Congrats Adela!!
Also really inspiring how the music video was filmed in Bratislava and the lyrics are about the beauty that is encompassed in people coming from various backgrounds, especially the more overlooked places <3
I was looking at some Chinese posts the other day and apparently there seemed to be a huge discourse surrounding "女拳" which seemed to be related to feminism on all kinds of Chinese platforms like Douyin, XHS etc. However I do feel like there's a lot of context that I'm missing about the whole gender conflict and how this controversial keyword rose to prominence - could anyone care to explain? Thanks.
This marks the third time I’ve travelled to China. I’ve been long interested in the Western regions, especially in Gansu, Sichuan and Qinghai where Tibetan culture can be explored without the hassle of a permit or a guided tour. The Western part of Sichuan in particular is renowned for its remarkable scenery, Tibetan monasteries, alpine lakes and scenery among China travel enthusiasts. I visited Danba, Daofu, Luhuo, Ganzi, Dege, Baiyu, Batang, Litang, Daocheng, Mount Gongga and Mount Siguniang in that particular order.
One thing I would highly recommend is getting a temporary driver’s license and renting a car, as accessibility is a huge barrier to exploring this region outside of the common tourist circuit. I rented an off-road SUV for ten days which was affordable and accessible (not to mention G318 being an amazing scenic drive as well, can’t recommend it enough)
Overall I would say a month was more than enough time to explore the entirety of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. You'd drive around 3-400 kilometers a day while seeing three to four attractions. Many Chinese people do it at a faster pace while focusing on Kangding - Xinduqiao - Tagong and Litang sequence which I didn't visit. However, the monasteries in Baiyu and Dege were absolutely amazing with barely any tourists around. The alpine lakes were gorgeous as well. The only part of the trip that felt rather touristy was Daocheng Yading which I enjoyed on its own. There were plenty of authentic Tibetan culture and natural scenery that I dare say holds up to Tibet, or maybe even better. Either way I highly recommend this trip to someone who's looking for nature, culture and something off-the-beaten path.
I went to Japan recently and noticed that the stores specializing in Malatang were all packed with people.
Bunch of Mala inspired stuff at the Konbini too. What led to the sudden spike in popularity?
Perched high in the misty mountains at 4,000 to 5,000 feet, the tea groves of Jingmai are blanketed in mist and a cool climate. The area's remoteness served as a natural shield from development during China's industrial farming boom in the 20th century. If you’re a tea connoisseur, you likely know Jingmai for its famous Pu'er tea, distinctive for its bitter and nutty notes.
Wengji is one of the nine historic settlements nestled into Jingmai Mountain. UNESCO recognized this village and the neighboring Nuogang as places that have impeccable architectural preservation, a factor in designating the mountain as a World Heritage site.
A lot of tourists overlook this area compared to the popular cities of Lijiang, Dali, Kunming and Xishuangbanna while exploring Yunnan. Having explored the area last year, I found it far more genuine and authentic than the typical tourist circuits. Although it's harder to reach, the untouched atmosphere offers a unique experience that is not to be missed.
The majestic Guinsa Temple deep in the Sobaek Mountains.. one of my favorite places to visit when the leaves are turning red. Sobaeksan NP and Gosu Cave are not to be missed as well.
Thinking about the Bingzhongluo landscape set in the The First Bend of Nujiang River and Gongshan Mountain, I realized the explanation of "a plain of a plateau where humans and gods coexist." The endless plains and the winding of the old river were like scenes created by gods.
Gurye is sparsely populated, and thus Korail is currently reimbursing ticket costs to use towards future travel. Hwaeomsa & Yeongoksa are really beautiful temples that stood the test of time. Planning to revisit to see Cheoneunsa and Saseongam in the future.