{"id":2826,"date":"2025-11-08T19:17:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T19:17:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/?p=2826"},"modified":"2025-11-08T19:25:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T19:25:56","slug":"manchuria","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/2025\/11\/08\/manchuria\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchuria"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Manchuria was not originally a part of my travel itinerary. However, I have managed to finish my goals in other parts of China sooner than I thought so I have decided to reward myself with a super-fast tour of Manchuria.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

My first stop was ancient city of Mukden, now called Shenyang, the former capital of Manchuria. My goal was to explore the origins of the last imperial dynasty of China \u2013 Qing Dynasty, which ruled China from 1644 to 1912, when China became Republic.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

My first destination was Zhao Mausoleum, the tomb of the first Qing Emperor Hong Taiji, also knows as Emperor Taizong. Hong Taiji was not just the founder of the Dynasty, he was the nation builder. It was he who changed the name of his people from Jurchen to Manchu.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

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[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Hong_Taiji.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” module_alignment=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ caption_text=”Emperor Hong Taiji” enable_caption_text=”on” image_title_alignment=”center” image_caption_alignment=”center” image_description_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}” width=”42%” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The origins of the Qing Dynasty are complicated and politically motivated. Hong Taiji did not create a new empire from nothing, he inherited it from his ancestors, but they called their dynasty Later Jin Dynasty. They aimed to draw heritage on the Jin Empire that ruled Manchuria and Northern China until it was destroyed by the Mongols in 1234.<\/p>\n

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So why would Emperor Hong Taiji cut ties with such glorious ancestry? Well, his ambition was to conquer all of China, and to understand why Later Jin dynasty would not be a suitable candidate to replace the Ming Dynasty, which ruled China at that time, we must understand the theory of Five Elements (Wuxing). According to this theory the world is in constant fluctuation between five elements: water, earth, metal, fire and wood. Every dynasty had its \u201cavatar\u201d element. Jin Dynasty\u2019s element was metal, while Ming Dynasty\u2019s element was fire. It is clear that metal cannot defeat fire. To make the transition from Ming to Manchu rule palatable to Chinese, Hong Taiji created a new dynasty with a new element \u2013 water. Water will defeat fire and thus make it obvious to the Chinese why the Mandate of Heaven was withdrawn from the Ming and given to the Qing Dynasty.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The tomb was built along the same principles as the Ming tombs in China. As you pass through the entrance, you will reach the sacred way, which is guarded by statues of animals. In the case of Emperor Hong Taiji, he was protected by lions, xiezhi and qilin (two mythical Chinese animals), horses, camels and elephants.<\/p>\n

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The main part of the tomb is the Square City, which contains the burial mound, where the Emperor, his wife and their treasure are buried. The side facilities served as storage for sacrificial fruit and other foods that were ceremonially presented to the deceased Emperor every year. There is also a special pavilion for burning silk and other offerings to the Emperor.<\/p>\n

    <\/ol>\n

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    The second historical treasure laying in Shenyang is the old Imperial Palace of the Later Jin Dynasty, which the Manchu rulers used before they conquered China and moved their capital to the Forbidden City in Beijing. By size and splendor this imperial palace is no match for the home of Chinese Emperors. Manchu states, though militarily very potent, could never match the wealth of the Chinese Empire and their imperial palace demonstrates it through a combination of beauty and austerity. As such it reflects the traditional way of life of Manchu and other steppe peoples north of the Great Wall.<\/p>\n

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    Changbaishan<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    The border with North Korea hides some of China\u2019s greatest natural gems \u2013 Heaven Lake. Changbai mountain, which is an extinct volcano, whose collapsed top is now a beautiful lake, is situated next to a small town called Baihe. Even though the whole area is very remote, it is connected with major Manchurian cities by high-speed rail.<\/p>\n

    There are two entrances into the National Park. Northern entrance is very close to Baihe and it is the most popular entrance. On this route you pass through the beautiful big waterfall on your way to the Heaven Lake. The other entrance is Western Entrance, some 1 hour away from Baihe, is used to see the canyon.<\/p>\n

    I woke up early to be at the Northern Entrance around 7:30, when the National Park opens, and immediately my problems started. The Didi driver (Chinese Uber) told me the Northern Entrance is closed and then said a lot of things in Chinese that I could not understand, even after using the translator. I decided to return to my hostel and examine my options with the owner, who spoke fluent English. She confirmed that Northern Entry was closed due to rain and had arranged a spot for me in the tourist mini-bus to the Western Entrance.<\/p>\n

    After 2 hours in the minibus to the Western Entrance (it should have been 1 hour, but the main road was closed), I was pushed into another one-hour bus to the Heaven Lake. The bus leaves you just below the top of the volcano. You just need to climb 2200 steps to get the magnificent views of the lake.<\/p>\n

