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Travelling Tabby, Xi'an (2026)

29/07/2026

Stop 51: Wider Tibet! 🇨🇳🏔️

After the magic of Lhasa, it was time to head out and explore more of Tibet’s natural beauty!

Specifically, I’d be visiting the roof of the world, Mt Everest, and the heavenly Namtso Lake.

First up was the journey towards Everest!

It took two full days of driving to get there, but with scenery so beautiful along the way, it seemed to fly by.

The highlights of the drive included Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier. And as we neared the Himalayas, we got our first glimpse of Everest! It was a little cloudy, but still an awe-inspiring sight.

Thankfully, by the time we reached base camp the weather was on our side, and we got to see Everest in all her glory!

I think I sat there for about two hours, just taking it all in. The famous Mt Everest. The roof of the world. Right there. And with such a clear, commanding view of it. 🥹

At one point, a random yak even wandered past, as if to say ‘Welcome’! 🐂

Heading back towards Lhasa, we stopped at Tashilhunpo Monastery, before setting off again for Namtso Lake, also known as the ‘Heavenly Lake’.

The drive was stunning once again, and although we didn’t get the heavenly blue skies I’d been hoping for, the place was still magical. The colourful yaks posing for selfies and all the gulls made the place feel quite lively, albeit a little touristy.

Then after heading back to Lhasa, and visiting another couple of monasteries along the way, it was time to say goodbye.

Looking back, I absolutely loved Tibet.

The people were possibly the nicest I’ve ever met, the culture and religion were fascinating, and the scenery was breathtaking. At times it felt like a whole new world, and quite literally when you saw everyone walking around, struggling to breathe the air here. 😮‍💨

It felt like Tibet represented the best of both Nepal and China, with a unique charm of its own. When I started this trip, I hadn’t even planned to visit. But looking back, I’m sure it will sit as one of the highlights of the year.

But there was one last city I wanted to visit before leaving China... and it might just be the cutest in the world. 🐼

26/07/2026

Stop 50: Lhasa! 🇨🇳☸️

For the 50th stop of my journey, I had to visit somewhere special. And oh, special it was.

After a 30-hour train ride from Xi’an, I finally arrived in the incredible city of Lhasa, Tibet!

The train topped off more than 3,200 miles worth of train travel in China, but this journey was unlike any of the others. As we climbed onto the Tibetan Plateau, the scenery was just stunning.

From the moment I arrived, it was obvious that Lhasa was special. The city’s spirituality and scenery combined to create a place unlike anywhere I’d been before.

I’d be spending 10 days in Tibet, split between Lhasa and other regions.

A restricted area of China, visiting Tibet requires joining a group tour. So after a day of rest, I met up with my group! There were ten of us in total, mostly from other parts of Asia.

It was a fun change from my previous tours, which were mostly Western travellers. Everyone was lovely, and they made the experience even better. 🥰

To kick things off, we first visited Drepung Monastery. Perched high in the hills, it was a fascinating place to explore.

I’m not religious, but I still loved learning about the history and meaning of the place. Although one of the monks did slap me on the butt??

Next was Sera Monastery, where we watched the monks debating with one another. That too was fascinating. I only wish I could have understood what they were saying, and what point they just made, before clapping with such confidence! 👏

Then we first visited Jokhang Temple, the holiest site in Tibetan Buddhism.

But finally came the highlight: Potala Palace! Towering over the city from its hilltop perch, it was every bit as impressive as I’d hoped.

The climb up was tough. It would be difficult in normal circumstances, but at this altitude, it felt like climbing Mt Everest. 😮‍💨

It was worth it though! Exploring the palace’s rooms, golden shrines, and ancient murals was incredible.

I can’t say enough good things about Lhasa. From the people, to the scenery, to the food, to the culture, and everything else. It is a strong contender for my favourite city I’ve ever visited.

10/06/2026

Stop 49: Xi’an! 🇨🇳⛰️

Of all the cities on my China itinerary, Xi’an was probably the one I was most excited to visit!

Between the ancient city wall, the legendary army, and the incredible hiking nearby, it felt like the city was full of ‘wow’ moments, and I was hyped to finally be here!

After arriving, my first stop was the famous Terracotta Warriors. Often called the ‘8th Wonder of the World’, this army of clay soldiers was buried for over 2,000 years before being rediscovered by chance in 1974.

The story behind them is fascinating, and they’re very impressive to see in person!

Next, I spent time exploring Xi’an itself, from the Bell and Drum Towers to the busy markets. But my favourite part was visiting the ancient city wall.

