A China Travel

Warriors，A revival Corps

2006-11-03T09:08:55Z

We visited the horses when the skies became clearer. Thousands of tourists walked together with us. Qin Terracotta Museum is adjacent to the east of magnificent Lishan Mountain. Inside Lishan Mountain, stands the last imperial guards of Qin Empire.
Nowadays, the Warriors museum has already been built into a world-class Museum, tall bright No.1 pit contains adequate lighting, and visitors can randomly take pictures. No.2 pit excavation work is still continuing, visitors can watch the archaeological staff operating processes.
Today, the Warriors are not just a window for Qin Dynasty historical study, but also live military science materials. Reportedly, the U.S. military sent a delegation to visit there every year simply to find out their strategies and tactics dominated the world.
With the development of heritage preservation work, people have no chance to go to the bottom to do close contacts with Warriors. Fortunately, experience simply is not related to the distance of space, but in the hearts perceived. I stood before the pit, in addition to shock, I vaguely tastes he desolate and vicissitudes from them.
The morning two thousand years ago, when the last piece of wood covered put down, the only light was cut off. The sound of scattering soil constantly came from upside. It was dark around under the ground; the turbidity of the air was a smell of dirt filings. Human voices went further and further, until light completely disappeared, leaving only endless dark, endless lonely, linking the endless glory together in the endless waiting.
A luxury, brave, no hostile army, after achieving their historic mission, in this way, went into the dust-laden history with their dead monarch and their dead empire together, and looked forward the future discovery.
Walked at the side of this huge Army, if you put ears to them, their mutter and breathing could still be heard clearly. Although their empire had passed away, they were survive and loyally fulfilled its obligations, no matter the how fast the time flitted from the ears like the Arrow. I was surely belive that those artisans who baked the Corps in the conviction that they were alive and certainly convicted that they could live forever. Somebody said that the figures were original from the real Qing officers. But I thought that the figures should come from their artisans themselves, because only in this way could we let them to show so vivid facial expression, so live with the lives, and so charming enchantment.

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Trip to Longsheng--toast you more wine

2006-11-03T09:07:48Z

An old saying is people pay most attention to food. During my trip, Longsheng local favor also impresses me besides Longji terraces and Ailing hot spring. Of all special dishes, unforgotten ones are rice in bamboo;air-dry fish on iron board.
1 Alcohol. This is a kind of sweet wine made from sticky rice. The way of brewery is really pristine, put raised sticky rice in a wooden cask, and then put the wooden cask in a big caldron, at last braise it, wine will stream from the bamboo which is inserted in the middle of wooden cask. White wine rushes down from pot, aroma of wine blow on my face. Shake the goblet, aroma is getting denser. Like yellow wine, after warming up, I feel the warmth of wine coming through goblet to my palm; it seems to paste my palm to the goblet.
According to guide Mr. Su, water of brewery is drawn from the stream outside the village, with gentle of water and fragrance of flower. Sticky rice grains popple in the wine, like boat in river, ups and downs.

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Slightly sip makes me sweet which I have never experienced, after tasting carefully, gingers flavor comes out. For the climate in villages is really humid, to boil the wine with some ginger can dispel algidity.
Tossing off, you will find warm current flows to your stomach, and your heart. With strong local customs in village, girls in folk costumes will toast you. Touched by songs of toast, I am getting drunk. With beautiful scenic spots, beautiful wine and beauties, how can I avoid drunken?
There are many minorities in Longsheng; their wine has its own specialty. To toast you more wine can eliminate your grief.
2 Rice in bamboo.
Cutting bamboo into sections with 35CM length, villages put sticky rice which was emerged in stream into these sections, together with wind-dry meat, agaric, dried bamboo shoot and peanut. Fill all the stuff from a small hole on bamboo, seal it with sweet potatoes, the last step is to burn the bamboo sections.

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Firewood is charcoal or bamboo so that it is more convenient to burn the sections and water will not lose. Fire can not be too fierce so that bamboo sections will not be on fire. Faint scent of bamboo and sticky rice spills out with vapor from the burnt bamboo sections. After 30-40 minutes, all things have been done. Scratching black ashes outside the bamboo sections with sharp knifes, and then hack it into two half. Mixed fragrance with meat, agaric and bamboo shoot, it really makes me water.
3 Wind-dry fish on iron board
After tasting alcohol and rice in bamboo sections, wind-dry fish on iron board attracts me again.
Streams outside the village come out from remote mountains, they are really transparent. Small fishes can be easily caught, for there are many cobbles in stream, so villages call them cobble fish.

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First of all, wind-dry the fish, and then spice them, the last step is to saute; fishes with local capsicum and garlic shoots. Its favor is hot and acetous with fragrance, it is most suitable for accompany with rice.
One more interesting thing is vegetables on the mountains, which is authentic green vegetables; without pesticides. Its favor differs from vegetables in cities, really dainty!
Sitting under boundless sky, smelling wine fragrance from far, I feel drunk again.

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Miao Minority New Year Day

2006-11-03T09:05:17Z

Miao minority is one of the minorities which locate in the north of China. Now there are totally 7,384,000 Miao people in China, with 430,000 in Guangxi, which are mainly spotted on the four Autonomous counties-------Rongshui, Longlin, Sanjiang and Longsheng, with the other are on Ziyuan, Xilin, Rongan, Huanjiang, Tianlin, Napo, Laibing. Except their own traditional festival-----Miao New Year Day, Miao people of Guangxi observe the same Festival Day of Han people, while their activity is a little different from Han minority people.
On 9th February,2006(12th January, lunar calendar), we photography team were invited to Antai countryside of Rongshui county to celebrate the Miao minority New Year, the destination is to Zaihuai village of Antai countryside. We started from Guilin at 8:30am (Guilin----Lingui----Yongfu-----Rongan-----Rongshui), we arrived at Rongshui County at 1:00pm, just eating some rice-noodle, we continued at 1:30. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we met a strong fire, which burnt two wooden storied building, and had obstructed us for an hour.

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At 5:00pm, we the team with more than 90 people, we went to the village as we are with our guns (tripod) and cannons (cameras) as if we are devils, while the villagers did not look us as that way, they were exited to heard that we are photography fonder, and some of which were from media units, so they welcomed us with the most warmest ceremony.
The villagers dressed up in queue met us with fresh flowers, the others played the Yaogu (a kind of Chinese drum which can hang on ones waist), and Lusheng (a kind of traditional musical instrument of Miao minority people), a pretty girls toast us one by one.
When we arrived the village square, the villagers served us with the most wonderful Lusheng dancing; we felt the atmosphere of festival in their skilled performance, beautiful and honest dance posture. We could not help clicking the shutter as to catch the most brilliant instant.
This night the arranged us stay in the villagers families, with the way of Dahongbao (the host serves us a night sleeping, a supper, a breakfast, and each of us pay the 20 Yuan, cheap? So cheap! )

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Lao Xu and I were arranged to the family with the master whose name was Lao Shi, Lao shi was pretty veridical and honest. He guided us to his house and showed us the rooms which are ready for us, in which there is simply a bed, maybe that can not be titled as bed, which was built by several wood bat, ok, it does not matter, we originally came here to experience the life of people here, while the problem is the bed is not large enough, I thought we would fell on the floor in the night, Lao shi caught our he explained I had three children, Laoer (his second child) stay in his friends house as to provide for us, if this does not enough I will ask Laosan (his third child) to do that too. When he said he veiled his eyes all the time. We said ok. At last we have others two even three persons slept in a bed.
Our supper was simple, (we ate in a wood building, which may be owned by collectivity, the first floor is kitchen, the second one is dinning room which displayed about 6 big dinning tables, and the minority people were very hospitable.) Every 8 persons sat by a table, all the food were placed by large bowls, two bowls of stewed beef, braised pork, net radish, cabbage, soup, a bowl of meat was stewed with big boiler, which had little attraction for us, compared with the delicacies of every kink, it was a bad one, while their we cannot buy in the restaurant and also I knew it was the best for the local residents, they did their best to satisfy us, I, too, tried my best to taste my food, even though I felt I could not swallow them.

