1) " China has 4 mega cities of over 10 million people, the most of any country. By 2025, China will have 10 New York sized cities. If the population of China walked past you, in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction "
As at 2015, China has 1.4 billion people and it is the 3rd largest country in the world.
In contrast, the world has 30 cities with over 10 million people. The Top 5 cities are :
- Tokyo-Yokohama 37.9m
- Jarkata 30.0m- Seoul 26.1m
- Delhi 25.7m
- Shanghai 25.4m
China has 4 mega cities included in the world ranking :
- Beijing 21.6m ( Rank No 9
- Guangzhou 12.7m ( Rank No 26 )
- Shenzhen 12.2m ( Rank No 28 )
Except Jakarta (this dream was fulfilled in 2017), my passion in travelling has given me the opportunities to visit these mega cities. While I was in New Delhi, Cairo, Tokyo & Beijing during my travelling years, taking a train, bus or subway train rides during the morning rush hours was really a nightmare ! I really felt it when I was visiting the Tiananmen Square, Beijing during the first week of October 2009 when China held the 60th anniversary celebration - the Square was packed to capacity during the day & night so you just have to be patience to join the madding crowd at that particular moment from the time you enter a subway to the tarmac of the Tiananmen Square ! Thanks god, there were no stampede, no rude or violent behavior, no insane pushing but to join the madding crowd, you have to belong to the " survivor is the fittest " category !
A price has to be paid if you currently lived in a mega city in an over crowded Shanghai - your hard earned life saving of CNY0.5 million in Shanghai could probably buy you a home living space equal to the size of a toilet !
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60th Anniversary Celebration in Tiananmen Square, Beijing (Oct 2009)
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Thousands thronged to Tiananmen Square to celebrate (Oct 2009)
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Over crowding in Takeshita Dori Harajuku, Tokyo (2010)
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Shanghai, a mega city of 25.4m (2015)
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| A condo (1,278 sq ft) in Shanghai selling CNY5.4m (2015) |
2) China uses 45 billion chopsticks per year. 20 millions 20 year old trees are cut down in China every year to make chopsticks "
- I stopped using chopsticks when taking my meals at home. But in China, it is customary to use chopsticks both eating at homes & in eatery outlets or restaurants. So when in Rome, do as the Romans do ! No doubt, I had to hone my skill again in using chopsticks especially when eating my favorite meals ie rice & noodles each time I land myself in China !
With a population of 1.4 billion in China, the domestic market demand for this non-eco friendly chopsticks is huge ! A product which requires non-stop production throughout the year !
With a population of 1.4 billion in China, the domestic market demand for this non-eco friendly chopsticks is huge ! A product which requires non-stop production throughout the year !
3) " Over 35m people lives in caves in China "
In 2009, while visiting the Yungang Grottoes & the Hanging Monastery, Datong, our hired taxi driver took us to visit a "Yaodong" or house cave. The elderly dweller of this house cave lived alone and his main source of food was mainly corns grew in front of his cave house. The house was bare & lack of basic amenities or furniture ! After the visit, each of us gave some money to the dweller to thank him for giving us the opportunity to visit his cave house.
I am looking forward to a visit to Yan'an (this dream was fulfilled in 2017), Shaanxi Province, a place most famous when Mao Zhe Dong who led the Communist Party, lived in a yaodong in Yan'an from 1935-1948 !
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A cave house in the outskirt of Datong (2009)
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Together with 2 tourists, I visited a cave dweller home in Datong (2009)
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4) " By 2020, China could have between 30-40 million men who cannot find wives. In China there is a website that lets you rent a girlfriend for as low as US$31 for a week "
- I took a morning stroll at a People's Garden in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province one weekend and what I saw was an interesting activity involving the mingling of many parents or family members in a so called "Marriage" market in action !
Here I could see marriage brokers, anxious elderly parents participating in match making gatherings or exchanging notes or discussions with other parents to find a harmonious fit for their sons or daughters with the view of a potential marriage !
For others, the most convenient way is to hang a piece of their personal CV in paper on branches, garden floors or grass lawns with a contact phone number for suiting partners to call ! If you are not yet a confirmed bachelor, why not try this method of finding a life partner, maybe it works !
