ririsu

I mean, what place in China is NOT worth visiting, even when it really isn’t worth it? With that said, I didn’t much LOVE this place. I’m thinking, if you’re looking for the wild bamboo forests you’ve seen in the movies, this place isn’t going to satisfy you. We hiked this area along with 500 other people looking for some peace and quiet and then another 300 looking for a good photo op and nothing more. If I had to it to do all over, I’d do some research and find a little more secluded spot.

Originally, when I first came to Shanghai, I wanted to visit Suzhou. Then, I read more about Hangzhou and went with three classmates. We went for a weekend and it was perfection. I can’t remember for sure, but I think it is a little further from SH than Suzhou, but the whole experience was beautiful. We stayed in a hostel on West Lake, spent a day exploring the lake and a night in the street markets and then went to Moganshan the next day. I’m sure more time could be spent here, but for me, it was wonderful to make a short, exciting trip in the midst of my Chinese studies. I can’t say it was better than Suzhou because I never went, but in talks with friends, I’d say Hangzhou is the place to go if you have to choose between the two.

If you go to China and can make it to Xi’an, you really should try. It is important, I think, to see the Terracotta warriors, though the experience might be something unexpected (both good and bad…), but I have to admit, the rest of Xi’an was a little disappointing for me. Being a city very geared towards tourists, it carries with that title, all of the negative parts of being a city for people who don’t live there: people wanting to take your money as fast as they can. Sometimes they’ll try to steal from you, but, more often, you’ll find that no one treats you fairly…moreso than in any other place I’ve visited in China thus far.

My tip: get OUT of the city and visit the absolutely fascinating Hua Shan (Hua Mountain). It will challenge you, amaze you, humble you, and take your breath away. Do it, do it, DO IT!