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Finished our supper, we went to our residency, the lowering lamplight backed me to my childhood, my home was very poor at that time, much poorer than Laoshi, that was hellish.
The scale of the celebration this year is the largest; the Lusheng teams joined us, too. The ceremonious performance lasted until 2:00 at dawn. Zaihuai village was divided into 5 production teams, Lao shi family was the first one. There are six persons in Laoshis family, his old father, his wife, his three children and he, the eldest and the elder ones are boys, the eldest one is disabled on his leg, while the littlest is a girl, who is a senior grade 2 student, Laoshi worked at a power plant as a casual laborer, salary is 400 Yuan per month, with the three pigs they fed, they could earn 10,000 Yuan per year, which was on a low level in their village, with the mail earning on curing his eldest childs leg, and on the girls study.
I had a bad sleep that night, I could not adapt to the condition, and the cock sang at about 2:00 at dawn, since then I opened my eyes turning over from time to time, since their breakfast started at 10:00, and its raining all the last night, I had to got up until 8:00, at about 10:00, the members of the family got up one by one, and then they were busy with our breakfast. They began to boil Youcha(a kind of tea), kill the chicken, and Youcha is the necessary meal to the Miao people and the Dong people, which was considered as breakfast. It was very simple to make it. First of all, put some edible oil in the pan when the oil is heat, we could fry the Mihua (a kind of sticky rice which was boiled and dried) then put 1,000km water with 20-30 grams tea, and boiled it, adding some salt, monosodium glutamate was ok, we can enjoy a wonderful tea, it was a traditional food there, this morning, or we can say it was noon, we had a wonderful meal.

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Laoshi treated us as honored guests ,he asked us to drink more all over the time, they called it Quangjiu, in their way Quangjiu means the host respect or welcome you very much, they would make many excuse cheat you to drink more, the more you drink, the more happiness they got, I could understand this, so that day I drunk much, though I usually drunk little, I loved the family, loved their custom, at last, Lao shi exchanged his cup with mine, I felt some his wife told me, that mean he want to close to you, it was also their custom, I nod my head, did that and smiled, suddenly I remembered my father, I did not know why. Our main food was sticky rice ,it was very funny, we ate it with hands. 12:30, we finished our breakfast, and went to the plaza, both of we gave another 20 Yuan to Laoshi for his hospitality.
The celebration was held for a while when we arrived, we saw there were many Lusheng pillars of every camp and the body of the pillars were carved as dragons, with a favonian bird on the top of the pillar. Lusheng pillar is the signal of holy. Thousands of Miao minority people and Dong minority people and several dozens of Lusheng team ran from all aspects. They sacrificed and prayed under their own pillars, they prayed the God to give them a harvest next year. I forgot everything as if I was the member of them, together with them to feel the exiting and happiness which the God gave us. And it was also a good chance to make young people fell in love; this was another custom of them. The remainder was perfect, too. The particular one was which called horse-fight. Maybe it is more bloody and, but it was also a kind of culture, as if the bullfight on abroad.
How time flied, we have to leave. When we got on the bus, all the villagers in the street, their mood was same with ours. Wait for me next year, I shouted with my heart. See you next year, thank you for your hospitality; I will miss you, with the beautiful photos in my camera, which is eternal in the shoot, also in my heart.

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Lost civilization – Dunhuang

2006-11-03T09:04:52Z

From Jiangnan to Lanzhou, we took train for two days. And then changed cars, five days later in the evening we arrived Dunhuang. Dunhuang, in my impression, it is merely a small border town to the northwest. But in Dunhuang, I knew that I was shallow. Beacause Dunhuang is a bustling city, with all establishments eastern cities have, including health and unhealthy.
When the car crossed the long of windbreaks, and went into the cantonal, all unexpected things were no longer concerned to us, it was important that we tried our best to reached Dunhuang finally. We cheered spontaneously: Dunhuang, we are coming!

The next morning, we drove to Mo Gao Ku. In the vehicle, the leader of our team repeatedly warned us: in Mo Gao Ku, don’t take separate action, don’t leave the tour, and don’t take photos. He called them "three no" policy, we must adhere to the rules. About forty minutes trip, we got to Mo Gao Ku.
Mo Gao Ku located in a obscure khaki-coloured mountains waist. The cave were covered by sparsely wood, a long river was dry, absolutely desolate and lorn, but extremely mysterious.
Although there are marvellous spectacles such as Weeping Dune and Ku Crescent Moon Spring, undoubtedly Mo Gao Ku by Treasure for the Treasure. It brought together many of the cultural history; Collection of the painting scroll of history too; Also embodies the essence of art too much human thought. When you are in Mo Gao Ku, as if you are walking into human civilization time and unable to pull yourself up in the human small and the great.

Mo Gao Ku built in Jianyuan 2nd during the Former Qin dynasty (AD. 336), which is claimed to have 1,000 caves, in fact probably more than 500 caves. In front of the gate, we handed in our cameras (camera was not allowed in Mo Gao Ku), and followed two guides into a dark cave and entered the long process of history.
Mo Gao Ku more than 500 caves, from the former Qin Shi Huang, experienced the dynasties of Sui, Tang, Yuan, Ming and Qing, Every generation repaired holes in the cave, every cave that dynasty basically have condensed the essence of the art. We didn’t see all five hundred caves, but caves of every dynasty we visited, it seemed to be going a long history of civilization. The kind of arts and cultural differences between the characteristics and brought us toward the concert.
To protect the cave paintings and statues, Mo Gao Ku all cave lights are not installed, every cave have advanced electronic monitoring equipment to ensure the protection of heritage. Moreover, each cave is locked, guides carry a huge key to open the cave. When the visitors finished their visiting, the door was locked immediately, even a following group will immediately come to visit also are not mistakenly locked.
On the tour personnel, there was one object, flashlight, which is used for visiting. In the dark cave, people followed the guide with one foot shallow one foot deep. Suddenly the guide opened flashlight, and illuminated a beautiful murals, they already began on the images. They certainly were nonchalant to the murals and tourist’s shocking, as there was no exciting in their speech. But the visitors were experiencing some excitement and the attack of the heart. The small flashlight illuminated the great predecessors, but also the image of small ourselves.
We visited one cave by one, all caves had no name except the number: "330 houses, 350 houses, 220 houses" liked a milestone on their long, recording the process of people toward civilization, and creating civilized history. It recorded every dynasty also. Murals of Tang dynasty were undoubtedly the most outstanding in all cave, the content of the richest Tang dynasty was highest skilled. By the Qing dynasty, it was apparent some decline, no spirit, no vivid, as guides said the expression of all figures were like the same as the Empress Dowager Cixi.

Finally, we entered the 17 hole, which is the city. The most important thing in human archaeology in the twentieth century was the discovery of the city of Dunhuang. In 1900, it as if the history offer the twentieth century a gift in that year, the closed door opened to the world.
It is because of Mo Gao Ku Dunhuang, is there a city Dunhuang, while also, because of the city, is there Mao Gao Ku. Wangdaoshi who is difficult to evaluate opened the door of Dunhuang, Mo Gao Ku more than 10,000 pieces of incalculable treasures were grabbed by foreigners at here.
The door which Wangdaoshi found out was still opened, and nothing was in it. We could hardly imagine that, in this poor cave, had existed such rich cultural deposits; and it was also difficult to judge whether it was a national glory or shame.

At noon, experienced a hearts baptism, all visitors return to the vehicles exhaustedly. In the sunshine, the desert became more inhospitable. One thousand and six hundred ago, Ledun monk saw Fo Kuang on three crisis Hill, then excavated the first cave of Mo Gao Ku. Thousands of years later, a number of stonemen came here from a long and hard journey to create Mo Gao Ku brilliance. I am wondering, in the process, what supported their lives for the faith? So many fine art objects from different nation, different religious beliefs, different artistic approach, and what caused them get together in Dunhuang? Maybe this world is really difficult to explain things too much, we can not find out the answer. We are just the visitors, and we came and went, leaving our astonishment, take some small souvenirs, and then rush toward the next destination, but Mo Gao Ku will always belong to Dunhuang.

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My diary of Chengdu food

2006-11-03T09:04:17Z

Although it was not the first time I have been to Chengdu, I was still excited at the moment that the airplane landed on the airport. Sometimes I was wondering why Chengdu was so attractive to me. Was it because of its moist climate? Or was it because of its magnificence? Or its delicious food?
Well, Chengdu, I came back again!

Pengshan Drift-Tang
Pengshan, one hour bus away from Chengdu, was our meeting place. In the evening, it was a little bit cold, and the light rain dropped softly every now and then. Somebody suggested we have drift-Tang!
Drift-Tang? I was attracted by the name. Because the word “drift” had infinite romance and the romantic feeling. Thus, we went towards there with great hope.
In the dark night, bamboo at both sides of the mountain path stabbed towards us. Rain dropped in “sha sha sha” with tricky expectation, however, nothing bad occurrenced. After 20 minutes later, we arrived at the mountain-root small town.
Chengdu is really a city famous for its evening life. Even in the peripheral town, some restaurants were still opened at the mid-night in the rainy evening. From this, we knew that the drift here was really well-known. At the doorway, quite a few restaurants held the sign broad, writing two words consumedly: drift-Tang!
By named drift-Tang, it had not much soup in it actually. Fillet, hair belly, mushroom and vegetable crowded together, the flavor was thick but didn’t get feed up with, instead, slippery fresh and delicate. While, another forgotten name soup with the amount of soup abundance, I think, matched drift-Tang perfectly.
Rain, doing for an occasion got heavy, beat on the roof; the surrounding was dimmer and dimmer. In the whole world, there were lights here only, exiting with the delicious drift-Tang. Talking impatiently with my friends and drinking occasionally, I was thinking actually… Perhaps the drift-Tang was a kind of artistic feeling.

