'm sorry that for a long time I have not updated Mix Hostel's Blog as I was so busy with taking care of my son, the little devil. It was a nightmare for us when the nanny went back home for her 5 days holiday... Fortunately she came back the day before yesterday. We feel liberated!

Anyway, in the past 2 months, Hostel was doing alright specially when the world economy went bad. Winter season in fact was delayed, we got quite warm autumn and surprisely sunny days for almost a week! But since yesterday, the cold air come from Siberia finally arrived, we had a quite windy day yesterday, and people put on heavy jacket eventually.

Two weeks ago was a perfect sunny weekend, so i decided to do some exercise, with my newly bought DAHON folding bike, I cycled with a group of folding bike guys to Huanglongxi old town, according to my meter, the round trip was precisely 102 km.

It was great, besides of the very nice weather, a special route was recommended by an university teacher who has tremendous enthusiasm in biking sports, as well as his son, a little guy only 12-year old, has been trained very toughly, the best cyclers in that trip to Huanglongxi.

The first 1.5 hour trip was not that interesting, we, 8 cyclers, cycled all the way down south direction, crossing the urban jungles, fly-overs and high-tech zone, it then gradually became interesting as the countryside finally appears. I never know this route, in the past, I always drave through another way, a new high way, to Huanglongxi, but this biking route is aboslutely much better and much more to see.

Huanglongxi is ancient town some 50 km south of Chengdu, It has been listed in Lonely Planet and highly recommended by Rough Guide for many years, but due to the blindly tourism development, the town has been polished, which means, it lost some of its authentic characters. However, it's still a great place for chill-out an afternoon sitting near the river band, for cyclers, a perfect stop after 50 km cycling.

Many restaurants near the chain bridge, and the food was delicious. You wouldn't become picky as you will be very hungry after 3-4 hours riding. After eating, having a cup of tea under the trees is so relaxing.

We cycled back through the new high way, it was boring and effort-taken, because the road is always up and down, I hurted my knee on the road.

It was a nice cycling day anyway, and I really recommend this route if you want to see a little bit of Chengdu's countryside.

Torch relay should have came to Chengdu earlier this year, however the wenchuan earthquake made it delayed. Since the torch relay arrived in Sichuan 3 days ago, Chengdu people have already been lighted up by the passion of the up-coming Olympic game, you can see many cars running on the street with China Flag and Beijing Olympic Game Flag tied on the car antenna, and the street vendors use the last chance to make profit of selling those flags. I was in a street side breakfast restaurant this morning, actually all the places on that street that the channels all locked on Olympic Torch Relay live, nearly all the people were concentratingly watching this live. Including me.

As one of the greatest discovery in 20th century of China, "Jin Sha" has welcomed its one year anniversary since it's opened to public in 2007.

Actually I've already written something about this museum in the previous blogs, and by far, the only museum in Chengdu that I would like to recommend. The admission is 80 RMB, it's a bit over-budget for some travelers, but really, if you like museum, this place should not to miss.

With more than thousands of visitors have admired in "Jin Sha Relic Museum" for its mysterious history and background, now, "Jin Sha" is ready to declare as a natural heritage from UNESCO.

I wish "Jin Sha" successfully grab a seat in UNESCO's Natural Heritage list, and welcome more and more people come to witness this pride of Ancient Chengdu.

I went to Huang Long Xi last year just for "Fire Dragon Dance".

Actually I knew this dance long time ago, but i never saw it in real until last year. It usually starts at 20:00 in the evening, begins with lion dance, Sichuan opera, a bit acrobatic shows, they keep "Fire Dragon Dance" in the end as a highlight on this show.

It was impressive dance, dragon dancers held the sticks which supports the long dragon, and they waved the dragon up and down in crowds of people. And the audiences all bought the fireworks and all of them just fired to dragon dancers, and dragon dances shuttled back and forth in crowds, and seems they didn't care about the burning on their skin at all! The dance lasted for about half hour, finally they used a special way to end up the show.

How to get here:
The best way is to hire a small van to taxi if you want to come back in same day as there is no public transport available for tourists after dark. But, there are many hotels in Huang Long Xi old town, for a standard room the usual cost is about 120 RMB.

