Recounting Part 4

Day 5


Woke up the next morning and went out to watch the sun rise.  Again we were disappointed.  At breakfast there was a coup.  According to plan we were to descend the mountain by using the West trail and exit from the the West Gate.  This way we get to see almost all the famous sights in Huangshan.  Unfortunately the majority of the members said they had enough of hiking especially after yesterday epic endeavor.  This time there was very little resistance from the minority.  After checking out from the hotel we headed for the Bai Er Ling (White Goose Mountain) cable car station.  Since we have now some extra time we dawdled along the way with lots of photo taking.

Packing up.  Time to go down the mountain.  Although the cabin is small but it is totally adequate.  Actually it is better than the rooms in the main building.

Everyone was in high spirit because we do not need to walk down the mountain.  So we had extra time for posing for pictures.  There were so many gorgeous autumn colors in Huangshan.  L-R :  Me, Edward and Mok.

The ride down was very exhilarating.  We got a little bubble car of our own so everyone had fantastic view as we sailed over rocks and tree tops.  But the ride was a tad too fast and before you know it we have reached the base station.

How clever no argument about who needs to pay fare.

Over hills and over dales.  In this case it is more like over mountains and over valleys.  Very exhilarating ride.

At the base station there is a hall with free internet.  How cool is that!

On the way back the van driver suggested we visit a tea house.  Anyway someone in the party wanted to check out Huangshan famous Mao Feng tea.

The Mao Feng tea leaves are huge.  The tea being brewed to entice us to purchase. 

It was good to get back to our hotel and Tunxi / Huangshang city.  After getting our rooms and stowing our back, we went out exploring the city.  First thing first - lunch!

Our lunch being prepared.

Checking out the local market.

Local 'sow peng' - pan fried biscuits.

We found a small park filled with elders.

A street filled with every kind of  shops.

Sean being serviced by a woman.

Our favorite place to hang out.  Delicious spicy kebab and cold beer. 

Karen favorite night time activity.  An art auction.  She spent all her money here buying Chinese paintings.

Recounting

I was talking to someone I met about his recent trip to India.  He said he has written it all down in his blog.  I had a quick look at it.  It was both fascinating and informative.  Totally inspired by him.  Now planning my own trip to India, following his path.

Also set me thinking that maybe there are others out there that may find my travel experiences useful too.  So here is something from the past and I hope it maybe of help to you.  Our trip to Huangshan and Hangzhou.


24th October - 2nd Nov 2009.

Day 1

Flew from KL to Hangzhou.  Arrived at about 11.00 PM.  First time there and do not know what to expect.   A little problem at the custom.   One officer went through Karen's luggage with a fine comb.   I wonder what kind of profile she fitted into.

Took the bus from airport to the city center.  Got off at the last stop and went looking for our hotel.  Surprise, the check in staff said I never booked despite me showing her the confirmation print out.  I threaten that our party of 7 will bed down in the lobby.   Well it was late,  and we were cold and hungry!  The bad news was there was some major fire work show in the city earlier and the whole city was chock a bloc with visitors.  People were walking off the street asking for rooms even as we we were trying to trash out our problem.  One kind receptionist took it upon herself to go check with nearby hotels for vacancy.  Eventually she found one with two rooms.  Hurray.  We had to pay more but we were only too glad to get out of the cold and uncertainty.  And we had to sneak up to the rooms because there were so many of us.  We had cold beer and kebab for dinner at almost 2 AM!  What an adventure and start to our trip!

Day 2

Out of habit, I got up early.  Look out the window and had a good view of the city.  So this is Hangzhou the capital of Zhejiang Province.  Hardly anyone on the street yet.

This is what I saw from the hotel window.  The streets are wide and orderly.  Not many people on it because it is 7 am on a Sunday morning.

After last night hiccup, Chung and I decided not to leave things too much to chances.  So we went  to the bus station to get tickets.  Then it was back to the hotel to meet up with the rest.  Since we had some time before our departure to Tunxi (jump off point to Huangshan) we went exploring and also for breakfast!  We made it back in good time and met up with the rest of the party; Kian Meng, Stephen and Edward.  They arrived a few days before us.  Then it was off to the Hangzhou West Bus Station for our second leg of the journey.

My partners in crime.  Waiting for the bus to Tunxi.  As yo can see the station is clean and modern.  L-R : Edward Chin, Mok, Chung, Andrew Lim, Weng, Kian Meng, Karen Chu, Stephen Chung and Sean Chen.

 The journey took about 3 hours and ticket cost RMB 85/pax (about RM40).

There is no mistake we are going up to the highlands.  Along the way we saw neat villages tucked at the foothill of mountains.

We got into Tunxi right on time.

A rather strange sign greeted us at the Tunxi Bus Station.

 

The Huangshan City/Tunxi  Bus Station looked spanking new.  From here we took another bus to the Loujie (ancient street).

We stayed a night at the Ancient Street Youth Hostel right on the very atmospheric Loujie (ancient street).  There is a lot of shops and restaurant along this street.  In the early part of the evening this street is filled with tourists and locals.  There are many shops here and they sell all sorts of things from trinkets to traditional food and medicines!  There are also many restaurants here that served the local cuisine.  We dined at the rather quirky one that is directly across our hostel.

The arch that says 'Laujie' (old street).  The hostel is on the left, with the lights switched on.  This photograph was taken at 6 am.  There was hardly anyone on the street.  It was bitterly cold.  We were waiting for transport to Tangkou and then to Huangshan.

A rather colourful front of a very old shop along the ancient street.  I woke up early to have a photography session before the journey to Huangshan.

I used hostelworld.com to book for the rooms.   Here is the address of the youth hostel :

Huangshan Old Street Hostel

No.266 Ancient Street, Tunxi District, Huangshan, Anhui Province, China 245000

We had 3 beds in the room.  The room and washroom were very clean and comfortable.  Highly recommended.

Checking out the wash room.  Pretty wash basin.  All clean and dry.  Shower had plenty of hot water.

Next Day - the journey to Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), supposedly the most beautiful mountain in China!