After weeks of nonstop travel, we settled in Lijiang at Mama Naxi’s Guesthouse. Genuine and full of life, she’s a true gem along the backpacker trail.

After a multi-day train ride across China, we arrived into Shanghai and set off to explore the Old Town, downtown and of course, the shopping!

After many nights in Shanghai, we bid China farewell. I left with mixed feelings about China, particularly about the government’s horrid treatment of Tibet.

Tiananmen Square, Mao’s creation in central Beijing, evokes feelings of awe-inspiring wonder and heart-sickening memories of extreme government brutality.

Our foray into China began amid the hubbub of Beijing. We visited the Summer Palace, Donghuamen Night Market, hutongs, Great Wall and so much more.

Taking overnight trains in a common part of travel in China. Adjusting to the therapeutic rocking motion during a night’s sleep as well as sharing a bunk with strangers adds a special note to the travel experience.

Meeting China’s famous giant pandas was an inspiring travel experience. Cuddly, lovable, and oh so cute, these black-and-white bears live nowhere else in the world outside captivity.

This quaint little town of Yangshou keep us occupied for a few days before we traveled further south to Hong Kong. While here, we shopped in the town’s many boutiques and markets and drank plenty of tea while waiting for the rain to stop.