Ningxia Gao Temple, China

One of the main attraction in Ningxia province of Zhongwei is Ningxia Gao Temple. The entrance fees is RMB30 (it was RMB20 before this).

The most unique about this temple is the temple is build up and up towards the sky, which is know as heaven. The underground of the temple is know as Hell. Yes it sound a bit scary but it is nice to visit as it has a magnificent view. This temple has more than 100 rooms and according to them, it used to serve a few religions such as Buddhism, Taoism and Confucian.

Here you can see the statue of Buddha, Jade emperor and etc. The temple is made of wooden structure and it really an eye opener. There are a few levels and you will climb from one lever to another till you reach the highest level you will see a compact structures at both sides of the temple.

Heaven is the part above ground. The Gao Miao rises up and up towards the sky, tier upon tier. You enter a flower-filled courtyard, walk through a colourful  temple and climb (stairways) to the next level, where you then repeat the process. You continue passing through other, smaller courtyards and temples while you ascend higher and higher, until you come to the final temple hall and its surrounding platform from where you get fine views over the city of Zhongwei.

Underground level of the temple is converted to religious Hell. Accordingly to some sources, it was a communist bomb shelter during the Cultural Revolution Years. Before you reach the entrance of this side of temple, you can hear the scary sound.

Overall, you are able to explore this temple freely. Most of the places here there is no restriction and if you are a photographer or interest in taking photos, this is place is good for you.

 

 

Ningxia BBQ & Night Senery, China

 

As I mentioned at my previous post, I love this place Ningxia. During the day, it was hot, but during the night we have to wear a jacket. If you leave in a desert, you will experience this.

Night life in Ningxia, is pretty simple. Beside shopping, you chosen to go for a BBQ beside the Yellow River " Huang He". This kind of BBQ you can find in most part of China, but the interesting part is you are sitting along the Yellow River with a beautiful building lighted up. If you look carefully at the above photo, the light is reflected at the river.

 

If you tried the BBQ Lamb on skewer in Ningxia, oh oh oh you will not want to try else where. This is the best Lamb skewer I ever tried. It was so tender and juice. According to my Ningxia local friend, this is because of the grass from the mountain that turn the lamb to an extraordinary grassy lamb. Anyway, if you ever tried it, believe me, it is the best.

 

I love Ningxia beer as well. I always go for Tsing Tao in China, but after I tried this, I do love Ningxia beer. Ningxia beer is slightly a bit mild than Tsing Tao but better than Budweiser.

 

We sat there for 2 hours and I knew my Ningxia local friend is frenzy cool. Oh... there is no washroom here, if you have too much of beer and you need to pee... go opposite the main road there are some bushes there. It is a 6 lanes road so be careful when crossing the road even you are in a rush...

 

 

 

Dongmen Accomodation : Sunon Holiday Villa in Shenzhen, China

Dongmen Pedestrian Street is a shopping paradise for ladies. You are able to shop for whole days here. Before I forget, not really advisable to bring young toddle. This is a very crowed shopping street. If you plan to shop for the whole day, do plan stay right at Dongmen Shopping Street.

 

There are quite numbers of hotels here, but Sunon Holiday Villa is right in front of MRT station and shopping street. If you are tired half way shopping, you can have a rest back to your hotel room. This is a Malaysian owned hotel. It is a jackpot for them having a hotel at the most busiest shopping street at Shenzhen.

The room is comfortable with the right size. It has every thing you need for a good night rest such as all the toilette's, slipper, safe box (keep your passport in the safe box) and etc. Reminder, there are lots of pick pocket here. If you lost your passport it will take you at least 2 to 3 weeks before you get all your permits to leave China. I lost mine 3 years back.

 

 

 

Photo above and below is the building in front of the hotel.

 

 

 

Dongmen Food Stree at Luohu, Shenzhen, China

Welcome to Dongmen Food Street (Food City)

Dongmen Food Street is located at Luohu district of Shenzhen. You able to reach there by metro line 1, exit Lau Jie metro station (Lau jie which mean Old Street). Hence this is one of the oldest commercial part of Shenzhen. By the way, I am sure you will not find this place easily after you come out from the metro, so ask around and remember the above photos, that is the entrance to the food street.

Before you reach the Dongmen Food Street you will past by the pedestrian street which sell all kind of things especially clothing, shoes and etc. This place is also known s Dongmen Shopping street.

Here at the Dongmen Food Street, you can kind all kind of food especially BBQ lamb on skewer. However, the taste of the BBQ lamb is not able to beat the one I taste in Zhongwei. Saying about this I should write on my blog on this topic.

BBQ Squid stick is also popular here. RMB10 for 3 sticks. It really taste delicious. Order and eat it on the spot, don't take away. The taste is much yummy when you eat it on the spot. If possible go long with the bubble tea. Really refreshing during the summer.

In short, this place is awesome...

Muslim Restaurant at Zhongwei, Ningxia, China

Muslim Restaurant at Zhongwei

Most of the Muslim restaurant in Zhongwei is not big in sizes. Probably about 8 to 10 small tables. However, the food is really good. It look very simple dishes but the taste is very tasty.

This is best steamed lamb chops I ever tried. Steam lamb at local Zhongwei is call "Shou Zua". Direct translation of "Shou Zua" is hand caughing. This dish is mouthwatering and you can find it at most of the Muslim restaurant in Zhongwei. Having the right recipe for steamed lamb is not easy. If you do not cook it properly, the lamb has a kind of smell that many people not able to accept it. However steam lamb chops here is so tender. It is nice to dip the lamb chops with the sauce provided. Look at how my friend enjoy his lamb chop.

The mix veg dish is also nice and fascinating. They use wasabi sauce to cook this dish. Usually, in Japanese restaurant, they provide you the wasabi sauce for dipping. But this vegetable dish, the cook with wasabi sauce. The wasabi sauce is not overpowering, and it is just nice and is is also suitable for kids.

Next, the mix fruit and herb drink is a healthy drink for the locals. In other parts of China, the local use to have Chinese tea but not in Zhongwei. They prefers to have this mix fruits and herbs tea. The taste is sweet and the tender and fresh smell.