Attractions

The Forest of Stone Steles Museum

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:15:30 -0600

With over 3,000 years of recorded history maybe it should not be surprising that China has a museum containing nearly 3,000 pieces of inscribed stone. Those stones are called steles, which is a small monolith with carved writings or low-relief sculpture on one face. Like many things in China, these particular examples are extraordinary.

The museum is located in downtown Xi'an on Sanxue Street. The examples of Chinese calligraphy housed there have been lovingly gathered and cared for over many centuries. There are over 2,000 engraved tablets from the Han dynasty alone.

Originally constructed in 1078AD, the museum is now a labyrinth of six corridors, seven rooms and eight pavilions holding the huge collection. It is unique among storehouses of artifacts in its concentration on this one art.

The collection grew as samples were added over the centuries from the Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Extensively renovated in 1937, the museum and contents took on the present shape.

Chinese calligraphy has been practiced for over 5,000 years and many of its finest examples are housed in the museum. Among many top notch works, there is the Cao Quan stele, written in Han script in 185AD. Others of immense historical importance are also part of the collection, such as the Nestorian stele and the Monk Bu Kong.

The steles from Langya originate from Lin Xi during the Eastern Jin dynasty in the early 4th century. They provide evidence of the changes in Chinese calligraphy that were beginning during that time. Elegant, yet forceful, these samples influenced many generations of carvers.

Many of the steles are as important for their calligraphy as their content. The Chinese language is pictographic - its symbols are not just letters as English or Roman languages are. Like Egyptian hieroglyphics, they have an artistic element as well. Through the ages, many of these stones show variations in style that make them works of art in written language, as well as historical documents. The Ouyang Xun steles are examples of this.

Some steles are commemorative plaques praising some great man. Some are religious texts. The 12 Confucian Classics, carved around 837AD, guided much of those practicing the religion in feudal times. The Book of Changes, the Book of Rites and others were not merely displays of art for the idle rich, but sacred texts that defined a philosophy for millions. In the 2nd Exhibition Hall similar steles are stored constituting the Holy Buddhist Scriptures.

Epitaphs, stories, scriptures and other forms of writing show that the Forest of Stone Steles Museum is more than just a collection of ancient lithographic oddities. It is a treasure trove of the history of a complex people and their culture down through the ages.

Attractions

The Forbidden City

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:14:58 -0600

Like China itself, the Imperial Palace in Beijing has come a long way in 600 years. Once the home of Emperors of one of the oldest civilizations on Earth, it now houses a Starbucks. Fortunately, alongside the encroaching commercial enterprises, the terrible grandeur of those bygone empires has been preserved within its massive walls.

The more than 800 buildings comprising the complex were first constructed in the early 15th century as a home, center of government and fortress for the Ming, and later Qing, emperors. For 500 years, until the establishment of the short-lived Chinese Republic in 1912, the grounds were the center of Chinese power.

The popular description for the Imperial Palace, Forbidden City, derives from the royal rule forbidding entrance to any but the royal retinue. Violation of the rule brought a sentence of death. That era is long gone, happily, and the palace is now one of the world's most popular tourist attractions.

And there is enough to see here at Zijin Cheng in Beijing to occupy all of a short vacation.

Covering 720,000 square meters (178 acres), and surrounded by ten meter (33ft) high walls, there are seventeen palaces. Surrounding the grounds are several Royal gardens. The colorful gardens are a perfect complement to the palaces themselves, as the Royal yellow dominates their rooftops.

Entrance is either through the north wall or the south wall. At the southern end is the Meridian Gate at the infamous Tiananmen Square. The northern entrance is via the Gate of the Divine Might, which faces Jingshan Park. The distance between the two is nearly a kilometer.

Within that space is the Outer Court encompassing three halls, once used for coronations and Imperial weddings. Given China's turbulent history the names are deeply ironic. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, which leads to the Imperial library, is just one example.

The Inner Court, on the northern and eastern end, holds another three halls that were used for daily administration of the country. Within the court is the Palace of Heavenly Purity, near the residence of the Emperor and his family and servants. Also at the northern end is one of the main Imperial gardens, home to many trees that are centuries old.

Within the walls are housed rare treasures collected over the centuries. Among these are a collection of unusual timepieces held in the Hall of Clocks. The Chinese were among the world's leading artisans and clockmakers, owing to their (for the time) advanced level of science and mathematics.

The Palace Museum, one of the more popular attractions, holds over a million artifacts, both rare and unusual. Everything from Royal robes to unique porcelain are displayed. Earthenware from the Stone Age, bronzes and jade artifacts from the Shang and Zhou dynasties, and pottery tomb figurines from the Han are part of the collection. Ancient and more modern paintings adorn the walls, along with scrolls and samples of calligraphy from down the centuries.

The Forbidden City in Beijing is only one of the many attractions of this ancient and dynamic city. But no visit to the capital of China would be complete without a day spent here.

Attractions

The Ba Hanging Coffins

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:14:12 -0600

The Ba Hanging Coffins

Most ancient civilizations buried their dead under the ground, a few burned them on pyres. But there are some that placed bodies of the dead in coffins and hung the coffins on a precipice.

Examples of the latter can be found in many locations throughout China. Some of those are placed on wooden beams projecting out from rock, others are on the rocks themselves. Still others are merely placed in caves high up a cliff face. Some were even suspended on wooden stakes above the ground or stuck into the cliff face.

Coffins have been found from 18 counties in various provinces, some containing hundreds of samples. The age of some preserved artifacts ranges over 13 centuries from the Jin Dynasty (265AD-420AD) to the Ming Dynasty (1368AD-1644AD). But the practice dates much further back. Archaeologists have found hanging coffins in Wuyi Mountain from as far back as the Zhou Dynasty (1027BC-777BC).

One of the most well-known examples are the Ba Hanging Coffins of the Three Gorges. Some of these are - or soon will be - lost forever as the waters of the river rise. That change was brought about by the Three Gorges River dam project which is flooding sections that were previously high above the river's surface.

Most of these contain the remains of Ba peoples, an ancient ethnic Chinese group centered around what is now Yibin City. When buried, the wooden coffin - many containing weapons, food containers and decorated with Tiger carvings - would be placed high up the cliff face. These people are believed to be among the original engineers and workers of China's famed Silk Road.

Preserved examples of the coffins can be found in various museums around the country. Dozens are housed in the Yibin Museum in Gong Xian. Others can be seen in Wuyi in the Fujian Province. Still more are stored in Yingtan City in Jiang Xi. And, for a while, viewing the Ba Hanging Coffins of the Three Gorges is possible as part of one of the many tours down the river.

The Ba culture survived for over 3,000 years but the last known descendant is believed to have died out as recently as 400 years ago though the funeral practice ended centuries earlier. The earliest known example of their funeral practices is believed to be one dating 2,500 years ago found at Three Gorges.

Why this ancient people began this practice, or what significance it may have had for them, is not known. Some believe that suspending the body high above the ground confered honor. It isn't even known with certainty how they achieved some of the engineering feats involved in placing coffins so far up a cliff, distant from the top of the mountain.

But whatever the answers to these questions are, the Ba Hanging Coffins continue to fascinate visitors to China generation after generation. Come find out why.

Attractions

Shanghai, Manhattan of China

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:13:11 -0600

Shanghai is a dynamic city, doing business at top speed and enjoying everything the new China has built.

There is more construction in Shanghai right now than in Manhattan, despite the fact that this Chinese business capital is much older. Hordes of cranes swing girders over the head of the population below all day. Given that the population is approaching 20 million, that's a lot of girders. But there's much more for tourists to do than watching buildings being built.

At one time Shanghai was the center of China's opium trade. But the days of thieves and prostitutes are long gone. Shanghai, called the 'City on the Sea' has evolved. It now boasts the country's stock market and is one of the world's major financial centers.

If offers one of the world's largest hotels, excellent dining and incomparable shopping. High-priced boutiques offer goods even a Parisian would not turn a nose up at. Givenchy, Lagerfeld and many more have stores here.

The Bund (Wai Tan) is a very popular sight in Shanghai. The name may sound German, but the area has a very international flavor. There are neo-classical buildings and a waterfront promenade full of busy locals and happy visitors.

Tourists rub shoulders with the street vendors in front of the Nisshin Kisen Kaisha Shipping building, built in 1925. The 7th floor restaurant is a local favorite. Others favor the roof terrace restaurant at the 1916 Union Assurance building. You can enjoy a breathtaking view of Pudong, where much of the major activity takes place.

Xintiandi is another of Shanghai's many refurbished areas. It now offers upscale clubs and restaurants, but it still retains the aura of its 19th century architecture. You'll be treated like visiting royalty.

The Yu Yuan Gardens have been receiving visitors for four centuries. And they remain one of the city's most popular tourist attractions. There are five acres of botanical treasures on display.

After a few hours spent viewing some of China's ancient history, tourists may want to see a modern example of Shanghai's creativity: The Oriental Pearl Tower (Dong Fang Ming Zhu). Visitors get a spectacular view of the city from the top of one of the world's tallest broadcasting towers. It's open day and night and the view is worth seeing both times.

The Shanghai Museum is one of the city's more recent additions. Built in 1996, it offers 11 modern galleries full of both contemporary and ancient objects. There are bronzes, ceramics, jade and furniture from the Ming dynasty. The sculpture collection is particularly impressive.

Shanghai sits alongside the Yangtze River and there are tours down that mammoth waterway that offer one of the best views of the city. You'll be competing for river space with lots of other boats, though. Shanghai is one of the busiest cargo ports in the world.

There are many other sights available not far from the dock. Ten Thousand-Flower Pavilion, the Grand Rockery and the Hall of Jade Magnificence are all well attended. Each is a great spot to take a break from all the activity.

Attractions

Macau, City of Portugal and China

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:12:21 -0600

One doesn't usually picture China and think of Europe. Yet there is one region of this Asian powerhouse that definitely fits that image: Macau. Sometimes called Macao, this peninsula less than 62km from Hong Kong is second only to that great city in its western aspect. For over 300 years, until just a few years ago, it was dominated by the Portuguese. Churches, museums and much more show that influence.

One of Macau's great, old church's is just ruins now: The Ruins of St. Paul's. Built in 1602, it was run by Jesuits for generations. Made of taipa and wood, the main portion was burned in an 1835 fire. Though only the front stone facade remains standing, there is still ample evidence of what was once a magnificent structure. Well worth a look when you visit this fascinating city.

But one church first built around the same time is still very much in existence. St. Augustine's Church, named after one of the founders of the Catholic church, was first erected in 1586. The present building dates from 1814 and houses a number of worthy sights. The high altar clad in marble is only one. The magnificent colonnades are still another. But one of the chief attractions is a statue of Jesus at the center of the altar.

The Guia Fort and Lighthouse is another popular tourist destination, and for good reason. Completed in 1638, it is located at the highest point in Macau. Though much of what was once an island has been flattened over the centuries, with the land becoming connected to the mainland, it nestles up against one of the few high hills of the region. It once housed a barracks and ammunition dump, but every part is worth a look, the lighthouse in particular.

The Macau Maritime Museum is a must see, given the strong influence of the sea on this coastal city. Opened just over 20 years ago, it is believed to be sited on the original landing point of the Portuguese who grew to dominate the island. There are numerous displays of Chinese and Portuguese history, a combination you won't find anywhere else.

But probably the most common attraction, and one of the finest, is the many casinos housed on Macau. There are dozens of gambling houses and, unlike some in parts of Asia, are meticulously maintained. They're colorful, cheerful and provide Vegas-style excitement.

Located at the mouth of the Pearl River delta, the casinos dot the area with delights to be found nowhere else in this well-known tourist destination. Filled with visitors both from Asia and Europe, as well as locals, here's where the nighttime action is in Macau.

Come find out for yourself how this jewel off the coast of China has transformed itself from the shady, crime-ridden image found in old films into a modern playground where East meets West.

Attractions

Hangzhou, City Along the Qiantang River

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:11:33 -0600

At a 'mere' 2,200 years old, Hangzhou is among the younger cities in the vast, ancient land of China. Founded by the Qin dynasty, it has long been a favored location of those exploring China's treasures. Here, Marco Polo found silk to take back to Europe. He also found delightful temples and breathtaking natural scenery.

Hangzhou is located along the Qiantang River only just over 180km from Shanghai. It is connected to Beijing over 1,667km away by the magnificent man-made Grand Canal. There is also the West Lake which curves gently around many of the city's best sights.

One of the most popular of those is the Ling Yin temple, once the largest Buddhist temple in China. Built during the Jin dynasty that ended in 400 AD, it once housed over 3,000 monks. There are outstanding rock carvings of the Laughing Buddha and caves nearby, along with a stellar view of the mountains.

China's capital for 100 years in the early 12th to early 13th centuries, it holds a silk museum with treasures that would have been familiar to Marco Polo. But there are modern facilities, too, including audio tours and a bus that takes you right to it.

Here you can see exactly how the fine silks of China are made, what dyes are used and how the weaves are created. There are often live demonstrations to go along with the many artifacts on display.

