The Great “Wild” Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is easily one of the most famous and recognizable landmarks in the world. Known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, it has become China’s most popular attraction. People from all over the world travel to the People’s Republic to experience the ancient grandeur and beauty of the wall resulting in many parts of this historical attraction being inundated with tourists. Thankfully, the Great Wall of China is 5,500 miles long with Beijing covering only 342 of these miles. Thus, there are parts of the wall that can still be explored on a more personal basis. One of these sections is Jinshanling.

While Jinshanling is a bit of a trek from Beijing, about a three hour drive from the center of the city, the end result is well worth the extra time. I absolutely loved this section of the wall. Jinshanling is isolated and stunning. I found the scenery to be quite extraordinary and unforgettable.

I really enjoyed trekking along this portion of the Great Wall. The vistas of the surrounding landscape were truly impressive and I found the area to be authentic and natural. It offers an organic mix of restored and untouched wall and, most surprisingly, I didn’t see a single tourist while exploring this area.

I spent nearly three hours climbing up and down parts of the Jinshanling section, which measures nearly seven miles in total. The hike was rather challenging as the varying depth of steps and sheer steepness made it feel like quite the workout, especially in the summer heat. While the steps and elevation changes can be difficult, the rewards are magical and it is totally worth the pain. Hiking up this remote part of the wall made my experience at the Great Wall even more memorable.

If you’re planning to visit the Great Wall, I highly recommend taking the time and making the effort to visit the Jinshanling section of the wall, you won’t regret it. Very few portions of the wall can compare to the natural beauty and authentic quality found at Jinshanling. Here, you won’t have to worry about battling through crowds of tourists or dealing with ruthless vendors. It’s simply the Great Wall in all its natural splendor, the way it was meant to be experienced.

Wander Pi Wednesdays: The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque

Every Wednesday, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite photos from my travels.

The famous author Robert Louis Stevenson once wrote “There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” Nowhere did I find this quote to be more fitting than the time I explored some of the Middle East. Traveling to the United Arab Emirates was a unique experience. It was completely different than any place I have traveled to thus far and I really enjoyed my time there. I found the culture and way of life to be incomparable to anything I’ve experienced. This photo was taken at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi. It was truly one of the most beautiful buildings I have ever seen. I thoroughly appreciated wandering the grounds and witnessing the call to prayer.

Exploring the Ancient City of Xi’an

China was probably one of the most overwhelming, yet surprising places I have visited thus far. There is without a doubt an endless amount of things see and do in the People’s Republic of China. Since moving to Asia, I have traveled to the mainland quite a few times and with every visit, it still continues to astonish me in a unique way. From the smoggy streets of Beijing to the glistening skyscrapers of Shanghai, it’s a country full of sightly contrasts, immense development, and historical grandeur. Even after all my visits, I have yet to even touch the surface of this vast country. Beyond Beijing and Shanghai lies a plethora of vast rice terraces, green forests, grand mountains, barren deserts, ancient villages, along with a few other mega cities.

Located in Central China lies the ancient city of Xi’an..

Xi’an is more than 3,000 years old and was the ancient home to 13 dynasties and 73 emperors. Today, many remnants of these powerful dynasties can still be found. Unlike the cities of Beijing and Shanghai, the roots of skyscrapers have yet to start spreading in Xi’an. Thus, the city of Xi’an tends to feel more intimate and more at home with its rich and historical culture. The amount of treasures that can be found in and around the city are tremendous.

Xi’an is most famous for the Terracotta Warriors; a collection of sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. These sculptures were buried with the emperor to protect him in the afterlife. Wandering amongst these ancient wonders was a neat experience, but there is so much more to explore in Xi’an than the popular Terracotta Warriors.

From Mount Hua to the ancient city wall, there is plenty to see and do. I found that the best way to explore the city was by bicycle. There are plenty of rental shops located in the city, including one on the city wall. From here you can bike along the wall and explore as much of Xi’an as you can. The Ancient Bell Tower and Wild Goose Pagoda are only a short bike ride away from the wall itself.