The budget way:
Take bus from "Xin Nan Men Bus Station", buy ticket to "Huang Long Xi". It's only about roughly 30 Km south of Chengdu. Then come back to Chengdu the next day.

For this year, the show starts from 7th of Feb to11th of Feb, every evening.

P.S: If you can rent a bike in Huang Long Xi, it's quite enjoyable to cycle in countryside.

If you still have extra time and want to see Chengdu in all different angles, you may check out "Nong Jia Le", a name probably you can only hear in Chengdu-commonly regarded as a city for leisure-though I don't think pretty much so.

"Nong Jia Le" can be literally translated as "Farmhouse" and "Happy" where local Chengdunese happily spend time on weekend with their family by playing province-wide game "Ma Jiang", drinking tea, enjoying healthy food grown up from relatively unpolluted countryside, locals like to forget city for a while in a place not far away from city.

The biggest "Nong Jia Le" area that I'm going to tell you is located at outskirt of Chengdu some about 10 km east of downtown, most of people drive there but "no-cars" can also catch bus at "Jiu Yan Qiao九眼桥", sure, Taxi is another option.

This large "Nong Jia Le" area used to be farming land occupying more than 620 acre, but by selling the crop can be very difficult for people living in rural area to increase their income, so about 4 years ago when local government tried to boast the tourism economy, here became an experimental field. Farmers stopped farming, instead, they converted their houses into guesthouses, restaurants, tea houses as well as the flower planting base-the demand of flowers in market is getting higher, and It's certainly more profitable than selling crops.

Go there when weather is good, see hundreds of people playing majiang together under the shadow of trees or a farmhouse's courtyard, take a walk on ridge of field, specially in spring time, when flowers is booming.

It's also perfect to ride there by bike.

P.s: This large "Nong Jia Le" area is consisted by two "Nong Jia Le", one is called: "Xing Fu Mei Lin 幸福梅林" and another one "San Sheng Hua Xiang 三圣花乡". You can find buses head there at "Jiu Yan Qiao 九眼桥".

Thai Consulate, American Consulate, Korean Consulate and German Consulate.

In China, thousands of bears live a life of torture on bear farms. The bears are “farmed” in order to extract their bile. Bears are confined in cages which vary in size from agonisingly tiny "crush" cages to slightly larger steel crates, all of which cause terrible physical and mental suffering. In addition to their captivity torment, the bears are subjected to painful & cruel methods of bile extraction that involve crude surgery to implant a steel catheter into the abdomen or the creation of a permanent hole in the abdomen known as the "free-dripping" technique.

Many bears die as a result of the unsanitary surgery and those that survive spend the rest of their lives suffering in extreme pain and depravation.

The Asiatic Black Bear (Ursus Selenarctos) is most impacted by the demand for bile acid - ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). This species of bear is more commonly known as the Moon Bear due to the beautiful yellow crescent on its’ chest. They are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Appendix I, the most critical category of endangerment. These bears are both trapped in the wild & bred in captivity for exploitation on the farms.

Bear bile is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. However, leading Traditional Chinese Medicine doctors now agree that it can and should be replaced by herbal and synthetic alternatives that are cheaper, more effective and readily available. So in addition to the inhumanity, the initial rationale on which this industry was built is no longer valid.

China Bear Rescue Centre

The China Bear Rescue Centre came in to being following the signing of an unprecedented agreement with the Chinese authorities in July 2000 to free 500 farmed Moon Bears. The sanctuary was established north of Chengdu. The China Bear Rescue Centre is an inspiring and exciting facility that gives the bears everything they were denied on the farms: health, freedom & happiness. These happy & healthy bears have tasty food, the pleasure of roaming in lush natural foliage or swimming in cool water and the freedom of choosing whether to wander off alone, or to be "on view" to admirers.

Upon arrival these pitiful, caged newcomers are given a medical by the Centre’s Veterinary Team now recognized as world experts in this field. All the bears required extensive surgery for their injuries, to remove the steel catheters and to fix their abdominal wounds. Surgery for each bear lasts between 4-12hours.

The sanctuary, features the pioneering design and development work of an internationally acclaimed animal architect. This is the first dedicated bear sanctuary in the world. It is an adventurous creation that combines a safe, but natural, home-from-home for the bears in Rehab Centres and bamboo forest, - but which also allows inspirational "up-close" visitor access in specially created "zones", where the general public can see a bear’s life!

