Posts Tagged ‘hiking’
April 30th, 2010 | Author: Charles
Quite a good suggestion for hikers – how to choose suitable equipments for hiking!
DON’Ts:
Cotton Kills! Don’t wear cotton clothing, they take way to long to dry.
Don’t wear jeans, they are heavy, restrictive and again do not insulate when wet.
Don’t wear heavy jacket even if it’s cold. (wear layers instead, see below)
Don’t bring coffee, tea and any caffeine drinks, they dehydrate you! No pop or other sugary and carbonated drinks.
DO’s:
Wear light synthetic fabrics, they are good insulations even when wet and dry very fast. (e.g. Fleece, dry fit material, etc.)
Wear shorts underneath if you’re starting out in colder atmosphere, because you will get warmer as you continue to hike. (No places to change while on trail!)
Wearing layers is better than one “thick” jacket so that it’ll be easier to adjust to many temperature changes as you hike. The following is a suggested guide line.
Wear first layer of light comfortable shirt like “dry-fit” types, short sleeve and shorts.
2nd layer a fleece long sleeves or fleece vest. Pair of long pants.
3rd layer a light water proof rain gear and a toque or hat to shade from cold or the sun. The light jacket is a good way of protection from rain and wind when you have 2 layers underneath.
Sometimes, you may want to wear “biking” gloves or similar as you may grab hold of tree branches or rocks and boulders.
Sun glasses are a good idea especially when it’s a great hot and sunny forecast but don’t wear super dark lenses as in parts of the forest you won’t see very well where you’re taking your steps. Make sure they are secured (by eyeglass strings or bungee so you won’t lose them if they drop or moving around while you’re hiking).
For thirst quenchers bring lots of water! A suggested volume for our length of hike is at least 2 liters. Some juice or sport drinks are okay in addition to the water. You can add ice cubes in the containers (it’s better than bringing juice boxes or drink bottles as you have to carry all garbage with you!) It’s always good to drink water BEFORE you start your hike.
Sometimes for long hikes, 2 layer socks are very good, first layer should be snug fit and thin, second layer thicker wool or synthetic blend, also snug fit. (remember no cotton!)
Sunscreen is also very helpful to prevent sun burn. Insect repellent is a plus, but be conservative in use as “deet” is a chemical harmful if used too much.
Hiking boots… should feel and fit right, even when new. You can never “break them in”.If they don’t fit well the first try, find another pair that does.
High cut, ankle support is a good idea. Make sure it has good “grip” soles and patterns and light weight.
March 29th, 2010 | Author: Charles
Shanghai Metro
Shanghai has an extensive public transport system, largely based on buses, taxis, and a rapidly expanding metro system. All of these public transport tools can be accessed using the Shanghai Public Transportation Card.The Shanghai Metro rapid-transit system and elevated light rail has ten lines (numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, 8 ,9and 11) at present and extends to every core urban district as well as neighbouring suburban districts such as Songjiang and Minhang. According to the development schedule of the municipal government, by the end of year 2010, another 2 lines (numbers 10 and 13) will be built. It is one of the fastest-growing systems in the world – the first line opened in just 1995. Shanghai also has the world’s most extensive bus system with nearly one thousand bus lines, operated by numerous transportation companies. Not all of Shanghai ’s bus routes are numbered – some have names exclusively in Chinese. Bus fares are usually ￥1, ￥1.5 or ￥2, sometimes higher, while Metro fares run from ￥3 to ￥9 depending on distance.
Shanghai Metro
Rail Transit Line 1
Xinzhuang — Waihuanlu — Lianhua Road — Jinjiang Park — Shanghai South Railway Station — Caobao Road — Shanghai Indoor Stadium — XuJiahui — Hengshan Road — Changshu Road — Shanxi Road (S) — Huangpi Road (S) — People’s Square — Xinzha Road — Hanzhong Road — Shanghai Railway Station (S) — Zhongshan Road (N) — Yanchang Road — Shanghai Circus World — Wenshui Road — Pengpu Xincun — Gongkang Road — Tonghe Xincun— Hulan Road — Gongfu Xincun — Bao’an Highway — Youyi Road (W) — Fujin Road.