The Six Harmonies Pagoda is a must for anyone visiting Hangzhou. Located on Yuelun Hill overlooking the river, this 5th century marvel is the epitome of architecture in the city. Its wood and brick are both ancient and unusual, arranged in an octagon almost 200 feet/60m high.

Surrounding the pagoda are numerous gardens with painted animal figures placed carefully about. In the interior is a challenging spiral staircase, a curious zigzag corridor and several small chambers to explore apart from the spacious main area. The seven-story interior is festooned with paintings of birds, flowers and other local elements. In the upper sections visitors can get a spectacular view of the nearby Qiantang River Bridge.

Hangzhou also has some outstanding restaurants to delight and refresh the busy tourist.

The Haveli at 77 Nanshan Rd offers Indian food in an elegant setting. Diners can enjoy a great tandoori chicken while watching the live belly dancers perform. One of the few restaurants with a non-smoking policy, you'll be able to really taste the dal fry spicy lentil soup.

Another excellent choice is the Hupanju Teahouse at 23 Hubing Rd. Its casual ambiance and waterside location makes for the perfect lunchtime setting. Sited alongside the northeast edge of West Lake, it offers everything from a buffet to some of the best tea in China.

Whether it is natural beauty, ancient architecture or fine dining you seek, you could do no better than to spend a day in Hangzhou before heading on to Shanghai or Beijing.

Attractions

Hainan, Hawaii of China

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:10:52 -0600

Picture white, sandy beaches, a bright blue sky and a gentle breeze. Coconuts drop at your feet from trees as the sand warms your feet while strolling along. No, you're not in Hawaii. You're in Hainan, the smallest province in China.

But, by Chinese standards, small has a slightly different meaning. Hainan covers over 35,000 square km and is home to over 7 million Chinese. At the southern end of the country, its natural beauty has long attracted visitors and fellow countrymen alike.

There are dozens of places to go and things to do in Hainan. Or, you can do nothing at all.

You can lounge on one of the many beautiful beaches in Sanya such as Tianya Haijia or Dadonghai. Take a walk around and enjoy some of the great seafood. You might visit one of the many shops. Shell carvings in many coastal towns around the world are just tourist trinkets. In Sanya, they're fine art.

Yalong Bay, east of Sanya, is one of the most popular beaches in the area. Covered with students during the height of the season, you can people watch or enjoy one of the longest stretches of beach sand in the world.

North of Sanya, you can visit the highlands. Cooler than some of the other areas during the summer, it provides ample opportunity for hiking. The local scenery is especially lush here.

Take a ferry trip to the capital of Haikou and see the Hairui Tomb, built for a famed officer of the Ming Dynasty. Or visit the popular Wugong Temple not far away.

Be sure to allow time to see Monkey Island. Here there are thousands of Macaque monkeys chattering away as you thread along the area. Only a ten minute ferry ride from Xincun, it's best seen in March or April, during mating season. You can enjoy yourself by purchasing a bag of peanuts and see whether they're easy to distract or not.

Xincun itself is a delightful little fishing village where you can enjoy a quiet stroll or interact with the friendly locals. Take some time to wander around and soak in the natural beauty of the land and its inhabitants.

You can visit the Li or Miao Villages, only two among the many that are home to the one million individuals who comprise the ethnic minority in Hainan. You'll be served some of the finest food available anywhere outside Hong Kong or Shanghai.

Come find out what so many already know: that anyone visiting China should have Hainan on the itinerary.

Attractions

China - Gulangyu Island

admin — Thu, 01 May 2008 05:09:27 -0600

China - Gulangyu Island

Hong Kong is not the only notable island city in China. One - Gulangyu Island - is just a few minutes off the coast of Xiamen, north of its world famous cousin. But it might as well be in another country. Where Hong Kong is all hustle and bustle, Gulangyu Island is as laid back as a tiny village in the Caribbean.

Gulangyu Island provides an array of things for tourists to do, including the option of doing nothing at all. Though the port at Xiamen is busy shipping goods to and from Hong Kong, the island is a beach lover's paradise. Sunny, friendly and easy going.

No automobiles or motorcycles are allowed, so the transportation is by bicycle or electric scooter. But most people walk, if they go anywhere at all. Enjoying the breeze and the blue sky are a popular option. But for those who have rested and had their fill (temporarily at least) of soaking up the sun, there are a dozen interesting sights to see.

Sunlight Rock is a popular spot. It's the island's highest peak at just over 300 feet (92m). Either looking at it or from it, visitors will get a great view. Its granite face provides an impressive facade and the view from the top is breathtaking. At the base is a small museum called Memorial Hall, dedicated to a local hero, Zheng Chenggong, who chased off Dutch colonists and re-captured Taiwan.

Hiking up the path, one can read some of the many inscriptions left by poets over the generations, some of which date back 400 years. Nearby are the long abandoned training grounds for Chenggong's soldiers. Not far away is a fascinating cave called Gu Bishu Dong (Old Summer Cave).

The island houses a number of fine gardens, as well. The Shuzhuang Garden is one of the best. Built in 1931 by a private owner, it was opened to the public in 1955. Since then, thousands have come to enjoy its Garden of the Hiding Sea and Garden of Making-Up Hills.

Walking along the tall bamboo, the ocean is invisible, making its presence known by the hint of cool breeze. Climbing up the Tower of Tide-Viewing allows for a spectacular view of the ocean generating that wafting sea air. There are numerous paths to saunter along and you can take a rest at one point to get a great view of Sunlight Rock.

But one of the most notable features of Gulangyu Island is something that gives the place its nickname of Piano Island: the Piano Museum. Not long after the turn of the 20th century piano fever struck the Westerners occupying the island. Everyone who was anyone just had to learn. The objects of their passion are now enshrined in the Piano Museum. Miniatures, roll pianos, accordion pianos and many more are on display.

Whether it's for the delightful museum, the Gothic cathedral or just to sit atop Sunlight Rock and enjoy a great view of Xiamen City across the water, you'll find many delightful activities on Gulangyu Island.

Attractions

Zheng Yici Peking Opera Theatre

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:08:26 -0700

The Zheng Yici Peking Opera Theatre at Beijing's Chongwen district, Hutong is one of the most romantic Peking opera theatres of Beijing, and also the oldest wooden theatre in China. With a rich history including performances by the Grandmaster of Peking Opera, Mei Lanfang, the theatre is a living relic and one of Beijing's fine monuments.

In the meantime restored, the theater now enjoys new days of bloom. Every night a delightful Peking opera shows in a historic Chinese theater.

Attractions

Zhaojun Tomb

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:07:00 -0700

The Zhaojun Tomb, located beside a river in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, the People's Republic of China, is said to be the resting place of Wang Zhaojun, a commoner woman from the Chinese Han Empire who married a Xiongnu Chanyu. The cemetery is 1.3-hectare, with a 33-metre mound containing Zhaojun's coffin, making it a landmark of the region.

The first Chinese mention of the cemetery in written record is in the Tang Dynasty, by Du You in A Comprehensive Guide (Tong Dian).

It is called by the local Mongols Temür Urkhu, meaning "Iron Wall". The nickname "Green Mound" (qin1 zhong3) refers to a legend that in autumn, when grass and trees wither, those plants on the cemetery mound continue to prosper.

Attractions

Zhanshan Temple

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:05:14 -0700

Zhanshan Temple is a Buddhist temple in Qingdao, Shandong, China. It is located on the southern side of Zhanshan (literally 'clear' or 'deep mountain'), facing the sea.

It features a number of buildings, including a Buddhist scripture library and a large stupa.

In 2004 the temple underwent renovation.

As of April 2004, entry was priced at 5RMB, with discounts available for seniors and the disabled.

Attractions

Chang Jiang / Yangtze River

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:04:02 -0700

The Cháng Jiang (lit. "Long River") is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world after the Amazon in South America and the Nile in Africa. The river is about 6,380 km long. It has traditionally been considered a dividing point between north China and south China, although Huai He also shares the claim.

The river is also called Yangtze River (Yángzi Jiang or Yangtze Kiang). The name "Yangzi" was originally used by local people only to refer to the lower reaches of the river. However, because this was the name first heard by missionaries, it has been applied in English to the entire river.

The Chang Jiang flows into the East China Sea. As of June 2003 the Three Gorges Dam now spans the river, flooding Fengjie, the first of a number of towns affected by the massive flood control and power generation project. The project is the largest comprehensive irrigation project in the world. It will free people living along the river from floods that have repeatedly threatened them in the past, and will also offer them electricity and water transport -- though at the expense of permanently flooding many existing towns and causing large-scale changes in local ecology.

The river is the sole habitat of the critically endangered Chinese River Dolphin and Chinese paddlefish.

Attractions

Victoria Peak

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:02:39 -0700

Victoria Peak or The Peak (Tai Ping Shan ) is a mountain in the South-West of Hong Kong Island. It is one of the tourist destinations in Hong Kong. The Peak is the place where the richest members of the former colony live.

About six million people visit this destination every year. One can see Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula, even Victoria Park, from the Peak Tower. The tower has a special "wok" shape; it is not at the top of the mountain at the center of Hong Kong Island (554 m above sea level), but at an elevation of 396 m: the architects sought a design which would be prominent on the skyline but would not interrupt the natural line of the hills. The site is in a dip along the line of the hills, and the tower's height is restricted to 428 m above sea level, overlooking the city of Hong Kong. It is reachable by roads, the Peak Tram (a cable car on rails), and the Mid-Levels escalators (see also Transportation in Hong Kong). It is the biggest tourist attraction in Hong Kong for the spectacular views of the city and bay.

On a clear day, people can wander through forests of bamboo and fern, stunted Chinese pines, hibiscus, and vines of wonderful natural beauty. In fact, the best way to see The Peak in all its bucolic glory is by walking around Lugard Road, which is the best spot to look down at both shores of Victoria Harbor, Kowloon Peninsula and even the Pok Fu Lam Reservoir and Islands district on the southern part of Hong Kong. That is a special tip for the tourists to take the best pictures of the Peak.

Peak Tower
The Peak Tower has seven floors with a total 10,400 sq m (112,000 sq ft). There is a viewing platform on the third floor. In 1997, Peak Tower was redeveloped, with new attractions Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium and Hong Kong's Historical Adventure. The first one is a Motion Simulator. While the latter is the first computer-operated entertainment ride in Hong Kong, and is a "train journey" through scenes of the Hong Kong's early history. There are many restaurants and shops in it. There is Madame Tussaud's which is London's famous wax museum. Wax models of many world popular artisits and people such as the would famous action actor Jackie Chan are there.

Peak Explorer Motion Simulator is located in the forth floor of the Peak Tower. It has high technological machines, such as projectors, music and light machines. So, people visiting there can have a simulative, wonderful and excitive space journey.

If visitors go shopping in the Peak Tower, they can buy many kinds of high quality souvenirs in the Peak Store. They can also buy some special things, such as Chinese arts & crafts, cosmetics, photo products and books, etc at other shops.

If visitors feel hungry in the Peak Tower, they can try many Asian and Western dishes because many types of restaurants locate there. The most special food may be the Japanese-style pancakes of “Ice-Queen” because this kind of pancake is served in a few places only and it is one of the most popular snacks and desserts in Hong Kong.

The Peak Restaurant
Before 1901, Peak Restaurant was a rooming house and working area of Peak Tramway for England engineers. After that, it was rebuilt to become a stopping area for private or public sedan chairs. The Peak Restaurant was rebuilt to be a restaurant from 1947.

There are many reaturants such as the Mövenpick Marché Restaurant and the Eat Noodles. The spectacular view of the city and can vied from the Mövenpick Marché Restaurant. The guests are invited to walk around the restaurant and choose their favourite Asian or International ingredients. Then their meals are cooked in front of them.Eat noodles also cook the noodles in front of the guests.

Lung Fu Shan Trail
Before 1901, Peak Restaurant was a rooming house and working area of Peak Tramway for England engineers. After that, it was rebuilt to become a stopping area for private or public sedan chairs. The Peak Restaurant was rebuilt to be a restaurant from 1947.

Attractions

Tsing Ma Bridge

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 09:00:13 -0700

The Tsing Ma Bridge is one of the world's longest suspension bridge. It connects Tsing Yi and Ma Wan Islands in Hong Kong.

It is a part of the Lantau Link, which connects the Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) to the urban areas. With a main span of 1,377 metres (4,518 ft) and a height of 206 metres, it is the world's longest suspension bridge carrying both road and rail traffic. Contruction began in May 1992 and was completed in May 1997. It has already become a landmark in Hong Kong.

The Lantau Link opened on April 27, 1997, and was inaugurated by the former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

Attractions

Tibet

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:58:42 -0700

Tibet is a region of Central Asia and the home of the Tibetan people. With an average elevation of 4,900 m (16,000 ft), it is often called the "Roof of the World". In Western usage, "Tibet" may refer either to the Tibet Autonomous Region or TAR (an administrative subdivision of the People's Republic of China), or to historic Tibet which consisted of the provinces of Amdo, Kham, and U-Tsang. The TAR covers the former U-Tsang province and western Kham, the remainder coming under the present-day Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Gansu, Yunnan, and Sichuan. Since 1959 the former government of Tibet, led by the 14th Dalai Lama, has maintained a government in exile in northern India which claims sovereignty over the area of Tibet defined by the pre-1950 borders.