Catering to their special needs is a professional team of on-site managers and workers, plus experts (including volunteers) who are experienced and qualified in working with bears and who ensure that each day is filled with interesting enrichment activities to keep them stimulated throughout the day.

Helping these bears - helps people as well. In addition to the Centre imparting “inspiration for humanity” on its visitors they also currently employ over 50 people on site, ranging from bear workers, security and maintenance staff, and gardeners. Cooks are employed to feed 185 bears and staff who give them their every day care. Local farmers have a ready market for their produce and several small shops have appeared around the perimeter of the Rescue Centre.

The Rescue Centre is scheduled to open to the public in mid-2005.

Why Support this Charitable Cause?

In addition to the obvious benefits for the Moon Bears, this project and the foundation are deserving of support and relevant to those living in Sichuan, reasons include:

*Well run charity with a high percentage of donation being spent on their programs

*Achieving positive outcomes with a win-win-win approach

*Geographically relevant

*Participation encouraged

*Enlisting volunteers to assist

*Defined project expansion upon reaching funding targets

*Clear goal to stop bear farming by the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Animals Asia’s approach for this project is worthy of mention.

To achieve the outcome of cessation of bear farming in China, they initially signed an agreement with the China Central Government to issue no more bear farming licenses enforceable across all provinces. They then set about encouraging bear farms to find alternate activities and help convince them by purchasing their bear farming licenses. They built a centre to help these newly freed bears. To change attitudes they enlisted the support of leading Chinese doctors and the Traditional Chinese Medicine Associations across the world to reject bear bile as a source of UDCA.





They operate campaigns in schools & universities in China to educate people about the cruelty and complete in-necessity of this industry. The local community is involved through employment & commerce.

They have created momentum for this outstanding cause by delivering win-win-win solutions, not problems.

Animals Asia Foundation

The Animals Asia Foundation, managed by professionals, resident in Asia, is committed to forging constructive solutions to the seemingly insurmountable problems which the animals face in today's changing environment.

Animals Asia Foundation is a Hong Kong-based government-registered animal welfare charity founded by Jill Robinson MBE in 1998. It also has charitable status in the UK, USA and Germany with donations being tax-deductible in these countries. It is a registered non-profit organization in Australia and has additional offices in New Zealand and China.

Upon reaching the fund raising target the American Chamber of Commerce and the British Chamber of Commerce collectively adopt one Moon Bear. Naming rights for the adopted bear can go to the winner of a “Special Raffle” for those that purchase benefit/field trip tickets.

For mor information, please visit the
Animals Asia Foundation web site here

While some travelers talking about the backdoor to Yunnan, I'd like to suggest you another route which actually more comfortable, leisurely however the beautiful sceneries will never be out of eye sight.

Backdoor to Yunnan from Sichuan means travelers travel through Sichuan and Tibet highway (mostly in and off the south route), you'll pass by Kangding (A geographical border between Chinese han and Tibetan), then most of travelers off to Tagong for several days (horse trekking, hiking or visiting Tibetan nomadic people). After that, travelers usually will come back to south route again and straightly heading to Litang where the cowboy like Tibetan walking around you, Litang built on 4000 meters high plateau, take precaution for high altitude sickness. From Litang, bus starts down to south direction, passing by Daocheng (the gateway to Yading National Reserve) to Xicheng. Stay overnight in Xicheng, bus set off to the end of your backdoor journey in Zhongdian, also named as "Shangri-la". On the way some parts of the road are in relatively bad condition, and the snow storm might occurred when bus crossing the 5000 meters' high pass.

The route I suggest is not very adventurous one but you'll see at least 4 different minorities. They are literally "Yi", "Mongolian Moso", "Moso" and "Naxi". You start you trip from Chengdu, take the night train to Xichang. You'll arrive in Xichang in the early morning, catch a taxi to long distance bus station. As I know the last bus heading to Lugu Lake directly departs at 8:30am, so try to be bus station before that time. Bus takes about 7 hours to Lugu Lake town via Yanyuan Town where bus stops for lunch.

