When fresh American university graduates, Greg and Heidi Rhodes,
first came to Chengdu almost twenty years ago,there wasn't much
western food to eat. Fortunately for them, Coca Cola ( coke ) was
available to quench their foreign thirsts.

But, they were only able to indulge their western taste sensations
with tomato sauce ( ketchup ) when they ate French fries at the
down-town Jingjiang Hotel, after a leisurely bicycle ride with very
little vehicular traffic along a two lane road from the Chengdu city
limits, which then extended to the second ring road.

BEIJING: Pakistan and China will start a regular bus service on daily basis from June 1, connecting several cities in both countries.

A decision was taken at an official meeting held in Urumqi on March 20 and 21.

It will be for the first time that Pakistan’s Northern areas will be connected to China’s Western region through a regular bus service. According to a formal protocol signed by the two parties, a bus each will operate from both sides daily between Sust and Tashkorgan.

Another bus will run thrice a week between Kashgar, Sust, Khunjrab and Gilgit.

Sources said the two countries would also start a goods transportation service via Khunjrab pass from May 1.

It was agreed that each side would issue 3000 permits to their registered transporters to carry goods between the two countries. Each permit will be valid for one-round trip and the vehicles will be operated from the designated points. The number of permits could be gradually increased according to the demand of the transporters.

The protocol is an important step forward to build upon the existing road network arrangement between the two countries. It will go a long way promoting their commercial links and strengthening people-to-people contacts.

During the talks, the two sides emphasized the importance of Karakorum Highway that serves as a ‘Friendship bridge’ between the two countries. They also acknowledged that Pakistan could act as a transit facility giving China access to Central Asian markets and developing energy sources.

The officials reiterated their commitment for early rehabilitation and up-gradation of the KKH. They also referred to a MoU signed during President Pervez Musharraf’s recent visit to China.

Pakistan’s delegation at the talks was led by Firdaus Alam, Ministry of Communication joint secretary, and included Shahid Iqbal, road communication director, Abdul Salik Khan, a senior of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Babar Amin, a Pakistan Embassy official.

While the Chinese side was headed by Wang Shuiting, senior official of Department of Highway, who is also deputy head of Xinjiang’s Communication department.

The two sides have considerably reduced tariffs on a number of import-export items under the Early Harvesting Programme.

So its me, travelling since 10 years all over China, and now wanting to see this Gfsc on the Russian border.

Anyone has been there ???

Tell me where to stay cheap cheap clean clean....

cheers Rc 

Proximity Butterfly Album Release Party

Proxfly's new Album Arcana

For the release of their 3rd album "ARCANA - n.pl. secrets; mysteries" Chengdu based Rock band Proximity Butterfly prepared a special show in the Hemp House, which just for that night will be a bit remodelled: the bar will be transformed into a stage, an additional sound system will be installed, if everything works out the concert will be filmed with 5 cameras at the same time.

I cannot seem to find details for Train between Xiaguan (Dali) and Kunming

I am not travelling until Oct/Nov so no rush for info.

 Thanks Esther 

12 DJs playing a variety of music styles, visual artists (graffiti, graphics, photography, film) displaying their work, and merchandise from local independent musicians and shops like Xanadu and Sideways.

18 March 2006, Saturday afternoon 2 pm to 8 pm, free entry. Boutique Nation Club, 101 B, No. 457 Fahuazhen Lu, near Dingxi Lu. Contact them by email, or at 13816299297.

link