Chengdu Chuanchuanxiang
The annual convention end!
We arrived in Chengdu at 9:00 pm. We arranged our baggage at hotel, and then we went straight to have Chuanchuanxiang after a little break.

String Chuanchuanxiang is a kind of hot pots in fact, all of strings is for oneself to take. People pay for the bill by bamboo sticks. Each one is ten fen, and if there are two sticks through meat, that is twenty fen. Generally speaking, there is only one piece of vegetable on a stick, or there is only a piece of meat, even the mushroom is only a little bit. We always felt that we had little for one mouth, so we had to have much to fill with our stomach. Like me, a northern girl, it was no problem to enjoy seventy or eighty sticks of food. There was really large difference between north and south, because no northern restaurants would like to earn money in this way.
Adjusted to anticipate, we were recommended to use pure oil, because it could solve hot. Moreover, it made the flavor fresher. The soup was seething in the pot, and food was rolling in the soup. Algidity brought by damp and cool day was disappearing, and meanwhile, a joviality rising up in my heart.

Chengdu, a town for eating
If there is gender for every city, I always think Chengdu is absolutely female. She keeps people stay in her arms by her deeply feminine character, so there is an old saying “Young people should not go to Sichuan.” The darker it is, the much more beautiful and more charming she is. Especially the delicious food, always attract people.
But this time, Chengdu welcame me with a rare sunshine. And the sunlight was gentle and soft. A very lazy warmth was in my body, the mood also became easily leisurely immediately.

Nothing to say, except helping yourself!
First was nosh. The coming tens of bowls of food conquered us, such as Bell dumplings，Douhua，Lai rice dumplings，Dan Dan noodle... All food whether we knew its name or not, stuffed of our mouths. And then we picked up the camera “ka cha, ka cha”, to take many pictures. In addition, there were White House Feichang，Guokui, roast food, fish balls and pearl milk tea laying out on the shelf showing off flavor. It was much better if I had a big stomach!
Then we had hot pot. Mandarin Pot is a hotpot that small one in a big one. Under the bright red, the outer hot soup boiled first like the blooming red flowers, while the inner thin soup bubbled up. As the city was known for hot, thin soup just played a minor role… Besides, fish tegument dumpling also left me a good memory.
Finally, I will mention the Panglaoma Pettitoes. We went to there at 2:00 am. What astonished was that the restaurant was full of guests, no seats for us. Outside the restaurant, it parked massive taxis. When the magnetic bowl came, the inside was white tender pettitoes. They were crystal in the milky soup…

Now, I feel I don’t know of Chengdu at all suddenly. After all, eating is the superficial impression. In the deep inside of her, what is important? And what is most attraction? Actually, I don’t know it very well.

End my dairy with the name of a book: Chengdu, forget me tonight please!

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Limpid water from hot spring

2006-11-03T09:03:58Z

Down the hill to Longji terrace, we went by car to Longsheng hot spring which wins the reputation of The first hot spring of southern China.
It locates in the national forest park of Longsheng hot spring which is 32 miles far from the county and it is the centre and soul of the park. Recorded by the history of Longsheng County: sulfur in this spring which can cure skin disease, water is very pure and not smelly. Although it sits deeply in the mountain, there still lots of visitors come there; I can image the springs history.
The car ran along the Sangjiang River; the mountains on each of the bank were up-and-down, on which the trees were heavily wooded; firs and bushes which are like loyal guarders, watch the mountains on the banks. There is a pellucid stream on the left road in which pebble stone can be seen, in which duck swims. Look from distance by the window, streams of Sangjiang River run from the land which have existed for thousands of years, following along with the bobbin; singing sounded by the washing women, my thoughts went far away.

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We came to the terminal of this journey----Centre Hotel of Longsheng Spring, companies with the singing scenery which run in sight is the dense forest, which give us a stimulus. Immediately, the Spring Centre Hotel built by the mountains caught our eye sights. We surprised the Longsheng peoples attention to tourism, as there was a magnificent five star hotel in the deep mountain.

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The hall of the hotel was studded by an engraving of Longji terrace, which told every visitor that terrace and spring are the pride of Longsheng, which linked closely. The hotel was consisted with the main building of the four stars; and SPA building of five stars, with every guest room is flat with mountain scenery, when opening the window, it seems you can touch the blue sky, forest, fountain, and falls. It may be contented thing to sit in couch enjoying the scenery outside.
There are little bridges and green bamboo in the scenic spot, which make the scenery very superb, as if we fell into the fairyland, or the heaven. Wandering between the green-black Mountain and pure river which combine originality with modern times perfectly, we felt that how time flied! Unconsciously, we reached the spring.

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The fountains shot from 1,200m deeper of the layer of rock, which formed two springs of cold and hot ones after circling, the fountain slope down the stone wall of cliff, inpouring into the bathtubs which are made of pebbles with all shapes and sizes. The fountain affluxes slowly, flowing out from the outlet of its bottom, it made the fountains pellucid and clear all the time. Although there were lots of hot spring around our country, Longsheng Spring was famous for its natural fountain which can be drunk easily, without the smell of sulphuric acid.
Secondly, its temperature that formed naturally. The cold and hot fountains keep abreast pouring down the cliff; one of them was as a basin of scalding soup, the other was like a handful of snow. The temperature of the two springs can be regulated automatically. With the natural spring and the thick wood, one can absorb the fresh air, and also enjoy the spring. How happy the Yao minority people are to live there.

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The spring located in the hidden valley, with peaks around it. It is warm in winter and cool in summer. Wandering in the fairyland where we can enjoy the bamboo dancing in the wind at daytime, listening to the river singing at night, we really have fun there.
Laying in the quiet bathtub, let the body be moistened by the warm spring, you could understand this temperature was proper, when you were caught up it entirely, you would feel that it was so near and familiar. Holding your head suddenly, three poetic Chinese words burst in your sight, dipping your head and listening, it was calling lowly;in another way, it was listening your soft saying.
At that time, I smelt the leaves.
I changed into another room with another temperature. The water was warmer there, it caressed me. The fell of warm, quiet, sweet fulfilled my heart. The water then was like a flood of strength which chucked my body, released my heart, and make my idea went far and far. I had seen colorful light glassed themselves in a sheet of skyey water which rippling into my heart. I doubt that I had heart snow falling on the roof.
The temperature of Jingyi basin is the highest. The water flew out from the stone cranny, which surrounded by mist. Lying in it, I did want to think nothing, say nothing, only want to enjoy the quietness and peace which far from the city.
The light were twinkling in the night, with the stars blinking their eyes in the sky, the night was so charming which make me have a sound sleep, sweet and comfortable.

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Impression to Longsheng County

2006-11-03T09:03:29Z

Longsheng County locates in Guilin 100 miles from the northwest; it is famous at home and abroad for its strange stones, beautiful rivers and the custom of the minority. In my opinion, Longji (the back of a dragon) terrace and Ailing hot spring attract me most.
Follow me, and start at dawn; On 6th January, 2006, we followed the tour guide Mr. Su and the driver Mr. Mo to Longsheng in a cold morning with the song happy old family.
We left Guilin by carriage at 8pm, the scenery beside the road was wonderful, the up-and-down mountains, even you could see maple leaves sprinkle in them, and hear the singing of birds and rivers.
As we closed to the hamlet, the path became steeper and steeper, especially at the across where 11km to Longsheng county, we entered a limited lane which was like a snake circled on the mountains and stretched far away. As we had met many sudden wheels, the road appealed us in the bus. We were afraid if we should fall out of the car? How could we enjoy the scenery in mood?
Oh, Longji terrace! You made me happy, make me sad.
At last, we reached the first station-----Pingan hamlet after two hours driving.

[img]http://www.achinatravel.com/photos/ls-tt/ls-tt_03.jpg[/img]
The guide Mr. Su told us that the terrace was built in Yuan Dynasty, its history could trace back to 800 hundred years ago. It was neither the donation of the nature, nor the building of some nobles, even not related to the religion, it was just made by the Zhuang, Yao and Dong minority people. It was the production of their hard work. It was said that the Longji terrace is the most splendid one of all. Over viewing it from afar, you could see the columns of smoke winding into the sky.
Because it was winter at that time, we could not enjoy its dainty in spring, either the cool in summer, nor its charming in autumn. However, the terrace in winter be endowed with another meaning. I like the mountain here, and the custom here. My favorite was the terrace; it is the perfect mixture of nature and labor. It gave me unwritten shock by the great of nature and of the people The terrace was built on the waist of the mountain, the only way to outside was a stoney road, which was repaired by villagers from generation to generation. Every family has to do free work for three days. That is why we had the perfect stone road now.
Going up from the parking on the road, we felt fresh air, singing of the river, wind and the happy birds; we absorbed the grass and the mud, as the wind dancing in the air. We came to Pingan hamlet after a half hours walking, looking around, and terrace linked side by side, and the terraces which relied each other like notes dancing in the sky. Wherever you are, once you sink in it, the inimitable natural painting should catch you. The hamlet is not large, which was surrounded by terrace. The people live separately. And the village is encircled by a little brook down from the top of the hill, with the wooden floor fitted into the gradual steep hill. And the outside wall which was built by stone colored, led us to another world. Whenever you come to visit, you are absolutely in a picture.

