China held the most interest for Toby, with all their history and cultural differences it is sure an experience in travelling. The shear amount of people and restrictions of free travel make it a challenge to see but one that is worth while and some of the most unforgettable memories where made here, although not necessarily pleasant ones!

China Stats:
Size:9,600,000 sq km
Population:1.3 billion
Capital: Beijing

Days spent in China:26
Images in Diary: 45

Useful Links:
Lonely Planet
Trans Siberian Experience
Inside China
China Daily
Panda Research
Yangtze River Dam
The Great Wall
2008 Olympics
Tibet
Free Tibet

...Scaling the great wall
Just a few hours drive out of Beijing takes you to a more remote part of the Great Wall, Simatai is not filled with tourists and the tacky market stalls but you still get the determined little Mongolian women who will walk with you all the way along the wall just to sell you a can of coke. Mind you in this heat its a blessing. read diary

...Cruising the Yangzte river
The ultimate in Chinese package holidays. A trip down the yangzte river. You could choose various kinds of luxury accommodation so we chose the 8 bed dorm. Luckily we travelled with some friends we met on the way, Karen and Louise as the whole experience may of been too overwhelming for us on our own...read diary

...Chengdu Panda research centre
Its well worth escaping the pollution of Chengdu to visit the Panda breeding and research centre. China is not noted for its animal rights and zoo's should generally be avoided but as one of their national symbols and a rare species the Pandas are treated exceptionally well. This was a fantastic way to see these creatures and we where even fortunate to see one just a few days old, although it did look just like a naked mole.read diary

...On the trail of Buddha
While Sarena took some time to help out at the orphanage in Kathmandu, Nepal. Toby went on a pilgrimage in a gruelling 7 day drive across the Tibetan plateau from Nepal to Lhasa. He could well claim that he was on the path to Karma and total enlightenment but actually he was on a mission to find a blasted Tibetan Terrier dog in its natural environment. To no avail! read diary

...and then we went to NEPAL >

Toby also returned to China during their visit to Nepal and travelled to Lhasa in Tibet >