Rail Transit Line 2
Songhong Road — Beixinjing — Weining Road — Loushanguan Road — Zhongshan Park — Jiangsu Road — Jing’an Temple — Nanjing Road (W) — People’s Square — Nanjing Road (E) — LuJiaZui — Dongchang Road — Century Avenue— Shanghai Science and Technology Museum — Century Park — Longyang Road — Zhangjiang High Technology Park.
Rail Transit Line 3
Shanghai South Railway Station — Shilong Road — Longcao Road — Caoxi Road — Yishan Road — Hongqiao Road — Yan’an Road (W) — Zhongshan Park — Jinshajiang Road — Caoyang Road — Zhenping Road — Zhongtan Road — Shanghai Railway Station (N) — Baoshan Road — Dongbaoxing Road — Hongkou Football Stadium — Chifeng Road — Da Bai Shu — Jingwan Town — Yingao Road (W) — Changjiang Road (S) — Songfa Road — Zhanghuabang — Songbin Road — Shuichan Road — Baoyang Road — Youyi Road — Tieli Road — Jiangyang Road (N).
Rail Transit Line 4
Da Mu Qiao Road — Dong’an Road — Shanghai Stadium — Shanghai Indoor Stadium — Yishan Road — Hongqiao Road — Yan’an Road (W) — Zhongshan Park — Jinshajiang Road — Caoyang Road — Zhenping Road — Zhongtan Road — Shanghai Railway Station (N) — Baoshan Road — Hailun Road — Linping Road — Dalian Road — Yangshupu Road — Pudong Avenue — Century Avenue — Pudian Road — Lancun Road — Tangqiao — Nanpu Bridge — Xizang Road (S) — Luban Road.
Rail Transit Line 5
Xinzhuang — Chunshen Road — Yindu Road — Zhuanqiao — Beiqiao — Jianchuan Road — Dongchuan Road — Jinping Road — Huaning Road — Wenjing Road — Minhang Development Zone .
Rail Transit Line 6
Lingyan Road (S) — Shangnan Road — Huaxia Road (W) — Gaoqing Road — Dongming Road — Gaoke Road (W) — Linyi Xincun — Shanghai Children’s Medical Center — Lancun Road — Pudian Road — Century Avenue — Yuanshen Stadium — Minsheng Road — Beiyangjing Road — Deping Road — Yunshan Road — Jinqiao Road — Boxing Road — Wulian Road — Jufeng Road — Dongjing Road — Wuzhou Avenue — Zhouhai Road — Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone (S) — Hangjin Road — Waigaoqiao Free Trade Zone (N) — Gangcheng Road.
Rail Transit Line 7
Road — Fanghua Road — Jinxiu Road — South Yanggao Road — West Gaoke Road — Yuntai Road — Yaohua Road — Changqing Road — Houtan — Chuanchang Road — Dong’an Road — Zhaojiabang Road — Changshu Road — Jing’an Temple — Changping Road — Changshou Road — Zhenping Road — Langao Road — Xincun Road — Dahuasan Road — Xingzhi Road — Dachang Town — Changzhong Road — Shangda Road — Nanchen Road — Shanghai University (The train will run between 9am to 4pm in trail operation.)
Rail Transit Line 8
Yaohua Road — Xizang Road (S) — Lujiabang Road — Laoximen — Dashijie — People’s Square — Qufu Road — Zhongxing Road — Xizang Road (N) — Hongkou Football Stadium — Quyang Road — Siping Road — Anshan Xincun — Jiangpu Road — Huangxing Road — Middle Yanji Road — Huangxing Park — Xiangyin Road — Nenjiang Road — Shiguang Road.
Rail Transit Line 9
Middle Yanggao Road — Century Avenue — Shangcheng Road — Xiaonanmen — Lujiabang Road — Madang Road — Dapuqiao — Jiashan Road — Zhaojiabang Road — Yishan Road — Guilin Road — Caohejing Hi-Tech Park — Hechuan Road — Xingzhong Road — Qibao — Zhongchun Road — Jiuting — Sijing — Sheshan — Dongjing — Songjiang University Town — Songjiang Xincheng (The train will run between 9am to 4pm in trail operation.)
Rail Transit Line 11
North Jiading — West Jiading — Baiyin Road — Jiading Xincheng — Malu — Nanxiang — Taopu Xincun — Wuwei Road — Qilianshan Road — Liziyuan — West Shanghai Railway Station — Zhenru — Fengqiao Road — Caoyang Road — Longde Road — Jiangsu Road
Extention (Not open yet)
Shanghai Ciruit — East Changji Road — Shanghai Automobile City — Anting
(The train will run between 9am to 4pm in trail operation.)
