Lost in time: pictures of China in 1988 pt 2.
Entering China wasn’t difficult, with one caveat: you needed a visum obtainable in Hong Kong. The process time was two days. We came one day late due to a delay in our flight schedule. So we went to China without a proper visum. Our first destination was Hangzhou and it was a bit of an excitement to go there without a visum.
Upon arrival there was no immigration officer to help us out. They called for his presence. He lived on the other side of the city and came all the way back on his bicycle. It took him around 45 minutes to get to the airport. In the mean time we were separated from our travel companions and shielded from sight by Burgundy red drapes. Visitors were a rare sight and a small crowd had gathered behind the curtains just to get a glimpse of these strange blond persons from the Netherlands.
We got the required stamp in our passports after dutifully writing down my name: “Burgemeester van Waterland” and wife. He wished us a very happy stay in his country. Our trip had formally began.
The Forbidden City had been opened for visitors the year or so before and repairs were carried out and large parts were closed to the public. The decades of neglect were on full display.
Throne hall of Supreme Harmony.
Street scenes:
A pharmacy - there was a time before computers.....
From the new capital to the old: Xi'an
The impressive Ming walls surrounding the city of Xi' an.
Outside Xi'an: Huaqing Hot Springs
To be continued....
