I come back with some German and English friends from the very nice trip in Zhang Jia Jie just yesterday (1.4.02).
We bring back many happy memories - super friendly people, fantastic scenary, excellent cuisines... The trip has more or less changed our previous perception of the Hunnan Province as backward and primitive. The tourist facilities are friendly, though we have to point out that the English translation of many introductory paragraphs, especially those inside the national park, has got obvious and unacceptable errors. If we are to develop the area as a renown tourist attraction both locally and internationally, we definitely need to do more in the scope of language.
We are interested most in PEOPLE. We have met friendly villagers who are happy with their way of life, never demanding more. They have a diginity shown on their face though they are manual workers. Our driver is a local guy at his early 20s with a sweet face and a simple but trustworthy character. A big contrast to the lovely locals are the arrogant and loud Koreans who travel in the most pecuilar way - hats with big shades and white gloves to protect themselves from sunshine. No wonder Korea has the biggest market for face whitening cosmetic products!!! Korean men whom we have seen in the hotel behave like pigs. Drunk in the middle of the night, they just bang on their fellows' doors without realising the time and the fact that there are other people sleeping. The same happened with the Chinese new richies and officials who are most likely spending the public's money for their personal pleasure. It is a shame that such a nice place is being polluted by dirty souls like these.
That said, Zhang Jia Jie has a intrinsic beauty that most people should appreciate. We don't suggest following any tour guide but merely a driver and a pre-booked car should suffice any needs. Our lovely driver and our young and dynamic translator almost fall in love with each other, that is quite a climax in the trip, but also a heartbroken experience for each of them.
We would definitely like to come back some time.
