Category: Travel in Greater China
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Through the Lens: My First Encounters with Beijing and Luoyang (in Pictures)
Hello everyone! If you haven’t figured out from the title what the next destination I will be covering is, then let me spell it out: We’re going to finally explore mainland China! This past week I was in Beijing and Luoyang, two cities which each share significance as capitals of China at some point during…
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Macau: Heritage and High-Rollers
When I stepped off the ferry onto the vibrant streets of Macau I had entered a completely different place, where the echoes of centuries of Portuguese influence mingle with the dazzling lights of a modern gambling metropolis. Macau is unique compared to its neighbor less than 40 miles away, holding a captivating story etched in…
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Two of Hong Kong’s Curiosities: Exploring Kowloon’s Past & a Golden Monastery
This week’s post is just a fun way to wrap up my coverage of my trip to Hong Kong. Today, I’m sharing two particularly fascinating places I visited that aren’t as frequented by tourists: one intimately connected with the history of Hong Kong, and one more quirky in nature. The first is the Kowloon Walled…
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Victoria Peak and the Fading British Legacy of Hong Kong
Welcome to the penultimate post on my trip to Hong Kong! Today, I’m excited to share the breathtaking experience of ascending Victoria Peak via Asia’s first funicular railway, complete with iconic panoramic views. But that’s not all – I also want to chat about the British influence that’s still so present in Hong Kong. You…
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Downtown Hong Kong: Exploring History and Modernity
Remember last week when we were soaking in the breathtaking views of Lantau? Fast-forward a few days, and I had traded cable cars departing the serene heights of Lantau’s wilderness for the concrete jungle of downtown Hong Kong. The transition was swift and, honestly, a little surprising! Let me take you along as I share…
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Exploring Lantau Island: Cable Cars, a Monastery, and one Giant Buddha
I am so excited to begin covering Hong Kong for you all this week! After my gargantuan journey across the Pacific Ocean (and with a lucky 6 hours of sleep thanks to China Airline’s Premium Economy seat), I landed around 10 am and thus had the whole day ahead of me. Not one to waste…
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Three Planes, Two Airlines, and One VERY Long Layover: My Epic Journey to Hong Kong
Have you ever taken a long-haul flight? This time my trip back to Asia involved three planes, two airlines, and one very long layover! But first, now that Chinese New Year has ended, I am happy to announce my long-awaited return to weekly posts. Starting this week and continuing into the near future, I will…
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Of Cats and Teahouses: New Year Adventures in Jiufen & Houtong
Dear readers, I hope you haven’t missed me too dearly! I wish everyone a lovely 2025 and hope you enjoyed your holiday season as much as I did. The Year of the Snake begins on Wednesday for those who follow the Chinese lunar calendar, marking a significant and joyous event, especially across Greater China. This…
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Beigan: Cats, Deer, and Cold War Relics
Hello everyone! I apologize for missing last week, but I was affected by a cold for the first time since arriving in Taiwan. Now I can proudly say that catching a cold is just as bad in Taiwan as in the United States. I want to share with you about Nangan’s northern neighbor Beigan this…
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Nangan: Where the Past Casts a Long Shadow on the Present
The Matsu Islands, a group of 36 islands and islets, are perched in the East China Sea, just a stone’s throw from mainland China. These islands have seen a lot of action over the centuries – fishermen, pirates, and soldiers have all called Matsu home at some point. Today I want to talk about my…