I really enjoyed my time in Xi’an. There is a very different feel in Xi’an when compared to Beijing and Shanghai. The pace of life is slower and I found it be a refreshing change from the madness that comes with a major city. If you have time, I highly recommend adding Xi’an to you itinerary when traveling throughout China.

Wander Pi Wednesdays: Ceningan’s Beautiful Blue Lagoon

Every Wednesday, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite photos from my travels.

As people often comment on the touristy nature of Bali, I went with some trepidation. While this is true for some parts of the province, I was quite surprised by how many quiet and remote places I actually encountered. There is so much more to Bali than just the hectic town of Kuta. One of the most tranquil areas I explored wasn’t technically on the island of Bali itself, but only a short boat ride away. I took this photo on the small island of Nusa Ceningan. I loved wandering around the island’s Blue Lagoon where I took many photos and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. I didn’t bump into a single tourist while there. For the more adventurous types, there is a 42 foot cliff nearby where visitors can plunge into the deep blue sea below.

Vertigo Atop Mount Hua

I consider myself to be a big hiking and outdoor enthusiast. I love being challenged, especially when it’s within nature’s playground. I often plan my travels around the amount of outdoor activities a destination has to offer. I love adventure, but even I have moments when I second guess some of my more adventurous decisions. A few years ago, I traveled to Xi’an, China where I hiked Mount Hua’s insane cliff path. I learned about the hike while reading an article in Travel and Leisure magazine; “World’s Scariest Hikes.” Their website had a video link of the hike and after watching it, I knew it was something I had to do one day. The hike became the inspiration for my trip to China in 2011!

Mount Hua is known as “The Number One Precipitous Mountain under Heaven.” It’s one of the five sacred mountains in China and has a long history of religious significance. Various Taoist temples dot the mountain’s five peaks. It’s a place where many local tourists travel to as part of a spiritual pilgrimage. My friend and I boarded a bus near the Xi’an train station and two hours later arrived near the base of the mountain. Since we were limited on time, the cable car took us halfway up, but we were able to hike the rest of the way. The view from the top was stunning.

The mountain’s cliff path was our ultimate destination. After hiking for about three hours through the clouds and in the rain, we finally arrived. It was an incredible sight to see. The path appeared even more intimidating in person, to the point where I was doubting my ability and talking myself out of attempting it. It looked scarier than I imagined; a straight descent along small metal bars that were built into the mountain.

The fact that it was raining and everything was wet, thus slippery, made the situation seem even more precarious. For a very lengthy moment, the thought crossed my mind to back out of the whole thing. Meanwhile, my friend had strapped right in to his harness and started on his way. After about 15 minutes, I gave the cliff path one final look and thought to myself, “I came all the way to China for this moment; I can’t back out now”. I put my stuff down, strapped myself in, and made my way down to the path. I would have truly regretted it had I not. I was surprised how safe and at ease I felt once I started making my way down. It looked much scarier than it actually was.

The experience was truly amazing. It was quite the rush, almost spiritual like. Every thought and worry I ever had seemed to disappear for a moment as I took in all the beautiful scenery around me. There’s just something indescribable about nature when you see it on such a massive scale. It made me feel so small, yet, on top of the world.

It was easily one of the most impressive natural sights I have ever seen. The whole experience was breathtaking and one that I highly recommend trying while in Xi’an.

Wander Pi Wednesdays: Morning Mist in Borneo

Every Wednesday, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite photos from my travels.

Last fall, I spent some time exploring the serene jungles of Borneo where I encountered all kinds of wildlife, including orangutans, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, and hornbills. This photo was taken along the Kinabatangan River during sunrise. We were lucky enough to experience the jungle in the early morning hours as we cruised along the beautiful, still, and silent river. The jungle looks completely different at this time of day. Watching the sun come up over the horizon and the mist slowly fade away was a truly breathtaking experience.

Wander Pi Wednesdays: A Tiffany’s Christmas

Every Wednesday, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite photos from my travels.

