TRAVEL JOURNAL · INSPIRATION

A China journey, one story at a time.

A neighbourhood lane, a riverbank, a landscape worth lingering over. Find a small moment that makes you want to go.

STORIES ALONG THE WAY

More than places. Moments to remember.

Travel Diary

Shenyang Imperial Palace and the Old City: Discovering a Different Scale of the Palace Within the Courtyards

Start with the octagonal structure of the Hall of Grand Administration, then proceed toward the central courtyard, and finally enter the passageway between the archway and the painted corridor. By situating the various spaces of the Shenyang Imperial Palace within the context of Qing Dynasty history and today’s Old City, you can trace an urban route that unfolds through shifts in perspective—from near to far.

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Travel Insights

One Day or Two at Dazu Rock Carvings? Choosing Between Baodingshan and Beishan

we compare three itineraries for a cultural trip to Dazu: an in-depth exploration of Baoding Mountain alone, visiting two mountains on the same day, and staying overnight to visit them over multiple days. These options are organized based on specific sculptures, language of the guided tours, transportation hubs, and family schedules.

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Travel Diary

The Other Side of Longjing Tea Mountains: Walking Back to Hangzhou Village Along the Tea Ridges

In Longjing Village, Hangzhou, view the tea gardens as a living, productive mountain landscape. Follow the village roads open to the public to observe the tea ridges, tree lines, and slopes, then sit down for a cup of tea—without mistaking sightseeing for the freedom to pick tea leaves.

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Travel Diary

Hulunbuir: Following a River, Exploring the Near and Far of the Grasslands

use the river bends to gauge the distance of the grasslands, and understand the scale of the Morigele River through its banks, the shadows of the clouds, and the grazing horses. Morning light and the night sky each offer their own unique viewing experiences, and each requires appropriate transportation, weather conditions, and scheduling for your stay.

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Travel Insights

Beyond a bowl of vegetarian noodles, what other stories of Chang’an does Daxingshan Temple hold?

From a genuine vegetarian dining journal to the history of scripture translation and daily life in monasteries—this journey integrates dietary needs, cultural exploration, and the etiquette of religious spaces into a single stay in Xi’an.

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Travel Diary

The Slopes and Steps of Xijindu: Memories of a Ferry Crossing on the Zhenjiang Riverbank

The highlights of Xijindu extend beyond the night views of the ancient street. The stone steps, the towers spanning the street, the architecture, and the distance to the riverbank allow one to interpret Zhenjiang’s ferry history as a walking route marked by variations in elevation.

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Travel Diary

Taihuai Town, Mount Wutai: Tracing the Relationship Between Temples and the Mountain Along the Valley

enter Shuxiang Temple from the Taihuai Town valley, tracing the spatial relationships of the temple complex along the stone gate, eaves, and hillside. This leisurely walking route connects architectural details, religious life, and the rhythm of a mountain journey.

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Travel Insights

You can see summer mountains even in winter: the four seasons of Ge Yuan are hidden within the stones.

Ge Yuan’s Four Seasons Rockeries translate the seasons into materials and space. Understanding garden landscaping through spring bamboo shoots, Hushan stones, Huangshi stones, and Xuanshi stones addresses questions such as how to enjoy the garden outside of the flowering season, how to guide children or elders in observing the landscape, and when it is worthwhile to hire a guide.

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Travel Diary

The Stone Elephant Path at the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: How Tree Shadows Transform an Ancient Sacred Path

Stone Elephant Road places the mausoleum’s ceremonial elements, stone carvings, and trees along a single walking path. Observing the postures of the six types of stone beasts and the turns in the Spirit Way before deciding whether to proceed into the mausoleum complex adds layers of meaning to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum that go beyond the autumn scenery.

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Travel Diary

Water and Wood at Jinci: Exploring the Details of Ancient Architecture in the Suburbs of Taiyuan

As you walk from the Water Mirror Terrace toward the Hall of the Holy Mother, take in the Jinci Temple through the Fish Pond Flying Bridge, the Coiling Dragon Pillars, and the ancient trees. Pay attention to the interplay between water, wooden structures, and courtyards, and plan different routes for day trips from the outskirts of Taiyuan, rainy days, and winter.

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Travel Insights

From a Bowl to the Jialing River: The Transportation History Behind the Name “Ciqikou”

Linking the Shaping Kiln, mountain transport, and riverside ports—and identifying artifacts, streets, and contemporary renovations in Ciqikou—provides concrete cultural clues for a half-day tour of the ancient town.

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Travel Diary

Courtyard Gates in Huishan Ancient Town: Family Memories in the Foothills of Wuxi

Huishan Ancient Town is more than just food and the Water Street. The ancestral halls, springs, gardens, and the mountain’s foothills are all interconnected; only by carefully exploring one or two courtyards can one discern what sets this neighborhood in Wuxi apart from other ancient towns.

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