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Breakfast in China

In western countries, breakfast tend to be different than other meals.

In China, like in most Asian countries, breakfast is similar to other meals. Rice, vegetables, meat dishes and soup.

I found it disturbing at first, but it grew on me. The breakfast buffet in hotels were actually quite good, and probably healthier than toast with jelly !

Cute and comfy

When it comes to cuteness, China is unique.

It makes cute practical stuff - slippers, fluffy jackets or wind protection on scooters to keep warm.

Everyone wears them like it's no big deal. Young, middle aged and old. I love it.

Helpful strangers

In 2023, China was difficult for foreigners. The apps who became the norm during covid were not made for tourists. When the country opened up, it took a while to fix.

Many times, I found myself stuck. Unable to pay. Unable to figure out how to get somewhere.

And many times, strangers went out of their way to help. In all my travels, I have never been helped so much. And I never asked. They all did it spontaneously.

There was this subway employee who made a 30 minute phone call trying to fix my SIM card issue.

There was this lady who talked to the bus officer for 10 minutes trying to find a way to get my bus ticket without the app that wouldn't install on my phone.

And then, this guy.

It was a national holiday, when chinese people travel to visit their family. I also had to travel that day -- not the smartest thing, but I thought it would be fun.

At the long distance bus station, I make my way through the line. After 30 minutes, I reach the cashier. The lady does not speak English. I use my broken Chinese to say I want to go to Song shan. She says "No". I try to ask why it's not possible. She just says "No".

My best guess was that the tickets were sold out, which, given the crowd, made sense.

So I start thinking about my options. I notice a local train station next to the bus station, so I check it out.

In the hallway, this guy asks me what I am looking for. I explain where I am trying to go.

He tells me there are no trains going there, but there should be a bus. Since I didn't know why I was refused a ticket, he goes back in line with me. Yes, he queues in that 30 minute line with me. When we reach the cashier, the lady tells him that as a foreigner, I need an official authorisation from the police. She could not sell me the ticket without it.

Now it made sense ! So we head to the police station and thanks to this guy explaining the situation, I quickly get my authorisation paper.

We go back to the cashier, cutting the line this time, and I finally get my bus ticket !

This guy took 1 hour out of his time to help me, without me even asking, and he barely spoke English.

In one month, I must have been helped by strangers like this 4 or 5 times.

China is full of people with a big heart. People who are still beautifully human.

Song Shan - day 1

"The 5 Great Mountains of China" are the most renowned and sacred mountains of the country.

Song Shan is one of them.

It is a full day climb, up and down, very popular with Chinese.

Before starting the climb, I stop at Songyue pagoda, famous for being a retreat of empress Wu Ze Tian, the only female emperor of China. I had learned about the pagoda a few years ago, in a documentary about Wu Ze Tian who made a lasting impression on me. Coming here was on my todo list before I knew about Song Shan.

The pagoda was peaceful. The only other visitors are a group of 3 students. Most Chinese go straight to Song Shan.

On my way out, the guardian lady notices I am looking for my way. She sees the group heading out as well, and in typical chinese fashion, orders them to help the foreigner and take him to Song Shan !

They were a group of friends from the Shanghai area. One of their life goal is to climb the 5 Great Mountains.

I immediately felt comfortable with them and we spent the whole day together, climbing up and down the mountain for what would be a 8 or 9 hour hike.

The climb was spectacular, challenging, super fun. Crowded too. Children, teenagers, students, parents, grand-parents. Every one going at their pace. Some struggling more than others, but nobody had it easy. Some 20 year-olds seemed to be struggling a lot. Yet everyone felt united in the same effort, in some type of pilgrimage atmosphere.

It took around 3 hours to climb up.

I got a lot of friendly looks from Chinese surprised to see a foreigner here.

The view on top was nice, but crowded.

When it was time to come down, instead of going back the same way, my new friends decide to take the route going down the other side of the moutain. But slowly, we realize that it is significantly longer. After a while, the sun starts to come down and we are still far from the exit. We finished the last hour with the flashlights.

This day checked a lot of boxes. Nature, physical challenge, adventure and nice people. Loved it!

Song shan - day 2

I do not know how day 2 happened.

The first steps, my legs hurt like crazy, because of day 1.

Yet, this was another 8 hour hike up and down the other mountain of the domain.

Mini cars

I love mini cars in China !

Social norms makes us want to buy big cars.

Unfortunately, big cars, even electric, are not sustainable. Big cars today already cause way too much greenhouse gas emissions. A big car for every human would be a catastrophy.

If we want to be more responsible, we need mini cars (or bikes, or public transport).

My favourite restaurant in China

Officially my favourite restaurant in China. A few tables, no heating, no AC, 3 soups to chose from. All organic local seasonal products from their own farm. This black vegetable tofu soup was a wonderful discovery. Filling, healthy, delicious.