Wu Yuan

Wow! This is one of those kinds of trips that you just want to hold onto, tuck it away into your heart and fold it into your soul, for later use. This trip was so incredible...not only for me, but according to the other women, for them as well.

Why did it have such an impact? Because there were so many aspects of this trip that touched who I am as a person. Things I already knew I craved...and things I didn't even realize I have missed. I'm laughing right now...because I really don't even know where to begin...

First, I need to clear something up. I learned on this trip that the REASON we didn't see any rice at the wedding in WuWei is because it was a banquet of celebration. Rice is considered a poor man's food and the chinese people don't like to use it for the more important festivities. I didn't know that...now I do. On THIS trip, we had plenty of rice with every meal.

Second, I want people to understand that without the benefit of our gracious "hostess" (the woman who organized the entire trip), this trip would not have been possible for us expats. This trip REQUIRES that you can converse and/or read in chinese. There were two expats in our little group and we were the only expats anyone saw throughout the entire trip. With the exception of one Caucasian man...we think. This is twice now, that we (or I) have been fortunate enough to have been "taken care of" in rural countryside China. I realize how truly fortunate I have been for these experiences. Not every expat has these kinds of opportunities.

Third, I want to touch upon our little group. We couldn't have had a better mix of women. There were three women who spoke and read Mandarin (two Chinese women and one Taiwanese woman), but who had lived in the States for many years. There were two expats, myself and my friend from Switzerland. And one local Chinese woman who could understand a little English, but couldn't really speak it. The talent of our group was phenomenal. We had one Software Engineer, one Life and Image Coach (who had previously been an Interior Decorator), one bonafide painter (who is getting more and more famous in China as we speak), a teacher, an accountant/IT person and a geologist. This, in itself, left us with many subjects to talk about...not to mention all the "girlie girl" topics we discussed. Our group wasn't so big that the trip was unmanageable...but big enough where we felt nobody would try and mess with us. It was perfect.

Fourth...most of us in the group found out AFTER the trip just how lucky we were on several levels. Without an official tour group, just about anything can happen...especially to a small group of women...apparently. Our driver was young, but mature. There were many instances he could have tried to cheat us while we were going from one town to another...but he didn't. In fact, he was extremely helpful in many areas...which is even more rare. There were opportunities that the lodging personnel could try and take advantage of us...but they didn't. We didn't get anything stolen. We were let in some of the venues, even though one of us had lost our key card...which they are usually VERY strict about and usually they make people pay for another card. None of us got hurt. The buses were on time and even early. Etc., etc., etc. The person who had organized the trip admitted that the driver had been sight unseen and the "company" she called had been very difficult to find in such a rural area. And she speaks Chinese! She had to follow several threads of people's experiences online, in these areas, to find the smallest bit of information from one place to another. All the information (non tour group) was based on personal experiences of other chinese people. So, I have to emphasize that this is something an expat may usually do with a bigger tour group. Unless an expat either speaks chinese WELL or goes with a chinese person, I don't see how they could do this trip. Again, I feel so fortunate to have had this opportunity.

Ok...Wu Yuan...highlights.

Of course, the whole reason behind the trip was to see the Rapeseed flowers blooming in all the fields surrounding small, remote villages. Which we did. It was outstanding and so beautiful! What I found interesting, is walking through these small villages that have been around for so many centuries. I was told that everyone in each of these small villages has the same last name. If you can imagine, it's centuries of growth to one family [name]. Amazing. Walking through the buildings, we saw very old bridges, old mansions...some used by famous Chinese officials, very old trees, typical architecture of that region and typical countryside lifestyles mixed with modern day conveniences, ie, cars, tile, and yes, even a computer in the corner of one of these ancient houses. haha

The area is just starting to get popular. They have roads so new, they practically were still wet. Just this year, they implemented a "fee" to visitors. This fee includes access to all the villages and sights. There are three main routes through the region, that have several villages dotting the countryside. The government gives the villagers a small amount of money to let people traipse through their old house. And they set up the tour bus routes to include shopping in some of the villages...which the villagers love since they get more money. In a couple of years, this will be overrun with tourists, especially since they just put the roads in for better access. Such a shame. I can't say it enough...again, I feel so fortunate that we got to see this area BEFORE it's peak popularity.



