![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/20161026_161533.jpg "Hong Kong Harbour")
Hongkong is a true cultural melting pot: With its skyscrapers, it resembles an American city, and the doubledecker busses remind me of London. At the same time, the Chinese-Asian influence is very well noticable – and in the hinterland there are some great hiking opportunities. Continue reading Hikeable Hong Kong
Tag Archives: Temples and Sacred Sites
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2407-1038x576.jpg "Shaolin Temple")
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
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2376-1038x576.jpg "Fengxian Cave")
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.![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_2024-1038x576.jpg "Tian'anmen Gate")
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
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/OI000547-1038x576.jpg "Fuego seen from Acatenango summit")
The Ruta Maya
In Winter 2016, I got to know the culture of the Mayas (in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador). I also had some relaxing days on the beach, and went hiking in the Guatemaltecan highlands.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/1-IMG_0456-1038x576.jpg "Patan Durbar Square")
All good kingdoms come in threes
Today I visited Patan, the capital of the third former kingdom in Kathmandu Valley (along with Kathmandu and Bhaktapur). The city can best be described by a phrase that is obviously not only popular in Thailand, but also in Nepal: same same, but different
. Continue reading All good kingdoms come in threes
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/2-IMG_0359-1038x576.jpg "Bhaktapur Durbar Square")
Bhaktapur, the Better Version of Kathmandu
I spent the last five days of my stay in Nepal in Bhaktapur, one of the capitals of the former kingdoms in the Kathmandu valley – and the difference to Kathmandu could hardly be bigger! It is much quieter, much less chaotic, and has much less traffic – in short: a place to relax! Continue reading Bhaktapur, the Better Version of Kathmandu
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/07-IMG_0186-1038x576.jpg "Kathmandu")
Kathman-HOOONK!
On arrival in Kathmandu two weeks ago, I had a bit of a culture shock: The city is just so loud and chaotic! After a couple of days sightseeing, however, I sort of got used to the chaos. Still, it continues to be just that: chaos. Continue reading Kathman-HOOONK!
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/2008-10-11.jpg "Siangde Temple, Taroko Gorge")
Travelling as a Deaf-Mute Illiterate
Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.
![[Picture]](https://bernies-journeys.at/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/2008-09-28.jpg "Chiang Kai-shek Memorial")
Caught in a Typhoon
Sorry, this entry is only available in Deutsch.