21st Century FACTS
Our communication - Wireless
Our phones - Cordless
Our cooking - Fireless
Our food - Fatless
Our Sweets - Sugarless
Our labor - Effortless
Our relations - Fruitless
Our attitude - Careless
Our feelings - Heartless
Our politics - Shameless
Our education - Worthless
Our Mistakes - Countless
Our arguments - Baseless
Our youth - Jobless
Our Ladies - Topless
Our Staff - Brainless
Our Jobs - Thankless
Our Needs - Endless
Our situation - Hopeless
Our Salaries - Less and less
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Anuttara-samyak-sambodhi
Supreme perfect enlightenment, the unsurpassed enlightenment of a Buddha. Anuttara means supreme, highest, incomparable, unsurpassed, or peerless. Samyak means right, correct, true, accurate, complete, or perfect, and sambodhi means enlightenment. The expression samyak-sam-bodhi by itself is also used to mean perfect enlightenment. Bodhi and sambodhi also mean wisdom or perfect wisdom. In this sense, anuttara-samyak-sambodhi means supreme perfect wisdom.
Weapons and equipment are displayed in parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing,
Armored vehicles of the Chinese armed police take part in a parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
Wheeled infantry vehicles take part in a parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
Land forces vehicles march on the Chang'an Avenue during a parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
Tracked automatic anti-aircraft guns are displayed in a parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009.[Xinhua]
Anti-tank missile corps pass the Tian'anmen Square during a parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
Equipment corps march through the Tian'anmen Square during a parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009.[Xinhua]
Anti-aircraft missiles take part in a parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
Radar forces vehicles march on the Chang'an Avenue during a parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
Nuclear-capable missiles are displayed during a military parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
Land-based cruise missiles are displayed during a parade in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in Beijing, October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
The hidden world of Wudaoying Hutong
Hutong shops are the Beijing alternative to shopping malls. The most well-known among these neighborhood alleys is Nan Luoguxiang, which is rarely missing from the itinerary of tourists.
West of the Lama Temple is Wudaoying Hutong, which some people dub “the next Nan Luoguxiang.” Wudaoying’s collection of shops is growing, but it still provides the brand of peace and tranquility people seek out in hutong.
Second-hand fashion with a heart
The owner, Xiangzi, opened Brand Nü, a small second-hand store last month after coming back from Canada and feeling a need to pay things forward. “I felso lucky to have a good job, a happy family and the opportunity to have lived abroad for two years as a TV director. As a Buddhist, I thought maybe it was time that I do something for others,” he said.Half of the store products are given by Xiangzi’s friends, most of who are women who shop regularly and own many things they do not use. There are piles of clothes in a variety of styles; shoppers will feel like they’re rummaging thugh an old wardrobe. Shirts cost from 10 to 80 yuan, while jeans, no matter which brand, go for 50 yuan.
Brand Nü welcomes donations, which make up a part of its inventory. “I set aside the relatively new and valuablstuff – by which I don’t mean expensive but attractive. The rest are given to people in poor areas,” Xiangzi sayThe shop also teams up with NGOs such as One Foundation, Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women and Xingeng Workshop to sell handicrafts made by women from impoverished rural communities. At Brand Nü, customers can find traditional baby shoes, handmade cushions, wallets and other original-design household ites. The profit from these items is given to the NGOs to finance their future projects.The shop has yet to recover its capital, but Xiangzi has his family’s support to continue the venture. “It’s like a platform where I bring together NGOs, designers and customers to generate money for poor women in rural areas,” he says.The former TV fashion director’s next project is to alter some of the second-hand clothes working with the students at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology – to make them more trendy and attractive. The stop also plans to deal in second-hand books.
