European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 1, 1988, Darmstadt, Hesse Tourists to inti along a restored portion of the twisting great Walt of China a 3,000-mile Barrier that is visible from outer space. U s s b the Eastern Soviel Union. In Shenyang we were Mel by our permanent Lour guide who was to accompany us up to Canton and the local guide who a Iii show us his Hometown. We realized then that we had reached China and we were ready to see Humr and Eal tilings far different had known ,. Scaled around ,1 Rounel Lable we sampled our first real chinese meat in he restaurant of our hotel. A Small bowl far the Rice a Small Pla Leand a Sel of chopsticks were in front of us. Four or five dishes Wal h cold appetizers Sal on a revolving plaster in the Middle of the lab Lei soon it was filled with bowls and plates of Beans garlic sprouts flu Laflower Chicken meal fish you name it. Rice was served toward the end of the meal along with a thin tasteless soup. A piece of fruit rounded off thereal. We had a close look Al Shenyang s Imperial Palaco a miniature version of the one in peking. It comprises Abb i Throe dozen buildings surrounded by a Wall. The colourful structures with their glazed Liles former r residences for the emperor his concubines and the Royal household now House various exhibits including weapons musical instruments coins and Jade carvings v White we were staring wide eyed at he delicate looking stud lures we were bin stared Al bythe chinese with unconcealed curiosity they Sload close to watch us westerners and listen to our strange sounding language. We temporarily forgot about the Beauty of me we cast a glance Al a baby boy s pants two Lillie legs ail ached by a Waistband and no Bottom ii was the Only time i remember a group of photographers waiting for the subject to i urn around and show his backside " in peking the next City on our itinerary we had to luvs full Days Lime packed with sightseeing visits and shopping the Only things Hal topped the temples were i he two cuddly Panda cubs in inc local zoo. These two playful furry bundles were my personal highlight. We watched them munching Bamboo silting in a Tiro swing and playing much like human Subj legs do later we visited Mao s Gigantic mausoleum an viewed the Wax figure like countenance of the croat. Helmsman in his coffin the Temple of heaven was a real Gem. The wooden Structure was built without nails its round Hall sits on a i rec store Marble Terrace lopped with a Blue three stepped roof. The round shape symbolizes heaven the Square stands for worldly things. It was immediately evident that the Ming tombs have fallen victim to the influx of tourists while inc statues along Are fenced in to protect them the parking lot resembles a Bazaar. From there ii was a Short drive to the great Wall the Only Man made object that can be seen from outer space. The awesome Basl on with a total length of about 3,000 Miles goes Uphill and downhill and pans i he. Mountainous landscape for As far As the Eye can see fortified at intervals by sturdy watchtowers. The summer Palace is a huge exotic Garden Ullh pavilions Ponds Gates a covered walk along the Northern Shore of Lake Kunming and the Stone Barge the Imperial Palace surrounded by a Wall and Moat suit l is the Symbol of the old China and a masterpiece of chinese a Chilel ure. Wil h ils pavilions Halls temples palaces and gardens it is almost a cily in itself. The inner Section is known As the forbidden cily in was forbidden under of death to enter without permission. Open to inc Public since 1wthe Palace now Many chinese and foreigners. The emperor his wife concubines Eun udis ministers and servants used to live within this Palace. Its prevailing color is purple symbolizing the Potar a Fie Center of the universe. The emperor was regarded As Chi Center of his Empire known As the Middle our last Slop in peking was the Friendship store the chinese equivalent of the soviet Bernoska store. China s currency is the Yuan bul there is the regular Yuan Renmin i Rob Ami Tho foreign Exchange Cert voiles Fec for foreigners. F dec notes Are the Only ones accepted by Friendship stores and tourist hotels. Rob and Fec Are both Legal tender but since imported goods can Only be paid for with fecs. They Are highly sought after by the chinese. A Black Market has already developed in some cities and people on i he Street approached me More than once to Exchange rms and Fijas. Taiyuan the capital of Shan i province hid under a layer of Haze when we arrived. The heart of a wealthy Industrial and Fertile farming Region the cily was often the scene of rebellions and political conflicts. The temples and pagodas we saw in Earthern colors and Bent with age were True gems. Equally interest ing was a visit to a weaving Mill where carpels and rugs were made of Wool and silk the loom area was cold but the Healing season would t Start for Anu Lher three weeks. The workers usually women earn up o 120 Van per month for six of a Jig Days per week an Overn Ghl train look us to Xian famous for the burled army of Alucs an estimated 7,000 Clay soldiers Are now being excavated after being buried in the mud for some 2,000 years. The life size figures some Riding Hiir ses other or Tva Gons guard the still unopened Tomb of emperor. Quin. Our next Slop was Chengdu capital of Sichuan the most densely populated province. Chengdu is famous for us Pii Juani and spicy cuisine Wilh our local guide we visited a brocade factory a. St a embroidery factory cultural monuments and the. Bamboo Park during our stroll through the Park became upon a group of children clustered around a. Woman who poured melted sugar on a plate. The sugar was shaped into fruits Bulle flies or dragonflies which were place on a stick arid Given to the children men redo Playman Tong. / at the Market an abundance of food was offered for Sale. Chinese cabbage was piled High As were k Luce Polales Lom aloes and mushrooms and fruits of All kinds. Live fish swam in bowls and meat was hanging or piled on tables the pigs hoses still recognisable. Egg were for Sale As Well As live chickens the Munfor Lunate animals were carried hanging upside Down tied to bicycle handlebars when we had dinner in a nearby restaurant some of us lost our appetites remembering All the ingredients we had just seen on the so ret we left for a two Day trip to Leshan Early the next morning. White in the streets de Parks men and women joined for their Lul pm exercises we got stuck in heavy traffic. Buses and Rucks could move Only slowly bul bicyclists rolled on past. For Many chinese the bicycle is the main Means of transportation the chinese manage to pack everything on their bikes. Mothers ride their continued on Page s do mfr l,19ba stripes Magazine