Historic Tibet
The historic capital of Tibet is Lhasa, which is also the capital of the TAR. Other cities in Tibet are Shigatse, Gyangtse, Golmud, Lhatse, Maqin, Pelbar, Sakya, Tingri, Tongren, Xining, Yushu, Zhangmu.

History
Little is known of Tibet before the 7th century when Buddhism was introduced by missionaries from India. Tibet was a strong kingdom between the 8th and 10th centuries. Lamaism began to develop when the Tibetan kingdom weakened in the 10th century. In the 13th century Tibet was conquered by Genghis Khan, who ruled Tibet through a local puppet government.

Eventually the most important of the Grand Lamas came to be the Dalai Lama. By the early 18th century China established the right to have resident commissioners in Lhasa. When the Tibetans rebelled against the Chinese in 1750, a Chinese army entered the country and tried to restore Chinese authority. Even though China claimed to have regained control on Tibet, the Tibetan government around the Dalai Lama remained sovereign.

The Tibetans lived under a feudal system run by the lamas, with the great monasteries owning most of the land. As late as 1953, of the country's population of 1.25 million, more than 700,000 were serfs. In 1904 the British sent an Indian military force and seized Lhasa, forcing Tibet to open its border with British India. A 1906 treaty with China repeated these conditions, making Tibet a de facto British protectorate.

After 1907, a treaty between Britain, China, and Russia recognized Chinese sovereignty over Tibet. The Chinese established direct rule for the first time in 1910. But when the 1911 Xinhai Revolution ended the Qing Dynasty the Chinese troops withdrew to fight the upcoming Chinese Revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and the Dalai Lama was able to re-establish his power. In 1913, Tibet and Mongolia signed a treaty proclaiming their independence from China, and their mutual recognition. The independence claim was a term used by revolutionaries the Qing dynasty. The subsequent outbreak of world wars and civil war in China caused both the powers and China to lose interest in Tibet, and the 13th Dalai Lama ruled undisturbed.

China never renounced its claim to sovereignty over Tibet. In 1950 the People's Liberation Army entered Tibet against little resistance. In 1951 a treaty signed under military pressure by representatives of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama provided for rule by a joint Chinese-Tibetan authority. During the 1950s Chinese rule grew more oppressive, and in 1959, local warlords led an armed Tibetan rebellion. The rebellion was soon crushed, and the Dalai Lama had to flee to India. The Panchen Lama was set up as a figurehead in Lhasa. In 1965 the south-western part of Tibet was designated as an Autonomous Region. The monastic estates were broken up and secular education introduced. During the Cultural Revolution there was a campaign of organized vandalism against Tibet's Buddhist heritage as the Red Guards did with the Chinese cultural heritage all over China.

Since 1979 Chinese policy in Tibet has veered between moderation and repression. Most religious freedoms have been officially restored, but the imprisonment of monks and nuns is still a daily routine in Tibet.

Geography
Tibet is located on the Tibetan Plateau, the world's highest region. Most of the Himalaya mountain range lies within Tibet; Mount Everest is on Nepal's border with Tibet.

The atmosphere is intensely dry nine months of the year. Western passes receive small amounts of fresh snow each year but remain traversable year round. Low temperatures are prevalent throughout these western regions, whose bleak desolation is unrelieved by any vegetation beyond the size of low bushes, and where the wind sweeps unchecked across vast expanses of arid plain. The Indian monsoon exerts some influence on eastern Tibet but essentially none on western Tibet. Northern Tibet is subject to intense heat in summer and intense cold in winter.

Historic Tibet consisted of several regions:

Amdo (a mdo) in northeast the provinces of Qinghai, part of Gansu and part of Sichuan
Kham (khams) in east part of Sichuan, northern Yunnan and part of Qinghai
Western Kham part of Tibetan Autonomous Region
U (dbus) in center part of Tibetan Autonomous Region
Tsang (gtsang) in west part of Tibetan Autonomous Region
Tibetan cultural influences extend to the neighboring states of Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Ladakh, and adjacent provinces of China where Tibetan Buddhism is the predominate religion.

Several majors rivers have their source in Tibet, including:

Chang Jiang
Huang He
Indus River
Mekong
Yellow River
Brahmaputra
Ganges

Economy
The Tibetan economy is dominated by subsistence agriculture. Due to limited arable land, livestock raising is the primary occupation. The Qinghai-Tibet Railroad is being built to link the region with China proper.

Demographics
Historically, the population of Tibet was primarily Tibetans. Since the 1980s, the PRC government has systematically supported the settlement of Han Chinese in Tibet, further diminishing any chances of Tibetan political independence. Other ethnic groups include Menba, Lhoba and Hui.

Culture
Tibet is the traditional center of Tibetan Buddhism, a distinctive form of Vajrayana. Tibet is also home for a related spiritual tradition called Bön (alternative spelling: Bon). The Tibetan people speak the Tibetan language, which uses the Tibetan alphabet. In Tibetan cities, there are also small communities of Muslims and Christians.

The Potala Palace, formerly the residence of the Dalai Lamas is a World Heritage Site. Mount Everest is located at the Tibet-Nepal border.

Attractions

Tiananmen Square

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:54:57 -0700

Tiananmen Square (Pinyin: Tian'anmén Guangchang) is a large paved public plaza near the center of Beijing, China in front of the Forbidden City, facing south. Tian'anmen means "The Gate of Heavenly Peace", which is located north of the Square.

Built in 1417, the square is 880-metre south-north and 500-metre east-west. The gate was originally named the Chengtianmen, or "The Gate that Bears the Heaven". The gate was damaged by lightning in 1457, but was not repaired until 1465. In 1644, the gate was burned down by rebels led by Li Zicheng. In 1651 (early Qing), the gate was renovated and renamed to its present form. During the Ming and Qing eras, there was no public square at Tiananmen, and instead the area was filled with offices for imperial ministries. These were badly damaged during the Boxer Rebellion and the area was cleared to produce the beginning of Tiananmen Square.

Enlarged in 1949 to 100 acres, its flatness is broken only by the 100 foot high Monument to the People's Heroes and Mao Zedong's mausoleum. It is lit with huge lamposts which also sport video cameras. The Great Hall of the People is on the western side of the Square. Qianmen (Front Gate) is on the south side of the Square. National Museum of Chinese History is on the east side of the Square. Changan Avenue, which is used for parades, lies between Tiananmen Gate and the Square. Much part of the Square is open space with no trees or benches. Trees line the east and west edges of the Square. It is heavily monitored by uniformed and plainclothes policemen.

Tiananmen Square has been the site of a number of political events such as the proclamation of the People's Republic of China by Mao Zedong in October 1, 1949 and for mass rallies during the Cultural Revolution. It has also been the site of a number of protest movements, most notably the May Fourth Movement of 1919 for science and democracy, protests in 1976 after the death of Zhou Enlai, and the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989.

The protests of 1989 resulted in the killing of several thousand young Chinese in the square and adjacent areas and is thus called the Tiananmen Massacre.

Attractions

Three Gorges Dam

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:52:25 -0700

The Three Gorges Dam (Sanxiá Dàbà) spans the Yangtze at Sandouping, Yichang, Hubei province, China. Construction began in 1994. It will be the largest hydroelectric dam in the world when completed. The reservoir began filling on June 1, 2003, and will occupy the present position of the scenic Three Gorges area, between the cities of Yichang, Hubei; and Fuling, Chongqing Municipality.

As with many dams under construction, there is controversy over the rights and wrongs of this project. Proponents point to the economic benefits from flood control and hydroelectric power. Opposition is mainly due to concerns about the future of the 1.9 million people who will be displaced by the rising waters; the loss of many valuable archaeological and cultural sites; as well as the effects on the environment.

Three Gorges Dam Project
Location: Sandouping, Yichang, Hubei province
Height: 181 meters
Expected investment: 203.9 billion renminbi (US$24.65 billion) could be up to $75 billion US
Number of migrants: 1.13 million - could be more
Installed power generation capacity: 18.2 million kilowatts
Functions: Flood control, power generation, improved navigation

Construction timetable
1993-1997: The Yangtze River was diverted after four years in November 1997
1998-2003: The first group of generators began to generate power in 2003, and a permanent ship lock is scheduled to open for navigation the same year.
2004-2009: The entire project is to be completed by 2009, when all 26 generators will be able to generate power.

Fund sources
The Three Gorges Dam Construction Fund
Revenue from Gezhouba Power Plant
Policy loans from the China Development Bank
Loans from domestic and foreign commercial banks
Corporate bonds

Proposal of project
Sun Yat-sen first proposed building a dam on the Yangtze River in 1919 for power generation purposes, but the idea was shelved due to unfavorable political and economic conditions. Major floods resurrected the idea and the government adopted it in 1954 for flood control.
Vice minister of Electric Power Li Rui initially argued that the dam should be multipurpose, that smaller dams should be built first until China could afford such a costly project and that construction should proceed in stages to allow time to solve technical problems, according to Chinese issues scholars Kenneth Lieberthal and Michel Oksenberg.

Later, Li Rui concluded that the dam should not be built at all since it would be too costly. He added that the dam would also flood many cities and fertile farmland, subject the middle and lower reaches of the river to catastrophic flooding during construction and would not contribute much to shipping. Sichuan province officials also objected to the construction since Sichuan, located upstream, would shoulder most of the costs while downstream Hubei province would receive most of the benefits.

Lin Yishan, head of the Yangtze Valley Planning Office, which was in charge of the project, favored the dam construction, however. His optimism about resolving technical problems was further encouraged in 1958 by the favorable political climate and the support from the late chairman Mao Zedong, who wanted China to have the largest hydroelectric dam in the world, according to Lieberthal and Oksenberg. Criticisms were suppressed. But depression resulted from the disastrous Great Leap Forward (a political campaign boasting China's economic development) and ended the preparation work in 1960.

The idea resurfaced in 1963 as part of the new policies to build a "third front" of industry in southwest China. But the Cultural Revolution erupted in 1966, and in 1969 the fear that the dam would be sabotaged by the Soviet Union, now an enemy, resulted in a construction delay. In 1970 work was resumed on Gezhouba, a smaller dam downstream, but it soon ran into severe technical problems and cost overruns that seemed likely to plague the Three Gorges Dam on an even larger scale.

The economic reforms introduced in 1978 underlined the need for more electric power to supply a growing industrial base, so the State Council approved the construction in 1979. A feasibility study was conducted in 1982 to 1983 to appease the increasing number of critics, who complained that the project did not adequately address technical, social, nor environmental issues.

According to Lieberthal and Oksenberg, leaders from Chongqing also demanded suddenly that the dam height be raised so substantially that it would cripple the project and free them from bearing the brunt of the costs. The new height and the demand for a more reliable study with the use of international standards resulted in a new feasibility study in 1986. But a few scientists dared to sign off on a project that had already been approved.

Ecologist Hou Xueyu was among the few who refused to sign the environmental report because it falsely hyped the environmental benefits provided by the dam, failed to convey the real extent of environmental impact and lacked adequate solutions to environmental concerns.

Environmentalists at home and abroad began to protest more vociferously. Human rights advocates criticized the resettlement plan. Archeologists balked at the submergence of a huge number of historical sites. Many mourned the loss of some of the world's finest scenery.

Increasing numbers of engineers doubted whether the dam would actually achieve its stated purposes. Chinese journalist/engineer Dai Qing published a book of relentless critiques of the project by Chinese scientists. Yet many foreign construction companies continued to press their governments to financially support the construction in hopes of winning contracts.

Approval of project
In the face of much domestic and international pressure, the State Council agreed in March 1989 to suspend the construction plans for five years. After the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, however, the government forbade public debate of the dam, accused foreign critics of ignorance or intent to undermine the regime, and imprisoned Dai Qing and other famous critics.
Former Premier Li Peng crusaded for the dam and pushed it through the National People's Congress in April 1992 despite the opposition or abstention from one-third of the delegates. Such actions were unprecedented from a body that usually rubberstamped all government proposals.

Resettlement soon began, and physical preparations started in 1994. While the government solicited technology, services, hardware and financing from abroad, leaders reserved the engineering and construction contracts for Chinese firms.

But corruption scandals plagued the project. It was believed that contractors had won bids through bribery and then skimped on equipment and materials to siphon off construction funds. The head of the Three Gorges Economic Development Corp. allegedly sold jobs in his company, took out project-related loans and disappeared with the money in May 2000. Officials from the Three Gorges Resettlement Bureau were caught embezzling funds from resettlement programs in January 2000.

