Dalian has many fascinating sights, but we had already visited them all in 2019. We had been to Xinghai Square, Labor Park, Little Venice, Bird Singing Wood, and Zhongshan Square. While these experiences were all enjoyable, none really warranted a second visit. Therefore, we chose to concentrate on markets and food halls during our brief return to Dalian, and it turned out we had overlooked several remarkable spots the first time. ChatGPT proved to be an excellent travel resource in Dalian, especially given the limited English-language information available online about the city. Mei Ling was able to verify our AI-generated suggestions with Chinese websites, which aided us in creating our list of markets.
Oh my goodness!
In anticipation of World Vegetarian Day on October 1, we are exploring several vegetarian-friendly locations in Beijing.
The Beijing Municipal Transportation Commission has revealed adjustments to subway schedules for the upcoming holiday.
In anticipation of World Vegetarian Day on October 1, let's explore some vegetarian-friendly restaurants in the capital.
Roads and driving behaviors are a fascinating aspect of this journey. I tend to think that driving styles are indicative of culture, although I can't quite define why. One factor is simply the quality of the roads and streets. As we move away from urban areas, the road conditions deteriorate. Generally, the roads are two-lane with little to no shoulder. We have encountered a few wide loads, and particularly when guardrails are present, the clearance is very limited. This situation has mostly occurred when meeting a semi-truck transporting a caterpillar. On switchbacks while ascending mountains, the uphill side features a drainage channel. If a vehicle strays off the road, its tires would be caught, making it impossible to exit without a tow truck. This reduced clearance, paired with narrow lanes, complicates tight turns, as long vehicles like a semi or our tour van must swing widely to keep their wheels from entering the drainage trough.
The lineup of table hosts for Chi Fan for Charity (CFFC) 2025 is almost complete.
These three days have involved a significant amount of driving. The views have been remarkable, and we've made stops at least every two hours at scenic overlooks or points of interest. Each leg of the journey takes around 10 hours to reach our destinations. The cultural differences have been quite intriguing, and I plan to write a separate entry detailing those observations. During our driving days, we encounter at least two checkpoints where they collect our passports and verify them against our Tibet Permit. At every tourist location, there were numerous trinket vendors, many of whom were quite assertive. What stood out to me were the people offering to take special photos for a fee. You could pose sitting on a yak, cradling a lovely small goat, beside a Harley, with large mastiffs, or standing on a jeep with someone dressed as a performer, among other creative setups.
This week, we have two new Italian restaurants, two new Lebanese places, a new COMMUNE RESERVE, and additional options on our To Try List.
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Still looking for weekend plans? Here’s a little inspiration for you!
Yibin Guest House collaborates with Kerry's Kitchen for a limited-time event.
Negroni Week 2025 has arrived, and 65 bars in Beijing are participating! We've highlighted three that you should definitely check out.
I need to rectify a mistake from yesterday. Today, we visited the Potala Palace, which is a palace, not a monastery. I initially thought it would be similar to the monastery experience, but it was truly unique. We climbed 375 steps to reach the top. One advantage of being part of a tour is that it grants access to more areas than solo travelers, so we had a thorough tour. This is where the Dalai Lama would reside if he were in Tibet. In photos, his quarters can be seen on the top floor with the yellow curtains.
"I fear a life not fully experienced; I dread the thought of looking back as an elderly person and regretting the time spent on trivial matters or attempting to be someone other than myself. I yearn for a life I'd be eager to read about; a grand story in which I am both the writer and the protagonist." Justin Shelter
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