Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.gadling.com/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Thailand's Naga Fireball Festival]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/11/18/thailands-naga-fireball-festival/http://www.gadling.com/2012/11/18/thailands-naga-fireball-festival/http://www.gadling.com/2012/11/18/thailands-naga-fireball-festival/#commentsFiled under: , ,



"Do you believe in the Naga?" the hotel receptionist asks me as I checked in to my room in Udon Thani, Thailand.

"I don't know," I reply. "I've never seen one. Do you?"

"Oh yes!" She says, and the clerk behind her nods as well.

Across Asia, the Naga is a mythical serpent-like creature. It plays a role as a snake in the Mahabarata, takes the form of a dragon in China, and in northern Thailand and Laos along the Mekong River, the Naga is a waterborne serpent that protects residents from danger.

Once a year along the Mekong, this Naga spits fireballs into the sky. The phenomenon always occurs at the end of Buddhist Lent, on the 11th full moon of the lunar calendar. In Thailand's Nong Khai Province, festivities are full-on, with hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the river's banks in front of temples. Nong Khai town is the most well known spot for festivities but sees the fewest fireballs - it's best to head out of town to either Phon Phisai or Rattanawapi, 50 and 80 kilometers downriver from Nong Khai, respectively.

This year, I set up in front of Wat Tai in Phon Phisai. Last year 100,000 spectators watched for fireballs here, but only two were observed. I'm hopeful that the Naga won't let me down this year.

Continue reading Thailand's Naga Fireball Festival

Thailand's Naga Fireball Festival originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 18 Nov 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>festivalnaga festivalnaga fireballsNagaFestivalNagaFireballsthailandSun, 18 Nov 2012 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Boys riding water buffaloes in Vietnam]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/26/photo-of-the-day-boys-riding-water-buffaloes-in-vietnam/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/26/photo-of-the-day-boys-riding-water-buffaloes-in-vietnam/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/26/photo-of-the-day-boys-riding-water-buffaloes-in-vietnam/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Photo of the Day
I kind of want to ride a water buffalo. Do you think it's like riding an elephant? (I haven't done that, either, so I guess it doesn't matter.) These two boys look quite at home on top of these creatures, and they're bareback, yet!

Besides the subject matter, I like the colors in this photo - the vivid green against the gray skies and animals. I wonder what is growing in the background.

Thanks to Flickr user t3mujin for sharing this photo with us in Gadling's Flickr pool.

Have any cool photos from your travels that you'd like to share with the world? Upload them to our Flickr pool, and we just might choose one for our Photo of the Day feature.

Photo of the Day: Boys riding water buffaloes in Vietnam originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>water buffaloWaterBuffaloSat, 26 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Laughing Buddha statue in Dalian, China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/19/photo-of-the-day-laughing-buddha-statue-in-dalian-china/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/19/photo-of-the-day-laughing-buddha-statue-in-dalian-china/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/19/photo-of-the-day-laughing-buddha-statue-in-dalian-china/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Photo of the day
Today's Photo of the Day is of this lovely happy Buddha. Although, I've done some research and discovered that this figure is not actually Buddha, but a 10th century Chinese monk named Hotei. Apparently he carried around a sack of candy (it shows) to share with young children.

Just looking at the photo of this statue lightens my mood. I also really like that the photographer, Flickr user Bernard-SD, captioned it "A Work in Progress." The statue may not be finished, but I like the idea that our lives are also a constant work in progress - which seems kind of Buddhist, or at least a little spiritual, right?

Have any photos of your travels that might solicit spiritual musing, or at least just make us smile Upload them to Gadling's Flickr pool and we just might choose one for our Photo of the Day feature.

Photo of the Day: Laughing Buddha statue in Dalian, China originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 19 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BuddhaDalianhoteilaughing buddhaLaughingBuddhasmiling buddhaSmilingBuddhaSat, 19 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Chinese lanterns on Penang, Malaysia]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/05/photo-of-the-day-chinese-lanterns-on-penang-malaysia/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/05/photo-of-the-day-chinese-lanterns-on-penang-malaysia/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/05/photo-of-the-day-chinese-lanterns-on-penang-malaysia/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Photo of the Day
The Chinese New Year celebrations are still in full swing here in Asia. As it's the continent's version of spring break crossed with Christmas, folks are on holiday and many shops and restaurants are closed for the week. It's easy for travelers to feel like outsiders when traveling to China or Chinese communities during this holiday (imagine how a tourist might feel if they came to the States on Christmas day), but this photo reflects the intimacy and energy of Chinese temples everywhere during the holiday. Fickr user LadyExpat shot this in Georgetown on Penang, Malaysia, which has a large Chinese community.