We saw bridges that were over 300 years old. We saw houses over 100-200 years old. We saw trees over 1500 years old. It was...amazing. On our first day, we ended our daytime activities at a regional park way up in the mountains. There were...rocks! Big, beautiful rocks! All over the place! There were also small rapids and waterfalls to enjoy as well. Our little group got some hiking in, which was nice and we were all breathing clean, clean air! Ahhhhhhh. It was soooo nice.

At one point, my batteries had died - again. I ran up ahead to catch up with my group to get more batteries. I told my group that I would catch up with them in a bit. I didn't go that far to reach clean air and pretty rocks, without taking a little "zen" time for myself. So, I back tracked to a really pretty spot I had seen down the trail. There was a huge boulder jutting out into the stream, the edge dangling over a beautiful pool of water. Rocks have energy folks. They do! They have magnetic energy and when I touch a rock, I can almost feel the bad or anxious energy drain from my body. It seems to center me. So, I decided the perfect place for me to "zen" out was by sitting on this big boulder for awhile, listening to the sounds of the water rushing past me. It worked like a charm!

I sat there for about 10-15 minutes, with my eyes closed, just enjoying the nature around me. When I felt I had been away from my group long enough, I turned to get up off the rock, feeling so much better. There, standing about 20 feet away from me, was a line of about 20 chinese people looking at me like I had absolutely lost my mind...some even taking pictures of me like I was some exhibit in a zoo. Ok, I HAD been sitting on the very edge of the rock, with my feet dangling over. But, I think they thought I was going to jump! haha You should have seen their faces and their mouths gape open, when they saw that I was a causcasion woman...alone! As I mentioned, there were NO other caucasions around! This must have been quite a shock to them. They couldn't tell what I was from behind, because I had on a rain poncho over a backpack...so I must have looked like a [big] blob, sitting on the edge of a rock. I couldn't have looked more out of place, I imagine. It was hilarious! There was genuine shock on all their faces! hahahaha Once I completely turned around, a couple of them pointed at me and began to talk excitedly to their friends. Is this how monkeys feel at a zoo? Too funny!

Speaking of expats...now I know how my children feel out in public places with chinese people gawking at them all the time. This time, we were under the microscope. Me, even more so I think, because my hair sticks out more than my friend. My friend's hair is brown, while mine is a brighter blonde. The chinese men loved to smile at me and make funny noises to get my attention...just like my kids. hahaha They would come up to me and say "hello." And they thought that was hilarious. *shaking my head* I would say "Ni Hao" back to them, with a twinkle in my eye and a big smile, and they would roar with laughter. It was fun. haha Women vendors would try and get my attention by yelling, "Hello!" and anyone standing within hearing distance would laugh at [her] attempts, including her. They really thought it was funny to use English. haha


The highlight of our trip, I think, was sleeping at one of the village houses in one of the most remote villages. The house is ancient, the town even more so. This village is located where the road ends. Which is amazing, considering there seems to be roads going everywhere in China. To actually have it end in this small village was pretty cool. The village was nestled in a small valley at the very top of some mountains. Our "hostess" had a friend, who is a photographer, who had stayed there once and had recommended it to her. He gave her the house name, village name and route. We had dinner there (in the house) and woke up early to watch the sun rise over the peaks of the mountains. It was soooo cool!


This village is the epitome of rural countryside in China. There were images and sounds of farm life all around us. It was so quiet, tranquil and peaceful, especially with all the yellow flowers blooming around us! We took a leisurely walk through the town, taking pictures. There were lots of parents and grandparents holding small, chubby babies. You wonder what these small villagers do during the day...what sustains them? Well, they work to live...literally. They grow their own food, raise their own livestock, rear their children. That's what they do.

