (Gu Lou) on Huajue Lane.
August 2008 - Walking The Ancient Xian City Walls
So, am I to begin calling Xian home? For some reason I always end up back here!
August 2008 - Around The Ancient Xian Walls In Eighty Ways 
Back to the walls again but unlike yesterday where I walked the nearing fourteen kilometers on top of the walls, today I decided to walk the nearing fourteen kilometers around the bottom of the walls but in the opposite direction. Mate I had a fantastic day and I got to see so much.
August 2008 - The Awesome Xian Music Fountain
Some of which look old enough to have seen the beginning of the Pagoda and the others are the young children gleefully dancing around beneath the fountains. Who of course have no 'comprehension and are oblivious to the confusing world of their China they are being raised in.
August 2008 - The Banpo Prehistoric Museum Adventure
'Xian Banpo Museum is the first prehistoric site museum built in 1958 since Liberation. The remains of cultural relics unearthed show the brilliant intelligence of Banpo people in the Neolithic age.
August 2008 - The Historical Residence Gao Yue Song
All tea tables are beautiful and seem to be a large cut from a rather large tree trunk.
But not all tea girls have such large.....um.....tea cups here in China!
September 2008 - The Temple of The Eight Immortals
The monastery is said to be built in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and was repaired and expanded many times in succeeding dynasties. The structures that can be seen today were mainly built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
August 2008 - The Xian City Arts Corner N Freddy Kruger Turtles
After viewing the paintings and calligraphy I decided to quite my art life. Mine are obviously of greater quality and I wouldn't dream of making anyone else feel bad.  The real reason was that they didn't stock crayons!
September 2008 - A Casual Walk Along the River Side of the City
For the first time since the dreaded colds of last winter I actually put my feet into shoes. I have worn out both heel of the sandals I purchased prior to my summer adventure and they are now giving me very sore feet.  I guess you could say I have two flat tyres!
October 2008 - The Dragon Back Mountains Dam & Temple Adventure
Well hidden gems! Don't you just love finding things that you weren't actually looking for!
Isn't it strange what you find after asking what there is too find and being told there is nothing to find!
November 2008 - The Temple on Breasts N Evil Hoe Hacking Boy
We could have little Evil Hoe Hacking Boy, who of course would have to look somewhat like Samuel L Jackson, (maybe we could call him Samuel L Wang - you know, little chinese boy with a beard and all) running around the corn field with his evil hoe in hand yelling out 'I'm sick of deese Mutha F*ckin Snakes on this Mutha F*ckin corn plain.
November 2008 - A World Of Strange Colours & How Cold Is It!
Snow really needs to take a page out of the oceans book!
At least the ocean has the decency to be in one area and stay there.  
February 2009 - The Adventure Ends with Stelaes & More Snacks
So what are the main thoughts gained from this winters adventures?
Food! Food! Food! Honestly it is all about food here in China.
March 2009 - Ancient Whispers From The Silk Road
Besides smelly camels, barely habitable and isolated lands and heat I think mainly of the beautiful colours of the spices and the fabrics that were once transported. Of course there was much more than these two things being transported but for me they are always the two things that come to mind.
March 2009 - Back In The Saddle Again & A Night At The Local
Bike riding huh! Who ever thought I could have lasted nine months without a bike ride?  
After killing two bikes and nearly riding myself in to the ground in Fujian Province I promised myself big long rest from the bike and to take it easy and walk for the year.
April 2009 - Hua Shan...Is It Really The Most Dangerous Trail?
After reading this blog and viewing the photos ask your self this;
Would you be game/stupid enough to walk the plank?
April 2009 - A Most Awesome Weekend With The Gadget Family
This year they chose Xian city for their 'extra city adventure'.
How excited were we when we figured out that their choice was actually only two hours from where I live.
April 2009 - Too Many Beers With Guangxi Brad & Englands MikeTV
Finally this weekend busy Brad could put work aside and then too many beers before him. Some of it is a little hazy especially going to the street bbq at around four or five on Saturday morning. We had an absolute ripper of a time and I can even remember most of it.  