Have any photos from our holidays you'd like to share with the world? Upload them to Gadling's Flickr pool, and we just might choose one for our Photo of the Day feature.

Photo of the Day: Chinese lanterns on Penang, Malaysia originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Chinese new yearChineseNewYearGeorgetownPenangSat, 05 Feb 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[10 tips for traveling with depression]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/26/10-tips-for-traveling-with-depression/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/26/10-tips-for-traveling-with-depression/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/26/10-tips-for-traveling-with-depression/#commentsFiled under:

traveling with depressionIf getting up in the morning sometimes seems like you're taking on the world, then actually taking on the world might sound preposterous. But with a little planning and some extra precautions, traveling without fear of a mental collapse is a definite possibility.

Like a lot of people, I'm discovering, I have a streak of sadness that often runs just below my surface, occasionally exposing itself as painfully as a raw nerve. But with coping strategies, good friends and a little help from medication, I'm able to adventure to the other side of the planet, by myself.

Because I have to keep my mental balance in mind a lot of the time, I've adopted traveling strategies to help me with my depression. I'm not a doctor, and don't play one on TV, so my advice shouldn't be taken over the opinions of your doctor. But I do have over a decade of traveling experience, and almost all of it came with some form of depression. Here's what I've learned on the road:

1. Mind the jet lag. Upsetting your sleep pattern is rough on your emotional balance. It took three different mental collapses days after flying overseas that I realized I had a pattern going: jet lag = depression. Oddly, once I figured that out, it stopped happening -- likely because I now prepare for it by listening to my body. I do my best to eat healthy while in transit, splurge for a comfy room at my destination so that I can relax, and give myself several days before any hard travel. Avoiding (lots of) alcohol on those long-haul flights also helps.

Continue reading 10 tips for traveling with depression

10 tips for traveling with depression originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>depressionWed, 26 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day: Approaching storm on Coogee Beach, Australia]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/22/photo-of-the-day-approaching-storm-on-coogee-beach-ausralia/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/22/photo-of-the-day-approaching-storm-on-coogee-beach-ausralia/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/22/photo-of-the-day-approaching-storm-on-coogee-beach-ausralia/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Photo of the Day

This sky is my favorite kind: the sun is still in one part of it, brightening everything up, but the impending blackness of the clouds means trouble is brewing. Not that that is any bother for the sunbathers, who are catching a few last-minute rains before what has to be some serious rain. Thanks to Flickr user ssabedin, who shared this via Gadling's pool.

Have any awesome sky shots from your travels? Upload them to Gadling's Flickr pool, and we just might choose one for our Photo of the Day feature.

Photo of the Day: Approaching storm on Coogee Beach, Australia originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Coogee BeachCoogeeBeachSat, 22 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[South of the Clouds: Songtsam Retreat, Shangri-la]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/17/hotel-review-songtsam-retreat-shangri-la/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/17/hotel-review-songtsam-retreat-shangri-la/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/17/hotel-review-songtsam-retreat-shangri-la/#commentsFiled under: ,

Songtsam Retreat

Set on a hillside directly overlooking the Songtsam Monastery, the Songtsam Retreat offers a taste of Tibet to the traveler in China. The collection of buildings are built in the style of Tibetan stone houses, and despite its grandeur, the quietly unassuming Retreat blends nicely with its surrounds. Heavy blankets cover thick doorways (which are locked with wooden bolts) to trap heat inside, and every room has a wood stove, all of which manages to infuse a bit of rustic and give it a "lodge" feel.


Gadling visited the Songtsam Retreat in November on a tour with WildChina. Here are our impressions.

The Check-In

The lobby of the Retreat is filled with Tibetan antiques and artifacts, as well as the requisite wood stove. Roomy chairs and couches sit in front of low tables lit with candles, and the ambiance manages to be both grand and cozy. Staff serve you a warming cup of ginger tea, and then you're lead cross the stone walkways to your room. There you'll find a warm fire already glowing.