I am not sure about the success rate of this marriage market activities in major cities in China but wish them luck especially for the elderly parents who are anxious to find a marriage partner for their beloved sons or daughters born in the 80's !
Here I could see marriage brokers, anxious elderly parents participating in match making gatherings or exchanging notes or discussions with other parents to find a harmonious fit for their sons or daughters with the view of a potential marriage !
For others, the most convenient way is to hang a piece of their personal CV in paper on branches, garden floors or grass lawns with a contact phone number for suiting partners to call ! If you are not yet a confirmed bachelor, why not try this method of finding a life partner, maybe it works !
I am not sure about the success rate of this marriage market activities in major cities in China but wish them luck especially for the elderly parents who are anxious to find a marriage partner for their beloved sons or daughters born in the 80's !
5) A new skyscraper is built in China every 5 days. China is building massive cities just to keep builders busy & generate growth. The results are ghost metropolis. The world's biggest mall located in China is 99% empty.
- after visiting most of the provinces & municipal cities in China, I probably had seen from the train or bus windows, a number of skyscrapers standing tall in the CBD areas especially in mega cities like Beijing, Guangzhou etc. Being a regular traveler to China, I observed that the urban landscape can change dramatically in a relative short period of time !
In the suburban towns or smaller urban centers in provinces like Hainan, Inner Mongolia etc, many of the condo buildings had been left vacant for sometimes. Over the years, many suburban towns have become ghost towns ! The Chinese government has ambitious plans to resettle a large rural population of 100 million over the next decade hence these unoccupied buildings were built for the future - never mind about the unpleasant sights in a so called a newly growth township ! Hopefully this approach of "nothing venture nothing gain" or "short term pain long term gain" works or bears fruit towards the end !
I have yet to visit New China Mall, the largest in China, located in Dongguan, Guangdong province. This mega mall has 5 million sq ft of shopping area and can accommodate 2,350 stores. This mall is now a "ghost town"
- after visiting most of the provinces & municipal cities in China, I probably had seen from the train or bus windows, a number of skyscrapers standing tall in the CBD areas especially in mega cities like Beijing, Guangzhou etc. Being a regular traveler to China, I observed that the urban landscape can change dramatically in a relative short period of time !
In the suburban towns or smaller urban centers in provinces like Hainan, Inner Mongolia etc, many of the condo buildings had been left vacant for sometimes. Over the years, many suburban towns have become ghost towns ! The Chinese government has ambitious plans to resettle a large rural population of 100 million over the next decade hence these unoccupied buildings were built for the future - never mind about the unpleasant sights in a so called a newly growth township ! Hopefully this approach of "nothing venture nothing gain" or "short term pain long term gain" works or bears fruit towards the end !
I have yet to visit New China Mall, the largest in China, located in Dongguan, Guangdong province. This mega mall has 5 million sq ft of shopping area and can accommodate 2,350 stores. This mall is now a "ghost town"
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| Shenzhen (2013) |
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| Shenzhen (2013) |
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| Blocks of condo buildings completed but un-occupied in Sanya (2013) |
6) " Almost a third of San Francisco's air pollution comes from China "
- Heavy smog was seen in Shanghai when I paid a visit to The Bund from 8-11 Dec 2015. A week later, the Chinese government issued a yellow alert for smog in Shanghai , which was two levels below Beijing warning ! So if you have asthma or lung problem, avoid visiting both these cities.
When I was visiting Datong, Shanxi Province in 2009, the air pollution there was very severe as Datong is China's coal belt and is the most polluted city ! In this dry & arid places, you do not expect to see raindrops keep falling on your head but instead you have airborne coal dust keep sneaking into your nose or mouth when you breathe !
But still they are many tourists who flocked to Datong every year to visit the 2 popular tourist attractions ie Yungang Grottoes (460AD), an UNESCO site & Hanging Monastery (491AD). So get ready a face mask when you are coming to Datong and hold your breadth as long as you can but for how long ?
