Most people who know me know that I do some work with Guangdong media, it's promotional stuff and it's also symbiotic, in that helps them get exposure and helps me to learn more about how life works in China - for example, I've made 6 episodes of short videos about the work of the Provincial People's Congress with Guangdong Radio and Television, I learnt more from that in depth look at how China's governance works on a local level than I could possibly have done by riding my bike around the country.
In 1986 I wanted to go to TIbet and was not interested in China. My route was to go overland from Canton by any means used by the ordinary people. Then I realised I was scared to death not knowing a word of Chinese - how could I cope? I enrolled in a Mandarun course for 2 months in Taipai and how that made a wonderful trip for me thru China. I loved all that I encounterd, the people, the food, the land and even the difficulties. I even managed a Chinese price ticket on the railways! Going back now? I'm not sure I would enjoy all the moderniires - I'm happy with my memories of a less developed time.
Sounds like a great trip Otto, I also enjoy some of the "older" facilities, I recentyl ttravelled from Hohhot in Inner Mongolia to QuFu in Shandong by slow, sleeper train, a 10 hour trip to Beijing, a three hour wait and then 11 hours to Shandong, it was great, we always meet and chat with others, on the fast train we don't, it's more like a plane where everyone gets on, sits down and drops into a "cone of silence"
I took a short trip over to Canton from Hong Kong in 1984. Went to a museum. The power was out so they had to use flashlights. (I'm not kidding) Would love to visit today but at 75 don't do much traveling. Your posts are my consolation. Keep up the great work!
Wow, Richard, what a buzz that must have been - my father once took a ship into Hong Kong and went for a look at the border, it was a tourist thing to do during the Cultural REvolution, the only thing he could see was farmland and a few villages dotted around - that was about 1960s, he's been back since and visited Shenzhen, the same place!
I will keep it up, and thank you for your encouragement
I am always surprised by the larger number of people (than what I anticipated) who are critical of China, non-Christian faiths, etc. What was not surprising was that those same people have never been to China, explored non-Christian faiths (to better understand the religions), etc. Instead, today, those people get all their information from the media from the comfort of their couch. Research, exploration and exercising the curious mind continued to be the domain of the few (i.e., small segment of the population). For humanity, not much has changed through the centuries.
Very true Allan, I've been in a discussion recently about freedom of religion in China with a Kiwi friend, it's amazing what people believe without ever knowing the truth
Another well written article for people with an open and rational mind. Thanks Jerry.
Hey bro Zhengzhou is capital of Henan province. I know because I live in Anyang city, Henan province.
YEs, I know this, I cycled through there just a few weeks ago on the way to Inner Mongolia
In 1986 I wanted to go to TIbet and was not interested in China. My route was to go overland from Canton by any means used by the ordinary people. Then I realised I was scared to death not knowing a word of Chinese - how could I cope? I enrolled in a Mandarun course for 2 months in Taipai and how that made a wonderful trip for me thru China. I loved all that I encounterd, the people, the food, the land and even the difficulties. I even managed a Chinese price ticket on the railways! Going back now? I'm not sure I would enjoy all the moderniires - I'm happy with my memories of a less developed time.
Sorry for all the typos. Just to add I was there including Tibet for 4 months.
Sounds like a great trip Otto, I also enjoy some of the "older" facilities, I recentyl ttravelled from Hohhot in Inner Mongolia to QuFu in Shandong by slow, sleeper train, a 10 hour trip to Beijing, a three hour wait and then 11 hours to Shandong, it was great, we always meet and chat with others, on the fast train we don't, it's more like a plane where everyone gets on, sits down and drops into a "cone of silence"
I took a short trip over to Canton from Hong Kong in 1984. Went to a museum. The power was out so they had to use flashlights. (I'm not kidding) Would love to visit today but at 75 don't do much traveling. Your posts are my consolation. Keep up the great work!
Wow, Richard, what a buzz that must have been - my father once took a ship into Hong Kong and went for a look at the border, it was a tourist thing to do during the Cultural REvolution, the only thing he could see was farmland and a few villages dotted around - that was about 1960s, he's been back since and visited Shenzhen, the same place!
I will keep it up, and thank you for your encouragement
Great finally i see someone else writing about China like me
There are a few of us, but it's good to be connected
I am always surprised by the larger number of people (than what I anticipated) who are critical of China, non-Christian faiths, etc. What was not surprising was that those same people have never been to China, explored non-Christian faiths (to better understand the religions), etc. Instead, today, those people get all their information from the media from the comfort of their couch. Research, exploration and exercising the curious mind continued to be the domain of the few (i.e., small segment of the population). For humanity, not much has changed through the centuries.
Very true Allan, I've been in a discussion recently about freedom of religion in China with a Kiwi friend, it's amazing what people believe without ever knowing the truth
I think its because there is no other way to access information about China except the few talking points with an agenda
Like you Lile, I find the best way to access information on China is by travelling through it
Thanks for the revelation and sharing the truth about China to the World! ❤️👍🙏💯