Thanks!
Ok will stop rambling now but happy to send tips via DM or email if people are interested. Now heading for a 10 hour flight (and 7 hour jet lag 🤣)
Obviously there are issues with the government, but who has a perfect government (cough cough Brexit!)? I’d argue this doesn’t mean we can’t work together, especially with climate and biodiversity crises we need to tackle as an international community. But I understand others may feel differently.
China: Final reflections. I’d really encourage any academic to seek out Chinese collaborators, and for students and postdocs to consider work here. There’s so much amazing science going on, cities are vibrant and liveable, people friendly. Our perceptions are quite outdated.
Related - if someone could do a good adaptation of the four classic Chinese classic novels en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classic... they’d make a fortune. They make Game of Thrones look simple and tame in comparison!
China: Part 7: Kaifeng. A surprise last minute addition to the trip. Kaifeng was capital of the Song dynasty, famous for poetry, art etc. So there are several “theme parks” with performances related to Chinese classics and Song era stories. A lot of cosplay in gorgeous costumes, and this KFC…
Everyone I’ve met here is very keen to develop collaborations so you should reach out to people working in your area!
A few more pictures from the ecological research station in Shennongjia and the mountains and wetlands in the NP. Really beautiful place. Didn’t spot any golden monkeys but we did see a golden pheasant which was gorgeous (and too fast to photograph!)
China: Part 6: Shennongjia NP. The area is full of endemic and rare species, and has the highest diversity of deciduous woody plant species in the world. As well as giant salamanders, clouded leopard, golden snub nosed monkeys. Also home to the cryptid yeren! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeren
China: Part 5: Wuhan. Climbed Yellow Crane Tower (of ancient Chinese poetry fame) overlooking the Yangtze River. It’s also the last day of mid autumn festival so I enjoyed a moon cake 🥮.
