by Ivo Kruchten | Aug 15, 2016 | two girls in China
On their way back to Europe through China, our favourite Jesuits, Grueber and d’Orville had to cross the limitless plateaux of grasslands in Inner Mongolia, so we did as well! We woke up to watch a stunning sunrise and get an early start for our expedition into...
by Ivo Kruchten | Aug 15, 2016 | two girls in China
It’s one week into our trip and we are leaving the heat and sweaty streets of Beijing and Datong for the blustery grasslands of Inner Mongolia. The trains are usually quite crowded, but so far everyone we’ve met on the trains has been friendly and helpful!...
by Ivo Kruchten | Aug 13, 2016 | two girls in China
According to a description of Kircher, in a book previous to the China Illustrata, European bells, especially the Erford one found in Germany, are the “queen of bells”. However, Grueber, after having visited a remote city near Beijing contradicts Kircher saying: “ I...
by Ivo Kruchten | Aug 12, 2016 | two girls in China
Today we went to explore some of the mountains of Northern China! Kircher talks about how the Chinese study and observe mountains with the diligence and rigour of astronomers. Today we can still see the remains of this fascination in the form of countless temples,...
by Ivo Kruchten | Aug 11, 2016 | two girls in China
Yesterday night we left Beijing on a night train and this morning we arrived in Datong in the current Shanxi province. Leaving Beijing, we will continue our trip towards the West of China trying to follow the route undertaken by Grueber and D’Orville while...