In keeping with the festive season, I’d like to share one of my favorite Christmas photos. This photo was taken in the winter of 2012 at Hong Kong’s Statue Square. Every year, there is a different themed Christmas tree on display within the square. I found the tree of 2012 to be particularly stunning. The Tiffany’s design was quite unique and very popular with locals and tourists alike that year.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

Serenity in Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Village

Seoul is a city full of sightly contrasts. A city where old and new often collide. From the peaceful gardens found throughout the Five Grand Palaces to the bustling streets of Myeongdong; Seoul is a place that seems to exist within a time wrap. Nowhere did I find this more evident than in Seoul’s Bukchon Hanok Village.

Bukchon is a time-honored village that is home to hundreds of traditional houses known as Hanok that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. These houses are representatives of Korea’s finest traditional architecture. They were built to naturally blend with the surrounding landscape and to easily adapt to the seasons and temperatures. The open style designs often provided a functional space which made living in these houses simple and organic. Today, many of these houses have been converted into guesthouses, restaurants, and cultural centers. I really enjoyed exploring this area and found the structures to be elegant and stunning.

Wandering the streets of Bukchon transports you to another point in time. It is a unique cultural experience that should not be missed while exploring the city of Seoul. The historical serenity of the area often makes you forget you’re in one of the most populated cities in the world.

Not to mention, I found the views from the hilltop village to be truly unequaled as I got to enjoy the contrasting perspective of the traditional rooftops against the backdrop of modern skyscrapers. If it weren’t for the gleaming skyscrapers in the distance, it’d be easy to think it was some remote village of sorts. While exploring the village I highly recommend visiting one of the many traditional tea houses in the area.

I sincerely suggest stopping by the Bukchon Hanok Village while in Seoul. I found it to be a very unique area and enjoyed my time there. It is located between the Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces where it’s easily accessible by the Seoul Metro and only a short walk from Anguk Station.

Wander Pi Wednesdays: Smiles & Laughs

Every Wednesday, I’ll be sharing one of my favorite photos from my travels.

As travelers, we often find that people with the least amount of things tend to be the happiest. Last year, I was lucky enough to explore the far reaches of the stunning Palawan Province in the Philippines where I stumbled upon these two happy boys playing in the sand.

Palaces of Seoul

Seoul is usually known for its urban sprawl, skyscrapers, and neon lights; however, there are numerous historical treasures spread throughout this city of ten million plus people. Seoul was founded in 18 B.C. and has developed a storied history over the past 2,000 years. It was the capital of Korea even during the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire. The city is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites; including Changdeokgung, one of Seoul’s Five Grand Palaces, and my personal favorite.

The Grand Palaces were built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty who ruled the peninsula for nearly five centuries. Unfortunately, many of the palaces were damaged or destroyed by the Japanese during their invasion of Korea. Some of the original structures however still stand today and many portions have been restored to their former glory.

My favorites are Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung because of their peaceful gardens and city backdrop. Changdeokgung is the smaller of the two, but is identified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also more secluded and has a tranquil pond and garden which makes you feel as if you’re miles away from the hectic streets of Seoul. Changdeokgung was the most favored palace of the Joseon Kings and it’s easy to see why. The structures blend more naturally with the surrounding landscape and appear to be less contemporary than those at Gyeongbokgung. I thoroughly enjoyed wandering around the palace grounds as I found it to be very peaceful.

Gyeongbokgung is the largest of the Five Grand Palaces and is probably the most prominent due to the fact that it was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty. The main draw of Gyeongbokgung is The Royal Guard-Changing Ceremony which takes place 6 times a day from 10:00 to 15:00 at every o’clock except Tuesday. The ceremony is a rare treat which allows one to experience a traditional display of Korean culture. You’ll surely love watching the straight faced guards as they march around with their epic beards that would surely put even Brooklyn’s finest hipster to shame. It was a unique cultural experience which I found to be highly entertaining.

The palaces are a beautiful cultural experience and easily accessible by the Seoul Metro, just hop off at the Gyeongbokgung, Gwanghwamun, or Anguk Stations where both palaces are just a short walk. I highly recommend adding these sights to your itinerary when visiting Seoul.