Due to the visa-free requirement for Malaysians, everyone’s headed or heading to China so why not me eh? A colleague’s recommendation convinced me to try out one of Sri America’s English tours. Having been to the more renowned Beijing and Shanghai, so where to next? My initial plan to Xi’an took a 180 degree turn when the Matta fair tour promoter encouraged me otherwise. Her exact words were ‘too much history and full of museums, kids especially definitely bored’! 🥱 And next thing that happened - without the opportunity of doing any research, Zhang Jia Je became my next destination. Truth be told, i just recently heard about those mountains being the inspiration behind Avatar setting.
After a comfortable but small Batik Air night flight, we arrived 4.5 hrs later past midnight at Changsha airport.
SA Travel is said to provide food and accommodation above average amidst a smaller than average tour group size in a more relaxed and not too rush kinda setting. Our first stay was at Microtel by Wyndham. Having arrived around 1.30am at the airport, it was nice that we were given ample time to rest with the day’s activities to start at 11am. Oh, and the hotel rooms are so spacious too for just me and my kid.
The breakfast spread in China is nothing much to shout about as always. Manage your own expectations and sticking to the ‘acceptable’ varieties always help. One thing i learnt, try their cook-to-order noodles dish which is usually of their local specialty. I also took a liking in their unique steamed glutinous rice wrapped in siew mai wrapper style.
First stop was Miyin Temple in Ningxiang, which sits the Thousand Hand Guan Yin..
After an arduous task of steps collecting, it was time to reward ourselves with a sumptuous dinner feast!
After dinner we headed to Changde to see their German Town.
Many quaint little stalls along this 1km street.
That is the end of our night in Changde.
