Gansu Natural Energy Research Institute

This afternoon we visited the Gansu Natural Energy Research Institute (GNERI). This Institute was established in 1978 and is mainly involved in the study and development of solar heating and energy-saving techniques. The Institute has invited many foreign experts to study at its facilities.

Lanzhou Art Gallery Visit

Scott

This afternoon we visited a couple of art galleries in Lanzhou City.

Soccer

The boys preparing to take the field

Mmmmmmm ............ Hotpot

This afternoon some of the boys played a game of soccer with Margaret's (from the Gansu Foreign Affairs Office) husband's team. Unfortunately we didn't win, although Scott scored a great goal. Afterwards we all went to a delicious hotpot restaurant overlooking the Yellow River.

The Yellow River

An inflated sheepskin raft

Any last words?

Lanzhou is the only Provincial city through which the Yellow River runs. Tourists can go for a cruise on the river by motor-boat, or on ancient style rafts made up of inflated sheepskins. Apparently the history of these rafts can be traced back over 2,000 years. Lanzhou is also home to Zhongshan Bridge, the first bridge over the Yellow River that was completed in 1909.

Pingliang City

Wumiao Village, Jingning County

Beautiful Kongtong Mountain

The best banquet yet!

Wu Yue Village

Paparazzi

An 85 year old resident of Wu Yue Village

We left for a road trip on Thursday morning. This time we headed east to Pingliang City. This city is at the juncture of 3 provinces, Shanxi, Gansu and Ningxia. The bus ride to get there was very bumpy but we are used to spending our time on the bus! After a delicious banquet for lunch we visited Wu Yue Village. This village is home to 437 families and in recent times the village has undergone a period of development, resulting in a dramatic increase in the quality of life of its inhabitants. We met a beautiful 85 year old woman who lives in the village. We then drove to Kongtong Mountain which is located on the western outskirts of Pingliang. Kongtong Mountain is regarded as the birthplace of Taoism and is a scenic wonder. The 600 very step steeps up to the peak are definitely worth the effort. At night we had a very beautiful banquet at Pingliang Hotel. The table was unlike anything I've seen before and the food was delicious. Today we visited Jingning County before returning to Lanzhou. While there we visited another village, Wumiao and an Agricultural Demonstration Area that has received recognition for its apples.

Theatre

This evening we attended a local Theatre in Lanzhou. The performances were very beautiful but once again the 'Dance of the Thousand Buddha Hands' stole the show.

Lanzhou No. 33 Middle School and Lanzhou Daxue Primary School

English class at Lanzhou Daxue Primary School

The students with their regular English Teacher

Today I began teaching 4 classes at Lanzhou No. 33 Middle School. The school is located next to the Lanzhou University Post-Grad campus. Many of the students in my classes have a high English level ability. The students all seem keen to speak English and some knew some basic facts about New Zealand. The classes are very well behaved, especially considering the average class size is 60!! For the past few weeks I have also been teaching one class a week at the Primary School located next to the Guest House I am staying in on campus. The students also enjoy studying and are very energetic.

Dumplings

Marie perfecting her dumpling technique

We all love Dumplings. Although I believe one member of our group has actually consumed more dumplings that the rest of us put together! This morning we visited another campus and learned how to make dumplings. Like Tai Chi, making dumplings is a lot harder than it looks. We all had fun, but since it took us over 2 hours to make them, and we usually pay less than 5o cents for 8 delicious dumplings from the student canteen, I don't think I'll be making anymore dumplings anytime soon!

Tai Chi

We have started a Tai Chi class on Thursdays. I have been out a few mornings before class on my morning run and have seen many groups of people doing Tai Chi. Their movements look very graceful. Ours do not. Tai Chi seems to be one of those things that looks easy to do, but isn't. Although for some reason we all seem to pick up the Kung Fu moves a lot easier! I have actually been really impressed with the attitude towards exercise here. In the mornings there are many people out doing Tai Chi, playing badminton, running and walking. It seems to be that everyone, no matter how young or old, exercises. School children also do compulsory exercises in the morning.

Baiyin Techonology Park

The 'People's Square' Baiyin City

Dinner with Municipal Leaders

Today we visited the Baiyin Technology Park in Baiyin City. Baiyin is located approx 80 kms north of Lanzhou and has a population of 1.75 million. Baiyin was decreed as a "hotspot area for investment" by the Hong Kong Investment Trade Promotion Association in 2004. In October 2001 a contract was signed between the China Science Academy and the Baiyin Municipal Government that established the foundations for a high-tech industrial park in the city. The total area planned for the park is 16 square kilometres, incorporating an industrial development area, living services areas, an ecological green area, and a high-tech service area. In the future the leading industries for Baiyin are predicted to be non-ferrous metals, new energy sources and eco-medicines.

Confession

So I must confess. Although we love Beef Noodles someone told us about a local hotel that serves Western food, namely hamburgers. Needless to say we had to go and check them out. But I'm sure it'll just be the once .................

Photos from Turfan

Map of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Escaping from a tomb at the Astana Burial Grounds

The Astana Burial Grounds

The Bezeklik Thousand Buddha Caves

The ruins of Ancient Jiaohe City

Ready to take on the world ...................

The Emin Minaret

The Flaming Mountains of Turfan

Tuyugou Village