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| Big Wild Goose Pagoda at Xi'an |
Third solo trip to China
I am now at Shanghai Pudong International Airport, marking the end of my third solo trip to China. All in all, I was very fortunate to avoid any sickness or accidents, and I must say, as with my previous two solo trips, I thoroughly enjoyed my two-week stay.
The trip began in Shanghai on October 14, 2025. With just a few hours there, I only had time for a quick drink while watching life pass by from my hotel room window.
The
next day, I hopped on a high-speed train to Zhenjiang. I spent two nights there, visiting the Grand Canal and the Vinegar Culture Museum. I loved the fragrance of the black vinegar and enjoyed tasting it on-site.
The high-speed train journey from Zhenjiang to Luoyang took over four hours. I had long wanted to visit Luoyang, as it was the capital for thirteen ancient dynasties. I was particularly eager to see the Longmen Grottoes. The rock-cut Buddha figures were truly awe-inspiring; when I first saw the grand central Buddha, I could only stand and gaze, completely awestruck. It's incredible that these figures, carved thousands of years ago, have been so well preserved.
Next was Xi'an, the main destination of this trip. Like its neighbor Luoyang, Xi'an served as the imperial capital for ten ancient dynasties and several regional kingdoms. Mind-boggling, isn't it? I spent five nights there, visiting the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Muslim Quarter, the Terracotta Army Museum, and the Green Dragon Temple, among others. The ranks of Terracotta Warriors in Pit No. 1 were a truly magnificent sight.
The Green Dragon Temple is where the Japanese monk Kūkai (who hailed from Kagawa Prefecture, where I now reside) studied Buddhism in 804 AD. After finishing his studies, he returned to Japan to establish the Shingon sect and the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. This temple is considered the symbolic "Number 0" of the pilgrimage route.
On my return leg, I stopped in Xuzhou, where I spotted a restaurant selling donkey meat from afar. Having already tried a donkey meat burger at a morning market in Luoyang, I approached out of curiosity to look at the menu. To my surprise, they offered donkey in a variety of ways, including one dish featuring the animal's penis and testicles. For dinner that night, I went to a restaurant near my hotel and ordered two vegetable dishes. While eating, I noticed that this restaurant, too, had donkey penis on its menu.
I returned to Shanghai for two final nights. This time, I managed to capture the iconic night view of the Shanghai Oriental Pearl Tower, though the crowds at the Bund were overwhelming.
Throughout the trip, what I enjoyed most was cycling around on Hello Bikes. I found it fascinating to observe the routines and rhythms of everyday life in China. The other great joy, of course, was eating the local food. I made a point of finding shops patronized by locals. With only one exception, I enjoyed every meal throughout the entire trip.
I certainly hope to visit China again—perhaps Guangxi or Yunnan Province will be next.