Lugu Lake Town in fact is still some several kilometers away from lakeside where most of family accommodations can be found. You can expect some van waiting for tourists in Lugu Lake Town bus station. You can walk to lakeside or if your backpack is too heavy, share a van to lakeside.

Lugu Lake is located on the border between Sichuan province and Yunnan province, where the altitude is more than 3000 meters' high. At the Sichuan side, most of inhabitants are Mongolian, but they've already merged into Moso culture, so real Moso people call them FAKE MOSO, but i prefer to call them Mongolian Moso. As the tourism is not as developed as in Yunnan side, so Sichuan side is comparatively cheaper and more original. The most prosperous area at Lugu Lake is at Yunnan side Luoshui Town, bars, hotels, souvenir stores are fully packed there. Lige Island is a perfect balance in Lugu Lake. Lige Island is to the west side of the lake, a small peninsula stretches into the lake. Along the lakeside, more and more small hostels and guesthouses have been mushrooming, so you'll never feel bored.  Don't foret to get up early in the morning to take a morning sunrise photo, which is awesome!

You can find buses head to Lijiang (For Naxi culture)in Lige Island village or Luoshui Town.

North Sichuan is generally in "Aba Tibetan Prefecture" where the majority is Tibetan but they are living along with "Qiang people" and "Hui" (Chinese Muslim). "Tibetan" and "Qiao" once had war in the past but now they really live peacefully and harmoniously together.

Songpan and Jiuzhaigou are probably the most popular destination for travelers, however comparatively Songpan is less spoiled than Jiuzhaigou. From Chengdu to Songpan takes 8 hours on bus, if you travel in summer raining season you might encounter the landslide particularly in the area of "Yingxiu".  Songpan town has been rebuilt because it had been destroyed by a fire several decades ago, so it looks quite new, and not as charming as some other old city like in the north China the "Pingyao City". Backpackers go to Songpan for horse trekking to ice mountain or some other area altitude over 3000-4000 meters high. Horse team arrange everything for you including tent, sleeping bag, food. On the way you have chance to camp in the wild, meet nomadic Tibetan family and check out the Tibetan Lamasery.

Jiuzhaigou national park is actually only 3 hours away from Songpan, but if you take the public bus, you can expect stopping somewhere to wait for more passengers to fill up the bus in case the bus is not full. Jiuzhaigou International airport is in fact not in Jiuzhaigou, It's actually located in Songpan, so even you fly, you still have to change a bus and spend several hours  to get to Juizhaigou.

If you are budget traveler, you'll be happy to know that more and more budget hostels have been mushrooming in expensive JIuzhaigou, get the hostel card or ask Mix Hostel to book the bed or room for you in advance.

Officially, tourists are not allowed to stay in national park, and you must go out of park the same day, but ticket is valid for two days excluding bus ticket. A bit confused? Actually the ticket for Jiuzhaigou is combined with National Park Ticket and Bus Ticket (Jiuzhaigou is big, you must take the bus to get around), in total it cost more than 300 RMB. (In high season the bus ticket is 90 RMB, 80 RMB in low season), that means you can use the same National Park Ticket to enter the park next day but you should have to buy the bus ticket again.

However there is a trick. If you insist to walk instead of taking bus, you can only pay the National Park Ticket which is about 220 RMB (Between NOV. to FEB is only 80 RMB). Then you need to walk for several hours to the second Tibetan Village which is called "Shu Zhen Zai", from there you can catch the bus and usually nobody will check your bus ticket. Also, most of secret lodgings can be found from that village, if you like, you can stay there  for couple of days, only thing you need to beware is that if you want to come out of the park, do it in afternoon not morning (It's not logical to come out of the park in morning, isn't it? ^_^)

Tip of one day trip to "Jiuzhaigou":
The National Park is in shape of "Y".  Catch bus at entrance all the way to the right top point of "Y" then walk down back to the intersection of "Y". From there change another bus to left top point of "Y". After catch bus back to the intersection of "Y" again then walk down to see all the tourist sites.

