Fushun (Coalmine visit) April 2009

I arrived in Shenyang on 25 April 2009, from Melbourne via Shanghai, with Eastern China. In Shenyang I stayed in the Tian Bao hotel (W 1st Rd, near Zhongyang St), right opposite the bus station to everywhere.

Then by bus to Fushun which is 45km from Shenyang. Fushun has over 2 million inhabitants, plus McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chicken... The railway line (then under construction) was completed the following year when I returned. On my third visit I used the train which was a very interesting experience.

Fushun coalmine is the biggest manmade hole in the world (I was told).


Fushun (Chinese New Year) February 2010


Arriving in Shenyang on 7 February 2010, in the middle of winter, then by bus to Fushun with WenWen (my host), and spent Chinese New Year in the snow (minus 20c). WenWen's home is named QING YUN LIN HAI (We Are Home), on National Road, near Yongcheng Street

Fushun April 2010

Solo train ride from Shenyang to Fushun. It was a real challenge starting from leaving the hotel talking a walk to the railway station.

Wasn't too sure how to find the railway station as the hotel's directions didn't make a lot of sense. Trouble was, very few people speak English.

Having found the railway station, next challenge was where to buy a ticket and how to explain it to a ticket seller. After that, a long wait for the train relying on a station to catch the correct train. The ride itself was fascinating, very modern trains.

Met up with WenWen who take care of me as I just had surgery in my left shoulder.

Guiyang (A beautiful place)

My host was a lady by the name of Wei, who did't bother to wait for me at the airport. The plane landed 20 minutes late but she thought I had missed the flight... that put me in a very difficult situation as again, nobody spoke English and had to find the University (where she was) all by myself. Needed to get out of the bus and find a bank in which one of the tellers did speak English.

Eventually I arrived and the Wei was summoned.

Most of my stay in Guiyang I stayed with her family.

Guiyang is a very beautiful place and we also looked at real estate.


Zunyi

After a week we went by car to Zunyi. A fascinating and very pleasant town with lots of good shops and lights everywhere. Every Sunday evening there is traditional dancing in the central square (see photos).

Xiping (A small village)

A day out to relatives in the very small and remote village. I was told that I was the very first foreigner ever to set foot there.