Much of the project's infrastructure was so shoddy that Premier Zhu Rongji ordered ripped out in 1999 after a number of high-profile accidents. To offset construction costs, project officials had quietly changed the operating plan approved by the NPC to fill the reservoir after six years rather than 10. In response, 53 engineers and academics petitioned President Jiang Zemin twice in the first half of 2000 to delay full filling of the reservoir and relocating the local population until scientists could determine whether a higher reservoir was viable given the sedimentation problems. But construction continued.

Debate over the dam

Cost
The project is thought to have cost more than any other single construction project in history, with unofficial estimates as high as US$75 billion or more. Supporters report, however, that the plan is within its US$25 billion budget and insisted early on that the project would pay for itself through electricity generation. To some, this seems unlikely given that there is no current market for the electricity produced by Gezhouba dam, which is supposed to partially finance the project, as a result of a glut of electricity from the closure of many state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Supporters further argue that demand will rise once a new national transmission grid is in place. But those from Probe International, a Canada-based organization opposed to the dam, believe that by the time the demand has climbed, competition from cheaper, superior alternatives will have drawn away the customers. Unless they are forced to buy the Three Gorges power, or unless the government subsidizes the power and indirectly passes the cost onto the taxpayers, it will be impossible to recoup the investment in the project, which will then go bankrupt, the critics add.

Meanwhile, critics fear that other projects in need of investment will suffer as China throws all of its resources into one big boondoggle. Experts believe that the project faces a shortage of funds, especially since many foreign financiers and governments, with some notable exceptions, have considered the dam too risky to get involved.

Resettlement
In the 1980s, the PRC passed regulations to protect the rights of those displaced by the dam projects and assure them of adequate compensation. But human rights activists asserted that rural dwellers are being discriminated, that they are not being consulted about their eviction, that they are often crowded onto poor land with unsatisfactory living conditions and few job opportunities, that they are not being taught new job skills, that corruption is diverting the funds meant to compensate them, that their local culture is threatened and that the government has provided no channels for them to express dissatisfaction.

But supporters deny these charges and point out how the lives and property of those 15 million people living downstream will be improved by the reduction of devastating floods and from the extra electricity supply, which is expected to stimulate the local economy, provide more jobs and improve the standard of living.

Environment
Dam defenders point to the environmental benefits given by the dam, such as the availability of hydroelectric power, which is much cleaner than the coal burning China has relied heavily for decades. They believe the dam will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by reducing coal burning (thereby protecting the ozone layer) and have none of the radiation hazards at nuclear plants.

Critics pointed out, however, that new, cheaper alternatives such as gas-fueled combined cycle plants and co-generators produce virtually no pollution or greenhouse gases. They added that water pollution would increase as the power of the Yangtze, which helps flush pollutants dumped by the factories on the riverbanks, is reduced and as more factories are relocated to the edge of the reservoir. But dam defenders said they would prevent pollution while critics alleged that officials had merely told ships to stop dumping sewage.

Opponents also say the dam will alter the current ecosystem and threaten the habitats of various endangered species of fish, waterfowl and other animals. They add that the project will necessitate extensive logging in the area and erode much of the coastline. But dam defenders point to measures such as fish ladders being taken to address these issues, which some critics believed will be ineffective.

It is widely believed that the dam will contribute to the extinction of the Chinese River Dolphin, also known as the Yangtze River Dolphin. There are currently less than 50 of these dolphins left in the world, and the species may be extinct already (2004).

Local culture and natural beauty
Opponents say the 600 km (370 mile) long reservoir will inundate some 1,300 archeological sites, destroy the legendary beauty of the Three Gorges and thereby substantially reduce the tourism revenue. Dam defenders say, however, that many cultural and historical relics are being moved to higher ground and that the rise in the water level will not affect the scenery as much as the critics claim.

Navigation
Dam defenders assert that the project, which involves the installation of ship locks, will increase river shipping from 10 million to 50 million tons annually, with transportation costs cut by 30 to 37 percent. Shipping will become safer although the gorges have been notoriously dangerous to navigate. Critics argue, however, that heavy siltation will clog ports such as Chongqing within a few years based on the evidence from other dam projects.

Power generation
A major justification for the dam is the power it will generate from its twenty-six 700-megawatt turbine generators, which equals the energy produced by 18 nuclear plants, the burning of 40 million tons of coal or 3 times the power demand of a country like New Zealand. The power is to be sent through transmission lines mostly to eastern and central China to solve energy shortages there, where economic development is being held back.

As mainland China's per capita energy consumption is only one-third of the world average, and 60 million rural dwellers now lack electricity, the market potential is vast, said the dam defenders, who have also touted the inexpensiveness of hydroelectricity compared to other traditional power generation technologies.

But critics from Probe International argue that there is now an oversupply of electricity in the area because of the closure of many SOEs since 1998, the availability of power from existing hydroelectric dams and the rapid expansion of China's power-generating capacity by 10,000-megawatts annually.

Moreover, even after demand recovers, the customers in a decentralized energy market will defect to new, more technologically sophisticated alternatives, such as the energy provided by combined cycle plants, which are cleaner, cheaper, safer, more reliable, use less fuel, promise faster returns on investment, require less capital investment, do not require an expensive long-distance transmission system, permit greater local control over electricity supply and investment, adapt easily to rapid changes in energy needs and carry no risk of black outs. In other words, hydro-dams are already obsolete.

The experts predict that the market for combined cycle plants could take off in five years once natural gas supplies are adequate, gas prices are allowed to rise to reflect real costs and the ratepayers are charged for transmission costs, which will increase the cost to consumers of the electricity supplied by the dam. But the dam defenders believe that the alternatives would not be able to surpass hydroelectricity at the moment.

Flood control
Dam defenders now emphasize the dam's contribution to flood control, averring that the reservoir's 22 km³ (28.9 billion cubic yard) flood storage capacity will lessen the frequency of big downstream floods from once every 10 years to once every 100 years. But critics believe that the Yangtze will add 530 million tons of silt into the reservoir on average per year and it will soon be useless in preventing floods. Furthermore, the dam could never prevent floods on downstream tributaries. Worse, increased sedimentation resulting from the dam could increase the already high flood level at Chongqing.

Others say such a large dam would increase seismic activity in the area and that a consequent earthquake could burst the dam, especially if construction is faulty. But dam defenders say the risk of this is remote.

Probe International assert that the dam does not address the real source of flooding, which is the loss of forest cover in the Yangtze watershed and the loss of 13,000 km² of lakes (which had greatly helped to alleviate floods) due to siltation, reclamation and uncontrolled development. Instead of a dam, they recommend dikes and channel improvements, overflow area designation, better zoning, flood proofing and flood warning systems.

Summary of arguments
For each heading a problem as identified by the dam's opponents is given in the first paragraph. The response by the dam's supporters follows in the second.

Cost
The dam will far exceed the official cost estimate, and the investment will be unrecoverable as cheaper power sources become available and lure away ratepayers.
The dam is within budget, and updating the transmission grid will increase demand for its electricity and allow the dam to pay for itself.

Resettlement
Relocated people are worse off than before and their human rights are being violated.
15 million people downstream will be better off due to electricity and flood control.

Environment
Water pollution and deforestation will increase, the coastline will be eroded and the altered ecosystem will further endanger many species.
Hydroelectric power is cleaner than coal burning and safer than nuclear plants, and steps will be taken to protect the environment.

Local culture and natural beauty
The reservoir will flood many historical sites and ruin the legendary scenery of the gorges and the local tourism industry.

Many historical relics are being moved, and the scenery will not change that much.

Navigation
Heavy siltation will clog ports within a few years and negate improvements to navigation.
Shipping will become faster, cheaper and safer as the rapid waters are tamed and ship locks are installed.

Power generation
Technological advancements have made hydrodams obsolete, and a decentralized energy market will allow ratepayers to switch to cheaper, cleaner power supplies.
The alternatives are not viable yet and there is a huge potential demand for the relatively cheap hydroelectricity.

Flood control
Siltation will decrease flood storage capacity, the dam will not prevent floods on tributaries, and more effective flood control solutions are available.
The huge flood storage capacity will lessen the frequency of major floods. The risk that the dam will increase flooding is remote.

Political motives
Given the evidence that the dam may not achieve its stated aims and may in fact cause irreparable damages, many critics wonder why the Chinese government continues the project. Their conclusion seems to be that the primary motive is political. The dam would be the world's largest hydroelectric dam, which would confer prestige on China and confirm its technological prowess and the superiority of socialism.

The dam seems to have been shepherded along by hardliners, who would presumably have their power reinforced by the completion of the dam. Bureaucratic and regional politics may also play a role as agencies in charge of building the dam or provinces believe that they will benefit from the dam and outmaneuver their opponents. Corruption may be involved as well. But whatever the reason, the project seems to have generated its own momentum, and the further along it gets, the harder it would be to stop.

Attractions

The Center

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:44:16 -0700

The Center is the third tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong after Two International Finance Centre (88 stories) and Central Plaza, Hong Kong.

Location: Queen's Road, Central.
MTR station: Sheung Wan.
The 79 story building was completed in 1998. The building stands 350 meters tall.

The Center is notable for its arrangement of hundreds of neon lights arranged as bars in increasing frequency towards the top of the building, which slowly scroll through the colours of the spectrum at night. During the Christmas season, the building's neon arrangement follows a festive motif and resembles a Christmas tree.

Attractions

The Bund

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:42:53 -0700

The Bund is a row of buildings in Shanghai, People's Republic of China. It is located at the bank of the Huangpu river, facing Pudong, in the eastern part of Huangpu district.

The Bund has dozens of historical European colonial buildings lining against the Huangpu river that once housed numerous banks from Britain, France, USA, Russia, Germany, Japan, The Netherlands and Belgium. At the end of 19th century and beginning of 20th century, the Bund was a major financial hub of East Asia.

Some of the most important landmark buildings in The Bund are the Peace Hotel, Pudong Development Bank and the Customs Building. At the northern end of The Bund lies the Monument to the People's Heroes in Shanghai, which is a memorial for the revolutionary history of Shanghai dating back to the Opium Wars.

The Bund is arguably one of the most famous tourist destinations in Shanghai.

Attractions

Terracotta Army

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:41:35 -0700

The Terracotta Army, inside the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor, was discovered in March 1974 during the sinking of wells for farmland irrigation construction near Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. Professional excavation of the vaults started soon thereafter.

The army consists of more than 7,000 life-size tomb terra cotta figures of warriors and horses buried with the self-proclaimed first Emperor of Qin (Qin Shi Huangdi) in 210-209 BC.

With their burial it was believed that the Emperor would still have troops at his command. The Terracotta Army was buried in battle formation in 3 vaults, 1.5 kilometres east of the tomb of the Emperor, which is 33km east of Xi'an. The three vaults, measuring 4-8 metres deep, have been excavated and a museum set up on the ruins, called Xi'an First Qin Emperor's Terracotta Army Museum. Vault One was opened to the public in 1979, and the whole museum was completed in 1994. All figures are displayed as first unearthed.

In 1980 two painted bronze chariots were discovered 20 metres west of the tomb of the Emperor. Consisting of 3000 parts, each of the chariots is driven by an imperial charioteer and drawn by 4 horses. According to the Han Dynasty scholar Cai Yong (132-192), the first chariot was for clearing the road for the Emperor's entourage, and the second was his sleeping chariot. The bridles and saddles of the horses are inlaid with gold and silver designs and the body of the number 2 chariot has its sliding windows hollow cut. Both are half life size and are now displayed in the Museum.

In 1987, UNESCO added the Terracotta Army and the Tomb of the First Qin Emperor to the list of the World Heritage Sites.

Attractions

Temple of Heaven

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:39:56 -0700

The Temple of Heaven, literally The Altar of Heaven is situated in the southern part of Beijing.

In ancient China, the emperor was regarded as the "Son of Heaven", who administered matters on the earth on behalf of the heavenly authority. To show respect to the heaven, ceremonies for sacrifices to heaven were extremely important to the emperor. The temple was built for the worship of heaven and prayers for good harvests.

The Altar of Heaven is one of the four grandest temples located throughout Beijing. The other prominent temples include The Temple of Sun, The Temple of Earth, and The Temple of Moon.

Attractions

Summer Palace

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:38:30 -0700

The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is a palace in Beijing, China.

The initial construction of the Summer Palace began in 1750. Artisans reproduced the garden architecture styles of various palaces in China.

It was ransacked, together with the Old Summer Palace in 1860 by French and British troops during the second Opium War. In 1888, Empress Dowager Cixi diverted 30 million taels of silver, said to be originally designated for the Chinese navy, into the reconstruction and enlargement of the Summer Palace.

The Summer Palace has been listed by the UNESCO as one of the World Heritage Sites.

Attractions

St Paul's Cathedral

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:37:10 -0700

St Paul's Cathedral was a 16th-century cathedral in Macau. Today, its ruins are one of the special administrative region's most famous tourist sites.

Built from 1582 to 1602 by the Jesuit priesthood, the Cathedral was the largest Christian church in Asia at the time, and the royalty of Europe vied with each other to bestow upon the Cathedral the best gift. With the decline in importance of Macau (which was overtaken as the main port for the Pearl River Delta by Hong Kong), the Cathedral's fortune's similarly ebbed, and it was for the most part destroyed by a fire caused by a typhoon in 1835.