[img]http://www.achinatravel.com/photos/ls-tt/ls-tt_02.jpg[/img]
It was very quiet in the hamlet. Walking on the road, we could hear our own breath and footfall, with barking of dogs and crowing of cocks from somewhere.
All of the architectures are called Diaojiaolou wooden buildings (entirely made of wood and with no iron), which built by the hill. As most of they were as old as hundreds of years, the hamlet also named as Gu zhuang; (Gu means old while zhuang is the name of the minority) hamlet. One corner of the diaojiaolou was used to pile up the paddy, dead stock and livestock, which supported by 20 pillars with its diameter is 50 cm. There was a base built by stone under the pillars which to stuff the brae. The second floor was usually supported by 24 pillars, with tiles on the top, and was enveloped by boards, so as to be an unattached space. The second floor was divided into two parts------the front one and the back one, the former was used for rest and manual labor while the latter was kitchen. The reason to do that was: firstly, for resisting since there were lots of wild animals in old days; the next one was for the residents; health, as the climate in hill was very humid, the people would become ill if they stayed on the first floor for long time. The blacken wood and tiles with bundles of firewood as tall as a person which on the corner of the house made us fell that we had been back to 100 years ago. Looking at the experienced, antiquated and mysterious wooden floor, I really wanted to find out the ordinary stories of all the buildings. The old and young with national dress were seen everywhere. Although the live condition was bad, we could see smooth smile on all of their faces. Compared with them, we visitors were hard, as they had been a part of the mountain. Pingan hamlet was so peaceful; Pingan hamlet was so natural; Pingan hamlet was so unsophisticated.

[img]http://www.achinatravel.com/photos/ls-tt/ls-tt_05.jpg[/img]

[img]http://www.achinatravel.com/photos/ls-tt/ls-tt_06.jpg[/img]
Continuing to move along the mountainous path, we found three cattle between the fields, a refreshing breeze was blowing gently, and the taboo leaves were dancing in the sky. There you could not find electrical lights, telegraph pole, water tower, or reinforcing steel bar, cement or something, that was kind of rural scenery of dream, we even forgot where we were.
Going up, the bypath became steeper and steeper, had trekked for half an hour, at last we climbed up to No.2 sightseeing stand of Longji(a dragon's back)terrace. Just at that time, evening light penetrated through the dark sky and reflected picturesque, sunshine got rid of clouds and perversely explored its head and then turned into countless ties down to the bottom of the valley, the whole valley was irradiated by the light gold shine, and the litparlit terrace reached afar regularly around the mountains. With all of those, we felt we had fallen in the fairyland. At that time, I was enjoying the quietude with my heart which was fulfilled peace and smooth. Actually, I thought it must be what we pursuing when traveling. No.2 sightseeing stand located on the altitude of the hamlet where the view is open, enjoyed the terrace there as it was cut by broadsword, cleaved by axe which provide you grand vigor. And you could enjoy the splendid sight of seven stars accompany the moon; which is to say a paddy field was surrounded by seven terraces. There was 40 minutes; walk to No.1 sightseeing stand, the hill was so steep, and paddy terraces commonly tower within palm-size space, which always surprised the visitors! From there, the marvelous spectacle of nine dragons and five tigers; great dragon grab the treasure hearty mirror; could be seen. Either on No.1 or No.2 sightseeing stand, terraces look like band or chain which wreath the hill from its foot to head, also made the small ones as snails and the big ones as pagodas. The pieces of curves were reincarnated as a flock of frolic dragons, charming and agile, graceful and arbitrary. Alleys wriggling through paddy terraces are wafting in cloud and mist like strings. Quaint wooden buildings hugged by terraces, transformed into fairyland in fog. Terraces haunt in hilly mountains;making guests concentrated in picturesque scenery. Splendid and ineffable terraces, which was combined nature with artificial works. When the sunset, the mountains went rolling by miles and miles glowed with the night blue in that dusk, somber and forbidding. All the terraces, piece by piece sat in the sea of dusk. Wandering on the stone path to the village with the terrace, shadow of trees, brook, I found a cattle how to stagger back under the farmers traction. There is no one on the path, the trees stopped swinging, and the terrace was covered by the unbounded night.

[img]http://www.achinatravel.com/photos/ls-tt/ls-tt_04.jpg[/img]
As thrusting up to the stone lane, the night spread out on the stones which became darker and darker. The lane had no endless, needed no endless, either. The endless is the night.
At this silent windy night without rain, same as the shining moon. It is the best time to be with wine and good friends. All the things had gone with the wind. Tomorrow, what would it be like tomorrow? But it is not important to me, I enjoyed the wine under the filmy moon, I drunk that night, even I forgot who I was.
When I woke up, it is nearly noon, I stood on the top of the floor, ruminating over the classical saying of Loulan; whenever you push your window, you can see the terrace. I like this place where could smell the farm crops when sleeping.
However, we are not returnees but passers-by;and the passers-by were doomed to leave, so we left the fairyland without turning back.

[img]http://www.achinatravel.com/photos/ls-tt/ls-tt_01.jpg[/img]
Good-bye my diaojiao wooden building; good-bye, my terrace; good-bye, my rice wine and the silent and cool night, you would be left back on the mountain. I thought I would come again in another season. Here I like to appreciate the web site:
www.achintravel.com
that provided us a so wonderful route, and the guide Mr. Su, the driver Mr. Mo who provide us the warm services.
Tips:
Longji terrace is splendid and filmy heaven of visitors and photographers inspiring. The scenery of the terrace changes with the season. Silver strings in Spring, green waves in Summer, golden storeys in Autumn, grey dragons in Winter. The best season is half a month after 15th August (lunar calendar) the water in the paddy fields are given off in which season for transplanting seeding when the terraces were full of water, and the willows reflected in the fields were bright which were like strings of silver chains hang on the mountain; when the sun falls to the west, the mountains turned to be brilliant steps which draw a large crow especially the photograph fanciers.
Half a month after Mid-autumn Day, the terrace exhibits a square of gold with fresh colors. And the hamlet presents a full harvest picture to us by sunning red Chile pepper on the front and back of their house.
The landscape of snow on Longji is also excellent, the linear of terrace are fairer, the snowy bank of earth are gift with life which dances between mountains like snakes, however, as it indefinite when it should snow, it measure result of your luck.
Route Introduction:
Specialty:
The visitors can pick up national handicrafts silver jewelry and the ethical figured satchel and local produce they like. And the Longji Tea, Longji Chile pepper, Longji rice wine are also welcomed by visitors both domestic and abroad.

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The green hill is loved, and the love is endless

2006-11-03T09:01:54Z

Came the summer vacation finally, my exhausted body became easy. I didn’t understand why I gave myself pressure, but hope the leisure life again. I knew everybody should adjust oneself continuous to adapt to the daily life.
I couldn’t change the environment which I lived at all, instead, I had to face the complicated personnel relationship, noisy streets, driving pronto cars and the skyscrapers made of steels and concretes. However, I had the right to change the way of my life. Traveling around, closing to the nature, enjoying the rivers and hills. Maybe our teacher understood us well, or may be everyone of my class had the strong willing to travel, our class, more than sixty people organized a trip of visiting Sichuan Hill.
Sichuan Hill. is always the tourist best summer resort. Hillwood remote and quiet there, birds Youqu, the ancient paths are curving, flowers at two sides of the path aromatic and the pavilions are the best place for recitation. That’s why Sichuan Hill have a good reputation “secret world saying”.
As soon as the bus went to the foot of the mountain, we felt cool at once that rarely felt in summer. The cool and moist air flowed through our body, and finally to the lung. It seemed to wash away our human nature dirtiness and the soul blot. Everyone appeared less sophisticated but pure. What turned out on the face was pure happiness. Our bus drove slowly on the curving ancient path, sometimes came the other bus in the way. Even though the turning cross was too sharp, we always safely passed in the danger. The drivers always self-effacing and smile friendly to each others. The trees at the two sides of the path were very tall and thick. Even if it was midsummer, the forest always covered the sky. And only the birds voice reminded us the summer. Road outlook, Hell Hole, Kings Temple were full of kinds of legends。
Nearly at noon, we took our break at Hill hotel. And a kind of feeling going out of the town rose up. A famous written Qian Zhongshu said: people outside of the town want to go into the town, while the town people want to go out. In and out is a life style that the world round return perhaps. It includes adjustment and adaption. And this is perhaps a method that modern people pursue perfection, and perhaps the driftage and return. The scenery out of the town can’t be seen forever in the town.
After arranged our package, we looked carefully around. Behind our building was a thick bush outside, sequestered and somber. On occasion passed the unknown sound, it made us scared suddenly. We asked the servant what it was, she replied it was the sound of cicada. We doubted. So, I was afraid that I had to take time to get used to the environment, after all there was a scared maladjustment from the noisy city to the quietude house. I stood in the front of my room, looked ahead: mountain far away arrayed looks like a town profile, green and thick, made us feel comfortable. Such charming scenery I had to love, and had to miss it. A sweet laugh came over, I look along, nothing I saw except the river, the sound was come upriver I thought.
Unwithstand the attraction of the laugh, I went to the river with my friends. The river water was pure and transparent, children were enjoying in the river, the joyful fish, various stones in the river and the boating people, all consisted of a vivid picture. Human, fish and river then was harmonious at that time and cooled our hairbrained mind slowly with the coming cool breeze.
It is because of the hill and the river, is there the human being, and the lively life, then the most beautiful picture of the world. The green hill is loved, and the love is endless.