      <\/ol>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/17-2200-steps-to-the-top.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”59%” caption_text=”2200 steps to the top” image_title_alignment=”center” image_caption_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      My first glimpses of the lake created a mixture of awe and surprise \u2013 it was covered with ice! The top of the volcano is quite high \u2013 2400m, with the lake just below \u2013 but I was not expecting to see ice, especially since the tourist information about the lake stressed that the lake should be visited from June (I was there in early June). The viewing platform is quite small and unfortunately you cannot hike around the lake, but the views are still stunning.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

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      To get to the best spot to take photos, you have to queue up. In my case it was half an hour. You can also hire a professional photographer to take photos of you.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/26.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” caption_text=”Pingyao City Walls” enable_caption_text=”on” image_caption_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/27.jpg” title_text=”Datong City Walls” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” caption_text=”Datong City Walls” enable_caption_text=”on” image_caption_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      After about an hour viewing the lake, it was time to take the same buses back. I had to wait for 2 hours for my minibus to take me back from Western Entrance to my hostel in Baihe. I spent so much time in the bus that I missed the last train to Harbin. I had to spend one more night in Baihe and get on the first train the next day. It is a just under 4 hour journey and I was presented with a big dilemma \u2013 pay 15 euros more and get the first class ticket or buy standing ticket and hope someone with the ticket will not show up. I chose the backpacking option. It should be interesting.<\/p>\n

      So, the summary of my trip is: one hour enjoying the natural beauty and nine hours of sitting in a bus or waiting for the bus. You can make your own decision on whether this trip was worth it or not. I am glad that I made the most out of a bad situation.<\/p>\n

      Back in my hostel, I spoke to the owner about the whole situation. She told me the Northern Entrance closes when there is snow or rain. Apparently, it was raining at the northern part of the mountain. I find it hard to believe because it was very sunny when I was at the lake. So, a big warning to all you travelers. If you plan to visit Changbaishan and Heaven Lake, check the weather forecast first! Also, leave a few days so if the Northern Entrance is closed one day, you can go there the next day. I did see Heaven Lake, but I missed the beautiful waterfall. Plan carefully!<\/p>\n

      \n

      Harbin<\/strong><\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      The start to my Harbin adventure was rocky\u2013 I have decided to gamble, save money and buy standing ticket for 3:40 hours train to Harbin, hoping that the train is fully booked for just one small section of the trip. Results were mixed \u2013 I managed to sit for half of the trip.<\/p>\n

      Chinese hostels can be in weird places but my hostel, which in every other aspect was great, had the craziest location. It was on the 4th floor of the mostly abandoned shopping mall, right next to the Chinese Cinestar. In my 25 years of backpacking this was the first time that I could order popcorn as soon as I left the doors of my hostel.<\/p>\n

      \n

      As I have planned only one night in Harbin, it was time to go an explore. The city has a distinctly non-Chinese feeling about it. In fact, Russians and Jews were far more instrumental in setting up the city than Han Chinese. Even though it is one of the biggest cities in China, Harbin is one of the youngest, with its origins in late 19th century, when it served as the base for Russian engineers building the Chinese leg of the Trans-Siberian railway.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/28-Harbin-Central-Street.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”54%” module_alignment=”center” caption_text=”Harbin Central Street” enable_caption_text=”on” image_title_alignment=”center” image_caption_alignment=”center” image_description_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      My hostel was centrally located, 20 meters away from the main pedestrian street \u2013 Harbin central street. In fact, this is the longest pedestrian street in China. As I was fed up with Chinese food, I have firmly decided to find a nice Russian restaurant. Luckily for me, as you walk by the shops and restaurants, it was easier to find a Russian than a Chinese restaurant. It made me so homesick looking at all those breads and smoked sausages in the stalls of the shops. I settled on Russian\/Armenian restaurant where all the staff was Chinese, though they do great you with \u201cspasiba\u201d. I ordered a very nice borsch, of course, and some rather ordinary baked sausages with mashed potatoes.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/29-Borsch.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”56%” module_alignment=”center” caption_text=”Borsch” enable_caption_text=”on” image_title_alignment=”center” image_caption_alignment=”center” image_description_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      Even though Northern Chinese cuisine is based on similar grains to European cuisine – wheat, millet and rye \u2013 they make horrible bread. I managed to find some beautiful looking bread with sesame seeds on top. They put sugar in it! Hopefully the Russian thought them how to make bread before they left.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/30-European-architecture.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” caption_text=”European architecture” enable_caption_text=”on” image_caption_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/31.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      Even though there are many leftovers of the Russian and European heritage in the city, the only Russians you will find in Harbin are tourists like me. The most impressive remnant of the lost time is Saint Sophia Orthodox Church. As there are no more Russians living in Harbin, the church is not active so you cannot go inside.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”2868,2869,2870,2871″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      The native Russian and Jewish population were expatriated in the 1950s, after one of many \u201cdisputes\u201d between Chinese and Soviet communist leadership. Comrade Stalin referring to Comrade Mao as \u201ccave communist\u201d was certainly not a way to develop stable foundation for relationship based on mutual respect.<\/p>\n