Brand Nü
Where: 61 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District
Despite its name, Zig Zag is not a cigarette shop but a massage and nail salon specializing in hand and foot massage.The name was chosen because it sounds similar to the Chinese words zhege nage, or “this and that” in English. “Those are also two of the first few Chinese words t foreigners learn,” Wu Jiang, the shop owner, said.Tired of the rapid, impersonal salon service in the crowded downtown area, she tailor-made Zig Zag from her ideal salon experience: a cozy environment, professional technique, unique decoration and pleasant background music. The shop’s decor has Southeast Asian influences, and includes furniture and adornments Wu picked up during her travels overseas. The music is always soothing, ad through the windows, customers can watch hutong life go by. Zig Zag uses O.P.I. nail products. A standard manicure, which takes about 40 minutes, costs 68 yuan. A standard pedicure costs 88 yuan, while a foot massage is 68 yuan per hour. Flower drawings on nails and color tips are available at extra cost. The shop also offers beverages like iced coffee (20 yuan), latte (20 yuan) and honey water (10 yuan). All the coffee drinks are made from Italian coffee. While enjoying their drink, customers can settle down for a waxing treatment (50 to 238 yuan depending on the body part). Zig Zag Where: 55B Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District Open: 11 am – 11 pmTel: 8404 0020 Website: zigzagbeijing.weebly.com Sattva boutique and art gallery draws the attention of passersby with a colorful Tibetan Buddhist tapestry hanging by the window. The tapestry, called a Thangka, is painted on a flat surface. Thus, it can be rolled up when not on display. Such artwork was originally carried by monks traveling from monastery to monastery; they served as important teaching aid depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas and other deities. They were also used as meditation tools and centerpieces during rituals or ceremonies. Besides the Thangka, there are also Mandalas, which are painted to show the relationship between human beings and the cosmos. The word Mandala means “magic circle,” but the btapesies are made up of geometric patterns of squares and concentric circles. Making a Mandala requires a higher level of skill, which makes it rarer and more valuable than a Thangka. The shop’s owner Liu Chang discovered the Thangka on a trip to Tibet and afterwards decided to open a shop that offered the art. Similar paintings can be found in the shop around the Lama Temple, but most of these pieces are mass produced; the traditional process of making Thangka takes a lot of time and effort. The Thangka in Sattva are created by artists in Qinghai Province following the traditional method. So it’s not a surprise that each piece costs around 6,000 yuan. Besides this, the shop also sells Tibetan furniture, yak wool rugs and Tibetan herbal incense. Sattva Where: 60 Wudaoying Hutong, Dongcheng District Open: 11 am – 9 pmTel: 6406 5363
Independence and development
Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on China's diplomatic achievements over the past 60 years since the founding of the People's Republic.
Since the outbreak of the international financial crisis, China, while endeavoring to maintain steady and relatively fast growth of its own economy, has been actively involved in the international cooperation to tackle the crisis. We have put forward many important proposals, which were highly acclaimed by the international community. Through these efforts, we have not only gained an enabling external environment for meeting our central task of ensuring growth, people's well-being and social stability at home, but also boosted the confidence of the international community to overcome the crisis and contributed significantly to promoting world economic recovery and international financial stability.
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Over the past 60 years, China's diplomacy has played an important part in upholding the country's sovereignty, security and development interests and in promoting world peace, development and cooperation. We have worked closely with other countries to address various international disputes with a responsible manner. We have vigorously conducted economic, cultural and public diplomacy and achieved fruitful results. The number of countries having diplomatic relations with us has increased from 18 in the early days of the People's Republic to 171 today.
China has entered into new types of cooperative relations or constructive partnerships with the world's major countries. China and Russia have established a strategic partnership of coordination and relations between the two countries have enjoyed sustained, sound and steady progress at a very high level. It is the common aspiration of both the Chinese and Russian people to build stronger relations between the two countries. Sino-US relations have reached an unprecedented level in terms of both depth and breadth over the past 30 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties. The two countries have agreed to build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship for the 21st century and have put in place the China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogues mechanism. The growth of China-US relations serves the fundamental interests of the two peoples and is conducive to peace, stability and development in the Asia Pacific and beyond. We have established a comprehensive strategic partnership with the EU and a strategic relationship of mutual benefit with Japan. We have been actively engaged in the "BRIC" dialogue and the dialogue among the "five developing countries" and enjoyed ever stronger cooperation with the major emerging economies.
Since the founding of the People's Republic, we have given top priority to fostering good relations with neighboring countries in our overall diplomacy. Though our specific policies toward these countries may have featured differently at different times, the fundamental policy of building good-neighborly relations has never unchanged. We have been committed to building a harmonious surrounding environment featuring durable peace and common prosperity. Since the beginning of the new century, we have been pursuing the policy of building amicable relations and partnerships with our neighbors. We have jointly established the Shanghai Cooperation Organization with Russia and central Asian countries, carried out dialogue with ASEAN and participated in the dialogue between ASEAN and China, Japan and ROK. Our trade and economic links with neighboring countries are growing closer. China is now the largest trading partner of Japan, ROK, India, Vietnam and Mongolia.