On the way down from this village, we stopped to enjoy some spectacular scenery! It was so incredibly beautiful, you could just pull up a chair and stare at it all day long. The rest of our second day was filled with picture taking and even some shopping. This was something we all voiced our approval over...shopping...Yah! :-) Girls will be girls!

For me, this trip included some of my favorite things:


Female Companionship - I loved getting to know these wonderful, beautiful women! I love the power of women! We didn't know each other at all before this trip, but we each felt so close to one another upon returning to Shanghai. I love that women have that ability. We are such dynamic, complex, yet stunning creatures, aren't we? We have a gift, as women, to bond with our fellow human beings and see the potential in everyone.


Nature - I can't tell how incredible it felt to immerse myself in some nature! I can't tell you how refreshing it was to breath deeply...in China...and get 100% of the oxygen I need! I can't tell you how wonderful it was to see clean, clean water...in China. Water so clear, that you could see the smallest pebble at the bottom of the stream. The water wasn't brown...it was clear! The reflections of the landscape were mirrored in the clean water to the smallest detail. It was so gorgeous!


Rocks - China has them! Lots of them! Well, where we ended up (at the top of the mountain), they were in abundance. Not so much further down the mountain, where the farmland began. It was so good to see them, though. It was so good to touch them. It was so good to identify them as something OTHER than limestone! haha


History - As I get older, I appreciate history a whole lot more. The subject interests me more than when I was a kid. So, to see so many ancient things in one trip...to be able to touch these things where so many people before me once touched, slept, admired and walked...was amazing. Awe inspiring, really.


Beauty - Everywhere we drove or walked was amazingly beautiful. Between the old architecture, the detailed woodworking on some of the houses, the terraced hillsides, the gorgeous flowers, and the vibrant colors produced from the clean air, water and sunshine...there was always something beautiful to look at. That's incredible!

Shopping - While I'm not usually a big shopper...it was very nice to see all the little trinkets and stuff they had for sale in a couple of these villages. There were some real gem finds, along with the "ordinary" stuff as well. If nothing else, it was a feast for the eyes...to look at so many unusual things. What I enjoyed most about this shopping, is that the items were different from all the "same" things you see, over and over, here in Shanghai. This region has some very naturally fragrant wood, which they of course, sell. It made for some great gifts for people back home, to put in their clothes, so they smell nice. I got our driver a wooden ball that was intricately carved for his van...he actually loved it. I have never seen him "tickled pink" over anything before. So, of course, that made me happy.

I purchased two items that I absolutely LOVE. One, is an agate bracelet that just looks incredible in the sun. And the other bigger purchase was a wooden statue, that they carved a monkey into. The wood they used is a root, which is hard to find and hard to work with...it's stunning...I love it! The colors of the wood make the monkey look so interesting. It's hand carved instead of laser carved, which I also find appealing. It has flaws...I like it. It's especially appropriate, since I felt like a monkey on display most of this trip, from my encounters with the chinese people. haha


Food - Yes, I even managed to eat mostly chinese food. The chinese women in our group were sensitive to our expat needs and didn't order anything too far fetched. They always made sure there was plenty of rice, a tofu dish, a couple of vegetable dishes and an egg dish...in addition to soups, fish and other meat dishes. So, I was set. What was incredible, what that the vegetables and fish tasted so...fresh! The water in the area was cleaner and you could taste the difference! The spices they used for the dishes were usually very tasty.

After this explanation, you can probably understand why this trip was so profound for me. Upon my return to Shanghai, I feel refreshed, invigorated, inspired and relaxed. All of those things are priceless to me, especially while living in China.

I hope, for all those expats or future expats who may be reading this, that you can break away to find your own adventure(s) while living here. It really can make a difference.

Anyway, it was a very good trip. Something I will always remember as a positive experience here in China. :-) For my friends and family...please check out my WuYuan album on Facebook to view more pictures!