My Grand Tour of China - Hong Kong
Monday, November 9, 2026
Sunday, November 8, 2026
My Grand Tour of China: Thank you!
As I reflect on My Grand Tour of China, I must express my deepest gratitude and appreciation to the “crew” that helped take care of my. Led by the extraordinary project Manager- Kenny Zhao - thankfully his job in real life as well. His helpers included his wonderful wife Margaret Wong Zhao, his thoughtful and photographer extraordinaire mother and his babysitter and helpful hands father. This was an amazing trip. As they coordinated and changed their schedules it allowed me to have a personal tour of all of the highlights of China. From the first class accommodations to the various modes of transportation I did not have to worry about anything. I also received a culinary tour of China. Kenny and Margaret are foodies like me.
Of course, the highlight of the trip was seeing the twins - which added next level planning to the trip. I can’t thank this family enough and look forward to seeing them again back in the US and the even back in China. Shi shi. 谢谢
Grand Tour of China - Shanghai
Shanghai: Tradition, Temples, and a City of Lights
Shanghai was the final stop on my October 2024 journey
through China, and it offered a fitting finale. The city is often associated
with its soaring skyline and fast-paced modern life, but my photographs also
capture quieter corners: traditional buildings, temple spaces, winding paths,
and waterways that invite you to slow down and look around.
Old streets and waterways
One of the pleasures of Shanghai is the contrast between its
grand modern image and the intimate scale of its older neighborhoods. Narrow
lanes, traditional rooflines, and waterside views offer a different rhythm from
the city’s busiest commercial districts. These scenes reminded me that
Shanghai’s character is made up of many layers, not just its famous skyline.
A quiet canal-side
view, with traditional buildings close to the water.
A pedestrian street
lined with traditional-style architecture and shops.
A leafy garden path
and water create a peaceful pause from the busy city.
Colorful traditional
buildings glow in the evening, drawing visitors into the street.
A moment for temples and tradition
Shanghai’s historic and religious spaces provide another
perspective on the city. Temple architecture, decorative details, and offerings
invite a closer look at traditions that continue alongside contemporary urban
life. I wanted to include these places in the story because they bring a sense
of continuity and reflection to a city that is always moving.
A traditional temple
entrance, framed by visitors and ornate architectural details.
A richly decorated
devotional space filled with flowers and offerings.
A traditional pagoda
rises above the surrounding grounds.
Shanghai after dark
As evening arrived, the city’s modern side took center
stage. Towers lit against the night sky made a striking contrast with the older
streets and temples I had seen earlier. The skyline is an unmistakable part of
Shanghai’s identity, and seeing it illuminated gave the city a dramatic final
flourish.
The Oriental Pearl
TV Tower and nearby buildings illuminated after dark.
A cluster of modern
skyscrapers shines against the night sky.
A high viewpoint
reveals the scale and sparkle of Shanghai at night.
A fitting finale
Shanghai brought my grand tour of China to a memorable close. Across the trip, I had seen historic landmarks, religious and cultural sites, local streets, and very different expressions of modern Chinese life. Shanghai brought many of those contrasts together: quiet traditional corners and spectacular contemporary architecture within the same vast city. It was a fitting last chapter to a journey full of discovery.
My Grand Tour of China - Chengdu: Giant Pandas
Chengdu: Giant Pandas, Temples, and Sichuan Flavor
After beginning my October 2024 grand tour in Hong Kong, I continued to Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province. Chengdu offered a different side of China: historic temple and shrine grounds, traditional streets, a food culture famous throughout the country, and a modern city with a personality all its own.
The photographs from this stop capture several sides of
Chengdu—from traditional architecture and leafy courtyards to local food and
the bright energy of the city after dark.
Traditional Streets and Historic Places
A traditional pedestrian street in Chengdu, with shops and visitors
moving through the historic-style setting.
Chengdu’s traditional-style streets invite visitors to slow
down and explore. Shops, food stalls, and pedestrian lanes create an atmosphere
that feels very different from the modern commercial districts, while still
being part of a large, contemporary city.
Visitors gather in a traditional courtyard at a historic temple or
shrine complex.
A broad view of the entrance courtyard and traditional rooflines.
The historic temple and shrine architecture offers another
window into China’s cultural traditions. Rooflines, courtyards, carved details,
and ceremonial spaces create an atmosphere for reflection and exploration. I
have kept these captions general until the exact site names can be confirmed
from the original itinerary or signs in the photographs.
A quiet garden scene, with water, greenery, and traditional
architecture.
A closer view of a traditional building within the historic complex.
The garden views add a quieter note to the visit. Water,
trees, and traditional buildings create a calm contrast with the busy streets
outside.
A Taste of Sichuan
A meal stop during the journey, sharing a table and taking in the local
food culture.
A Sichuan-style dish—part of the region’s reputation for bold,
distinctive flavors.
Sichuan is one of China’s great food regions, known for
complex seasoning and the signature combination of heat and the numbing tingle
of Sichuan peppercorns. Eating is an important part of experiencing the region,
and photographs of a meal preserve some of the flavors and atmosphere of the
trip.
A Visit with the Giant Pandas
One of the experiences that belongs at the heart of a
Chengdu visit is seeing the giant pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant
Panda Breeding. The center is devoted to panda conservation and research, and
it offers visitors a chance to observe these remarkable animals in a setting
focused on their care.