Posted in City Hiking, Expo Hiking and Tips | 
Tags: hiking, metro lines, Shanghai Expo | Comments Closed
March 29th, 2010 | Author: Charles
There’re many water townships in China, especially in the east, in the Yangtze River and Tai Lake basin. However, there is no doubt that the most famous one should be Zhou Zhuang which is in Suzhou, Kunshan. And it’s the best case of protecting water townships in Suzhou. For welcoming Shanghai Expo, Suzhou offers the best sightseeing resources.
Zhou Zhuang
Embraced by Cheng Lake, Dian Lake, Yuan Dang Lake,Chang Bai Lake,Bai Xian Lake and the South Lake, the township lies in the southeast corner of Kun Shan city. Surrounded by water, Zhou Zhuang itself also abounds in interlaced rivers and lakes. The whole traffic was once mainly by means of boats. With a history of more than 900 years, Zhou Zhuang has been known as “township and the island”, characterized by the picturesque water county scenery – a perfect combination of exquisite bridges, limpid reverlets and quaint houses.
Zhou Zhuang
There are nearly a hundred well-preserved old mansions and over 60 gateways made of carved bricks. The mansions were named after owners’ surnames, such as Zhang, Shen, Zhou. The great mansion Shen-ting was built by the descendant of Shen Wan-shan, the most wealthy person in the area in south of the Lower Yantze under the Ming dynasty. It is typical of the housing styles in south of the Yantze River.
Zhou Zhuang
Just as Huangshan Mountains boast all the beauties of the mountains in China, the township of Zhouzhuang possessses all the charms of water counties. If you have arrived in Suzhou, don’t forget to come to Zhou Zhuang, to enjoy the hiking!
Posted in City Hiking, Expo Hiking and Tips |
Tags: hiking, Shanghai Expo, Suzhou, Zhou Zhuang | Comments Closed
March 27th, 2010 | Author: Charles
I walked through the plaza outside of the train station and got on No.1 bus in front of the bus station. The bus took me north along Renmin Rd., which is the main north-south road in Suzhou, I passed the Guanqian Block, then stopped at Yinmaqiao stop. I walked back about 50 meters, and turned left. That’s Dashitou Lane near the police office. Finally, I arrived here, Suzhou Watertown Hostel.
Guanqian Block
After breakfast, I rented a bicycle in the hostel, wow, an excellent bike made by Giant, so cool. Actually, it’s a popular exercise in many countries. There are separate bike lanes in Suzhou, even in the Singapore-industry-park, and in the narrow ancient lanes. At 8:00 I set off and went straight up Dashitou Lane. At the end of Liu Lane, it is Yangyu Lane. There you will see Zhongjie Street connecting to Yangyu Lane. On this route there are so many beautiful trees standing on the sides the streets, most of which are more than 50 years old.
Changmen Gate
Then from Zhongjie Road to Dongzhongshi Street, I went West through Xizhongshi Road and through the ancient city Changmen Gate. Ok, I took a rest on the bridge. Changmen Gate is still in use, the middle gate had been used for ancient government carriages, but now it’s the car lane. Through the side gates were bike lanes. I rode across the bridge and rode to another bridge called Duseng Bridge so it’s the torri carving “Shantang shengjing” appeared in my sight.
7-li Shangtang
I entered the ancient street from “7-mile part of Shantang ” on the special stones paving the street then there were other sights, such as Shantang Ancient Street, Suzhou Hundred Year Business Museum, Shaoxing Assembly Hall, Ancient Kunqu Opera School and Museum, Antai Fire-Protection Team, Jiangnan style tailor, and Yuhan Hall (Wu Yipeng Residence).
I had another rest, then rode along Shantang Street and went north. I took a right at the other side of Xinmin Bridge, the rest of the road was preserved in the original condition of the whole Shantang Street. The 7-miles Shantang Street was mainly designed and building by Baijuyi, who was a famous poet in the Tang Dynasty. When the poet was a goverment official in Suzhou, he had many canals as well as roads so it connected the waterway and land, thus connecting Tiger Hill and the ancient city. All of the old streets and lanes are agent, if you want to have a visit, just go ahead, but don’t forget to go back to Shantang Street.