Gallery: Songtsam Retreat, Shangri-la

The Songtsam RetreatThe Retreat at sunriseThe Retreat at sunriseBack decksWood stove

Continue reading South of the Clouds: Songtsam Retreat, Shangri-la

South of the Clouds: Songtsam Retreat, Shangri-la originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gyalthengretreatshangri-laTibetyunnanzhongdianMon, 17 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris reflection: Photo of the Day]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/15/paris-reflection-photo-of-the-day/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/15/paris-reflection-photo-of-the-day/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/15/paris-reflection-photo-of-the-day/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Paris

The normally rigid lines of this Left Bank Paris building are softened and distorted in a rear window reflection. Besides the definitely Parisian building, I also like that there are blue skies (so rare in Paris), and the fact that the reflection is off of a compact car -- too bad it's
not a Renault! The photo's caption, (by Flickr user nicocrisafulli) reads: "It's all in the way you look at it," which tends to be true.

Have any distorted vacation photos you'd love to share with the world? Upload the to Gadling's Flickr pool, and we just might select one for our Photo of the Day feature.

Paris reflection: Photo of the Day originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Left BankLeftBankParisSat, 15 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[South of the Clouds: Shangri-la, Yunnan, China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/12/south-of-the-clouds-shangri-la-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/12/south-of-the-clouds-shangri-la-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/12/south-of-the-clouds-shangri-la-yunnan-china/#commentsFiled under: ,

Shangri-la YunnanGadling's last stop on Yunnan's ancient tea horse road was Shangri-la, China, a high-altitude Tibetan city named after the mythical town in John Hilton's "Lost Horizon." Full of snapping prayer flags in high-altitude sunlight, the town has only been called Shangri-la since 2001, when a successful marketing venture changed its name from Zhongdian to appeal to adventure-seekers. Most Chinese still refer to it as Zhongdian, though it's worth noting that its Tibetan name is Gyalthang.

Shangri-la's residents are mostly Han and Tibetan, and it's common to see red-cheeked Tibetan-Chinese dressed in traditional clothing. The architecture, especially in the countryside, is uniquely Tibetan: large, square, three story homes house animals on the ground level, with human living quarters above. New homes are still being built in this style. Wood stoves (frustratingly drafty) occupy space in every restaurant, home, and guesthouse, often with the staff huddled around them.

Gallery: Shangri-la, Yunnan, China

Old town rooftopsprayer wheelprayer flagsSongstam MonasterySongstam Monastery

Continue reading South of the Clouds: Shangri-la, Yunnan, China

South of the Clouds: Shangri-la, Yunnan, China originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ShangrilayunnanZhongdianWed, 12 Jan 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day (1.8.2011)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/08/photo-of-the-day-1-8-2011/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/08/photo-of-the-day-1-8-2011/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/08/photo-of-the-day-1-8-2011/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo of the Day

Most people either take photos from bridges, or of them from a distance. It's rare that you see this perspective. And it's rad not just because of the angle: I like the straight, rigid lines contrasting with the circular. Good colors, too - nice and cool. And my favorite part is the one dude near the center, peering down at the camera. Flickr user Ohad* snapped this at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Have any cool photos to share from your travels? Upload them to Gadling's Flickr pool, and we just might choose one for our Photo of the Day feature!

Photo of the Day (1.8.2011) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 08 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CaliforniaSan FranciscoSanFranciscoSat, 08 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[South of the Clouds: Lijiang, Yunnan, China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/06/south-of-the-clouds-lijiang-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/06/south-of-the-clouds-lijiang-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/06/south-of-the-clouds-lijiang-yunnan-china/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lijiang YunnanA UNESCO World Heritage site, Lijiang is a funny one. It was demolished by an earthquake in 2006, just before it received the UNESCO status. It was subsequently rebuilt, and retained its protected status even though most of the buildings are replicas of the originals.

Despite -- or perhaps because of -- its new-old architecture, Lijiang is actually pleasing to the eye. Narrow, cobbled streets wind through a labyrinth of wood and stone buildings with up-swept roofs. The best part are canals cut into the stone roads, filled with rushing water that tumbles down from nearby Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (a "snow mountain" in China is one that is covered in snow year-round). Several wells in the town center also contribute clear blue water to the canals. Stone and wood bridges cross the canals - three of which are channels of the Jade River. According to the UNESCO website, Lijiang has 354 bridges.