We then keep going up north. The destination we'd like to be is Langmusi, it's right located at the border of Sichuan Province and Gansu Province. We had been told that there was no bus heading to Langmusi from Jiuzaigou, but a guy who lived in the same hostel with us bought a bus ticket and that bus is surprisedly going to Langmusi (she told us that bus will arrive in Langmsi in two days). Bus actually goes back towards Songpan and then goes up from "Chuan Zhu Si". I checked the map of Sichuan, there actually is a road connects Jiuzhaigou to Zoige, but local told me that road is extreme bad with a lot of landslides, that's why bus has to go back a little bit then reach to another road which connects to the road to Zoige, absolutely it takes longer time.  So, we chose to hire a car which is 600 RMB/day. Driver found a short-cut, so we arrived in Zoige pretty soon (6 hours approximately), we left Zoige immediately after having a lunch in Zoige. On the way, the vast grassland seems endless, hundreds of sheeps and yaks were grazed there.

We arrived in a place where the road branched, we saw the signs hang on at roadside, right direction is to Langmusi, left is to Tangke. Because of the road construction, the short way to Langmsi is closed, so we had to run another direction and get a big round back to the road to Langmsi. We missed the "Flower Lake" which is at the middle of somewhere between where we were to Langmusi, but as a makeup, we'll pass by the "First Bend of Yellow River". Car finally arrived in Langmusi in dark. It took a whole day.

Ist Huang Long Xi International Ancient Town Festival is gonna be held in Huang Long Xi from 27th of Sept to 7th of Oct 2007. During the festival, you'll have chance to see many river activities inside the ancient town with dramatic special effect. You can also observe the fire dragon dance, releasing river lights and other traditional activities rarely to be found in today.

Ever thought about to have a dinner like a blind person? Leto Dark Restaurant makes it come true. The feature of this restaurant is just like its name reveals "DARK", thus you even have to make order before you enter the dark room.


Food finally came but we couldn't see anything, but used the hand to touch them in dark, and used the tongue to check if it is which we ordered.

Generally it's very bold idea, and it has successfully attracted a lot of Chengdu People's curiosity.

Where is this restaurant?
San Sheng Jie (三圣街口,郁金香广场2楼）, about 100 meters east to Hongxinglu Walking Street Cross, on the second floor in the same building which ATT KTV can be found.

Bon Appite!

Recently many travelers asked us for where to get DIMOX, a medication which could possibly prevent high altitude sickness. So, I checked the Global Doctor, they confirmed for me that DIMOX actually is its commercial name, the real name of it is technically called "Acetazolamide". It's in fact a medicine for treating the "glaucoma", but it also works (I assume the side effect works) on prevention of high altitude sickness.

You can get it from Chengdu No.3 Hospital or which is easier to get from GLOBAL DOCTOR Chengdu Branch as staff there speak good English.

Their contact info:
MOBILE: 138 808 67859 TEL: 028-8525 9928 FAX: 028-8525 8088

The Carnival will be held in Bailian Tianfu Shopping Mall （百联天府）which is located at the intersection of Kehua Road(科华路) and Second Ring Road.

On 8th of August, in Pingle Ancient Town, a special celebration will be held there on Chinese Valentine's day.

Pingle Ancient Town is about 90 Km west of Chengdu and about 20 Km away from Qionglai City where you need to transfer from Chengdu to Pingle.

Pingle Ancient has been famous as a holiday destination in recent years, every weekend many families will drive there and have a relaxing holiday with elders and kids.

With it's typical Sichuan Traditional Style housings and many tea houses and home-cook restaurants, you can have a really ease day there with your friends, either have a chitchat or playing Majiang with your Chinese travelmates, or even do the Bamboo Raft on the river which cross the whole town. Time is still and life is laid-back there.

The opening ceremony of Chinese Valentine's day in Pingle starts at 8:30, 8th of August and last one hour. During this ceremony you'll see people release the lights in river, and singing and dancing show on Bamboo Raft.

The LOVERS' competition will begin on 19th and end up on 21st of August.

The closure of Chinese Valentine's day will be on 22nd of August, and during that day you'll find Beer Festival and Facing Changine Lantern Festival in Pingle Ancient Town.

How to get there?
Take bus from Xin Nan Men Bus Station to Qiong Lai City(2 hours). There are many mini vans to Pingle Ancient Town(half hour) in Qiong Lai City Long Distance Bus Station.

The fastest way is to take the bus from Jin Sha Bus Station which is located in West of downtown, it only takes 1 hours to Qiong Lai City.

Check out the map in attached picture.

