11.2. Leaving Helsinki
12.2. Arriving in Beijing
Staying in Beijing Zhaolong International Hostel(北京兆龙国际青年旅舍)
Address: 2 Gongtibei Lu Chaoyang District, Beijing
Phone: 86-10-65972299
13.2. Arriving in Chengdu
http://wikitravel.org/en/Chengdu
Staying in Backpackers' Accommodation, Guesthouse & Youth Hostel, Address:No.23 Xing Hui Xi Lu, Ren Jia Wan, Wan Fu Bridge, Chengdu, Sichuan, P.R.China. E-mail:mixhostel@hotmail.com.
Things to see/do in Chengdu
Panda Research Base - This is the biggest facility of this kind in the world. Due to habitat destruction and other reasons, the
Giant Panda is maybe the most famous endangered animal. The Research Base is home to some 60 giant Pandas, but also has some
Red Pandas and a colony of black-necked cranes. The Research Center affords views of the pandas from much closer than is possible at many Western zoos.
Mount Emei - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Emei
Mt. Emei stands at 3099 meters (10,167 feet). Ever since Buddhism arrived in China, it has been an important center of refuge, and the mountain contains more than one hundred temples and monasteries. The mountain is a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Hiking is the main attraction but things to see (and stay the nights):
- Wan-nian Monastery - a large monastery with a fantastic statue of Puxian Bodhisattva, who is depicted as riding a white elephant with six tusks. The monks there are great, and they add a good deal to the ambience of the mountain.
- Leiyin Monastery - this temple, and some of the others temples tucked away in the seams of the mountain, are worthy of exploring.
- Baoguo Si Temple - Contains a massive bronze bell, said to be heard from 10 miles away when rung
- Jin Ding Si Temple - Near the summit, there is a terrace with a fine view
The Giant Buddha in Leshan is probably the most popular nearby destination. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leshan_Giant_Buddha
17.2. Train to Xi'an
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xi%27an
Here is the famous Terracotta Army http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terracotta_Army
I am hoping to go hiking at Mount Hua Shan
Mount Hua http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Hua
20.2. PingYao
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pingyao
21.2 Train to Beijing
23.2. Leaving Beijing and Arriving in Helsinki