Gallery: Lijiang, Yunnan, China

Beer bottles dangling from a canal-side barLanterns and canal

Continue reading South of the Clouds: Lijiang, Yunnan, China

South of the Clouds: Lijiang, Yunnan, China originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>lijiangshuheThu, 06 Jan 2011 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day (1.1.2011)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/01/photo-of-the-day-1-1-2011/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/01/photo-of-the-day-1-1-2011/http://www.gadling.com/2011/01/01/photo-of-the-day-1-1-2011/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Photo of the Day

Happy New Year! We hope today finds you merry and optimistic about the year ahead, rather than remorseful about last night....

This photo of an empty waiting room seems appropriate for two reasons. First, I always associate an airport waiting room - or airports in general - with anticipation. I'm not usually inside an airport unless I'm going somewhere, or just returning. We can think about 2011 as a trip that we are about to embark on, with all the happy trip anticipation that comes with the sound and smells of an airport.

The second reason I like this photo is because an empty waiting room is generally a good thing. No one likes to wait, and a packed waiting room usually means that somehow plans have been delayed. Flickr user jwannie writes that "the MSP airport at 5am is boring," but I happen to think it looks like a wonderful place to be.

Have any travel photos that exude optimism? Upload them to Gadling's Flickr pool, and we just might choose one for our Photo of the Day feature.

Photo of the Day (1.1.2011) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 01 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MinneapolisMinnesotaMSPSat, 01 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[South of the Clouds: Around Shaxi in Yunnan, China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/30/south-of-the-clouds-around-shaxi-in-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/30/south-of-the-clouds-around-shaxi-in-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/30/south-of-the-clouds-around-shaxi-in-yunnan-china/#commentsFiled under: ,

ShaxiA few days ago, Gadling told you about the historical charm of Shaxi, an intact way station from the ancient tea-horse road days. Though the little village offers plenty for a mellow day or two, part of what makes it so great is the quiet valley it sits in, as well as the surrounding hills.

Just outside the village's walls runs the clear Heihui River, with walking paths on either side and arched bridges providing photo-ops. The paths are great for strolling, and you're likely to encounter Bai villagers going about their daily routines. Follow any of the cobblestone roads across one of the bridges to catch a glimpse of rural life as you pass through tiny villages and farmland.

Around 4km from Shaxi is the even smaller village of Duanjia. Its theater was used as a model for Shaxi's restored venue. Duanjia makes a pleasant day trip destination; rent a bike and enjoy lunch in the village.

Gallery: Shaxi, Yunnan, China

View inside Shaxi from the city wallsYoung boy on Shaxi's cobbled streetsTwo muscians in the market squareA courtyard house kitchen - unchanged for centuriesShaxi's cobbled streets

Continue reading South of the Clouds: Around Shaxi in Yunnan, China

South of the Clouds: Around Shaxi in Yunnan, China originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DuanjiaShaxiYunnanThu, 30 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[South of the Clouds: Shaxi, Yunnan, China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/29/south-of-the-clouds-shaxi-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/29/south-of-the-clouds-shaxi-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/29/south-of-the-clouds-shaxi-yunnan-china/#commentsFiled under: , ,

ShaxiOnce an important market town on China's ancient tea-horse road, Shaxi is one of seemingly very few Chinese villages that have retained their original feel. Quiet, with cobblestone lanes and courtyard homes, Shaxi is currently undergoing a "remodel" to restore and preserve its historical market square, inner village, and, eventually, ready the entire Shaxi Valley for tourism. Though only a few hotels and shops currently smatter the tiny village, there's no way a town like this will stay this quiet for long. You'll be rewarded by visiting soon, as the vibe is sure to change after the completion of a new highway nearby.

Gadling was lucky enough to visit Shaxi in November on a trip with WildChina, during which we traced parts of China's tea-horse caravan route.

Gallery: Shaxi, Yunnan, China

View inside Shaxi from the city wallsYoung boy on Shaxi's cobbled streetsTwo muscians in the market squareA courtyard house kitchen - unchanged for centuriesShaxi's cobbled streets

Continue reading South of the Clouds: Shaxi, Yunnan, China

South of the Clouds: Shaxi, Yunnan, China originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ShaxiYunnanWed, 29 Dec 2010 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day (12.25.2010)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/25/photo-of-the-day-12-25-2010/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/25/photo-of-the-day-12-25-2010/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/25/photo-of-the-day-12-25-2010/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Photo of the Day

Merry Christmas from the team here at Gadling! If you're celebrating it, we hope you're full of mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie.