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Shangri-la: a heavenly experience in Yunnan

2006-11-03T09:01:08Z

"Shangri-la" is a name that has worked its way into the English language. Synonymous with "utopia"，the word was first used in 1933, coined by the English author James Hilton in his novel "Lost Horizon."
Shangri-la was a fictitious paradise, characterized by towering snow-capped mountains, lush forests, vast gorges and idyllic lakes. The beautiful scenery described by Hilton makes the name stick in popular memory and arouses a certain curiosity and mystery whenever it is heard.
Bearing the longing to the “Utopia” portrayed in the “Lost Horizon”, I came to the Shangri-la County located in the Diqing prefecture in Yunnan Province, in hope of finding the fairyland I dreamed. The unique scenery and traditions in the splendid Shangri-la indeed brought me extremely great spiritual enjoyment.
Shangri-la's peaceful atmosphere could be described as spiritual, and with the amount of religious heritage, that seems quite a fitting description. Only about three kilometers from the downtown area, Songzanlin Monastery, or "Little Potala" as it is affectionately known, is a spiritual hub for people to discover the mystery and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Though it can’t match the resplendent and magnificent of the Potala Palace, I was still shocked by its grandeur and solemnness.
Being a mountain resort, Songzanlin Monastery is the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhism complex in Yunnan. It is said that with the approval of Kangxi emperor, the Fifth Dalai Lama divined and chose the place in body to build it, which gave the Songzanlin Monastery a special mystery. Imaging what a resplendence scenery when the first wave bundle of sunshine converging on it, and who will doubt that it is a place congregated with thearchy? No wonder there is always a dense peace and serenity.
Bitahai Lake, which is also close to Shangri-la, is regarded as a "holy lake". In Tibetan, "bita" means "piece of land as soft as cattle hair" and the locals often call the lake "hai", or "sea" in Chinese. I was endlessly marveled at the unexpected view on small meadow on the way from Shangri-la County to the Bitahai Lake. On the vast grass carpet, diverse nameless small yellow flowers were blooming, flocks and herds were lowering their heads and browsing. Besides, there were streamlets flowing gently on hills, golden rape blooming, and smoke from kitchen chimneys wreathing. Among the farmhouses, I was totally fascinated by the wonderful view before I reached the Bitahai Lake. I was on the scoop by the lush forests around the Bitahai Lake and the bright-colored floweret spread all over the lakefront. With leisureliness and serenity there, people all believed that it was the best place that jinn inhabit.
It was a bright day, the lake was surrounded by spruce-covered mountains, and the water was tranquil and clear. Schools of fish were swimming deeply below the surface. The surrounding mountains are also spotted with fields of azaleas. Each year, in late spring and early summer, the flowers bloom. The wind carries the petals down into the lake and the fish rise to the top, vying with each other to eat them. These petals are slightly poisonous and fish become lethargic and slothfully, intoxicated by the flower's chemicals. It was really an enchanting scene, from the guide we learned it is known as "fish drunk by azalea."
The live beauty in Shangri-la is much more unforgettable. The fetching dance, loud and clear singing voice of the native people of Zang nationality, together with the ghee tea and qingke spirit(spirit made from highland barley)brought to the table by the beauties with graceful dance, overflowed the unique rhythm and flame on the highland. Our complicated love and hate, unhappiness and irritancy completely vanished. No wonder people love to come and stay here, cure and purify their hurt in the long land of living as well as their hearts that have changed knowing and cold, till they’ve been in harmony with the beautiful scenery here.
Facing this piece of tranquil, free and human-nature harmonious Holy Land, we hold many sighs of emotion. It is a helpless reality that we only can temporarily be intoxicated with the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains, but we are not able to leave this chaotic and complicated reality, no matter how reluctant to depart from Shangri-la. People living in this world are always in such a hurry to set out. Occasionally, they find a “Shangri-la” to have a rest, but just like an injured lamb licking its wound in the secluded corner, after that, they must set out again and fight back into the fiercely competing life. However, we have the reason to believe that once we hold a belief, guard our innermost “Shangri-la”, desert the inordinate ambitious, ceaselessly improve oneself and don’t go swim with the tide. We can equally find the life oasis that belongs to us and achieve the highest state of life.
“Zha-xi-de-le”( Good luck ), Shangri-la！

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My Wonderful Time in Shanghai

2006-11-03T09:00:36Z

Shanghai, China's leading industrial and commercial city and major financial center, is located in the middle of the coast of the Chinese mainland and on the Southern shore of the Yangtze River estuary. The city is divided into two main areas, Pudong and Puxi, which lie east and west of the Huangpu River. The famous Huangpu River flows through Shanghai, which is in the possession of a host of historical scenes and sights that testify to the city's modern-time glory as a national commercial and financial center. The policy of reform and opening up to the outside world has transformed Shanghai into a sophisticated metropolis with a well-developed network of land, air and sea transportation. Catering and entertainment service are distinctive of the tourist industry of Shanghai.

My Shanghainese friend showed me a three-day around in Shanghai on the National Day.

On the first day we arrived at Shanghai we had a city tour to the Bund, also called the waterfront. The Bund represents the architectural buildings of finance and trade. Many of them are bank buildings. The others are commercial buildings, national organizations, restaurants, clubs, press etc. The Bund has turned into the centre of international finance as well as the touring resort thus constitutes as a beautiful picture of the Shanghai City. My friend told me when lights are turned on between 19:00 and 21:00 p.m., the Bund has the best nocturnal scene to offer.

Then we went to Nanjing Road, both sides are flanked by famed shopping centers, department stores, specialty stores, exotic restaurants and cultural and recreational facilities. The 5-km-long Nanjing Road is the most sophisticated shopping and tourist complex in Shanghai. Every day it is thronged by more than 1 million visitors.

After dinner, we enjoyed the Acrobatic Show. The famous Shanghai Acrobatic Troupe has performed around the globe. Their movement is art - tightly choreographed and rehearsed endlessly. We took a view of “Hula Hoops”, “Caninc”, “Umbrella Handling”, “Through the Tube” etc. It was really wonderful that night!

I lodged at my friend’s home and had a great night. We got up early the next morning, and visited Shanghai Museum. The museum contains more than 112,000 Chinese cultural relics from the Old Stone Age to modern times, including pottery, porcelain, stone carvings, Jiaguwen, that are inscriptions on tortoise shells or animal bones, etc.

Then we went and visited Yuyuan Garden. "yu" in Chinese means "peace and health’”, I felt Yuyuan Garden is really a place of peace and comfort in the heart of bustling Shanghai. To my friend I got that Yuyuan Garden began as a private garden created by Pan Yunduan, who spent almost 20 years - and all of his savings - to build a garden in order to please his parents in their old age. Now as a combination of garden, temple and small commodity market, Yuyuan Garden presents a strong local characteristic, and is called as 'A kingdom of small commodities.' Besides seeing the exquisite layout, beautiful scenery, and the artistic style of the garden architecture, tourist can also purchase traditional Chinese products as well as gold and jewels here.

After lunch, we visited Yufo (Jade Buddha) Temple, which is one of the most important and well-known Buddhist temples in Shanghai. The temple got its name because of the two statues of Sakyamuni brought from Burma - one in standing position and one in sitting position.

On the morning of the third day, we visited Pudong new city and the Shanghai Oriental TY Tower, which stands 468 meters’ high and is the world's third tallest TV and radio tower. The tower, surrounded by the Yangpu Bridge in the northeast and the Nanpu Bridge in the southwest, creates a picture of 'twin dragons playing with pearls'. The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors year-round. The pearl at the very top of the tower contains shops, restaurants and sightseeing floor. The view of Shanghai from this height filled me with wonder at the beauty that surrounds me.