May 2009 - Jing Quan Shan & Backyard Hanging Temples..Awesome
The Chinese from what I can gather, have been hacking into cliff sides, creating rooms, carving stone statues and then building and attaching wooden facades at the mouth of it all since the Tang Dynasty which is around one thousand five hundred years.  But they have been hacking into cliff sides without attaching wooden facades for much longer.
May 2009 - Angels, Gut Instinct & The Dragon Boat Festival
Seriously, what type of idiot would look at these montains and say, I will find a way to ride over you! Me!  Yes, I am that type of idiot. I will spent days, weeks or even months to find a way through!
June 2009 - The Colours as Spring Welcomes Summer
A selection of my favourite photos from over the past few weeks



Aselection of towns, cities and villages that I have visited July 2008 to Present
Each selection will take you to my one favourite day in each city.
All of them my sandals and I spent several days exploring.

XIAN CITY will not be included in this section. As Luo Wei lives near Xian we both meet several weekends each month so I have decided to included Xian City in all of my Shangzhou city or Local sections.

July 2008 - Shanxi Province - The Ancient Walls N Romantic Lanterns of Pingyao
What's unique here is this well-preserved ancient city with its grand, solemn city wall, its residences and shops, and even the government office all in the style of the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911). In 1997, when it was declared a World Cultural Heritage site for its Old City, Pingyao gradually opened up to the outside world and more and more people have come to have a look at this old city representing the prosperous past of Shanxi during the Ming and Qing eras.
July 2008 - Shanxi Province - Taiyuan Jinci Temple N Lazy Old Trees
Situated at the foot of Xuanweng Mountain and about twenty five kilometers southwest of Taiyuan city is the Jinci Temple. Construction on this little Buddhist beauty began around AD1023 and most of the ancient buildings are made from wood. Built at the start of the Jin River the temple is not only located in a beautiful part of Taiyuan but the temple itself really is an awesome place to spend an afternoon.
July 2008 - Shanxi Province - Too Many Temples N Begging Monks on Wutai Shan
The most holy land of Chinese Buddhism. Mt. Wutaishan lies in Wutai County in Xinzhou Region, Shanxi Province.  It is rated on both the list of the first group of national scenic spots designated by the State Council, and the list of the Top 10 scenic spots in Shanxi Province. It is as famous as Mt.Emeishan in Sichuan Province, Mt.Putuoshan in Zhejiang Province, and Mt.Jiuhuashan in Anhui Province, all of which are renowned as the four sacred Buddhist Mountains.
July 2008 - Shanxi Province - The Beautiful Adventure to Shahe N Beyond
The road wound its way through huge rocky mountains that sometimes gave way to huge grasslands to be then eaten away by another breathtaking peak. Small rivers cleaned the feet of the huge slopes and small villages could be spotted on some of the beautiful grasslands.
July 2008 - Shanxi Province - Datong The Crazy Craftsmen of the Yungang Grottoes
The Yungang Grottoes are ancient Buddhist temple grottoes near the city of Datong in the Chinese province of Shanxi. They are excellent examples of rock-cut architecture and one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites of China. The others are Longmen and Mogao.  The site is located about 16 km south-west of the city, in the valley of the Shi Li river at the base of the Wuzhou Shan mountains.
July 2008 - Inner Mongolia - The Xilamuren Grasslands Adventure
The tour was actually really great and we got to meet some awesome people from all walks of life here in China, all of whom fell for Luo Wei before we even arrived at the grasslands. The tour was for two days, one of which was spent at the grasslands where we got to spend the night in a Mongolian Yurt, ride horses, watch Mongolian horsemen do things with a horse that I never thought possible (without gumboots!) and pretty much relax and get to know new people.
