The Real Star: Red Leaves Everywhere Let’s be honest—people come to Fragrant Hills in autumn for one reason: the leaves. And they’re worth every bit of the hype. From the moment we entered the park, bursts of red, gold, and orange surrounded us. The smoke trees (乌桕树)and maples (枫树) were blazing with color. This is one of those iconic Beijing things to do during fall. Elaine was completely absorbed in photographing the...
We thought we were just going for dinner. But sometimes, a night walk through the backstreets of Xi’an reveals more than what’s on the plate. The glow of neon, the smoke of grilled meat, the loud chatter of local voices — it’s easy to get distracted by the sensory overload. Yet for me, what stood out most that night wasn’t the food or the scenery. It was Elaine. And how she quietly,...
📍 Xi’an Old Quarter, China🗓 May 2, 2025 – Labour Day Golden Week We thought we were smart. The plan was perfect: get out of Xi’an early on May 1st—just before China’s infamous Labour Day crowd tsunamikicked in. Catch the 8:00 AM high-speed train to a quieter city, Yuncheng (运城市, Yùnchéng) in Shanxi province, where a peaceful homestay awaited us. No chaos. No crowds. Just a slow two-day escape. But travel, like life, doesn’t always go to...
🌎 Where East Truly Met West Long before the Renaissance lit up Europe, the Tang Dynasty’s capital, Chang’an (today’s Xi’an), stood as a glowing beacon of civilization, multiculturalism, and trade. At its peak, Chang’an was the eastern terminus of the Silk Road, welcoming foreigners, ideas, religions, and goods from Persia, Arabia, India, and beyond. To truly understand how this ancient city flourished, a visit to the Xi’an Museum (Xi’an Bowuyuan 西安博物院) is essential. Unlike the larger...
A Beautiful Day in Xi’an’s Historical Heart It was one of those picture-perfect afternoons in Xi’an (西安, Xī’ān) — crisp blue skies, just enough warmth from the sun, and that unmistakable hum of life you only get in ancient cities where the past and present walk side by side. Elaine and I decided to spend this beautiful day at the iconic Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (大雁塔, Dàyàn Tǎ), and what a...
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