Acrobatics Pictorial, Beijing

Excursion to West Lake, China

The West Lake, or 西湖, has been an integral part of Chinese history for almost 2,000 years.  Even in its early history, it was a place of importance; a place that poets have written numerous poems about, a place of peace and tranquility.  In fact, so well-loved is this body of water, that other man-made landscapes of national importance, such as the lake at the Summer Palace in Beijing.

It is said that the West Lake is the incarnation of one of the Four Beauties called Xi Shi.  So beautiful is this lake, that it is said politicians have given up their wealth and power to live in relative isolation here.  All it takes is a brief moment when you first arrive to realize why this place has such a strong pull on the people here.  Even with the smoggy pollution back in 2006, the lake is vast and gorgeous. Its bridges are both majestic and innately comforting somehow, and the small nooks and buildings that lie around this lake are equally calming and beautiful.

Although this lake was admittedly smoggy a decade ago, the pollution only minimally detracted from the beauty of this place.  Even so, environmental improvements that have been made over the years have likely reverted this lake to heave on earth; I can only imagine how astonishing the landscape will be with blue skies and clearer water.  In fact, when I return to Mainland China on my next trip, I am planning to make this one of my must-see stops.

Sunny Xining, Qinghai Province, China

The closest point to Tibet in China one can get before needing a permit!

Although Qinghai is not generally on the main tourist path in China, it is a worthwhile place if you want to glimpse stunning landscapes and enjoy a very different kind of culture.  Here, things move a bit more slowly than the frenetic pace of Beijing or Shanghai, and there are gorgeous mountains and plateaus in every direction.  There are a few major tourist sites to visit out here, such as Qinghai lake (they offer cycling tours which seem great, though I've never been), Ta'er Monastery, Donggang Mosque, Northern Mountain Temple, Qinghai Provincial Museum, and Tibetan Medicine Museum.  However, in my opinion the main reason to visit this region is the landscape, which is both rugged and beautiful.

If you have time for an excursion, head out to Sanjiangyuan (Three Rivers Point) National Nature Reserve, where the Yangtze, Yellow River, and Mekong river meet for a variety of birds and other wildlife such as antelope, gazelles, and wild donkeys.  One of the most awesome creatures you will likely see in this region is the yak or the yow, a cow/yak hybrid; a ridiculously shaggy but amazingly cute creature that looks like it walked right off of the Muppet Show and into the real world.  

The region is at around 4,000 ft above sea level, so if you plan to travel in this region, make sure you spend a day or two in the city taking it easy before venturing out to sites further afield.  You can get here easily and cheaply by train from Beijing West Station; reservations are not normally needed for this particular train during most of the year, though it is advised that travelers book at least a week ahead (when possible) during the summer months since it can get busy.  That said, the train is an experience in itself and it's an awesome site to see the countryside whizzing past.  

One last word to the wise, bring snacks with you, including a bowl or two of instant noodles, as there is not necessarily much to eat for the average traveler (though there were chicken feet that came through on a cart!), and it's better to be safe since options are limited on the train.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Although rich and street-raised, Teddy Roosevelt came out to the Dakota Territory for adventure and a bit of experiential therapy after the death of both his wife and mother.  When he first came out, he invested in a local business called the Maltese Cross Ranch and mostly stayed in his lodge, hoping to heal from the trauma of losing the most important women in his life.  Soon enough, though, he began to venture further afield and returned to hunting and even invested in a second local business, a cattle ranch called the Elkhart Ranch.  Roosevelt said that this time in the badlands was highly influential in his life and policy later when he became a politician.



Today, this National Park is home to a host of megafauna: wild horses, prairie dogs, bison, elk, deer.  Beyond this wildlife, the landscape itself is stark and impressive; as you take in the views, you have to wonder how people made any sort of living from this desolate environment.  In the winter, this landscape freezes, food is nonexistent, and winds chill you to the bone.  In the spring, the sun is strong but the wind is cold and bitter, as is the fall.  In the summer, the temperature can soar above 100 degrees fahrenheit and cause blistering burns and dehydration incredibly quickly.  This is a harsh environment, for sure, and all the while we were exploring this place, I kept thinking how lucky I was to be able to visit such a beautiful place while being acutely aware of just how dangerous a place like this could be without our modern conveniences.

Seeing all of the megafauna is truly impressive, not just because it is so difficult to see these animals out in the open under normal circumstances, but also because of the sheer harshness and desolation of the environment.  The landscape is gorgeous and serves and the perfect backdrop, reminding us that life can thrive even the most remote and difficult locations.

If you have the opportunity or can make the time, pay the park a visit in the spring.  This is when the baby animals will have just been birthed and this is a particular; baby animals are always adorable to see and makes for some really great photos.  Just make sure you stay a safe distance from all wildlife, especially when babies are around; parents are prone to being much more aggressive and many will not think twice about doing serious damage to any perceived threat to their young.

Teaser 6: Name that place!

Hints for this week:

1.  This is a National Park.
2.  This Park had a very famous, presidential resident.
3.  The hillsides of this area contain coal.

Can you guess the name of this National Park?