We then had a one-hour cruise on the Huangpu River. A Huangpu River Cruise is one of the best ways to see both old and new Shanghai. I had a view of the active Shanghai.

Shanghai！Thank you for giving me a wonderful time in your hug!

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Plain or Gaily Dressed Like Xizi

2006-11-03T09:00:11Z

"Rippling waters shimmering on a sunny day, misty mountains shrouded in rain; Plain or gaily dressed like Xizi; West Lake is always alluring." These are the words used by the celebrated Song Dynasty poet Su Dongpo to describe Hangzhou’s West Lake. To be honest, in my heart, Hangzhou, the name is replaced by West Lake; hence, Hangzhou is also alluring.

I had never thought West Lake abutted on the street of Hangzhou, because I thought West Lake was at the far suburb of the city. Through some streets, we arrived at West Lake. Yes, the West Lake was in front of me. It was the West Lake at where Xu Xian and White snake met, it was also the lake which brought some inspiration for Qiongyao’s love stories, and the lake which lots of poet intoned.
I felt abrupt because it seemed that I even had not wakened up from my dream when I saw it. Actually, the West Lake, which looked like a girl, was an atroceruleous lake with a row of willows stood at the two sides of the white jade banks.
There are a lot of bridges over the West Lake. Such as Jingdai Bridge, Xileng Bridge, Kuahong Bridge, Suolan Bridge, Yingbo Bridge and so on. The first bridge I walked to was Broken Bridge. In generally, the bridge is arc with only one aperture. It is said that after a snowfall, when snow is on the more exposed side has melted, with the shaded side remaining white, it looks as if a long white belt has been ripped apart on the bridge, thus earning the name "Melting Snow on the Broken Bridge". It was the place where Xu Xian and white snake first met and felt in love with each others.
We walked along the bridge, passed the Jingdai Bridge; we entered the scenic area of “Autumn Moon on Calm Lake”. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the autumn moon because it was daytime. We had to seek the next time to drink with my friends under the moon.
The high Pagoda we saw from far away was Leifeng Pagoda; a famous artist named Luxun mentioned it in his article. Today, the pagoda has been reconstructed. It is said that Leifeng Pagoda was built at Wu and Yue periods; the former name of it was Xiguan Brick Pagoda. The hill was called sunset hill, that’s why we call the scenery “Sunset Glow Over Lei Hill”. There were five floors in the pagoda, but we didn’t need to climb the steps, as we used lifts up and down. There are various murals in the pagoda, which tell us the story about Xu Xian, white snake and Fahai Monk. Every guide would narrate the fantastic story to their tourists.
We saw the typical Sunset Glow over Leifeng Pagoda, as the Pagoda looked especially majestic when it was surrounded by the golden hues of the setting sun. With combination of a traditional aesthetic style and modern architecture techniques, Leifeng Pagoda afforded a view of West Lake in its entirety.
The well known Late-night Bells were in the Nanshan Street, a row of bells reminded us here was Naping Hill. I was wondering that whether the bells rang at right.

As we hurried to the Ling Yin Temple, all sceneries left us deep impressions. When I closed my eyes to rest on train, even though I was tired, I still felt the satisfaction and I missed the Lotus standing in the Atroceruleous Lake.

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My travel to Peking

2006-11-03T08:59:06Z

Beijing (Peking) is well known for its flatness and regular constructions. Like the configuration of the Forbidden City, Beijing has concentric "ring roads", which are actually rectangular, that go around the metropolis. It was also the seat of the Qing dynasty emperor until the formation of a republic in 1911, so it has rich historical sites, and important government institutions. Taking a travel to Peking is my long-cherished wish. In the golden autumn of 2000, I achieved what I’d dreamed for a long time, that was visiting to the heart of our motherland—Peking, and I really experienced its fantastic scene.

On the day of September 11th, when the sun rayed in the morning, my friends and I got the majestic Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world and the spiritual heart of China, where the national flag is raised exactly at sunrise everyday. It is surrounded by Soviet-style monuments and government buildings. I pressed the camera shutter continually and took photographs of the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People and the Tiananmen Gate. Then we entered the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall which sits in the south of the square. I presented a bundle of fresh flowers in state before the Chairman Mao’s statuary and made a bow for three times in front of the portrait of Chairman Mao laid in the crystal coffin. Outside the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the workers were busily decorating the square with flowers and lights to greet the great occasion of the National Day.

We then walked to the Forbidden City, which is officially known as the Imperial Palace Museum. It is also located in the center of Beijing, used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years, and now is the grandest integral palace complex still remaining in China. We got there when the gate was opened at 8.30am, then we walked through the vast and spectacular courtyards in relative peace. This is the right spot that visitors can appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in Ming and Qing dynasties. Then we were on the Tian’an Men Gate and retrospected the grand ceremony of founding the state on the National Day of 1949. I felt as if Chairman Mao was standing here and seriously declared, “People's Republic of China has been established! Chinese people stand up from now on!"

From Shenwumen Gate we got out of the Imperial Palace, and reached Jingshan park near by as well as Beihai park, where the landscape is beautiful and charming.

On the day of September 12th, we had a travel-stained visit to the Summer Palace, which is well known both in domestic and foreign. The Summer Palace is located on the northwestern outskirts of the city, and used to be the imperial summer resort of the Qing Dynasty. With the perfect layout, magnificent buildings and enchanting landscape, it is the most splendid classical garden in China. Most visitors gathered in the front hill, but we preferred quiet places, we turned to the west bank and directly went to the back hill area, where there were some quiet and secret ruins, caves, and ruined docks.
In China, there is a famous saying, “you’re not a Plucky Hero till you climb up the Great Wall.” It was clear and cloudless on September 13th, and we took the special route of sight seeing bus to the Juyong Pass and Badaling section of the Great Wall. The Great Wall is the symbol of China and also one of the seven wonders in the world. The incredible Great Wall began construction almost 2,500 years ago under the direction of one of the most notorious and influential Emperors in China, that is Qin Shihuang emperor. It was a massive project involving countless millions of hands building the Wall stone by stone, the original purpose was to keep out of barbarian invaders from the North. The Wall is on top of mountain chains. Upon to the Great Wall, the guide suggested us bringing a jacket to resist the wind and cold.
The Badaling section is the most famous, but also the most over-restored and crowded part of the Great Wall. Jin Shan Ling and Huang Shan are more distant, with several hours’ drive but offer a better view of the wall in a less restored state with fewer crowds. There were too many people on Badaling section that day, and it seemed that it is not the Great Wall of China, but the Great Wall of Tourists.
We didn’t take a full enjoy to our hearts’ content during these days. But we were strongly moved by the historical ambience here for its vicissitudes and resplendence. I wish to come back to visit Peking, the world-famed historic city!

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traveling to the Silk Road

2006-11-03T08:56:47Z

I am traveling to the Silk Road, I am visiting Dunhuang, which is my dream. The ancient Silk Road used to be the main artery of communication and cultural exchange between China and the western countries. However, as the development and evolvement of history, the function and resplendence of the “Silk Road” in those years have gone. What will the “Silk Road” leave us after it suffered from baptism? In hope of discovering the suspense in our heart and recalling the refulgent cultural river of history, we eight people started our plan of “travel to the West”, re-walking the “Silk Road” following the Ancients’ footmarks.

In the morning of September 20th, 2002, at 8:00, holding the mood of exploring the mysterious “Silk Road”, we took flight 3995 to our first destination to the western region, Urumqi, Xinjiang. We were transferred to Xi’an. And after about 5 hours of flight, we safely landed in Urumqi (the interborough capital of Xinjiang) airport. Through the arrangement of the Chinese travel agency , Xinjiang branch, we fixed on the route of our trip to the western region. In the evening, we had a wash and started visiting the city, tasting the orthodox snacks in Xinjiang-- rinse mutton and roasted muttony string. The transportation in the city is also convenient, which charges only 6RMB for renting a car.

Returned to the guest house, we took a rest for a night. On the morning of September 21th, at 8:00, we got on the microbus arranged by the travel agency, started to the northern Xingjiang. We planned to started from Urumqi, towards the northeast, and through Fukang, Fuyun, Aletai, to our destination--Bu’erjing, the whole route is more than 900 kilometers long.

We arrived at Tianchi Lake—our first destination at 10:00 am. Locating on the mountainside, and 120 kilometers away from Urumqi, it is an outstanding beauty spot characterized by high snow-capped mountains, lakes, and firs. Lacking of time, we chose to get onto mountain by autobus instead of walking. Tianchi Lake scenery, well known as Tianchi eight scenic spots, is concentrated with Tianchi Lake, surrounded by group of mountains, and densely covered by spruce. It was cool in the valley when we walked close to Tianchi Lake, it feels much greater if you take a yacht to touch the air on the lake. From the Calcinations Mountain on the altiplano Gobi to the cool fairyland all of a sudden, we were all on the scoop. Half an hour later, we were reluctant to leave and then took cable car to go down from the mountain, stepping onto another route.