The Ruins now consists of the southern stone facade - intricately carved by Japanese monks - and the crypts of the Jesuits monks who established and maintained the Cathedral. The facade sits on a small hill, with 66 stone steps leading to the facade. The carvings include Jesuit images with Oriental themes, including one of a woman stepping on a seven-headed hydra, described by Chinese characters as 'the Holy Mother tramples the heads of the dragon'. Other engravings include those of the founders of the Jesuit Order, the conquest of Death by Jesus, and others, all topped by a dove with wings outstretched.

Resisting calls for the dangerously leaning structure to be demolished, from 1990 to 1995, the ruin was excavated under the auspices of the Instituto Cultural de Macau, to study its historic past. The crypt and the foundations were uncovered, revealing the architectural plan of the building. Numerous religious artifacts were also found together with the relics of the Japanese Christian martyrs and the monastic clergy, including the founder of the Jesuit college in Macau, Father Alessandro Valignano. The ruins were restored by the Macanese government into a museum, and the facade is now buttressed with concrete and steel in a way which preserves the aesthetic integrity of the facade. A steel stairway allows tourists to climb up to the top of the facade from the rear. It is customary to throw coins into the top window of the ruins from the stairs, for luck.

The Fortaleza do Monte overlooks the ruin.

Attractions

Silk Road

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:35:39 -0700

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes between Asia and Europe connecting Chang-an, China with Antioch, Syria and other points. Silk first appeared in Rome in about 1 AD. The Silk Road stopped serving as a shipping route for silk in around 1400. Silk road is a translation from the German Seidenstraße, the term first used by German geographer Ferdinand von Richthofen in the 18th century.

With extremely rare exceptions such as Marco Polo, no one travelled down the entire length of the silk road. Instead traders moved products much like a bucket brigade, with luxury goods being traded from one middleman to another, from China to the West, and resulting with extravagant prices for the trade goods.

The heyday of the Silk Road corresponds to that of the Byzantine Empire in its west end, Sasanid Period to Il Khanate Period in the Nile-Oxus section and Three Kingdoms to Yuan Dynasty in the Sinitic zone in its east end. Besides the continental Silk Road, historians also talk of a "Porcelain Route" or "Silk Route" across the Indian Ocean. Christopher Columbus wished to create another Silk Route.

The continental Silk Road diverges into North and South routes as it extends from the commercial centers of North China, the North route passing through the Bulgar-Kypchak zone to Eastern Europe and the Crimean Peninsula, and from there across the Black Sea, Marmara Sea and the Balkans to Venice; the South Route passing through Turkestan-Khorasan, through Iran into Mesopotamia and Anatolia, and then through Antioch in Southern Anatolia into the Mediterranean Sea or through the Levant into Egypt and North Africa.

The Silk Road is an interesting subject for those who want to observe an early phenomenon of political and cultural integration due to inter-regional trade. In its heyday, the Silk Road sustained an international culture that strung together groups as diverse as the Magyars, Armenians, and Chinese. Under its strong integrating dynamics on the one hand and the impacts of change it transmitted on the other, tribal societies previously living in isolation along the Silk Road or pastoralists who were of barbarian cultural development were drawn to the riches and opportunities of the civilizations connected by the Silk Road, taking on the trades of marauders or mercenaries. Many barbarian tribes became skilled warriors able to conquer rich cities and fertile lands, and forge strong military empires.

The Silk Road gave rise to the clusters of military states of nomadic origins in North China, invited the Nestorian, Manichaean, Buddhist, and later Islamic religions into Central Asia and China, created the influential Khazar Federation and at the end of its glory, and brought about the largest continental empire ever: the Mongol Empire, with its political centers strung along the Silk Road (Beijing in North China, Karakhorum in eastern Mongolia, Sarmakhand in Transoxiana, Tabriz in Northern Iran, Astrakhan in lower Volga, Bahcesaray in Crimea, Kazan in Central Russia, Erzurum in eastern Anatolia), realizing the political unification of zones previously loosely and intermittently connected by material and cultural goods.

However, the disintegration of the Mongol Empire did not see the continuation of Silk Road's political unity. Also falling victim were the cultural and economic aspects of its unity. Turkmen marching lords seized the western end of the Silk Road, i.e. the decaying Byzantine Empire and sowed the seeds of a Turkic culture that would later crystalize into the Ottoman Empire under the Sunni faith. Turkmen and Mongol military bands in Iran, after some years of chaos were united under the Saffavid tribe, under whom the modern Iranian nation took shape under the Shiite faith. Meanwhile Mongol princes in Central Asia were content with Sunni orthodoxy with decentralized princedoms of the Chagatay, Timurid and Uzbek houses. In the Kypchak-Tatar zone, Mongol khanates all but crumbled under the assaults of the Black Death and the rising power of Moscovite. In the east end, the Chinese Ming Dynasty overthrew the Mongol yoke and pursued a policy of economic isolationism (in fact, the Chinese perhaps learned from previous experience that an air of imperial supremacy would better be cultivated without economic and military dependency on Central Asian forces. Hegemonic cultural dynamics had better flow one-way from the imperial center to the periphery, without barbarian elements permeating back into the "great within" of the celestial civilization). Yet another force, the Kalmyk-Oyrats pushed out of the Baikal area in central Siberia, but failed to deliver much impact beyond Turkestan. Some Kalmyk tribes did manage to migrate into the Volga-North Caucasus region, but their impact was limited.

So, in short, great political powers along the Silk Road, after the Mongol Empire, drew frontiers among each other and became economically and culturally cut off from each other. Accompanying the crystallization of regional states was the decline of nomad power, partly due to the devastation of the Black Death, partly due to the encroachment of sedentary civilizations equipped with gunpowder. Ironically, the effect of gun power and early modernity on Europe was the integration of territorial states and increasing mercantilism, on the Silk Road it was quite the opposite: failure to maintain the level of integration of the Mongol Empire and decline in trade, partly due to European maritime trade.

Cities along the Silk Road
Chang-an, modern day Xian
Lan-chou (Lanzhou)
Tun-huang (Dunhuang)
Lop Nor
Karashar
Kucha
Kashgar
Tashkent
Samarkand
Bukhara
Bactra
Khotan
Niya
Merv
Hecatompylus
Hamadan
Bursa

Attractions

Shanghai Museum

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:33:30 -0700

The Shanghai Museum is a museum of ancient Chinese art, situated on the People's Square in Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

The building is 24 meters high with five floors, covering a total area of 38,000 sqm.

The museum was founded in 1952 and has a collection of over 120,000 pieces, including bronze, ceramics, calligraphy, furniture, jades, numismatics, paintings, seals, sculptures, minority art and foreign art.

It moved to the current building in 1996. Its main galleries are:

Gallery of Ancient Chinese Bronze
Gallery of Ancient Chinese Sculpture
Gallery of Ancient Chinese Ceramics
Gallery of Ancient Chinese Jades
Gallery of Ancient Chinese Paintings
Gallery of Ancient Chinese Calligraphy
Gallery of Ancient Chinese Seals
Gallery of Ancient Chinese Numismatics
Gallery of Chinese Furniture in Ming and Qing Dynasty
Gallery of Arts and Crafts by Chinese Minorities

Attractions

Shaanxi History Museum

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:32:08 -0700

The Shaanxi History Museum is a museum located in Xian, China, housing over 300,000 items (murals, paintings, pottery, coins; bronze, gold, and silver objects).

Among these are:

The Deer Pattern Eaves Tile from the Qin Dynasty,
The Kneeling Archer, a 120cm tall figure unearthed in 1977 from Emperor Qin Shi Huang's tomb,
The Four Footed Li, a Shang Dynasty bronze cooking utensil,
Playing Polo, a Tang Dynasty mural of people playing polo in China,
The Empress's Seal, a jade seal from the Western Han Dynasty, excavated near the tomb of Emperor Gao Zu, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty - one of the most important imperial seals ever found in China.

Address: No.91, East XiaoZhai Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, CHINA. Tel: +86 (0)29 85254727, +86 (0)29 85255624, +86 (0)29 85219422

Attractions

Puji Temple

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:29:23 -0700

Puji Temple (pinyin pujichansi; translation 'Puji Zen Temple') is a Buddhist temple located on the island of Putuoshan in Zhejiang province, China.

The temple is now a tourist attraction as the island is significant in Chinese Buddhism. In January 2004, entry tickets to the temple cost 5? per person.

History
Built in 916, at the time it was called (pinyin bu ken qu guanyin yuan).

In 1080, during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the Emperor Shenzong of Song China renamed the temple (pinyin bao tuo guanyin si). Shen Zong donated lands to the temple, and a new monk was ordained every year. (After the temple was renamed, the old name for the temple was still used to refer to a nearby hill, (pinyin zi zhu lin), on which a 20 metre tall Guanyin now stands.) The monks studied Buddhism and the temple slowly prospered.

In 1214, still in the Song Dynasty, Emperor Ningzong of Song China donated tens of thousands of min (lines of cash) to the temple and presented them with a sign reading 'General Funds Hall' (yuan tong bao dian).

In 1298 by order of Emperor Cheng Zong of the Yuan Dynasty, (li ying) repaired the temple, completing in 1301. The monks were given over 4000 mu of land, and 20 min of government funds. In 1299, the abbot of the temple (yi shan yi ning) was appointed the director of Buddhist teaching for the region (jiangzhe shijiao zongtong) and was sent as an emissary to Japan by the emperor.

In the winter of 1313, Emperor Ren Zong's mother sent an envoy to present the temple with 868 metal bars and three qing of land, and to make offerings.

In 1327, Emperor Jin Zong presented the temple with 1000 metal bars and 2 qing 26 mu of land.

In 1386, during the the Ming Dynasty, Duke Tang (Tang He) worked was asked to come to the mainland advise the Emperor. He brought with him 30,000 people from 46 islands, including the monks of Putuoshan. At the same time, Duke Tang ordered the burning of 300 temples on Putuoshan. He also moved a large statue of Guanyin to a temple (jun dong xi xin si) on the mainland, which was then renamed to (pu tuo). (The temple is now known as Qita Temple. It is located in Ningbo.)

In 1515, the Buddhist community began to recover through donations and alms.

In 1553, the Ming government under Emperor Shi Zong moved the monks and destroyed temples once more.

In 1572, a monk named Zhen Song came to Putuoshan to help rebuild it to its former glory.

In 1574, a monk named Zhen Biao wanted to ascend the mountain to locate the site of old Bao Guo Si, destroyed 200 years previously, but was not allowed. Despite this, he still ascended the mountain and located the old site of the temple, and managed to rebuild a small monastery, only to have it destroyed by a military commander named Xu Jing Xing. Afterwards, Zhou Liangbin, a Ningbo government official had Zhen Biao and a group of nuns punished. Fours years later, Zhen Biao was made abbot. He had the Hall of Heavenly Kings one another hall (yunhuichang) built.

Attractions

Potala Palace

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:25:29 -0700

The Potala Palace, located in Lhasa, Tibet, was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to Dharamsala after a failed uprising in 1959. It is now a popular tourist attraction and an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Built on the side of Potala Hill, Potala Palace, with its vast inward-sloping walls broken only in the upper parts by straight rows of many windows, and its flat roofs at various levels is not unlike a fortress in appearance. At the south base of the rock is a large space enclosed by walls and gates, with great porticues on the inner side. A series of tolerably easy staircases, broken by intervals of gentle ascent, leads to the summit of the rock. The whole width of this is occupied by the palace.

The central part of this group of buildings rises in a vast quadrangular mass above its satellites to a great height, terminating in gilt canopies similar to those on the Jokhang. Tins central meniber of Potala is called the red palace from its crimson color, which distinguishes it from the rest. It contains the principal halls and chapels and shrines of past Dalai Lamas. There is in these much rich decorative painting, with jewelled work, carving and other ornament.

Attractions

Peking Man

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:23:40 -0700

Peking Man (sometimes now called Beijing Man), also called Sinanthropus pekinensis (currently Homo erectus pekinensis), is an example of Homo erectus. The remains were first discovered in 1923-27 during excavations at Zhoukoudian (Choukoutien) near Beijing (Peking), China.

Excavations had begun at Zhoukoudian in 1921, investigating a number of caves in the limestone there. The remains of around fifteen prehistoric individuals were uncovered, with the first fragments being exposed in 1923. The finds have been dated from roughly 250,000-400,000 years ago.

The pre-war work was directed by Otto Zdansky, then Davidson Black and later by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin and Franz Weidenreich. The first specimens of H. erectus had been found in Java in 1891 by Eugene Dubois, with the Java Man initially being named Pithecanthropus erectus but later transferred to the genus Homo.

All the pre-war finds at Zhoukoudian were lost at sea during transit to the US, forcing subsequent researchers to rely on casts and existing writings from the original discoverers.