Stretching around the heart of Xi’an, the city wall offers fantastic views across both the old and new parts of the city. I spent hours walking along it, watching Xi’an transform from day to night.

But the highlight of my time in Xi’an came just outside of the city, at Mount Huashan. ⛰️

After a boost from the cable car, I spent half a day hiking between the different peaks. The place was stunning, with so many incredible viewpoints. There was even a healthy cat population! 🐈

But the best part, and the main reason for coming here, was the ‘plank walk’! 😱

Described as ‘the most dangerous hike in the world’, the plank walk takes you along a narrow wooden path bolted into the side of the mountain. First you climb down a ladder, and then it’s just you, the plank, and an entire MILE of drop below.

Thankfully, you do wear a harness, so it’s not too dangerous…

Technically you’re not supposed to do it solo, so I made some new Chinese friends, and set off! The experience was incredible. It felt like walking through the sky, with birds of prey soaring past at eye level.

It was something I’d dreamed about doing for years, and easily one of the coolest things I’ve ever done!!

Surviving that, it was back to Xi’an and time to move on again. This time, a 30-hour train journey to one of the most special destinations of my entire trip. 🕉️

04/06/2026

Stop 48: Beijing! 🇨🇳🧱

Arriving in the Chinese capital, there was a lot to see. From a forbidden city, to a cultural event, to a wonder of the world!

After getting settled, my first outing was to the Forbidden City. I booked a group tour, which felt necessary given how difficult it is to get tickets.

Officially the ‘Palace Museum’, this massive complex once served as the imperial palace for Chinese emperors.

The tall walls and surrounding moat kept commoners out, making it the ‘Forbidden City’. Nowadays, though, a ticket gets you inside! 🤗

Once inside, it was stunning. Impressive palaces, intricate designs, and so much history passed onto us, through stories from our guide.

Unable to visit Tiananmen Square on the same day, I knew I had to go back. And while I was at it, why not see the raising of the flag ceremony, an important daily cultural event.

Was it worth waking up at 4am, walking two miles, dealing with a dozen security checks, and squeezing in amongst a million other people? Probably not.

But, it was still fun to see!

Next was the Temple of Heaven, which I’d heard was beautifully lit up at night. And it was beautiful... but also closed. 🤷

Then came the main highlight: the Great Wall of China! Beijing is the perfect base for visiting the wall, with several different sections nearby to explore.

At first I was a little sceptical, wondering if Karl Pilkington was right when he called it the ‘Alright Wall of China’. But after seeing it in person, I was blown away. It absolutely deserves its place as one of the wonders of the world.

The wall and surrounding area, are breathtaking. As for the crowds, it was a little busy at the start, but the further I walked and climbed, the quieter it got.

Oh, and the greatest revelation of my entire trip, cats!! There are cats living INSIDE the Great Wall of China?!? 🐈

But soon enough, it was back to the busy train station, and off to another part of the country. 🚝

Looking back, I really enjoyed Beijing. As far as sightseeing goes, it’s easily the best city in China to visit. But my next stop, I feel, is a close second. 👀

30/05/2026

Stop 47: Shanghai! 🇨🇳🌃

After a ton of research, preparation, and a tricky visa application, it was finally time to enter one of the countries I was most excited to visit on this trip... China! 🇨🇳

And to kick things off, Shanghai!

Before I’d even left the airport, the country already began to impress. The train from the airport to the city centre, the ‘Maglev’, is the fastest in the world. It covers the 19 mile journey in just 8 minutes, reaching up to 268 mph! 🫨

Once settled, my first stop was Yu Garden, a beautiful blend of traditional Chinese architecture and nature. The setting was lovely, especially with the contrast of Shanghai’s modern skyscrapers in the distance, giving an ‘old meets new’ feel.

After that, I headed to the Bund, the busy waterfront area with some stunning views of the skyline. The highlights here were the Oriental Pearl Tower, a futuristic tower topped with giant spheres, and the Shanghai Tower, the second tallest building in the world!

As night fell, the skyline lit up with colour. I decided to take a short cruise along the river, and the views were amazing. I especially loved the animated lighting displays on the Shanghai Tower. 🤩

Outside of that, just wandering around the city gave me a taste of everyday life here. From the endless rows of rental bikes, to the futuristic subway stations, to even stumbling across a Cat Cafe! 🐈

One thing that caught me off guard was how friendly everyone was. Not that I expected people to be unfriendly, but it was the openness of it all that surprised me. People were so outgoing and chatty, which felt quite different from elsewhere in Asia.