July 2008 - Inner Mongolia - The Resonant Sand Gorge Adventure
The Resonant Sand Gorge carries this odd name, because it is said that the echo of the sand that moves in wind creates a Shhhh-sound that reverberates through the gorge. And because of the structure of the rocky left side of the gorge and the changes in the wind, that sound can become very melodious with tones similar to that of a pan flute. Just as all the other visitors there, I was very keen on hearing the song of the sand (as the signs poetically call it) and we all listened very carefully at various places in and around the gorge.
August 2008 - Ningxia Province - Ten Thousand Year Old Faces N Ancient Xia Tombs
Walking amongst the carvings was for me a real life experience. There are over two thousand or so pictographs of animals, hunting scenes and faces. Most of what you will see if you visit this site are faces. So many faces! They seem to be staring at you from thousands of rocks within the cliffs that surround you.
August 2008 - Ningxia Province - The Freaky Sikou Sandstone Gorges in Zhongwei
Situated around sixty kilometers from Zhongwei City is the new play ground for the Chinese tourists. It is an area opened only several years ago filled with a few temples and caves all located in sandstone gorges that were formed millions of years ago by both earthly upheavals and rushing water.  Now it has been broken into two parts; the east playground and the west playground.
August 2008 - Ningxia Province - Foreigners Must Pay at Xumi Shan Grottoes in Guyuan
They actually reminded me a lot of being in South Korea at such places as Sarakson National Park. Surrounding you are huge mountains of rock upon which greenery does its best to survive. The difference is that in the distance (here in Guyuan) there are desert sand hills as far as the eye can see.
August 2008 - Henan Province - The Qingming Garden & The Old Quarter of Kaifeng City
Located on the western bank of the enchanting Dragon Pavilion Lake, the (what is now known as) Millennium City Park covers an area of near four hundred thousand square meters and it is a large scale historic culture theme park. The park was built on the basis of the painting of Qingming Riverside Landscape which is a painting that has been handed down for generations.
August 2008 - Henan Province - The Sun Shines N Splendour on Ji Gong Shan
It really is an amazing place to walk around and it is so easy to get the feeling of what it would have been like to live here in its heyday. There are several churches, a small hospital and from what I can gather most things were obtainable. All roads, paths and grounds are covered by huge shady trees and vines cover many of the colonial stone buildings.
August 2008 - Xinyang Henan Province - Borrowed Time! How Much Time Is Good Time?
The very grains we are made to rely on to give us some sort of structure to our lives. Both our days and nights pass us by under the ungrateful and greedy eyes of time. Forever taking from us, yet never giving in return.
Our sands begin to flow from our very first breath.  When we give birth we give new life. Yet strangely at the same time are we not also taking the same life. For do we not also begin our pathway to death from the very same first breath that gives us life?
January 2009 - Guangdong Province & Delicious Cantonese Cuisine
To begin the 2009 Winter Beers N Noodles Adventure I put together this page (from www.wikipedia.org) for those who have Chinese friends and also love Chinese food. For those who don't, I'm sure you will find it rather interesting as well. You will be surprised at how much Guangdong Province (Guangzhou/Canton City) has actually immersed itself into and influenced the Western World without us even knowing. Chinese immigrants from Guangdong helped build many of the rail roads from which our societies flourished, dug and found wealth in several of the rushes and simply worked the jobs that nobody else wanted to do, even today.
January 2009 - The Nanfeng Ancient Kiln Fires & Foshan City
I've been here four years but I will never tire of watching the old family bike going past me.
Especially when its Grandma peddling and Grandpa kicking back in the back with grandchild.
February 2009 - Kaifeng Ancient & The New. Life,Walls Food & Parks
For those of you who don't know, Kaifeng city is one of my most favourite cities here in China and besides the Jinghong city (Xishuangbanna) night food market, Kaifengs night market would be at the top of my list.
April 2009 - Mount Huashan With The Fisher Family
After reading this blog and viewing the photos ask your self this;
Would you be game/stupid enough to walk the plank?


in Zhongwei