Pingyao, China: What’s my name? When’s my birthday?
Old Town Pingyao The old part of Pingyao, within the walls, is a very well-preserved ancient city. The population is nearly half a million but to Chinese standards it’s tiny . . . the smallest city we’ve visited here so far. Old Town is filled with streets and alleys to explore. Just strolling is activity […]
Xi’an
The city walls still stand around the heart of this city that was once the end of the Silk Road. It makes navigation that much easier: if you go too far in any direction you’ll eventually run into a wall. The city proper now extends far beyond, with new developments, housing and tourist centers popping […]
Rest for Royalty and a Place to Pray
Located northwest of the center of town, the Summer Palace was a retreat for royalty trying to get away from Beijing’s stifling summer heat. It began as imperial gardens, and was developed and expanded by Emporer Qianlong in the 18th century. Later, it was damaged in several wars, rebuilt, renovated and made into the huge […]
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is less than a couple of hours from Busan, but its atmosphere feels much further removed. There is more of a small-town feel, not rural, but a laid-back sort of vibe. We had taken the slow train, and it wasn’t a long walk to the Nahbi Guest House. This hostel is very well-run, clean […]
Takayama
Leaving the city of Kyoto and heading north into the Japanese Alps for the city of Takayama was a much needed break from the fast pace of city life. Takayama has a population of just under one hundred thousand, but it feels like much less. It was cool, less humid and just what the doctor […]
Kyoto Yes, Kyoto Noh
An early start helped us beat the crowds to a special spot called Fushimi Inari. The shrines were originally dedicated to the gods of rice and sake, and later expanded to include prosperity in business. Along with a number of pretty shrines and countless statues of foxes (messenger of Inari), the area provides a peaceful […]
New Friends, Ancient Roads
We had the pleasure of our first couchsurfing experience with the Higashi family in Sakurai, about an hour south of Nara. For those not familiar with couchsurfing, it’s a program where people open their homes to travelers who not only benefit from a free place to stay, also get to know local hosts (and vice […]
Hiroshima and Miyajima
Hiroshima City Hiroshima was built on a delta, so rivers and canals crisscross the city at various points. Our hotel, Reino Inn, was at the western end of one of the main roads, in a convenient spot. It seemed to be a cross between a hotel and a hostel, with the good parts of each! […]
Nagasaki: The Bell Rings at 11:02
Nagasaki Peace Memorial A morning train ride brought us up to the north part of Nagasaki. We first entered the Peace Memorial Hall for Atomic Bomb Victims, which has a circular, outdoor walk to clear your mind before entering. We both knew today was going to be heavy but there is no real understanding until […]
Kamakura
Kamakura was the capital of Japan from 1185 to 1333. It was a time of great battles and feuds, but eventually a leader called Yoritomo set up his base at Kamakura, near those loyal to the Minamoto clan. The base remained a center of power for this shogun and his heirs until it was weakened […]