For example, whenever I was awkwardly trying to take a selfie, people would come over and offer to take the photo for me. And one time, while walking down the street, a random auntie stopped her bike ride to chat, gave me travel tips, insisted I take her spare bottle of water, and even tried to convince me to come and work in China! 😂

All in all, it was a very warm welcome to the country.

But soon enough I was at the massive train station, getting ready to head north to the capital! 🚝

19/05/2026

Stop 45: Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara! 🇯🇵🏯

To wrap up our time in Japan, we headed south from Tokyo and set up base in Kyoto!

We jumped right into things with a visit to a (albeit quite touristy) Samurai and Ninja Museum! Turns out, throwing ninja stars is exactly as fun as you’d imagine it would be. ⭐️🥷

Of course, another stop was the Nintendo store. This one, fancier than Tokyo, had a little area to take photos!

Next was the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, which was as scenic as it was busy… very. 🎋

After that, we hiked up to Iwatayama Monkey Park. The monkeys here have a nice life, with the tourists feeding them all day. I guess it keeps them off the streets, away from a life of crime, robbing tourists like they do in India! 🙉

But the highlight of Kyoto had to be Fushimi Inari Shrine, the one with the endless red gates. Wanting to avoid the crowds, we headed over around 8pm in the pouring rain. It was eerie at times (especially with the random wild boars?!), but also felt pretty magical, especially with nearly the entire place to ourselves.

For our Nara day trip, we visited the massive Todai-ji Temple, a very impressive wooden structure, which I hope has excellent fire precautions in place... 😬

But the real reason for visiting Nara, of course, was the deer. Watching them bow for biscuits was so fun, even if a few were a little too demanding! 🦌

And in Osaka for a day, we first headed straight for the iconic Osaka Castle, which was stunning.

Afterwards, we explored Dotonbori, the busy riverside district filled with neon signs, street food, and a futuristic atmosphere. Although my favourite part (typically) was seeing some very smartly dressed cats right in the centre of all the chaos! 🐱

After that, it was time to head back to Tokyo and, sadly, say goodbye. ☹️

On reflection, I had high expectations and high hopes for Japan, all of which were completely met. The people, the culture, the politeness, everything here is unlike anywhere else on the planet. It is such an incredibly nice and fun place to visit, and I’m sure I’ll be back. ❤️🇯🇵

01/05/2026

Stop 44: Tokyo! 🇯🇵🗼

After a loooong period of travelling solo, heading back to Tokyo marked a special point in my trip, as my best friend from Scotland would be coming over to join me for the rest of my time in Japan! 🥳

We had plenty to see across the country, but first, Tokyo!

Arriving exhausted after travelling halfway across the world, there was no time to rest!

First stop? Ramen, of course. Then a quick raid of the nearest Family Mart for all sorts of snacks.

If you’ve been in Japan for more than five hours and haven’t had a custard fish pastry yet, you’re doing it wrong. 😤

We also tested our Mario Kart skills at a local arcade, and even gave a batting cage a go, which left my arms aching for days…

Staying in Asakusa, we started with some nearby sights, including the iconic Sensoji Temple. From there, we headed to the Kyu Asakura House, a peaceful and well-preserved traditional home.

Next was a wander through Ueno Park, before heading into the chaos of Shibuya! 🫨

I loved it though. The madness of the train station, the famous scramble crossing, and a visit to the Nintendo store gave us the full Tokyo experience!

For a break from the city, we took a day trip to Hakone and did the classic loop. Sadly we didn’t have much luck seeing Mt Fuji, but it was still a fun day.

After Hakone, and then a week in Kyoto (more on that in the next update), we headed back to Tokyo for one final day. We started it at Teamlab Planets, which felt like stepping into a dream with its surreal, interactive exhibits. Such a cool experience!

Next was a visit to the nearby Gundam statue (apparently not a transformer??), before ending at Joypolis, an indoor amusement park where we spent hours trying out different games. The highlight had to be Mario & Sonic at the Olympics! 🏃🏃‍♂️

All in all, Tokyo gave us a proper introduction to Japans craziness, and while the city can be overwhelming at times, it’s pretty hard not to fall in love with the energy of it all.

Next, it was time to head South and see some of Japans quieter, more serene spots! 🇯🇵

Travelling Tabby

29/07/2026

26/07/2026

10/06/2026

04/06/2026

30/05/2026

19/05/2026

01/05/2026

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