China has been enhancing solidarity and cooperation with other developing countries. After the founding of the People's Republic, the Chinese government provided firm support to the people of Asia, Africa and Latin America in their just cause to gain and safeguard independence and develop national economy. Since the launch of the reform and opening-up program, China's relations with developing countries of various parts of the world have made important progress. The Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which China hosted in 2006, was a great success, and eight measures were announced at the Summit to assist Africa's development. China's exchanges and cooperation with African countries in the political, economic and cultural fields have now entered a new stage. We have also set up the China-Arab Cooperation Forum and our practical cooperation with Latin America and the Caribbean region has been moving ahead. Strengthening solidarity and develop mutually beneficial cooperation with the developing world is the foundation of China's diplomacy.
Since the founding of the People's Republic and, in particular, since reform and opening up, China has played an increasingly important constructive role in seeking settlement of major international and regional hot-spot issues, addressing global challenges and safeguarding world peace. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China is committed to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and the peaceful resolution of international disputes through dialogue and negotiations, and has carried out international cooperation in various fields. We support reform of the United Nations and its Security Council, vigorously work for the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals and actively promote reform of the international financial system. We are working closely with other countries to address climate change, energy security, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and other global challenges.
With the broadening of China's external exchanges and cooperation, it has become an increasingly arduous task to protect the safety and lawful rights and interests of Chinese citizens and enterprises overseas. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up the Consular Protection Center to handle consular protection cases. In the past few years, we have, on average, handled over 30,000 consular cases of various scale each year.
Chinese diplomats, like China's diplomacy, have weathered various vicissitudes over the last six decades and have grown stronger, become better educated and more professional.
The success of China's diplomacy in the last 60 years is attributed to two most important things. First, adhere to an independent foreign policy of peace. China will, as always, decide its positions and policies on international affairs on the merits of each case, bearing in mind the fundamental interests of the Chinese people and people of the whole world. We will continue to uphold justice in the world and work with others to make our world a better place to live. Second, take into consideration both the domestic and the international situations and focus on meeting the priority tasks of the Party and the government. There have been closer interactions between the situations at home and abroad and between domestic and foreign policies in the 21st century. We must therefore aim to serve the need of building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects in conducting diplomacy and foster a stronger sense of coordination and overall development so that our diplomatic work and work on other fronts will reinforce each other and achieve coordinated progress.
China will adhere to its path of peaceful development, pursue a win-win strategy of opening up, and make unremitting efforts for the building of a harmonious world of enduring peace and common prosperity.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Fireworks celebrate 60th birthday of China
Red, pink, white and orange fireworks shot up into the night sky, lighting up the Tian'anmen Rostrum and 56 giant decorative columns, which were set up on the square to represent China's 56 ethnic groups.
That was the beginning of a 33-minute fireworks feast in the evening. Earlier this month, the Beijing Daily quoted pyrotechnist Ding Zhenkuan as saying that the display would send nearly 42,000 shells into the sky, doubling the number fired at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony last August.
Following candle-shaped fireworks, a teenage boy, standing at the podium for the flag-raising ceremony, played with a trumpet the melody of the song of "My motherland".
As the boy was playing the trumpet, more than 4,000 performers gathering under the podium began to play the magic effects of more than 4,000 LED-light-equipped trees.
Vice director of the gala, Zhao Dongming, called the performance as "light cube", referring to the well-known Olympic architecture "Water Cube", or the National Aquatics Center. The building, equipped with LED lights, can put on various colors at night.
The performers of the "light cube" displayed a rolling effect of the 60 years from 1949, when the People's Republic of China was founded, to 2009. Fireworks meanwhile again shot up and exploded in the night sky, creating the Arabic numeral of "60," symbolizing New China's 60th birthday.
Seconds later, a fireworks-armed curtain, standing opposite to the Tian'anmen Rostrum, was ignited and began to explode. The exploding fireworks on the curtain -- 90 meters wide and 25 meters high -- created the sun, river, waterfall and mountains, representing the vast land of China.
About 60,000 people take part in a grand gala on Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing Thursday evening to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.[Xinhua]
Fireworks are seen over Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing during an evening gala to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009. [Xinhua] Fireworks are seen over Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing during an evening gala to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009. [Xinhua] Fireworks are seen over Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing during an evening gala to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
People gesture during a grand performance staged in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, on the Tian'anmen Square in central Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2009. [Xinhua] Fireworks and a bright moon are seen over Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing during a gala to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
Fireworks are seen over Tian'anmen Square in downtown Beijing during a gala to mark the 60th birthday anniversary of the People's Republic of China on October 1, 2009. [Xinhua]
Hu Jintao reviews Chinese troops
Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, goes by car inspecting troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to take part in a military parade for celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in central Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
Fang Fenghui (L), Beijing Military Zone commander and military parade commander, reports to Hu Jintao (R), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, inviting him to inspect troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to take part in a military parade for celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in central Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
Top Chinese state and military leader Hu Jintao inspects the country's defense forces which will also stage a massive parade in Beijing in celebration of the 60th founding anniversary founding of New China, Oct.1, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
Hu Jintao, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, goes by car inspecting troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to take part in a military parade for celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in central Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
Hu Jintao (C), general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, goes by car to inspect troops of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to take part in a military parade for celebration of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, in central Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 1, 2009. (Xinhua Photo)
BEIJING, Oct. 1 (Xinhua) -- Top Chinese state and military leader Hu Jintao on Thursday inspected the country's defense forces which will also stage a massive parade in Beijing in celebration of the 60th founding anniversary of New China.