After leaving Tianchi Lake, presented us was a big straight asphalt road stretches towards horizon. There were limitless plateaus Gobi desert on the both sides of the road. The vehicle was running and the road was extending. We sang and joked all the way, appreciating the outside beauty of motherland’s northwest scene. We got through the fiery-red and beautiful flaming mountain, serene pastoral spot—Shiren slope. The car chased after the sun, turning toward north and then west. Gobi desert, dust, hot and dry surrounded us. Our former curiosity was exhausted in desolation of the boundless Gobi desert. After making a long hard journey, we felt exhausted and drowsy, and finally arrived in our destination—Bu’er Jin.

We rested for a whole night, at 9:00am, September 22th, we got the license of Hanasi and set out again, today’s destination is Hanasi lake-- the most north, national AAAA-level scenic area in Xinjiang.

It is a journey of more than 300 kilometers, the herd of cattle, flock of sheep passed steep mountains, curling up a burst of boundless yellow sand, which mixed up with neigh and the jingling of camel. Moreover, it is well worth mentioning that the Aletai big tail sheep is the best material to cook grasping meat, hand--grasp rice and roasts. In the mid-afternoon, a feeling of weightlessness occurred when the car speeded up in a sudden; we were at the Hanasi lake scenery. Having a short-time rest, leaded by the guide we arrived at the Hanasi Lake front, facing the peace lake, we let ourselves go and had a cool and sweet drink. In order to save our time, we went by car to leave the Hanasi Lake at 5:00pm and lodged in Bu’er Jin again at 11:00pm.

We set out from Bu’er Jin at 9:00 on the morning of September 23th, went by car for more than 4 hours, we arrived in devil city. At 3:30pm, the interlaced artesian well station besides the road showed us we were in Kelamayi. Looking at a busy artesian well workplace, my ear resounded with a song “the song of Kelamayi”, “no grass, no water, and birds don’t fly”, nowadays the Gobi desert has become the famous petroleum city, what a big change!

Entering downtown, we settled down in the Kelamayi guesthouse, after bathing, we came to the people's square, which located in the city center. A feeling of hunger aroused, we walked to a shtick small store, and ate 40 strings of mutton.

Next morning, we got on bus at 8:00 and continued to move toward south. At 3:00pm, a mist-covered water took a refreshing cool to us, it is the highest elevation and biggest alpine lake—Sailimu lake. Having seated for about 7 hours, facing this beautiful landscape, we eagerly need an intimacy contact with the lake. We all strived to be the first to get to the lake, a fresh and cool wind, which seemed carrying an untamed nature flavor surrounded us immediately.

Passing the Sailimu Lake and the Guozi ditch, we arrived at the terminal station—Yining at 11:00pm, settled down in the guest house named Yaxiya.

Stating at the west spot of motherland, Yining,at about 7:00am, we got up with dimly drowsiness. After breakfast, we set out for our destination—Shaosu steppe. As the sun rised gradually, Yining was just like an awkward and shy young girl lifting her mysterious veil slowly. At 1:00pm, jolted out the hilly country, we drove into a wide expanse of flat land, arrived at Shaosu steppe. There were scattered snow-white flock of sheep, speed-coursing courser and simple and honest cow on the steppe. The beyond herding people stirring horses, passionately invited us to ride a horse; we became suddenly enlightened. Under the help of a herder, I drove on a horse gingerly and loafed on the steppe.

On September 26th,2002, with excellent preparation, we started for another new trip , a 900 kilometers trip from Yining directly back to Urumqi. We arrived in Wushi city at 11:00pm, although it was very late through a long hard journey, we were still tail up and visited the night view of “5.1 squares”. The night bazaar of “5.1 squares” is pretty big and special, neon flickers during the whole night, starriness irradiates in every corner of the city. The booths on the both sides were full of jollification. Our eyes were full of beautiful accouterments. Fresh and tender roast reeked fragrance. There were many special floret hat of Uigur minority. And the voice of peddlers reverberated in the air through the fume and smoke, canvassing tourists from all over the world.

September 27th, 2002. We had busy trip today，which includes visiting the flaming mountain in Turpan, Ancient city Gaochang, grape growing valley, and Karez Well. We needed to take train K890 back to Wushi city.

As time going, it became hotter and hotter in the car. We saw the flaming mountain in front of us, which is just the flaming mountain portrayed in the famous work”Journey to the West”. When the sun irradiates shiningly in mid-afternoon, the red rocks on the crisscross gullies and ravines reflect and the heat is intense as if the hillsides were engulfed by tongues of fire, hence the name.

Picking grape is much more interesting than eating it. We entered the grape growing valley, only paid 3 Yuan for one person and ate freely. Moreover, we could take one kilogram of grape out. It was 47C that day, we had heavy breath. I just picked a little bit under the airproof grapevine, reached the channel and had a wash. I felt sweet into my heart when I ate the cool grape which I put into the water.

……

There are too many beautiful things in the Tian Mountain pearl—Turpan. It turned to 5:00pm in an instant. We posted off Wushi city by car till 8:00pm. After dinner, we rushed to the train station of Xinjing and headed for Gansu province.

It was on September 27th, 2002, with rumble of the roadway, the train drove in Gansu province carrying full of our dream. We got aware of reaching Liuyuan town when we waked up at 10 in the morning. Then we were arranged to transfer by a microbus, heading for Dunhuang County which is more than 200 kilometers away from here.
Today's highlight was a visit to the remarkable Mogao Grottoes, also named Thousand Buddha Cave, locates on the eastern slope of Ratting Sand Mountain (Mingshashan). It was built up in 366 A.D, but still with the best protection. Due to the 492 frescoes as well as the 2415 painted clay figures in existence with 45,000 square meters inside the grottoes, Mogao Grottoes is not only one of the three noted grottoes in China, but also the richest treasure house of Buddhist art in the world.
Dunhuang is the west end of Hexi Corridor, the famous part on the Silk Road. It eventually formed a 1680-meter long south-north complex. The complex has two areas, the south and north. The 492 caves in the south were for a worshipping purpose. The 243 caves in the north were for monks to live, for a religious practice and a tomb yard. There are no color sculptures and frescoes.

Dancing images in Dunhuang frescoes are a brilliant gem for all human beings. There is a reversed pipa-playing status in the city center of Dunhuang, which is the symbol of Dunhuang. This reversed pipa-playing pose stimulated the idea for Silk Road and Flying Deities; it is a dance drama highly successful in and outside China.

We were reluctant to leave Mogao Grottoes. We set out from Dunhuang at 8:00am next day. After a journey of several hours we reached the Jiayu Pass city. It is located in the middle of the narrowest part of Hexi Corridor, and also the western end of the Great Wall, hence the name. “Jiayu” means “admirable valley”. The Jiayu Pass is not only the western end of the Great Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), but also the vital passage of the famous Silk Road.

The impregnable pass in the world-the Jiayu Pass is composed with three defense lines - -inner city, outer city and city moat. The inner city is a main part, layer upon layer, and forms the military defense systems of one mound every 5 Li, one fort every 30 Li and one city every 100 Li. The outer wall was built with mud except for the western section, which was made of bricks. The double walls indicate the important strategic statu of this pass.
We walked down to the city Cape, and found a couple of pits being knocked. The guide told us at that time, people all kept a sorrow in mind when they had to beg for a life. Every time when they walked out of the Pass, they took a scree to knock the city Cape and it chittered as the swallow were crying. It sounds like calling the people far away from home “return, return, return”. This is also a negative reflect to the hard life of the poor people.
We ended today’s trip at 7:00pm, and had dinner in a restaurant.

On September 30th, 2002, we were waked up with drowsiness at the wee hour of 4:00am. We took the train to Gansu province with heavy baggage on our shoulders.

We reached the last destination of our trip to the west—Xi’an at the wee hour of 2:00am next day. After walked out of the station, we got rid of the ravelment and settled down in a three-star hotel near the train station.

Xi’an is a world famed start of the “silk road”. It is noted for historical importance. With 6,000 life-size terra-cotta warriors and horses, the world-famous Terra-cotta Warriors and Horse of Xi’an unearthed from the tomb of the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty were acclaimed as the "eighth wonder" of the world and it is the greatest archeological found of this century. The other landmark like Big Wild Goose Pagoda mirrors China’s long history.

We ended this long journey at 2:00pm. On the train, we freely enjoyed the aftertaste of the significative and colorful travel of exploration. With the well-prepared arrangement, we really had a great time. Through this trip we had a further study of our splendid history and a holy baptism in our heart. We believe that life is fascinating and worthy while our hard working.

