The karst hills of Yanshuo are indeed extraordinary – I have never seen anything like it. The numerous hills are dotting the landscape, in seemingly endless rows, one after the other. We have explored this region by bike and on some short hikes. Continue reading The surreal mountains of Yangshuo
All posts by Bernhard Kabelka
The First Emperor’s Army
Today, we visited the Terracotta Army – a must-see on any trip through China. Continue reading The First Emperor’s Army
The (allegedly) most dangerous hike in the world
Today, a cycling tour on the Xi’an city wall was actually on our itinerary. However, one member of our group proposed to go hiking at Hua Shan instead. This proposal was greeted with some enthusiasm, and so seven people (of our group of nine) ended up spending their day on the mountain instead of the city. I was one of these seven. Continue reading The (allegedly) most dangerous hike in the world
The Skilful Shaolin Monks and the Magnificent Song Shan
We spent the last one-and-a-half days at the Shaolin Temple, learning a bit about its history (and Kung Fu), as well as enjoying the beautiful Song Shan mountain. Continue reading The Skilful Shaolin Monks and the Magnificent Song Shan
The Buddhas of the Longmen Caves
Today, we visited the Longmen Caves. Out of the walls of these caves (and the surrounding cliffs), more than one hundred thousand (!) Buddha statues have been carved in the time of the Northern Wei dynasty (some 1,300 to 1,500 years ago).
Update from October 31, 2016
Additional pictures are available.Great Steps (and Ladders) on the Great Wall
In the past one-and-a-half days, we explored the Great Wall of China – from the perfectly renovated section near Mutianyu to the nearly broken-down part at Jiankou.
Update from October 31, 2016
Additional pictures are available.Continue reading Great Steps (and Ladders) on the Great Wall
Welcome to the People’s Crowd’s Republic of China
Beijing is big, very big even, and (rather unsurprisingly) full of Chinese. That it is also swamped by (mainly Chinese) tourists, however, came as a surprise to me.
Update from October 31, 2016
Additional pictures are available. Continue reading Welcome to the People’s Crowd’s Republic of China
Luno, the Chinese Lantern Festival
This fall, Vienna hosts the Luno Festival, a Chinese Lantern Festival. I decided to pay it a visit, as it already sets the mood for my upcoming visit to China. Continue reading Luno, the Chinese Lantern Festival
Crossing the Hochschwab Plateau
A friend of mine is currently on a multi-week trek on the Nordalpenweg through the Alps. For the past two-and-a-half days, I accompanied her on her hike across the Hochschwab plateau, from Seewiesen to Eisenerz. Continue reading Crossing the Hochschwab Plateau
A day in Graz
On my second day in Styria, I explored the Styrian capital Graz for a couple of hours. Continue reading A day in Graz