Contiguous finds of animal remains and evidence of fire and tool use and manufacture were used to support H. erectus being the first "faber" or tool-worker. This interpretation was challenged in the 1980s by Louis Binford and others.

The Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987.

Attractions

Oriental Pearl Tower

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:21:55 -0700

The Oriental Pearl Tower is located in the Pudong district of Shanghai, People's Republic of China. It was completed in 1995 and is 468m high.

The tower features 5 spheres. The lower sphere has a diameter of 50 m. An antenna extends 118 m above the building and transmits TV and radio programs.

The Pearl Tower attracts three million visitors each year.

It belongs to the World Federation of Great Towers.

Attractions

Old Summer Palace

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:20:33 -0700

The Old Summer Palace (yuan ming yuan, the Perfection and Brightness Garden) was a palace in Beijing, China.

It was destroyed on October 18-19, 1860 by French and British troops during the second Opium War.

The Summer Palace was also ransacked, but was later rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi. The Old Summer Palace was never rebuilt.

A partial copy of the palace was built recently in the southern city of Zhuhai, in Guangdong province.

Attractions

Mount Putuo

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:19:04 -0700

Mount Putuo (Chinese: pinyin pu tuo shan) or Putuo Shan is an island located to the south-east of Shanghai, off the coast of Zhejiang province, China. It is famous in Chinese Buddhism, and is strongly associated with Guanyin, the most famous Bodhisattva in China.

Today it is a noted tourist destination. As of January, 2004, tourists are charged 110? for an entry ticket upon disembarkation at the island's port. A number of hotels and settlements are dotted around the island.

History
In the past, Japanese troops were stationed on the island.

Around 1612, the 20 year old future Chan-master Yinyuan Longqi arrived at Putuo Shan whilst looking for his father, who had disappeared fifteen years earlier. He served tea to the monks.

Features
20m tall statue of Guanyin at (pinyin zizhulin).

Attractions

Mount Everest

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:16:55 -0700

Mount Everest, measuring from sea level, is the tallest mountain on Earth. It is located at 27° 59' 16" N, 86° 56' 40" E in the Himalayas, and the summit ridge of the mountain marks the border between Nepal and Tibet. In Nepal the mountain is called Sagarmatha (goddess of the sky) and in Tibet Chomolangma (mother of the universe); and although it was named Everest by Sir Andrew Waugh, the British surveyor-general of India, in honour of his predecessor Sir George Everest, the popular pronunciation of Everest is different from how Sir George pronounced his own last name.

Measurement
The mountain is around 8,850 metres (29,035 feet) high, although there is some variation in the measurements. It was first measured in 1856 to have a height of 29,000 feet, but declared to be 29,002 feet high. The arbitrary addition of 2 feet reflected the sentiment at the time that an exact height of 29,000 feet would be viewed as nothing more than a rounded estimate. Today's generally accepted value of 8,850 m was obtained via GPS readings. Mount Everest is still growing due to the plate tectonics of the area; however, the effects are significant only on a geological timescale.

Radhanath Sikdar, a Bengali mathematician and surveyor, was the first to identify it as the world's tallest peak through trigonometric calculations, in 1852. At the time it was known as Peak XV.

To be precise, Mount Everest is the mountain whose summit attains the greatest distance above sea level. Two other mountains are sometimes claimed as alternative "highest mountains on Earth." Mauna Loa in Hawaii is highest when measured from its base; it rises 17 km (58,000 ft) when measured from its base on the mid-ocean floor, but only attains 4,170 m (13,680 ft) above sea level. The summit of Mount Chimborazo in Ecuador is 2,150 m further from the Earth's centre than that of Everest, because the Earth bulges at the Equator. However, Chimborazo attains a height of 6,272 m above sea level, by which criterion it is not even the highest peak of the Andes.

Ascents
On June 8, 1924, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine, both of the United Kingdom, made an assault on the summit from which they never returned. Noel Odell, the expedition's geologist, saw the pair climbing up "with great alacrity...near the base of the final pyramide."(sic) at 12:50pm that day. In 1975 a body thought to roughly match Irvine's description was discovered by a Chinese climber, who unfortunately was killed in a fall the very next day before he could provide very many details to anyone else. In 1999 however, the famous Mallory and Irvine Research Expedition found instead Mallory in the predicted search area near the old Chinese camp. Controversy has raged in the mountaineering community as to whether the duo may have made it to the top of the world, 29 years before the confirmed ascent (and of course, safe descent) of Everest by Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay in 1953. The general consensus is that they did not; however, as of this writing (2004) another expedition being undertaken by the discoverers of Mallory's body to find Irvine's stands a good likelihood of producing further evidence one way or the other. In particular, the two (probably Irvine, since none was found on Mallory) are known to have carried at least one Kodak 'Vestpocket' camera between them, whose film would still be able to be developed even 80 years later, & may well contain pictures of a sucessful summit. Mallory had gone on a speaking tour of the United States the year before in 1923; it was then that he exasperatedly gave the famous reply, "Because it is there," to a New York journalist in response to hearing the question, Why climb Everest? for seemingly the thousandth time.

In 1995 George Mallory II of South Africa (grandson) summited Everest.

In 1933, Lady Houston, a millionaire ex-showgirl, funded the Houston Everest Flight of 1933, which saw a formation of aeroplanes led by the Marquess of Clydesdale fly over the summit in an effort to deploy the British Union Jack flag at the top.

Early expeditions ascended the mountain from Tibet, via the north face. However, this access was closed to western expeditions in 1950, after the Chinese took over Tibet. During 1951 and 1952 a British led expedition, including Edmund Hillary, travelled into Nepal to survey a new route via the southern face.

Taking their cue from the British, a Swiss expedition attempted to climb via the southern face, but turned back 200 meters short of the summit. Among the assault team was Sherpa Tenzing Norgay.

In 1953, a ninth British expedition, led by John Hunt, returned to Nepal. Hunt selected two climbing pairs to attempt to reach the summit. The first pair turned back after becoming exhausted high on the mountain. The next day, the expedition made its second and final assault on the summit with its fittest and most determined climbing pair. The summit was eventually reached at 11:30 AM on May 29, 1953 by the New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay from Nepal climbing the South Col Route. Although Hillary admits his foot may have been ahead of Tenzing's, both acknowledged it as a team effort by the whole expedition. They paused at the summit to take photographs and bury a few sweets and a small cross in the snow, before descending. News of the expedition's success reached London on the morning of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. Returning to Kathmandu a few days later, Hillary and Hunt discovered that they had been promptly knighted for their efforts.

Up to the end of the 2001 climbing season, 1491 people have reached the summit (560 of them since 1998), and there have been 172 climber deaths (the worst year being 1996, when 15 people died trying to reach the summit). The conditions on the mountain are difficult enough that most of the corpses have been left where they fell, some of them easily visible from the standard climbing routes. On May 16, 1975 Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Everest.

Most expeditions use oxygen masks and tanks to climb Everest above 26,000 ft (8,000 meters). - known as the death zone. Everest can be climbed without oxygen tanks, but this requires special fitness training and increases the risk to the climber: humans do not think clearly with low oxygen, and the weather, low temperatures and the slopes often require quick, accurate decisions.

Mountain climbers are a significant source of tourist revenue for Nepal; they range from experienced mountaineers to relative novices who count on their paid guides to get them to the top.

Timeline
1921 The first British expedition explores the access over the Rongbuk glacier.

1922 Seven Sherpa climbers are killed in an avalanche becoming the first reported deaths on Everest.

1922 The second British expedition reaches 8321 meters.

1924 The third British expedition reaches 8500 meters. On June 6, George Mallory and Andrew Irvine ascend to attempt to reach the summit but are lost after cloud closes in. An eyewitness claims seeing them near the summit.

1933 Lady Houston funds formation of aeroplanes to fly over summit to deploy the British Union Jack flag.

1934 Maurice Wilson (British) dies on attempting to climb alone.

1950 Nepal opens its borders to foreigners.

1952 A Swiss expedition, including Sherpa Tenzing Norgay gives up from exhaustion, 200 meters short of the summit.

1953 The summit was first reached at 11:30 AM on May 29,

1953 by the New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay from Nepal climbing the South Col Route.

1960 On May 25, a Chinese team makes the first summit via the North Ridge.

1963 First crossing by a United States expedition, starting from the west and descending over the south-west.

1965 On May 20, Nawang Gombu Sherpa becomes the first person to summit Everest twice.

1975 On May 16, Junko Tabei of Japan is the first woman on the crest.

1975 On May 27, a Tibetan woman, Phantog, becomes the first woman to summit from the Tibetan side.

1978 Reinhold Messner (South Tyrol, Italy) and Peter Habeler (Austria) reach the crest without oxygen tanks.

1980 First winter expedition by a team from Poland.

1980 Reinhold Messner of South Tyrol, Italy, first man to climb the mount Everest alone and without oxygen tanks.

1982 On October 5, Laurie Skreslet becomes the first Canadian to reach the summit.

1988 Jean-Marc Boivin of France starts with a paraglider from the mountaintop.

1993 90 alpinists in the autumn alone, the commercial "Everest-climbing" starts.

1993 Ramon Blanco of Spain became the oldest person to summit aged 60 years, 160 days (record beat in 2001).

1996 Hans Kammerlander of South Tyrol, Italy climbs the mountain from the north side in 16 hours and 45 minutes and returns on skis.

1996 Göran Kropp of Sweden becomes first person to ride his bicycle all the way from his home in Sweden to the mountain, scale it alone without the use of oxygen tanks, and bicycle all the way back.

1998 Edward Grylls of the United Kingdom is the youngest person to summit aged 23 years old.

1998 Tom Whittaker is the first disabled climber to make it to the summit.

1999 Sherpa Babu Chiri Sherpa of Nepal stays for 21 hours on the mountaintop.

2001 On May 24 15-year-old Sherpa Temba Tsheri became the youngest person to climb to the top of Mount Everest.

2001 On May 25, 32-year old Erik Weihenmayer, of Boulder, Colorado, became the first blind person to reach the summit.

2001 On the same day 64-year old Sherman Bull, of New Canaan, Connecticut, became the oldest person to reach the summit.

2003 - 25-year-old Nepalese Sherpa, Pemba Dorjie Sherpa, made the world's fastest ever ascent of Mount Everest, in 12 hours 45 minutes on May 23.

Attractions

Mogao Caves

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:11:32 -0700

The Mogao Caves form a system of 492 caves near Dunhuang, in Gansu province, China.

The caves, also known as the Mogao Grottoes, are located near the historic junction of the northern and southern Silk Roads. From the fourth until the fourteenth century, Buddhist monks at Dunhuang collected scriptures from the west, and many pilgrims passed through the area, painting murals inside the caves. The murals cover 450,000 square feet. The caves were abandoned in the fourteenth century.

The Mogao Caves are the best known of the Chinese Buddhist grottoes, but are not the only ones.

Buddhist monks valued austerity in life, and they hoped that remote caves would aid their quest for enlightenment. The paintings served as aids to meditation, as visual representations of their quest for enlightenment, and as tools to inform illiterate Chinese about Buddhist beliefs and stories.

Today, the site is an important tourist attraction and the subject of an ongoing archaeological project.

The Mogao Caves became one of the World Heritage Sites in 1987.

Attractions

Mausoleum of Princess Zhenxiao

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:09:43 -0700

The Mausoleum of Princess Zhenxiao of was made in 793 by the early Bohai Kingdom during the Tang Dynasty, and is a part of the Ancient Tombs at Longtou Mountain in Jilin. The Mausoleum contains, among other things (see below), the first complete discovered and detailed murals done by Bohai artists, and hence provides valuable insights to historians.

Burial chamber
Excavated in October 1980, the burial chamber is underground. The 105-metre-high chamber is rectangular: 50 × 26-m, and is covered with blue-green bricks. It contains a 1.05-metre tall, 0.58 × 0.26-m mugui-shaped granite epitaph, on which 728 Chinese characters, in the Regular Script style, are inscribed in 18 horizontal lines.

Mural
The chamber is surrounded by four murals on each wall, depicting thirteen person in action, such as warriors (3), chamber attendants, musicians, and maids, wearing red, blue, yellow, purple, and brown robes. The drawing and painting styles are slightly influenced by those of the Tang Empire.

The princess and companions
The epitaph explains that Princess Zhenxiao is the fourth daughter of King Wen, Da Qinmao. Princess Zhenxiao was also the younger sister of Princess Zhenhui. The Princess died in 793, and was buried in the winter. She was given the posthumous name Zhenxiao to qualify her as virtuous and filial. She was likely a horse-rider, as a horse remain was in the chamber.

The skeletal remains are skattered all over the chamber when discovered by archaeologists, due to previous lootings. However, the looters missed several golden copper jewelry, pottery, and figurines. Reconstruction showed that the bones belong to a woman, presumably the princess; but there is also a male, possibly an attendant or child. In addition, there is the horse skeleton.

Other structures
Above the chamber, there is a rectangular pagoda, of which only the base remains.

