Inner Mongolia

Last weekend we visited Inner Mongolia, the province where Shi Zhiting was born. It was quite different to Beijing with it's clear air, clear water and not so crowded. The sun in Beijing never give you any suntan but in Erdos my arms was burned red in 4 hrs - I looked like a cooked shrimp....

The city entrance to Erdos - the symbol of Djingis Khan

Inner Mongolia's land area is the third largest in China. Its grasslands account for one fourth of China's total grassland area, and its forest area is the second largest in China. Daxinganling forest zone is one of China's and Inner Mongolia's important forest production bases. Its coal reserves are huge; it also has rich rare-earth resources, and its natural alkali reserve is the largest in the country. It also has mineral products such as asbestos and mica, among others. Its solar power and wind power resources are rich, but the province lacks water resources.

Inner Mongolia is a rich part of China and You could see that in the number of new, big cars and the many new buildings popping up everywhere. A "new city" is developing just north of Erdos.















Lunch at a fishrestaurant at Lake Hongjianno

For the first time since I "moved" to China I also spend some time birdwatching.
Was lucky in Lake Hongjianno to find the most rare Gull in the world - the Relict Gull.
It can only be found in a few places in Inner Mongolia and on migration in some places in east and south China. This was a very have "X"!!!

















Relict Gulls in Lake Hongjianno

On Sunday we visited the south part of the Gobi desert on our way to the airport in Baotou.
It is from this part of the country that the sand comes blowing into Beijing and causing the "yellow storm". When the storm is reaI bad the sand flyes all the way to Tokyo...

As everywhere in China they know how to make money out of tourists. Here You can find "sandsurfing", cameltours, four-wheeled motorcycles to ride in the desert, desert parasuiting and many other things.

I really enjoyed the weekend in Inner Mongolia and we sure will be back soon to discover more of this beautiful province .

Wedding party

When some of Shi Zhitings friend found out that we were going to Inner Mongolia to get married they quick organized a party for us, inviting Shi Zhitings family and friends from Middle School and University.

Part of Shi Zhiting family

We soon found out that more than 60 people like to come and I was almost a little bit scarred beeing the only one not speaking Chinese.

When the party started 75 people have joined and I very soon found out that I did not have anything to worry about - I was very welcome by everybody and we had a great evening with a lot to eat (and drink).

Happy reunion

Many of Shi Zhitings friends from school have not seen each other for many years so they had a lot to talk about and memories to share.

The atmosphere was high and everyone enjoyed the party and to see so many friends together again.

Than You all for making this a very nice memory for us. We soon will come back to Erdos and Inner Mongolia again!

A Mongolian tradition (playing "village people") is that the married couple is walking from table to table toasting in Mongolian white (58%) and have to do what the people at the table decide - like carrying the bride around the room....














Middle school friends














Friends from the University years














Shi Zhitings fathers brothers son, Shi Zhiqiang and his family showed us around Erdos and took very good care of us during our visit to Inner Mongolia.














The party organizers, Jia Meiyong and Liu Changchen. Thank You both for a fantastic evening!!!

For more pictures from the Wedding party - go to:

http://shizhiting.blogspot.com

Djingis Khan

is bigger than Mao in Inner Mongolia. Today we visited the place he lived and also the gigantic Mausoleum where he rests, just outside Erdos.

Genghis Khan Mausoluem

Genghis Khan is a Mongolian hero. He reunified the chaotic Inner Mongolia prairie and led his people to be a great civilization. He made great contributions to the founding of the powerful Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and the unification of China which enhanced greatly the interactions of the peoples of China. Due to this great feat, he was named 'Genghis Khan' by Mongolian tribes, meaning 'powerful king' in Mongolian.
Today, Genghis Khan is still worshipped and remembered by his people. People is actually praying to him and putting gifts in front of his golden statue.
A oil-lamp is still after 800 years burning to guide his soul. This lamp have never been extinguish.

Genghis Khan's Mausoleum remains a sacred place with great significance for Mongolian people.

To have good luck You should walk three times around this thomb.

A typical Inner Mongolian house - a yurth.

Legal notice

Today we got married at Bureau of Civil Affairs of Huhhot City, the capital of Inner Mongolia. It was a lot of papers to fill in before we got our certificate.

But finally, after assistance from Swedish Embassy in Beijing, Mr Liu accepted the documents.

Some of Shi Zhitings friends took us to a nice lunch - Mongolian Hot Pot and after that we had to go to Notary Public Office to translate and certify the Marriage License.

Later today we will go by car to Shi Zhitings hometown Erdos where her friends are giving a big party for us tomorrow.

Laowai can pay....

As a laowai in Beijing You should always be aware of difference in price for things You buy compared to if a Chinese person buy the same thing. Not just in the "fake markets" where you have to bargain heavy but also in more normal stores.
Today at Landao Computer market we were looking for a keyboard and some ink cartridges for my HP printer. First discussion about the prices for the keyboard. After a while 100 RMB was the price but when he found out that it was for Shi Zhitings, and not my, computer he quick went down to 80 RMB.
I left the shop a little angry and looked for the ink cartridges. Found several places and after a while the price in one of the shops was down to 130RMB for B&W and 160RMB for Color. Went back to first shop and told Shi Zhiting the price. Good - the man in the first shop wanted 180 RMB. But quick we found out that this was for both B&W and Color together.... We said "OK" but he did not have any in his shop so he went away to collect - in the same shop that gave me the price 130+160.... The woman in this shop was his boss.

















Next stop - Ya Show market to collect my shirts from the tailor. At Alice Tailors I never have any problem with the prices. They know me quite well by now and also that I bring many of my friends to their shop. Even the Chinese lady at the photographers said that I got a very low price... -:)

It is time for lunch and on 5th floor there is a Food court with a lot of different (and good) food. We decide to buy in different desks and I also went to buy beer and juice. At the same table we were eating our lunch a Chinese lady was sitting rolling napkins around shop sticks. She started to talk to Shi Zhiting and told her that next time we should eat at this food court she should "put me at a table" and buy the food herself - not showing that we was together. "This will give You half the price - the price on the pricelist on the wall is "laowai-price".
She turned to me and said in english: "Sorry Sir..."

Yes, this is the way it is and I think we have to accept this. Because - "Laowai can pay"!

Back in Beijing

After two weeks in Sweden I am now back in Beijing again and I feel at home.
It has almost become summer since I left and it is very hot and dry.
Today we had over +30 in the sun so you did not walk too far - mostly used taxi with AC to transport to Wei Jia Jing Zhi Spectacles to get my new glasses.

A small tour to Zashow market before returning back home to San Quan.
Tomorrow back in office again...

Hutongs close to Mao Dun