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas, this photo is for you. Trees with gingerbread-house icing against a sunny winter sky: it's a great day for a cross-country ski, or even a sleigh ride! Afterward, warm up with a cup of spiced wine or cider, or a hot chocolate. Thanks to our own darren.murph for inspiring a little holiday cheer.

Have any travel photos that impart cozy feelings? Upload them to Gadling's Flickr pool, and we just might choose one for our Photo of the Day feature.

Photo of the Day (12.25.2010) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ChristmasSat, 25 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[South of the Clouds: Yunnan's ancient tea-horse road]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/23/south-of-the-clouds-yunnans-ancient-tea-horse-road/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/23/south-of-the-clouds-yunnans-ancient-tea-horse-road/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/23/south-of-the-clouds-yunnans-ancient-tea-horse-road/#commentsFiled under: ,

In November, Gadling traveled with WildChina throughout Yunnan province. The theme of the trip was "the ancient tea-horse road," and it followed a trading route that runs from Yunnan's tropical lowlands up to the Tibetan plateau and eventually in to India.

As the name implies, the "road" was a caravan route along which tea and horses were traded, though salt was also a major commodity. Lesser known than its glamorous older sibling, the Silk Road, the tea-horse road was nevertheless an important trade route. Though defined in the singular, the tea-horse road was actually a series of small trade routes; it was rare for traders to travel the entire route.

Tea, still grown and fermented for travel in Yunnan today, was carried north, while mules and horses from Tibet plodded south. Small traces of the original trade still exist: condensed bundles of tea packed into bamboo pipes at a rural market, an old square in a village where horse stalls still sit behind a guesthouse once used by muleteers (those who traveled the route with mules), and even a few people who worked in the trade before 1949.

Gallery: Scenes from Yunnan's tea-horse road

Tea fields in BannaA rural roadside market in Xishuangbanna - note tea for saleTea packaged for travel in bambooPreparing pickled tea leaves in XishuangbanaMonks in Xishuangbanna

Continue reading South of the Clouds: Yunnan's ancient tea-horse road

South of the Clouds: Yunnan's ancient tea-horse road originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 23 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Dalipu-erpu-erhshangri-laShaxiteatea-horse roadTea-horseRoadTibetXishuangbannayunnanZhongdianThu, 23 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[South of the Clouds: Hiking Cangshan Mountains, Dali, Yunnan, China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/20/south-of-the-clouds-hiking-cangshan-mountains-dali-yunnan-ch/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/20/south-of-the-clouds-hiking-cangshan-mountains-dali-yunnan-ch/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/20/south-of-the-clouds-hiking-cangshan-mountains-dali-yunnan-ch/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Gadling introduced you to Dali, in Yunnan Province, the other day, and touched on a few activities and sights there. Out of all of them, hiking the Jade Belt Road (also called the Cloud Road) in the Cangshan mountains was our favorite.

Green furry mountains rise out of Dali's back door, and are an easy escape from the town. A mostly flat, paved walking path winds in and out of valleys about two-thirds of the way up the mountains, making a lovely day hike. If you don't feel like working too hard, an old-school chairlift can carry you up on one side, and a fancy-time, Austrian-built gondola 11.5 kilometers to the south can take you down - or vice versa. The path also extends beyond the lifts on either side, but we only explored the terrain in-between.

We chose to climb to the main trail by following a sometimes-muddy, often-slick path up under the chairlift. It took us the better part of an hour to climb up the steep mountain, and we arrived at the top of the lift sweaty and out of breath. The top of the chairlift, and the path that leaves from it, sit at 2500 meters (or roughly 8000 feet), high enough for us to feel it in our lungs.