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Naxi, A wisp of my sunlight

2006-11-03T09:04:41Z

I introduce Lijiang to my friends because Lijiang is harmonious with my feeling when I visited there. Its fantastic scenery moved me and left me a very deep impression.
In recent years, I have been to Great Wall, Tai mountain, Suzhou royal garden, I have also been to Dalian, Qingdao, and enjoyed the roaring and deafening vigor of Tai lake and Penglai, and …However, I always felt that I was a guest, just a guest, small and blank, because most of the places I have been to can hardly get me serious appreciation.
While, compared with them, Naxi, an old town of Lijiang, is completely different. As soon as I arrived in the ancient town, I felt just like, I came back home. No matter how many persons visited there, and no matter how many shops there were. I was just attracted by the charming and historical town: Fishes swam in crystal river, willow trees showed us their experience over thousands of years, old wooden houses with red walls and cyan tiles displayed assembly of architectures, and every bridge told us a plangent story. Even the paths, at the both sides of bridge, also showed us ancientry and modernization…
After the sun went down beneath the horizon, every family lit up lanterns and dark red light rushed onto the river. Most of the districts were tranquil because every pub did not attempt to, in blatant street, persuade their tourists to live in, even though all of them opened up to all tourists. The leisure atmosphere is just like the characters of local guys, idle and indolent. When I entered a shop, suddenly, a special feeling arising from my heart, I felt as though I was strolling in the art world, meanwhile, shop keeper was a folk artist. Silver accessories, sheepskin paintings, batiks and wooden craftworks were displayed everywhere in the shop. Some of them were laid out, some were hung, and even some were set out leisurely. They were so fancy and superb that I could not put them down once I picked them up and appreciated them in my hands. Young shop keeper talked with his assistants, vividly. “What are they talking about?” I thought, “Maybe it was an impressive love story.” I smiled….
However, beside these quiet places, there are blatant places also. Sifang street and “a wisp of sunlight”, you can find here and there and all people will get tighter at Sifang street in the end. Under the clear and bright moon light and red light of lanterns, with the melodious Naxi music, diligent Naxi girls handling in hand danced into a circle and sang their ancient songs…
“A wisp of sunlight” is famous bar street, every bar which is all decorated primitively and simply. At the daytime, you can sit there enjoying the fantastic landscape of the other side of Lijiang river, or attract tourist, or think about yourself. Meanwhile, you are also a part of the scenery of other tourists relatively. It is absolutely a paradise of young people after the sun goes down. In the evening, every bar lit up their lanterns and hung in bunch. Upstairs and downstairs at both sides of the river were full of guests. Some of them were young people who were dressed various costumes, some were tourists came all the way for the beautiful scenery, and some were tall and behaving lovely foreigners, but most of them were smart guys and charming girls. Ebullient Naxi youths began to sing their folk songs, and soon, all tourists joined in them. “Yaso, yaso, yaso…” songs rose up and down. At that point, I thought, drinking was not important any more, and food seemed unnecessary as well…
It is intoxicating in this old town in the evening. And I am thinking, Lijiang is just my home, my spirit land. And I am also thinking, when I walk on the streets, from the bottom of my heart, if I could meet a girl who has the same experience as mine, and if I could live there with her forever, spending wonderful times and enjoying the romantic moments…
Unfortunately, for the life of mine, it destines no such opportunities.

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One Day Tour of Leshan Giant Buddha

2006-11-03T08:46:33Z

Leshan Giant Buddha

, a stone statue of 71m height, is carved out of a cliff face that lies at the

confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers in the southern part of

Sichuan province in

China, near the city of Leshan. According to

records, the carving of this giant Buddha was begun in the first year of the reign of the

Tang Emperor Tang Xuanzong (713 AD), and completed in the 19th year of Emperor Dezong (803

AD), with a total of 90 years. It is now the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world.

This is my one-day tour

experience in Leshan Giant Buddha spot.a

Before we visited the great work, our guide gave us a brief introduction that the solemn

Buddha is 71 meters high and its head itself is 14.7 meters high. Its ear is 6.2 meters

long, eye 3.3 meters wide, and shoulder 34 meters wide. Its middle finger is 8.3 meters

long and the smallest toenail is large enough to accommodate a seated person.

Taller by 17 meters than the standing Buddha in Afghanistan, Leshan Giant Buddha was added

to the World Natural and Cultural Heritage List. The stone sculpture faces the Holy peak

Mount E

’mei, with the rivers flowing below his feet. The statue depicts a seated Buddha

with his hands resting on his knees, his head reaching the hilltop and his feet the river,

occupying the entire hillside. There is a local saying: " The mountain is a Buddha and the

Buddha is a mountain".
It was a monk called Hai Tong who initiated the project. Master Haitong, a Buddhist abbot

of the Lingyun Monastery, raised the necessary funds and commenced the construction of the

Giant Buddha in order to subdue the waters and save lives. After 20 years' begging alms, he

finally accumulated enough money for the plan. When some local government officials had

designs on tempting this amount of money, Hai Tong said that they could get his eyeball but

not the money raised for the Buddha. After Hai Tong dug out his eyeball, these officials

ran away scared. The project was half done when Hai Tong passed away, and two of his

disciples continued the work. After a total of 90 years' hard work, the project was finally

completed. I was totally moved by the story.
Though it was designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, over the past 1,000 years,

erosion did become a major threat to the statue. Strong winds, heavy rains, acid rain and

visitors have left their marks. Water detained at the stomach of the Buddha has lowered the

strength of the rock, and as a result, plants and fungi have sprung up from the upper part

of the body.

We chose to visit the Giant Buddha by a walk. We stepped onto the breathtaking plank road

alongside the cliff, climbed around the statue and got a good sense of proportion, it was

really worth looking at the Grand Buddha from several angles. The total walking takes about

2 hours. After 40 minutes, we went to the top, opposite the head. The charm of the Buddha

lies not only in its size but also in its architectural artistry. The head of the Leshan

Buddha is covered with 1,021 buns of curly hair. Seen from afar, they seem to be a whole

while in fact they are made of rocks and each of which is large enough to support a big

round table. But stone coils of hair on the head of the statue have fallen down.

We then reached it’s huge nose, has turned black and the face has become speckled because

of acid rain. What looks like tear stains can be found at the corner of the Buddha's eyes,

and part of the body surface has begun to peel off. During the way, I felt a little dizzy.

We descend a short stairway to the feet for a Lilliputian perspective at last. Each of the

feet is 11 meters long and 8.5 meters wide, large enough to accommodate more than 100

people sitting on it.

Leshan statue is a work of art as well as a work of creativity. We looked carefully and

found an internal drainage system was incorporated into the sculpture that is still in

working order. My guide told us, the drainage pipes were carved in various places on the

body, that scattered on the head and arms, behind the ears and in the clothes to carry away

the water after the rains so as to reduce weathering, and they play an important part in

the protection of the Buddha.

There is another interesting thing, according to the experts involved in the maintenance in

1962, there is a cave in the chest of the Buddha. On entering the cave they found scrap

iron and bricks. The stele covering the entrance of the cave dates from the Song Dynasty.

The reason for this stele in the chest of the Buddha remains a mystery.

The huge statue not only represents the brilliant civilization of ancient China but also

the largest ancient sculpture in the world.

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Jiuzhaigou Tell us a Spring Fairy Story

2006-11-03T08:44:04Z

Would you like to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jiuzhaigou? Now, I would like to take the opportunity to show you the magic land. I am sure you will be attracted by its radiant and picturesque landscape.

Blue Jiuzhaigou

Nature, the creator of life, is in deep love with the magic terrain which locates in the northwest of Sichuan province. The lofty mountains stand toweringly, crystal clear waters flow away, all which decorate the tranquility region into a fairy land. And while, Jiuzhaigou valley, which is famous as“the world of fairy tale”, is the soul of the fantastic land.

It is said that the most beautiful season for Jiuzhaigou is autumn. Actually, there is a special outlook in spring. When spring comes over here, the ice of Jiuzhougou begins to melt. Meanwhile, the river rose up. And a few surfaces of lake are translucent, some of which still in ice, and some water begin to flow.
On the road to Jiuzhaigou, even though it was still in low temperature, but we had felt the breath of spring as the flowers blurted out all over the hills. On the best dreaming background of the snow peaks, Jiuzhaigou valley was just a real fantastic world. Gentle and slouching sun rose up, and the sunlight began kissed the blue lake. Amazing it was!

Blue lake and the green trees were also a fabulous picture in my eyes.

With water as their mirror, Green trees was doing up their hairs. Colorful shadows turned on a dreamscape.

Green Jiuzhaigou

Dark blue was the lake, and serene it was, which afforded tranquility for my heart.

Verdant green trees gave my eyes a broad space.

Bright yellow was an extraordinary, charming, landscape.

Jiuzhaigou valley, a fairy land gifted by nature, always showed us the spring tale scenery, which formed a natural enchanting picture. It appeared so colorful and natural that I wished I had possessed it forever.

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