Attractions

Mausoleum of Genghis Khan

data2 — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:06:12 -0700

Located upstream of a river, the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan is in Kandehuo Enclosure, Xinjie Township, Ejen Khoroo Banner, Yeke Juu League, Inner Mongolia, the People's Republic of China. It is a cenotaph, the coffins contains no body, only headdresses, and accessories. The real burial place of the Khan has not been discovered.

History
The coffin had been circulating between several temples between Gansu and Qinghai. Since then, the portable mausoleum called naiman chaghaan ger (eight white houses) enshrined him. Those who served to the mausolem was called the Ordus (lit. palaces) and the title of their leader was Jinong. The Ordus lived on the Kerulen river but later moved to what is now called Ordos.
In 1942 Kanagawa Kosaku, a colonel of the Imperial Japanese Army, founded a non-portable mausoleum of Genghis Khan in Ulaan Khoto. He tried to arouse nationalistic sentiment among the Mongols. It was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution, but rebuilt later.

Another mausoleum, the topic of this article, was constructed by the PRC in between 1954-1956 under the ideology of "Chinese nation". i.e. The Mongols are part of the Chinese nation and Genghis Khan is a hero of China. In contrast, the PRC represses Pan-Mongolism. It was also destroyed with valuable treasures in the Cultural Revolution, but rebuilt later.

Architecture
The Mausoleum is in a rectangular (15 × 30 km) cemetery. Within the mausoleum, which appears like three Mongolian tents externally, there are four chambers and two halls:

Main Palace: 26-metre high; octagonal
contains a 5-metre white-jade statue of Genghis Khan
two murals depicting his life
Resting Palace or Back Palace: 20-m high
7 coffins:
Genghis Khan
3 khan-consorts
Tuolei, the Khan's youngest, and fourth, son.
Tuolei's wife
East Palace: 20-m high
West Palace: 23-m high
9 banners of the 9 generals
East Hall: 20-m high
West Hall: 20-m high

Rituals
The mausoleum is guarded by the Darkhad, meaning "the sacred ones", who are the descendants of the Borjigin clan.

Mongols gather four times annually:

March 21: most important
May 15
September 21
October 3
They follow traditional ceremonies, such as offering flowers and food to the Heaven. After the ceremonies, there are competitions, like wrestling, horse-riding, archery, and singing.

Attractions

Macau Tower

admin — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 22:01:12 -0700

Macau Tower, also known as Macau Sky Tower, is a tower located in Macau, China. From ground level to the highest point it is 338 metres. The main observation level is 223 m above ground.

On a visit to Auckland, New Zealand, Macau casino billionaire Stanley Ho Hung-sun was so impressed by the Sky Tower in Auckland that he commissioned a similar one to be built in Macau.

Construction started in 1998 and the tower was officially opened on December 19, 2001.

It is a member of the World Federation of Great Towers.

As well as being used for observation and amusement, the tower is used for telecommunications and broadcasting.

Attractions

Laoshan

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:28:37 -0700

Laoshan (pinyin laoshan) is a famous mountain in Shandong province, China. It lies about 30km east of the city of Qingdao, and is an important tourist destination.

History
Laoshan has been an important centre of Taoism in China for many centuries. In 412 the Chinese Buddhist pilgrim Faxian landed at Laoshan on his return from India.

Attractions

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:04:49 -0700

Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center is a People's Republic of China space vehicle launch facility (spaceport) in the Gobi desert in Gansu Province located about 1,600 km from Beijing. It was founded in 1958, making it China's first spaceport of three, compared with the later Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center and Xichang Satellite Launch Center.

Jiuquan is usually used to launch vehicles into lower and medium orbits, as well as medium- to long-range missiles.

The launch center has been the focus of many of China's successful ventures into space, including their first satellite Dong Fang Hong 1 in 1970, and their first manned space mission Shenzhou 5 on October 15, 2003.

Attractions

Jin Mao Building

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 23:02:06 -0700

The Jin Mao Building is a high-rise building in the Pudong district of Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

It was designed by the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings &
Merrill and was completed in August 1998. It is 420.5 m high, with 88
levels, including 3 of basement. The building contains offices, stores
and a hotel.

Level partitions
Levels 3 through 50 are office spaces
Levels 51 and 52 contain mechanical and electrical equipment.
Levels 53 to 87 are occupied by the Grand Hyatt hotel.
Levels 56 through 87 contain a 27-meter wide atrium, 142 meters tall, surrounded by 555 guest rooms and several restaurants.
Level 86 is an exclusive club for entrepreneurs
Level 87 is a restaurant with open-air seating
Level 88 is a highest sightseeing level, which can accommodate over 1,000 people

Attractions

Jade Buddha Temple

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:50:54 -0700

The Jade Buddha Temple ( literally Jade Buddha Zen Temple) is a Chinese Buddhist temple. It was founded in 1882 with two jade Buddha statues imported to Shanghai from Burma by sea. As with most modern Chinese Buddhist temples, the current temple draws from both the Pure Land and Zen traditions of Mahayana Buddhism.

The statues imported from Burma are a sitting Buddha (1.95 metres tall, 3 tonnes), and a smaller reclining Buddha representing Buddha's death. The temple now contains a much larger reclining Jade Buddha, donated from Singapore, and visitors may mistake this larger sculpture for the original, smaller piece.

History
During the rule of emperor Guang Xu in the Qing dynasty, Hui Gen, an abbot from Mount Putuo went on a pilgrimage to Tibet via the two famous Chinese mountains Mount Wutai and Mount Emei. After Tibet, he arrived in Burma. Whilst there, Mr. Chen Jun-Pu, an overseas Chinese resident in Burma, donated five Jade statues of Buddha to Hui Gen, who transported two of them back to Jiang-wan, Shanghai. Here Hui Gen had a temple built with donated funds, and died shortly thereafter. This temple was occupied during the 1911 uprising, and the statues were moved to Maigen Road.
An Abbot by the name of Ke Chen later had a new temple built on land donated by a Mr. Shen. The construction took ten years, and lasted from 1918-1928. Ke Chen also invited Reverend Di Xian from Tian Tai mountain to come and lecture on Buddhism in a magnificent ceremony.

In 1956, a ceremony was held at the temple by the Shanghai Buddhist Association to celebrate the 2500th anniversary of Gautama Buddha's enlightenment.

In 1966, during the cultural revolution, the monks made a living by selling selling handicrafts.

In 1983, Shanghai Institute of Buddhism was established at the temple under the Shanghai Buddhist Association.

In 1985, Monk Zhizhi Xuan and others made a trip to Dunhuang via Xinjiang. Shortly after their return regular scripture lectures, meditation and other features of temple life were resumed.

Abbots
?-1942 Abbot Yuan Chen 1942-? Monk Zhen Hua (d. 1944, age 39)

Modern temple layout

Chamber of Four Heavenly Kings
The Chamber of Four Heavenly Kings contains a laughing Maitreya, a Wei-to Boddhisattva and the Four Heavenly Kings, who represent favourable circumstance. The chamber is located on the southern-edge, or 'front' of the temple.

Grand Hall
Also called the Great Hall, this hall contains many statues.
Three Golden Buddhas. The central sculpture is of Gautama Buddha, the left Amitabha and the right Bhaisajyaguru.
Gods of the Twenty Heavens. The Gods of the Twenty Heavens, covered in gold, line the eastern and western sides of the Grand Hall.
18 Arhats. 18 unique golden Arhats stand in two groups of nine.
Guanyin, Shen Cai and his 53 teachers. A large golden statue of Guanyin stands on at northern entrance to the Great Hall, with Shen Cai at her side and sculptures representing the 53 teachers of his life above.

Jade Buddha Chamber
The Jade Buddha Chamber is in the northern section of the temple, on the second floor. A fee of 10 yuan is charged to ascend to it. Some additional Buddhist sculptures are also viewable in the antechamber.

Public restaurant
The public restaurant is located on level two at the eastern edge of the temple and equipped with its own street entrance. Open daily, it serves a range of noodle dishes for five yuan per bowl, the most popular of which is 'double mushroom noodles' (???). Other dishes are served at moderate prices.

Other
The temple also contains a private restaurant for the use of monks and temple volunteers, which is at the western edge of the temple complex. There is a visitor services office adjacent to the southern entrance, and a Buddhist library is also on the premises.

Attractions

International Finance Centre

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:48:14 -0700

International Finance Centre (IFC) is an integrated commercial development in the waterfront of Hong Kong's Central District. It consists of three skyscrapers and the IFC Mall and Airport Express station, owned by the MTR Corporation.

One International Finance Centre was completed in 1999. It is 210 m tall and has 38 stories.

Two International Finance Centre was completed in 2003. It is 412.12 m tall with 90 floors. It is the second tallest building in China and the 6th tallest office building in the world after Taipei 101 in Taiwan, the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the Sears Tower in Chicago, USA, and the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai, China. These ranks are based on structural heights; by roof height only Taipei 101 and Sears Tower exceed it.

Tenants of the building include:

Hong Kong Monetary Authority
Nomura Group
The Four Seasons Hotel and Suites will complete the third phase of the development and is expected to open in 2004. It will be the first Four Seasons in Hong Kong. It has approximately 40 storeys.

Attractions

Hopewell Centre

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:36:17 -0700

Hopewell Centre is a skyscraper in Hong Kong.

The 68 story building is 216 meter tall. It was built in 1981 and is located in Wan Chai district on Hong Kong island.

The building uses a circular floor plan and stands on the slope of a hill, where it has a second entrance on the 17/F towards Kenedy Road.

The 62nd floor is a revolving restaurant with the name Revolving 66, that overlooks other tall buildings below and the harbor. It serves a buffet lunch for HKD 168 (2000) and rotates once per hour.

Attractions

Hong Kong Jockey Club

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:33:03 -0700

The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) is a non-profit organisation providing horse racing, sporting and betting entertainments in Hong Kong. It holds a government-granted monopoly in providing parimutuel betting on horse raising, "Mark Six" lotteries, and fixed odds betting on overseas football events. The organization is also a major charity and community benefactor in Hong Kong. The HKJC also provides dining, social and recreation facilities to approximately 20,000 members.

Founded in 1884 as an amateur racing body, its status changed to professional in 1971.

The HKJC conducts nearly 700 horse races per year at its two race tracks at Sha Tin and Happy Valley. During the 2001/02 racing season, the HKJC licensed approximately 1,144 horse owners, 24 trainers and 35 jockeys and had 1,435 horses in training.

In 2002-2003, the betting turnover was HKD 71 billion (approximately USD 9 billion). After paying dividends of 58 billion and betting duty of 9.5 billion, it betting commission revenue was HKD 3.9 billion (approximately USD 0.5 billion). It contributes 11.7% of Hong Kong's tax revenue. Surpluses from its operation are allocated to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust which serves as the administrator for the club's charitable donations. The trust serves four principal areas of civic and social need: sports, recreation and culture, education and training, community services and medical and health.

The HKJC's revenue has substantially declined since the People's Republic of China resumed its exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong on July 1, 1997 from the United Kingdom, possibly due to economic recession in the region.

The HKJC was instrumental in persuading the Hong Kong government to pass the Gambling (Amendment) Bill 2002 to combat unauthorized cross-border gambling and the related promotional activities in Hong Kong, making it a criminal offence for any person in Hong Kong to bet with an unauthorized bookmaker, even when the bets are received outside Hong Kong. The offence applies to all visitors as well as to residents of Hong Kong.

It was also instrumental in persuading other members of the Asian Racing Federation to sign the Good Neighbour Policy on September 1, 2003.

Attractions

Guanghua Temple

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:31:12 -0700

Guanghua Temple is Buddhist, built in Northern Wei Dynasty as one of the eight temples around the Longmen Stone Cave , in the Fujian province of China. Guanghua is 500 metres south of the cave.

History
In the period of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Indian monks came to the temple to discuss and lecture on Buddhism. After its decline in practical use, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang built a tower there.

Created in 558, the first ancestral master is Jinxian Zen-Master, hence called Jinxian Court . In 589, it was expanded under the guidance of Master Shanwuwei , renamed Jinshan Monastery . Master Shanwuwei was one of the temple's founders who also visited Japan, so some Japanese Buddhists arrived here as well.

Major renovations took place in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

As of 1949, there were 60 resident monks. In 1965, there were 57. During the Cultural Revolution, the temple is forcibly closed and turned into a factory, all statues of the deities were smashed, and all monks dispelled.

In February 1980, a provincial Putian County Guanghua Restoration Committee was created. Funded mostly by overseas Chinese, the reconstruction began four years later in December.

In 1983, the 36-year-old Master Yiran became the head monk of the temple. In 1990, the 24-year-old Master Xuecheng replaced him.

Structure
Gaoshan Door ("Tall Mounatin"): two-story
Tianwang Palace ("Heavenly King")
Jialan Palace ("Monastery")
Sanzang Palace ("Xuanzang")
Dizang Palace ("Underground God")
There is a 10-metre stone staircase with 199 steps in front of the temple.

