From Beijing to Chengdu to Jiuzhaigou to Leshan to Emeishan. Trekking for 2 days in Jiuzhaigou, fabulous scenery, stayed at a tiny village. Entrance fee is EXPENSIVE! Leshan, Big Buddha - what can I say BIG and BUDDHA. Awesome. Emeishan - steps, monks, monkeys, steps... a great experience, but those steps!!! Chengdu - cool city. Felt very modern.

OH. Nightmare start to summer travels. I arrive in Beijing to find my friend coming over from England is stuck in France. Also discover I have left my passport in Benxi. GOD! Cue 3 days of rushing around and then off to really START our travelling...

Tiny place by the sea called Hu Lu Dao. A flying visit to attend a beach party, a 9 hour journey there but it was worth it. Spent ages on the beach, did some swimming, played volleyball, dranks lots of beer, listened to music and danced. Then watched an amazing lightning storm over the ocean (and there was no thunder... spooky). A cool weekend.

Fabulous trip, my first since arriving in China, and during the MEGA BUSY May holidays.Tian'anmen Square, Summer Palace, Great Wall (Jinshanling to Simatai), Temple of Heaven, Jingshan Park, Silk Market, Dashilar, Lao She Tea House, Wangfujing Shopping, wandered the Hutong. What a great city!!