Our "4 star" Hotel
Arrived around 6:30am in the sleeper busa. Although we did get a decent amount of sleep, we were still tired and headed directly for our hotel. There aren't many hostels in Jiayuguan (嘉峪關) so we needed a hotel and found we could stay at the "best hotel in town"called The Great Wall Hotel for only $15 a person, so we decided to do that. Walking in it was a very nice building; from the outside to the lobby was huge and very nicely decorated, but when we got to the room it was pretty standard, nothing wrong with it, but nothing better than a normal hostel either. I took a nap while Charlotte showered and then we ordered some breakfast from room service, which was actually cheaper than eating at restaurants.
Outside our hotel
Hotel Lobby
Hotel breakfast
After a good breakfast that mixed Western and Chinese style food, we headed to the Jiayuguan fort (嘉峪關關城) which was built in 1372 and connected to the Great Wall. This would be my first time seeing the Great Wall. There was also a museum about the Silk Road that we are traveling on. Getting to the fort at around 11:30 am was great because all the Chinese tour groups were at lunch, so we had almost the entire fort to ourselves. Outside the fort they offered rented bicycles for ~$1.50 to ride around the grounds, since Charlotte doesn't know how to ride a bike, we got a 2 seater and rode around and up to the fort. Most of the fort had been restored many times over the years and the restoration was obvious, however there were parts that eroded and you could see the original (or at least an older restoration). The Great Wall leading to the fort also looked original. Of more important significance, one of the most famous generals from Chinese history (at least to Americans, especially on the East Coast), General Tsao左宗棠 (as in General Tsao's Chicken左宗棠雞, a very popular Chinese dish in America for those who don't know) was here for some time and wrote on one of the gates, "The Greatest Gate under the Sky" (天下第一雄關). No where though could I find a picture of him with a chicken.
Charlotte's first time on a bicycle since she was 5
Outside the fort
Great Wall of China
Charlotte licking the Great Wall
Working out like a soldier, pressure was on as all the Chinese wanted to know if the foreigner could lift it
Karate kick!
Charlotte working out
The outer wall of the fort
The generals house
The sign that General Tsao wrote was on this building
The Great Wall of China
Some tourists who wanted pictures with a white person
After the fort we went to the Overhanging Wall, which is part of the Great Wall, we had negotiated a deal with the cab driver to take us there roundtrip and wait while we were on the wall. Halfway there, away from any other cabs, she informed us that her deal was only good for a 45 minute wait. Not much we could do at this point though. So we hiked the great wall as fast as possible and made it back in about 50 minutes, which was close enough I guess. While on the wall some Chinese kids, maybe 5 and 14, said hello and then as they were leaving they yelled back questions like "what is your name", "where are you from", "nice to meet you!". To which I responded. Later when they were passing Charlotte she heard their parents saying they were very proud of them and that they weren't wasting their time in English class. Then they wondered if Charlotte was also a foreigner, maybe korean? until she stared at them and then they were quite. Running into them later they practiced more English with me and took pictures. Charlotte is now taking pictures whenever someone asks for a picture of me. Charlotte also thinks she should start collecting money when people asked to take a picture with me, just like she pays to take a picture riding a yak/horse/donkey.
The Great Wall
Charlotte on the Great Wall
View from the top of the Great Wall
More picture of my new friends
Dinner alone
Once we got back Charlotte went shopping while I rested, then we went to dinner in the hotel restaurant. We were the only ones in the huge ballroom, but the food was good and cheap. Later Charlotte got a foot massage in our room for only ~$6 while i went to sleep.
Empty dining room for the two of us
Haha I love how Asian people keep wanting to take pictures with you, almost like YOU're the tourist attraction.
ReplyDeleteOh I definitely am, white people are more rare than the great wall, i mean they can see that throughout the country. I can tell a lot more want to get pictures, but only a couple a day are willing to ask.
ReplyDeletewhat confuses me even more is the people who "secretly" take my picture, a couple times a day I will catch people taking my picture without trying to make it too obvious. what do they do with these when they go home? Is there some Chinese website that people share their pictures of white people?
I take pictures when I see wild animals on the street too.
ReplyDelete