When you got sick in your travel, the most frustrated part is no doubt the communication with  the local doctor, at this circumstance the Global Doctor Chengdu Clinic may help you. This one is so far except of the NO.3 hospital as we know where you can find good English Speaking Doctors to talk with. I've never tried but it might be helpful for you.

Addess: Global Doctor Chengdu Clinic, Ground Floor of Building Kelan Bangkok Garden. 21#, Section4, Renmin Nanlu, Sichuan, 610041, China. ( 环球医生成都诊所,地址:成都市人民南路四段21号盘谷花园可兰阁听涛苑1楼)


Nancy Wang
Marketing Executive
Mobile: 1388 0867 859
Tel: (028) 8525 9928
Fax: (028) 8525 8088

For those who are relatively lazy travelers and are not ready to go Tibet, the Southwest Circle Trip would be perfect for you.

This trip starts at Chengdu, then Kangding, Tagong, Baimei, Danba, Rilong(Mt. Four Sister), Wolong(Panda Reserve) and eventually back to Chengdu and vice versa.

This trip is mainly for Minority Culture, Kangding is the capital of Kham Tibetan Prefecture, some monasteries are worthing taking a look in town or hire a car to carry you to the Lake "Mugtzo". Tagong Grassland is an ideal place for horse trekking and experience the Tibetan Nomadic life. Country side of Bamei attracts many Photographers in autumn and It mainly plays a role as a transfer point to Danba-The Tibetan Beauty Valley. There are three valleys lie between snow mountains in Rilong, and the Changping gou(Long Steppe Valley) to Li County has long been a challenge route for hikers. If Chengdu's Panda Reserve is not enough to meet your Panda Curiosity, you may stop at Wolong to check out another famous Panda Breeding Center.

The estimate time schedule in this journey:
Chengdu to Kangding (270 Km, 7 hours, 98RMB or 110 RMB)
Kangding to Tagong (110 Km, 4 hours)
Tagong to Bamei (30 Km, less than 1 hour, Share the private car, 10 RMB/PERSON)
Bamei to Danba (110 Km, about 2 hours, Public bus costs 25 RMB, Bus leaves at 12:30 in Bamei.)
Danba to Rilong (via Xiao Jin, 100 Km, about 2 hours)
Rilong back to Chengdu (286 Km, about 5-6 hours)

Floraland Amusement Park is probably the best Theme Amusement Park in Chengdu.

This park is actually located in WenJiang County, about 1 hour bus ride from Chengdu downtown.

The park is big with different themes such like Romantic French, China Town, Small Town of Munich, Chocolate Kingdom, Sunshine of Milan and Capital of Sakura and so on. From each theme zone you can find different kind of Amusement Facility, some are really exciting.

Walking around the lake with castle, the restaurants and coffee shops are one to another. Also, the places such like Pottery Making School is very interesting, spend a lazy afternoon, make some potteries by own hand.

There are many activities regularly held in park's theater.

HOW TO GET THERE?
Bus 904 from Xin Nan Men Public Bus Terminal (which is next door to Xin Nan Men Long Distance Bus Station) runs to Floraland directly and cost 2.5 RMB-3.5 RMB. (Bus runs between 8:30am-5:30pm in Chengdu, 10:00am-7:00pm in Wenjiang)

For those who are interested in visiting MUSEUM that I'd like to recommend you a great place which located at the west band of the city and it's called Jin Sha Relic Museum.

Jin Sha Relic site was accidentally found from an on-going construction site, massive amount of relics, jade products and elephant teech were unearthed and it regarded as the greatest discovery in this new century.

Since this discovery has very few relation with Chinese Civilization, it so still remain a part of unknown history which waiting for archaeologist to search it out.

Admission: 80 RMB (Strongly recommend you hire a guide)

Since two days ago, the last piece of cool has finally gone and we welcomed the uncomfortably hot summer of Chengdu.

Chengdu is located at the bottom of Sichuan basin geographically, clouds are thickly covered and climate humid. It is said that this is the reason why people from Chengdu like eating spicy things, because the spice or hot things can prevent a disease called  rheumatism which is caused of humidity.

So, buy a pair of flip flop, wear in short pans, hang out around narrow alleys or big shopping mall, be laid-back.