- Heavy smog was seen in Shanghai when I paid a visit to The Bund from 8-11 Dec 2015. A week later, the Chinese government issued a yellow alert for smog in Shanghai , which was two levels below Beijing warning ! So if you have asthma or lung problem, avoid visiting both these cities.
When I was visiting Datong, Shanxi Province in 2009, the air pollution there was very severe as Datong is China's coal belt and is the most polluted city ! In this dry & arid places, you do not expect to see raindrops keep falling on your head but instead you have airborne coal dust keep sneaking into your nose or mouth when you breathe !
But still they are many tourists who flocked to Datong every year to visit the 2 popular tourist attractions ie Yungang Grottoes (460AD), an UNESCO site & Hanging Monastery (491AD). So get ready a face mask when you are coming to Datong and hold your breadth as long as you can but for how long ?
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| Putting on a face mask due to polluted airborne coal dust in Datong (2009) |
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| The Bund in Shanghai during the early winter - heavy smog (2015) |
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| The Big Buddha in Yungang Grottoes -Datong (2009) |
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| The Hanging Monastery - Datong (2009) |
7) " All Pandas in the world are on loan from China "
2 giant Pandas arrived in Malaysia in May 2014 and were on loan for 10 years to symbolizes the 40 years of strong Malaysia-China diplomatic relationship !
In August 19, 2015, giant Panda Liang Liang gave birth to a cub at the Malaysia's National Zoo. What a great news for both countries ! If you have not seen a real Panda, head to Malaysia Zoo or when in China, visit Chengdu's Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding - highly recommended !
If you enjoyed chewing sugar canes, you are most likely to look like a giant Panda !
Newly born baby Pandas in Chengdu Research Base of Giant Pandas Breeding - well pampered by the caretakers !
Mind you a signboard in Chengdu Pandas Breeding Center has this to say about Pandas - " like humans, pandas have different personalities - some are loners, some are friendly, some are aggressive and some just like to play". What type of Panda would you be ! As for me, I am a retiree, a traveler & a Qigong learner !
8) " The Yangtze is the longest river in China and even in Asia - the 3rd longest in the world. The Yellow River, mother river of the Chinese people is just behind the Yangtze, both flowing into the Pacific "
Yangtze River - In 2009, I took a Yangtze River cruise starting from Wanzhou, Chongqing to Yichang, Hubei. Currently over 60 vessels operate cruises along the Yangtze stretching 6,300 km from Shanghai through China's heartland. This was once in a life time experience for me, a trip full of excitement & spectacular scenery ! The 3 day cruise covered a visit to the Changfei Temple, Baidi City and passed through the Qutang Gorge, The Lesser Three Gorge, Madu River, Wu Gorge, Xiling Gorge and ended our visit with a conducted tour of the Three Gorges Dam in Yichang, Hubei Province.
Unfortunately, it was reported in local media that on June 1 2015, a cruise ship "Eastern Star" sank (due to strong wind & heavy rains) while cruising the Yangtze River killing 442 people . So avoid the heavy rainy or wet season should you decide to join a Yangtze River cruise !
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| The start of my Yangtze cruise from Wanzhou to Yichang (2009) |
In 2014, I visited the Tiger Leaping Gorge, a scenic canyon on the Jinsha River, a primary tributary of the upper Yangtze River. It is part of the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan protected area - an UNESCO World Heritage site.
9) "Yellow River - the Yellow River flows through from the west to the east of China; Yellow River or Huang He is the 3rd largest river in Asia & the 6th longest in the world (5,464km). Starting from Bayan Har mountain in Qinghai, it flows through 9 provinces and end up in Bohai Sea near Dongying city in Shangdong province. The Yellow River is called " the Cradle of Chinese Civilization"
In May 2015, I visited Lanzhou (the capital of Gansu Province) which is situated on the upper reaches of the Yellow River. The 2 landmarks I visited were the Yellow River Mother Sculpture & Zhongshan Bridge over the Yellow River.
I am looking forward to visit the Hukou Waterfall (this dream was fulfilled in 2017) located at the intersection of Shanxi & Shaanxi Province. Hukou is the largest waterfall on the Yellow River, the 2nd largest in China after the Huangguoshu Waterfall in Guiyang.
