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Fujian trip 2 (5/10-25/2015) – random observations and comments

1.   Rank must have its privileges

I first noticed this in 2013 when escorting a group of foreign scholars to visit the forbidden City in Beijing. The tour bus was not allowed near the entrance  and must park at the other side of the Tiananmen Square. Tourists must  walk 1km+ across the square to reach the entrance and of course walk back to  board the bus. The reason given was to avoid crowding at the entrance (fair enough). Another unstated reason is perhaps to allow the various vendors and merchants to have a chance to sell to the tourist outside the tourist spot. However, autos with special permit  are allowed to park near the entrance. I thought given the number of high ranking officials in Beijing, this is a privilege they deserve. But during our visit to Fujian, every tourist spot has bus parking far away from the entrance where only cars with special permit are allowed at the entrance even though there clearly was no traffic crowding. Buses are not even allowed to let off the tourists at the entrance and then park far away (at least this way it saves the tourist one half of the effort and still let the vendors sell their stuff on the walk back.) One is forced to admit that this is another demonstration of the privileges of “RANK”. As tourism becomes popular and native tourists become numerous, there must be ways to distinguish the ordinary citizen from the privileged class.  Who says socialistic China is classless?

2.   The Zhang Yi-Mo’s light-and-sound show

I remember during the 60s and 70s when many people visit European citiesf or the first time, one of the must visit is to see a “light and sound show” at night in a historical spot such as the Roman Coliseum. But nowadays such showsare much more elaborate, artistic, and well done. Those of you who watched the 2008 Olympic opening and closing shows designed by Zhang Yi-mo  have some idea what I am talking about.  Apparently Zhang has designed and staged many such shows involving elaborate sceneries and cast of thousands at many famous spots all over China. We saw one in WuYiSan (武夷山) which was very impressive  and relatively expensive(US$40.00/person). Because of frequent rain in the area, for every ticket one is given a plastic rain coat so that the audience can watch  the show in pouring rain under open sky and remain dry. We did.  Quite an experience except for the actors who must do this every night.

3.   Rafting along a river

The highlight of the tour was the bamboo rafting trip at 泰宁 (see photos in  my previous article). The sceneries are spectacular and rival many rafting trips in the US such as in the Grand Canyon or on the Snake River. Except in the US these were done on Rubber boats and some involving overnight stay in river camps. By the way, Fujian is famous for her mountainous terrain. Only with extensive tunnel and highway construction accomplished in recent years, tourism became practical for the masses. However, restroom facilities except in hotels and r oad  side lunch restaurants are “not quite ready for prime time”. Western tourist will have to wait a few more years (most oversea Chinese tourists who were born in China can accept these and do not mind).

4.   The Xiamen-Little Quemoy-and QuemoyIslands

Those of us who were adults during the 50s to the 70s can remember the“hot canon war” between Chinese mainland at Xiamen and Quemoy island of the Nationalist  Taiwan. Nowadays, however all have been forgiven  and forgotten.There is only a 20 minutes ferry ride between the two islands hourly (even less distance between Little Quemoy island and Xiamen.  Again see photo of the last article). Thousands of passengers cross the narrow  strait both ways each day.Now the military installations, particularly the under  mountain waterways (see photo in the previous article) on Quemoy and the large character propaganda signs on both sides became tourist attractions.  Everyone is very friendly, talks about the “good old days” jokingly,  and busy commerces are conducted. One of our tour group member was  actually serving in the Taiwan navy and described his experience of actually stationed on the Quemoy island during the “war”.

Mainland Chinese visit Quemoy mostly for one purpose which is my next comment/observation.

5.   The EVERRICH 5 Star Hotel and the DutyFree shopping Mall

Quemoy is basically a rocky barren island with few residents. If it weren’t for the hot canon war and politics, it would have remain so.

Even today most of the resident are elderly retired or youngsters not yet adults. Most working age adults have left to seek more lucrative career elsewhere in Asia since there are few opportunities on the island. However beginning February 2015, a new five star hotel with a  huge duty free shopping  mall were opened for business. All the major name brand luxury good shops  such as, Prada, Tiffany,coach, etc. are featured in the Mall. How come? The idea is mainly aimed at mainland Chinese who are often obsessed with  name brand goods (http://blog.sciencenet.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=1565&do=blog&id=460173 ).Chinese tourists are both loved (for their money) and hated (for their behaviors) in major European cities and  shopping centers. Thus someone had the idea that instead travelling to Paris  or London why not a 20 minutes ferry ride “abroad” to Quemoy for the same thing.  You even save travelling cost but you get the same real stuff duty free.When we were there in early May, customers are relatively scarce. Since this is brand new, it is not clear whether or not this idea will catch on.

6.   Fujian cuisine

Fujiancuisine in my opinion is different from other parts of China where I have eaten. Although like Kwontung, it features a lot of seafood. The cooking is more nuanced and also uses a great deal of mushrooms and wild plants and vegetables. It does not contain as much variety as Sichuan or Cantonese style of cooking which is perhaps as to why it is not widely known outside of China.But we enjoyed the meals while there.

7.   No more land tours in China

Although we kept up with the group most of the time. For various reasons including that of #1 above, there were too much walking and stair climbing every day for our 80 year old body. Occasionally we simply had to tell the group to go on and opt out of some sites. Perhaps cruises are our only alternatives from here on. Fortunately, we feel there are hardly any “must see site” left for us in the world. Thus, no regrets.