The pandas are a memorable part of Chengdu’s identity, but
the visit is more than a photo opportunity: it is also a reminder of the work
involved in protecting this much-loved species. This experience deserves its
own place in the story, alongside the city’s temples, food, and modern streets.
Several giant pandas gathered on a climbing structure among the trees at
the Chengdu panda base.
A giant panda rests along a broad tree branch, a reminder of how much
these animals enjoy climbing and lounging among the trees.
A panda carefully makes its way down through the branches.
Two pandas explore a network of logs and branches in their leafy outdoor
habitat.
Panda City After Dark
A giant panda sculpture in Chengdu’s lively modern shopping district.
Chengdu is closely associated with giant pandas, one of
China’s most beloved animals. Even in the city center, panda imagery appears as
a playful part of the local identity. This sculpture brings a touch of that
association into a busy urban setting.
Chengdu’s contemporary city center after dark, with bright signs and
high-rise buildings.
A temple or cultural complex illuminated after dark.
At night, Chengdu’s bright signs and high-rise buildings
show the modern side of the city. The contrast between historic courtyards and
contemporary streets is part of what makes the city interesting: tradition and
modern life sit alongside one another.
Looking Back on Chengdu
Chengdu added a new dimension to my grand tour. Its historic
buildings and gardens offered a glimpse of cultural traditions, its food
reflected Sichuan’s distinctive culinary identity, and its lively city center
showed a modern metropolis full of energy.
This stop was a reminder that China cannot be captured by a
single image or experience. Each city has its own rhythm, history, and
character. Chengdu’s blend of old and new made it a memorable chapter in my
October 2024 journey.
Next in the series:
Xi’an — another chapter in My Grand Tour of China, October 2024.
Thursday, November 5, 2026
My Grand Tour of China - The Food!
A Taste of China: Food, Flavors, and Table Memories
One of the great pleasures of traveling is discovering a
place through its food. During my October 2024 grand tour of China, meals and
snacks became part of the story right alongside temples, historic streets, and
unforgettable landmarks. These photographs capture a few of the tastes and
moments I remember from the journey.
Hong Kong: Sweet Stops Along the Way
My journey began in Hong Kong, where bakery counters offered
tempting treats. Egg tarts and sweet buns made for a colorful introduction to
the city’s food scene. I enjoy trying local specialties while traveling, and
small stops like these are a reminder that memorable food experiences do not
always require a formal restaurant reservation.
Hong Kong: a stop for bakery treats, including egg tarts and sweet buns.
Chengdu: A Meal Worth Lingering Over
Chengdu is known for its distinctive Sichuan food culture,
and my photographs show a meal with several dishes shared around the table.
There is something appealing about a meal that invites you to sample a little
of this and a little of that. The sauces, textures, and variety make the meal
as much an experience as simply a way to refuel between sightseeing stops.
A shared Chengdu meal with several dishes at the table, including
dumplings and richly colored sauces.
And then there were the quick bites discovered along the
way. A golden, crispy snack is the sort of thing that catches your eye while
exploring a busy city. Street food and casual snacks offer another way to
experience local tastes without slowing the whole day down.
A crispy, golden street-food snack in Chengdu—one of those discoveries
that makes exploring with an appetite worthwhile.
Dumplings: A Favorite Kind of Discovery
Dumplings are one of those foods that can feel familiar and
new at the same time. In Shanghai, I photographed baskets filled with dumplings
as well as a larger soup dumpling. Their delicate folds and the way they are
served make them as photogenic as they are inviting. For a traveler who loves
food, trying regional versions of a familiar dish is part of the fun.
Shanghai: baskets of dumplings and a larger soup dumpling ready to enjoy.
A Meal That Becomes an Event
Another memorable scene was a hot-pot-style meal, with
thinly sliced meat and other ingredients brought to the table. Meals like this
turn dinner into an activity: watching the ingredients, choosing what to cook,
and sharing the experience with others. Food becomes a way to connect with the
people around you as well as with the place you are visiting.
A hot-pot-style meal, with thinly sliced meat and other ingredients
brought to the table.
A Noodle Stop And A Local Drink
Food discoveries do not have to be elaborate to be
memorable. This casual stop brought bowls of noodles to the table, along with a
bright pear-flavored soda. Even the drinks and small details of a meal become
part of the travel story.
A casual noodle stop, complete with bowls of noodles and a
bright bottle of pear-flavored soda.
Skewers, Broth, And A Shared Experience
This meal of skewers and bowls of broth looks like the kind
of dining experience that invites you to take your time. Choosing ingredients
and sharing the table turns dinner into an activity, not just a break between
sightseeing.
Skewers and bowls of broth make this meal interactive and
fun to share around the table.
A Colorful Chinese Meal
Another meal offered a little variety, with shrimp in the
foreground, greens on the side, and a savory dish served in a clay pot. I enjoy
how a meal can bring different colors, textures, and flavors together on one
table.
A sit-down meal with shrimp, greens, and a hearty dish served in a clay pot.
The Best Souvenirs Are Sometimes Memories
Looking back at these photographs, I’m reminded that a grand
tour is about more than the famous sights. It is also about sitting down to
eat, trying something unfamiliar, noticing what people enjoy, and making room
in the day for a good meal. From bakery treats in Hong Kong to shared dishes in
Chengdu and dumplings in Shanghai, food added another layer to my experience of
China.
I’m sharing these moments as part of My Grand Tour of China — October 2024. If you have visited China, I’d love to hear which foods you remember most. And if China is still on your travel wish list, what would you most like to try?
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