Gallery: Cangshan mountains, Dali, Yunnan, China

Zhonghe TempleThough the path is mostly flat, it clings to some steep terrain.View of Dali and Erhai LakeMountains in mistAt the Seven Dragons Pool

Continue reading South of the Clouds: Hiking Cangshan Mountains, Dali, Yunnan, China

South of the Clouds: Hiking Cangshan Mountains, Dali, Yunnan, China originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Cangshan mountainsCangshanMountainsDaliYunnanMon, 20 Dec 2010 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Photo of the Day (12.18.2010)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/18/photo-of-the-day-12-18-2010/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/18/photo-of-the-day-12-18-2010/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/18/photo-of-the-day-12-18-2010/#commentsFiled under: ,

Photo of the Day

A refreshing detail of Gaudi's Casa Batllo in Barcelona, Spain. The bright colors, varying shapes, and whimsical lines of this roof line showcase Gaudi's style without incorporating the entire work. I appreciate that a grand building's overall feel can be shown in just a tiny detail. And it makes me feel cheerful just to look at it. Thanks to Flickr user Gus NYC for sharing it with Gadling's readers.

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Photo of the Day (12.18.2010) originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BarcelonaCasa BolltaCasaBolltaGaudiSat, 18 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Hotel Review: The Linden Centre, Xizhou, Yunnan, China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/16/hotel-review-the-linden-centre-xizhou-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/16/hotel-review-the-linden-centre-xizhou-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/16/hotel-review-the-linden-centre-xizhou-yunnan-china/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

the linden centreThough it was only built in 1947, the Linden Centre is a nationally protected building - in fact, it holds the same status at the Great Wall. Built by a wealthy merchant in traditional Bai style architecture, the grounds were occupied by the army during the Cultural Revolution; the Red Guard were kept at bay, and thus the building and its paintings and artifacts remained intact.

Today, the Linden Centre functions as both boutique hotel and learning center. Meals and transport are included in the cost, and you can expect a quiet yet stimulating stay.

Gadling visited the Centre in mid-November on a trip through Yunnan with WildChina (read more about it here); here are our impressions of the hotel.

The Check-in

The alleys in Xizhou are so narrow that buses can't squeeze through them; instead, your bus stops about a block away and you're met by staff who carry your luggage through the unassuming gates.

Once you pass inside, you'll enter a Bai-style courtyard, which means that one wall is a dedicated "reflecting" wall -- painted white, it's meant to reflect the sun's rays. The other three walls are made up of guest rooms, a small bar, and offices. Though the grounds have been modernized to a very comfortable Western standard, the Linden Centre isn't the type of place you'd stop over for business meetings; think of it more as a retreat. In fact, Gadling's own features editor Don George will be teaching a writing workshop there in 2011!

Gallery: The Linden Centre, Xizhou, Yunnan

EntranceGlass ceilingDining roomBai reflecting wallRooftop deck

Continue reading Hotel Review: The Linden Centre, Xizhou, Yunnan, China

Hotel Review: The Linden Centre, Xizhou, Yunnan, China originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dalihotelreviewLindenCentreretreatxizhouyunnanThu, 16 Dec 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[South of the Clouds: Dali, Yunnan, China]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/15/south-of-the-clouds-dali-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/15/south-of-the-clouds-dali-yunnan-china/http://www.gadling.com/2010/12/15/south-of-the-clouds-dali-yunnan-china/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Dali ChinaPressed by Erhai Lake on one side and the Cangshan mountains on the other, Dali attracts both Western and Chinese tourists drawn to its scenic location and laid-back vibe. Here you'll see long-haired Chinese hippies and Israeli backpackers throwing back beers in Dali's many bars, as well old folks from the Bai minority group shuffling along the sidewalks. One of Yunnan's most popular backpacker destinations, Dali has been on the travelers circuit for longer than most towns in the province.

We visited Dali twice in November, the first trip funded by WildChina. Here's a little of what we experienced and learned in and about the popular destination.

About

First of all, there are two Dalis. Dali New Town (Xiaguan) sits about 30 kilometers south of Dali Old Town(Gucheng). Dali Old Town is where you'll want to head. Here, the town's original gates, invoking Dali's grander years, mark entrances to a grid of streets. A few are pedestrian-only, and some are cobbled. Throughout the old town is a mix of new-old architecture; essentially, it's full of newer buildings that are meant to look old. The result is definitely more attractive than regular new Chinese construction, but it can at times feel fake - especially since many of the shops sell the same mass-produced Chinese crap.

Gallery: Dali, Yunna, China

The north gateDali street sceneBai womanDudesMaking a sale

Continue reading South of the Clouds: Dali, Yunnan, China

South of the Clouds: Dali, Yunnan, China originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bai ethnic groupBaiEthnicGroupdalisouthofthecloudsyunnanWed, 15 Dec 2010 10:00:00 EST