      Still being hungry, I managed to find a very nice bakery. In fact, it is a chain of bakeries. They have very good black bread, chicken sandwiches and my favorite, sweet corn tart.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/36.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/37.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      Harbin sits on a large river and while I was enjoying my views, I realized that after traveling all over China, I have never been on the two main rivers: Yangzee and Ho Ang Ho (Yellow River). The Yellow River is the birthplace of the Chinese civilization and its greatest natural enemy. I am sure that out of the top 10 deadliest floods in history, minimum 5 are done by the Yellow River, so no wonder that not a single of the ancient Chinese imperial capitals lays on its banks.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/39.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/38.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      Next day I had to catch the train to Beijing at 14:25 and I had more than enough time to see the biggest tourist attraction in Harbin: Siberian Tiger Rehabilitation Centre. Siberian Tiger is the largest cat and while it was on the brink of extinction 80 years ago, the efforts of this centre has enabled its population to rebound to almost 500.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”2879,2880,2881,2882″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      I do not go to zoos and prefer to see wild animals in their natural habitat. However, I did visit the similar facility for pandas in Chengdu, so I was sure that my conscience will survive. To see the tigers, you jump on a special bus that will take you through many tiger enclosures. I quickly started to reevaluate my position as I saw that you can feed the tigers through special holes in the glass windows. I imagine that promoting this kind of behavior is not the way to prepare tigers to survive on their own in the Siberian wilderness.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/44.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/45.jpg” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/aMApvJRf-zE?feature=share” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtube.com\/shorts\/d87ytjuSg_s?feature=share” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      The tour lasted for around an hour and after you finish you can walk through the \u201cexhibition\u201d of other wild cats. They have few servals, caracols, lions (even though they proudly proclaim that they are white lions) and then they have at least two ligers.<\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/46-Ligers-Lion-Tiger.jpg” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”61%” module_alignment=”center” caption_text=”Ligers (Lion + Tiger)” enable_caption_text=”on” image_title_alignment=”center” image_caption_alignment=”center” image_description_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

      So, a government run institution for reintroducing Siberian Tigers to the wild wants to make some money from tourists and engages in activities that are counterproductive to that goal, i.e. tourists feeding the tigers, but it is also involved in experimentation and creation of new Frankenstein species that no one asked for!? The tigers themselves are beautiful and amazing to see, but you leave this place with a sour taste in your mouth. Something ain\u2019t right\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n

      On that note, it is time to say goodbye to Manchuria. It has been a crazy ride \u2013 3 destinations in only 4 days! But it is time to finish off my long Chinese adventure in Beijing.<\/p>\n

      \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Comments” _builder_version=”4.16″ min_height=”768.6px” custom_margin=”62px||62px||false|” saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text content_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”content” header_2_font=”Bellefair||||||||” header_2_text_color=”#000000″ header_2_font_size=”48px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” header_2_font_size_tablet=”42px” header_2_font_size_phone=”34px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9jb21tZW50X2NvdW50Iiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiPGgyPiIsImFmdGVyIjoiIENvbW1lbnRzPC9oMj4iLCJsaW5rX3RvX2NvbW1lbnRzX3BhZ2UiOiJvbiJ9fQ==@[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_comments show_avatar=”off” show_count=”off” _builder_version=”4.16″ form_field_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” form_field_text_color=”#000000″ form_field_focus_background_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0)” title_font=”Bellefair||||||||” title_text_color=”#000000″ title_line_height=”1.2em” form_field_font=”Montserrat|600||on|||||” form_field_font_size=”11px” form_field_letter_spacing=”3px” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”11px” button_text_color=”#fff0ec” button_bg_color=”#000000″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_letter_spacing=”2px” button_font=”|700||on|||||” button_custom_padding=”20px|30px|20px|30px|true|true” border_radii_fields=”on|0px|0px|0px|0px” border_color_all_fields=”#000000″ border_width_bottom_fields=”1px” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_bg_color__hover=”#ff4e00″ button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][\/et_pb_comments][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Manchuria was not originally a part of my travel itinerary. However, I have managed to finish my goals in other parts of China sooner than I thought so I have decided to reward myself with a super-fast tour of Manchuria. \u00a0 My first stop was ancient city of Mukden, now called Shenyang, the former capital […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2844,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"1080","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2826","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-china"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/platypus.hr\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/9.jpg?fit=2000%2C1500&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2826","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2826"}],"version-history":[{"count":17,"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2826\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2904,"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2826\/revisions\/2904"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2844"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2826"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2826"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/platypus.hr\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2826"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}