Attractions

Great Wall of China

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:14:46 -0700

The Great Wall of China ( in pinyin: Cháng Chéng, literal meaning: "Long City (Fortress)") is an ancient Chinese fortification, built to protect the Empire of China since the 3rd century BC against the raids of 'barbarians' from Mongolia and Manchuria. The main purpose of the Wall was not to prevent people from crossing but rather to prevent them from bringing their horses.

History
The Wall was built during the reign of The First Emperor, the main leader of the short-lived Qin dynasty. The Wall was not built out of the blue, but created by the joining of several local walls built by the Warring States. It has been renovated and extended by several later dynasties, getting most of its current shape during the Ming Dynasty. The Wall stretches over a formidable 6,400 km, from the boundary with Korea on the Yalu River (Yalu Jiang) to the Gobi desert.

There have been four major discrete constructions and renovations:

208 BC (the Qin Dynasty)
1st century BC (the Han Dynasty)
1138 - 1198 (the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms Period)
1368 (the Ming Dynasty)

The Ming Dynasty Great Wall starts on the eastern end at Shanhai Pass ( shan1 hai3 guan1), Qinghuangdao, in Hebei Province next to Bohai Gulf. Spanning nine provinces and 100 counties, it ends on the western end at Jiayu Pass (??? jia1 yu4 guan1) located in northwest Gansu Province. Jiayu Pass was intended to greet travelers along the Silk Road. Even though The Great Wall ends at Jiayu Pass, there are watchtowers (??? feng1 huo3 tai2) extending beyond Jiayu Pass along the Silk Road. These towers communicated by smoke to signal invasion.

The Manchus crossed the Wall by convincing a crucial general Wu Sangui to open the gates of Shahai Pass and allow the Manchus to cross. After they conquered China, the Wall was of no strategic value as the people who the Wall was intended to keep out were ruling the country.

The government ordered people to work on the wall, and workers were under constant danger of being attacked by brigades. Because many people died while building the wall, it is often called the "longest cemetery on Earth".

Structure
Significant passes include:
Shanhai Pass
Juyong Pass
Niangzi Pass
The Wall is in disrepair, serving as a playground for some villages and a source of stones to rebuild houses and roads. Sections of the Wall are also prone to graffiti. Parts have been bulldozed because the Wall is in the way of construction projects. The China Great Wall Society works to preserve the Wall. Through June 2003, the Chinese government still had no laws written to protect the Wall.

Recognition
The Wall is sometimes included in lists of the "Seven Wonders of the Modern World," but was of course not one of the classical Seven Wonders of the World recognized by the ancient Greeks.

The Wall was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

In 1938, Richard Halliburton's Second Book of Marvels stated that the Great Wall is the only man-made object that can be seen from the moon. This statement has persisted, assuming urban legend status and sometimes entering textbooks. If taken to mean that the Great Wall can be seen with the unaided eye from the distance of the moon, it is untrue.

However, from low earth orbit, about a thousand times nearer than the moon, it may be visible under favorable conditions. The Great Wall is only a few meters wide and is comparable to many other structures, such as highways and airport runways. Astronauts give varying reports. This variation is not surprising; amateur astronomers know that features on the moon that are dramatically visible at times can be undetectable on others, due to changes in lighting direction.

One shuttle astronaut reported that "we can see things as small as airport runways [but] the Great Wall is almost invisible from only 180 miles up." Astronaut William Pogue thought he had seen it from Skylab but discovered he was actually viewing the Grand Canal near Peking. He did succeed in spotting the Great Wall with binoculars but stated that "it wasn't visible to the unaided eye." Recently, Chinese astronaut Yang Liwei reported being unable to see it at all. An Apollo astronaut reported that no human structures at all were visible at a distance of a few thousand miles.

Veteran U.S. astronaut Gene Cernan has stated: "At Earth orbit of 160km to 320km high, the Great Wall of China is indeed visible to the naked eye."

Regardless of how visible the Great Wall is when viewed by the unaided eye from low earth orbit, the notion that the Great Wall has a unique and superlative visibility, exceeding that of other great public works, is a myth.

Attractions

Grand Canal of China

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:10:20 -0700

The Grand Canal of China (known as Jinghang Canal or Jinghang Grand Canal, pinyin: jing háng dà yùn hé or dà yùn hé), is the largest ancient artificial river in the world.

In the year of 604, Emperor Yang Guang of Sui Dynasty left Chang'an (in Xi'an), the capital, and made his rounds in Luoyan. In 605, the emperor gave an order to build two projects: transferring the capital from Chang’an to Luoyang (in Henan) and excavating the Grand Canal linking Beijing and Hangzhou. It cost over six years to build the Grand Canal linking all the canals along it and connecting Haihe, Huanghe, Huaihe, Yangzi and Qiantangjiang rivers. The Grand Canal starts north in Beijing and ends south in Hangzhou of Zhejiang with a total length of 1,794 kilometers, passes Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

According to the itineraries published by Père Gandar, the total length of the canal is 3630 li, or about 1200 miles. A rough measurement, taking, account only of the main bends of the canal, makes its length 850 miles. After leaving Hangzhou the canal passes round the eastern border of the Lake Tai, surrounding in its course the beautiful city of Suzhou, and then trends in a generally north-westerly direction through the fertile districts of Jiangsu as far as Jinjiang on the Chang Jiang.

In this, the southern section, the slope is gentle and water is plentiful (from 7 feet at low water to 11 feet, and occasionally 13 feet at high water). Between Suzhou and Jinjiang the canal is often over 100 feet wide, and its sides are in many places faced with stone. It is spanned by fine stone bridges, and near its banks are many memorial arches and lofty pagodas.

In the central portion of the canal, that is between Jinjiang and Qingjiangpu, at which latter place it crosses the dry channel which marks the course of the Huang He (Yellow River) before 1852, the current is strong and difficult to ascend in the upward (northern) journey. This part of the canal skirts several lakes and is fed by the Huai He as it issues from the Xingzuo lake. The country lying west of the canal is higher than its bed; while the country east is lower than the canal, The two regions are known respectively as Shanghe (above the river) and Xiahe (below the river). Waste weirs opening on the Xiahe (one of the great rice-producing areas of China) discharge the surplus water in flood seasons.

The northern and considerably the longest section of the canal, extends from the old bed of the Yellow river to Tianjin. It largely utilizes existing rivers and follows their original windings. Between Xingjiangpu and the present course of the Yellow river the canal trends north-northwest, skirting the highlands of Shandong. In this region it passes through a series of lagoons, which in summer form one lake -- Zhouyang. North of that lake on the east bank of the canal, is the city of Ziningzhou. About 25 miles north of that city the highest level of the canal is reached at the town of Nan Wang. Here the river Wen enters the canal from the east, and about 30 miles farther north the Yellow river is reached. On the west side of the canal, at the point where the Yellow river now cuts across it, there is laid down in Chinese maps of the 18th century a dry channel which is described as being followed by the Yellow river before it took the channel it abandoned in 1851-1853.

The passage of the Yellow river to the part of the canal north of this stream is difficult, and can only be effected at certain levels of the river. Frequently the waters of the river are either too low or the current is too strong to permit a passage. Leaving this point the canal passes through a well-wooded and hilly country west of Dongping Zhou and east of Dongchang Fu. At Linjing Zhou it is joined at right angles by the Wei river in the midst of the city. Up to this point, i.e. from Qingjiangbu to Linjing Zhou, a distance of over 300 miles, navigation is difficult and the water-supply often insufficient. The differences of level, 20 to 30 feet, are provided for by barrages over which the boats -- having discharged their cargo -- are hauled by windlasses. Below the junction with the Wei the canal borrows the channel of the river and again becomes easily navigable. Crossing the frontier into Zhili, between De Zhou and Zang Zhou, which it passes to the west, it joins the Beihe at Tianjin, after having received the waters of the Geduo river in the neighbourhood of Qing Jian .

The most ancient part of the canal is the section between the Yangtsze and the Huai He. This part is thought, on the strength of a passage in one of the books of Confucius, to have been built c. 486 BC. It was repaired and enlarged in the 3rd century AD. The southern part, between the Chang Jiang and Hangzhou, was built early in the 7th century AD (initially named as Jiang Nan He . The northern part is stated to have been constructed in the years 1280 to 1283. The northern portion of the canal is now of little use as a means of communication between north and south. It is badly built, neglected and charged with the mud-laden waters of the Yellow river. The central and southern portions of the canal are very largely used.

Attractions

Forbidden City

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 22:03:56 -0700

The Forbidden City (in pinyin: zi jìn chéng, literal meaning: "Purple Forbidden City"), located at the exact center of the ancient City of Beijing, was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Nowadays as the Palace Museum (Gùgong Bówùyùan), its extensive grounds cover 720,000 square metres, 800 buildings and 9,000 rooms. (Not to be confused with National Palace Museum in Taiwan.) As such, it is listed by UNESCO as the largest collection of preserved ancient wooden structures in the World, and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1987. The Imperial Palace grounds are located directly to the north of Tiananmen Square and are accessible from the square via Tiananmen Gate.

Although no longer occupied by royalty, the Forbidden City remains a symbol of Chinese sovereignty and its image appears on the seal of the People's Republic of China.

The construction of the Forbidden City started in 1406 and took 14 years and an estimated 200,000 men. From its completion in 1422 to 1644, when a peasant revolt invaded it, the Forbidden City served as the seat of the Ming Dynasty. The onfollowing Qing Dynasty also occupied the Forbidden City.

Rectangular in shape, it is the world's largest palace complex and covers 74 hectares. Surrounded by a six meter deep moat and a ten meter high wall are 9,999 buildings. The wall has a gate on each side. Opposite the Tiananmen Gate, to the north is the Gate of Divine Might (Shenwumen ??? in pinyin: shén wu mén), which faces Jingshan Park. The distance between these two gates is 960 meters, while the distance between the gates in the east and west walls is 750 meters. The walls are thick and squat and were specifically designed to withstand attacks by cannons.

There are unique and delicately structured towers on each of the four corners of the curtain wall. These afford views over both the palace and the city outside. The Forbidden City is divided into two parts. The southern section, or the Outer Court was where the emperor exercised his supreme power over the nation. The northern section, or the Inner Court was where he lived with his royal family. The Forbidden City ceased being the political center of China in 1912 with the abdication of Pu Yi, the last Emperor of China. However, he was allowed (and in fact required) to live within the walls of the Forbidden City until a coup launched by a local warlord in 1924. Until then, fourteen emperors of the Ming dynasty and ten emperors of the Qing dynasty had reigned here. Having been the imperial palace for some five centuries, it houses numerous rare treasures and curiosities. In 1947, Chiang Kai-shek ordered many of the artifacts within the Forbidden City to be moved to Taiwan where they formed the core of the National Palace Museum in Taipei. This action has been extremely controversial, with some regarding it as looting while others regarding it as safekeeping, especially with the events of the Cultural Revolution on the mainland.

Since the 1949 revolution, the front of the Forbidden City (Tiananmen Gate) has had a picture of Mao Zedong and two placards. The left one reads (Zhonghua Renmin Gongheguo Wansui; "Long Live the People's Republic of China"), while the right placard reads (Quanshijie Renmin Tuanjie Wansui; "Long live the Great Unity of the World's Peoples"). Somewhat ironically, the expression used for 'Long Live' was the one traditionally reserved for Emperors of China.

The Palace Museum is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world.

Zhongnanhai, the complex of buildings which serves as the central headquarters for the Communist Party of China, is adjacent to the Forbidden City, and located on its western side.

Attractions

Daqin Pagoda

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 21:05:46 -0700

Daqin Pagoda (???) in Zhouzhi, Shaanxi Province, China is the remnant of the earliest surviving Christian church in China. The church and the monastery were built by the Nestorians in 640. Daqin is the name for the Roman Empire in the Chinese language of the time.

History
Persecution of Christians in China led to the abandonment of Daqin in about 845. Much later, in 1300, a Buddhist temple was installed into the pagoda. An earthquake severely damaged the pagoda in 1556 and it was finally abandoned. Due to the earthquake, many of the underground chambers of the complex are no longer reachable. Daqin was "rediscovered" in 1998 and its roots in early Chinese Christianity were recognized.

The pagoda today
Inside the pagoda, artistic works in both western and Asiatic style can still be found, among them Jonah at the walls of Nineveh, a nativity scene and Syriac graffiti. Many of these artworks are made from mud and plaster, which suffered during prior centuries from exposure to the elements. Seismic activity and flooding endanger the stability of the pagoda. In 1999, the pagoda's exterior was restored, but overall stability was not improved.

Attractions

Central Plaza

admin — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:44:30 -0700

Central Plaza is the second tallest skyscraper in Hong Kong (tallest as of 2001) after IFC, Hong Kong Phase 2. It used to be the tallest building in Asia for some time, until the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, were built. It is located on Hong Kong Island, in Wan Chai district.

The building was completed in August 1992.

The 78 story building is 378.4 meters tall.

The building uses a triangular floor plan.

On the top of the tower is a four-bar neon clock that indicates the time by displaying different colors in 15 minute intervals, blinking at the change of the quarter.

Attractions