Sightseeing in Chongqing

Tuesday and Wednesday were mainly spent sightseeing around Chongqing. On Tuesday we went to the zoo. I was a bit apprehensive about this as I had heard Chinese zoos weren't quite what we would expect in the U.S. as the animals are rarely kept in natural habitat settings like we have started to do in the States. However, it was lovely! The area was a large open park setting with lakes and landscaping. Very peaceful and serene. There were a limited number of animals but most were in big enclosures with a natural feel to them. The panda exhibit was the highlight for the girls and Jack. There was a one year old panda who spent a good deal of time trying to figure out how to get down out of a tree - I have to admit, even all of the adults were fascinated! We also saw two tigers and a lot of fish. We did see two lions but these were in regular cages. There were also elephants, bears and camels but the zoo was huge so we didn't make it to these areas. Meigan said as we were leaving that she wished she could stay there forever.

After the zoo we headed over to the People's Assembly Hall. It is a government hall that is also used to put on major shows due to the seating capacity. We had wanted to go to the Sichuan Fine Arts Academy but apparently they were moving buildings. However, they did have a small exhibition hall in the People's Assembly Hall. We met a student who goes to the school and he gave us a tour of the exhibition and also helped us to pick one of the paintings that was for sale. I ended up with an abstract painting done by one of the professor's at the Academy. I'm not usually one for abstracts but I really liked the composition and was very happy to get something that is of a more modern Chinese style (I already have a lot of the traditional Chinese art from previous visits).

On Wednesday we went to General Stilwell's house. He was a General who was sent here in 1942 by FDR to assist the Chinese in repelling the Japanese invasion. They have preserved his house in Chongqing and it was an amazing thing to see. It showed how he helped build a road to Burma to break the land blockade for supplies. This was a major turning point in the war. He also did a lot to try to work with both the Nationalists and the Communist to come together to fight the Japanese. He was recalled to the U.S. in 1944 but has left quite a legacy and is greatly respected by the Chinese (they often know him over some of the U.S. Presidents we have had).

We then headed to Eling Park. It has the highest point in Chongqing to overlook the city - I tried to get some pictures but Chongqing is known as the City of Fog so the pictures don't do the city justice. We also toured the Three Gorges Museum in the park that shows the land structure prior to and post Three Gorges Dam construction. Many cities will be flooded and the emigration numbers are huge. The Government, however, has tried to preserve historical sites by moving them or by engineering them to withstand the flooding. While we were at the park we got to see a singing competition that was a lot of fun to watch. Two sides would take turns challenging each other - kind of a "bring it on" type of thing, lol! Other than that, people wander the park enjoying it and often sitting down for a game of mahjong.

Jack continues to be a delight. There was not one cross moment all day from him. I cannot say that for the girls, though ; ) Our guide, Echo, told us a story about Jack that the orphanage director, Director Luo, had told her. Jack was known for being a very kind child. There was a little girl at the orphanage who became very ill and needed to go to the hospital. Jack insisted that he go with her as she was very afraid. He spent a lot of the time holding her hand and watching over her. Meigan also took a spill down the steps on Wednesday - it was raining and a bit slick and I patted her and said "Poor Jie Jie (big sister) to Jack and he immediately repeated it and patted her hand. He really is a sweet little boy - have I mentioned how lucky I am?