10) " The 4 Great Inventions of China - Paper, Printing, Gun Power & Compass "
Gun Powder - The invention of gun powder (Huo Yao) was rather accidental during the Tang dynasty. As a consequence, this led to the development of cannons for war affairs in the Song & Yuan dynasties. The gun powder was spread to the Arab world & Europe during the 12th & 13th century.
In 2014, I visited the Macao Fortress & Hulisan Fortress, Xiamen. The fortress of Macao was built & completed in 1626 whereas the Hulisan Fortress was built in 1894. The iron canons on display in Hulisan dated back to the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) & Qing dynasty (1644-1911). The world oldest & largest canon made by Krupp Company of Germany is still on display at the Hulishan Fortress !
The history of gun powder & canons were very much intertwined both in China & the outside world during the old warring days !
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| Fortress of Macau, completed in 1626 (2014) |
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| Hulishan, Xiamen (2014) |
Compass - Magnetic compass was invented in China during the Han dynasty (206 BC). It was later adopted for use in navigation during the Song dynasty (11th century). Since then, Chinese cargo ships were able to sail to the Saudi Arabia without getting lost. The compass was introduced to the Arab world & Europe during the Northern Song dynasty (13th century).
During the Ming dynasty (14th century), Admiral Zhenghe, a Hui-Chinese explorer led 7th expeditions to South Asia, South East Asia, East Africa & Middle East - the invention of compass for navigation had greatly contributed to the success of Zhenghe's sea voyages overseas !
In 2014, I visited the Macau museum & the exhibits & pictures presented had a narration of Zhenghe's expeditions & sea voyages route map during the 14th century ! Unfortunately, I do not have much knowledge in the use of compass ..... so I can forget about ocean sailings & dessert safaris !
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| Zhenghe's expedition route map to Asia & East Africa & Middle East |
Paper - In the old days, animal bones, tortoise shells & bamboo slips were widely used as writing surfaces. But due to their bulkiness & weight, these crude materials were replaced by the use of light hemp fibre & silk but the quality was a major issue.
In 105AD, Cai Lun, an eunuch during the Han dynasty invented making paper using worn fishnet, bark & cloth. These materials were abundantly available at much lower cost hence greater quantities could be produced. In the ensuing years, the paper making technique improved and the technique was exported to Korea (384AD) & then to Japan (610AD).
Paper bills were first used during the Tang dynasty (AD618-907). It was used privately as bills of credit or exchange notes and this lasted for more than 500 years. This form of money practice was introduced to Europe in the 17th century. During the turbulent years & financial crisis in the 14th century, the government then stopped using the paper money (1455).
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| Bamboo slips used as writing surfaces |
Municipal or Provincial museums in China have a great exhibits of paper money, bank notes and copper or silver coins used as currencies in the old days !
In 2009, I visited the Risheng Chang Exchange Shop, one of the earliest financial houses (established) in Ping Yao Ancient Town. There were exhibits of paper bills used as bills of exchange in the 18th century. During the Qing dynasty, the currency used was sliver coins hence there were obvious problem relating to security or transferring of money from one branch to another. This resulting in the introduction of bills of exchange which offered businessmen a convenient banking system for handling money. The creation of paper bills banking system greatly boosted the Chinese economy then.
In 2009, I visited the Risheng Chang Exchange Shop, one of the earliest financial houses (established) in Ping Yao Ancient Town. There were exhibits of paper bills used as bills of exchange in the 18th century. During the Qing dynasty, the currency used was sliver coins hence there were obvious problem relating to security or transferring of money from one branch to another. This resulting in the introduction of bills of exchange which offered businessmen a convenient banking system for handling money. The creation of paper bills banking system greatly boosted the Chinese economy then.
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| Risheng Chang Exchange Shop established in 1823, Ping Yao (2009) |
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| Paper Bills, Bills of Credit, Exchange Notes (1830's) in Ping Yao (2009) |
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| Silver Coins & Accounting Record Books |
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| Ledger Books for Cash , Credit & Bills of Exchange |
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| Bai Chuan Tong Exchange Shop |
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| Security & protection services in the old days |
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