A black open-roof Red Flag limousine carried Hu, state president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, eastward along Chang'an Avenue from the iconic Tian'anmen Square shortly after the celebration started at 10 a.m..
Tens of thousands of soldiers and militia, together with ranks of camouflaged tanks and missiles, stood along the newly widened boulevard and waited to be inspected. The whole procession stretches some three kilometers.
"Greetings, comrades!" Hu, wearing a high-collared Mao suit, saluted troops through a microphone.
"Greetings, leader!" Loudly replied the soldiers in brand new uniforms.
Hu then said "Comrades, you are working hard!" And the troops replied: "We serve the people!"
Hu's inspection of the troops, the first in the past decade, preluded a full-dress National Day military parade involving about8,000 military personnel.
Fourteen phalanxes on feet are composed of the army, navy, air force and the Second Artillery Force of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), the People's Armed Police Force and reserved force.
PLA's young and mysterious Special Forces made their debut for the inspection.
A total of 30 phalanxes in wheeled transport displayed more than 50 types of new weapon systems manufactured by China on its own, including the newest model of intercontinental nuclear-capable ballistic missiles.
Other cutting-edge weaponry included China's new generation of tanks, sophisticated radar, airborne early warning and control aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite communication devices. All the weapons are made in China.
More than 150 jet-fighters, bombers, helicopters and other aircraft in 12 echelons will fly over the square, packed with some200,000 people.
The parade, the 14th since the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, is set to showcase China's newest weaponry and enhanced defense strength.
Tai He Dian in Forbidden City,Beijing
The hall of supreme harmony, popularly called jin luan dian(hall of imperial throne).It was built in 1420 and formerly named Feng Tian Dian (hall of offering heaven),changed the name for Huang Ji Dian (hall of great supremacy) and began to be called the present name. The palace now was rebuilt in 4th year in the reign of Qing emperor Kangxi (1695).It is 35.05 meters high and covers 2,377 square meters.It is the highest building in the palace with double-eaved roof and rooms.There are 55 rooms and 72 posts.Six of the posts are gold post carved with dragons.
Here the Ming and Qing emperors held grand ceremonies to mark accessions, birthdays, the lunar new year, the winter solstice ,banquets, declaring wars as well as the publication of the list of successful candidates in the imperial examinati.
"Eternal Territorial Integrity" Gold Cup with Jewel Inlay
Reign of the Emperor Qianlong in the Qing dynasty (1736-1796)
Height: 12.5cm. Mouth diameter: 8cm.
This gold cup in the shape of a round tripod has a straight mouth rim with a band of rectangular spiral patterns around it. The four characters for "Eternal Territorial Integrity" are carved on one side of the cup, and the four characters for "Made in the Qianlong reign," on the other side. Rosette designs cover the entire outside surface of the cup with the pistils inlaid with pearls, ruby, sapphire and other jewels. The two handles are shaped as stylized dragons with pearls inlaid on the dragon heads. The three legs are in the shape of elephant heads with small ears, long tusks and curled trunks. The foreheads and eyes of the elephants are inlaid with jewels.
During the reign of the Emperor Qianlong, wine cups of all styles were made by the palace's Department of Works. Many of them had dragon-shaped handles of different styles. But very few had elephant-shaped legs. This gold cup is one of the best both in design and in craftsmanship and was made especially for use by the emperor.
Mogao Cave 217 (High Tang 705-781CE)
The ink outline of a monk in the niche wall (P-F96) expresses his lively appearance. His eyebrows and eyelashes are painted sharply. His mouth is half-open as if he is about to say something. The shading with ink and colour is very realistic.
The colour of the Bodhisattvas on both sides outside the niche has oxidized but that does not seem to have had any impact on their beauty. On the south side is Avalokitesvara on the left.
Mahasthama (P-F95) whose attire and jewellery are elaborate. He wears multiple items of clothing and sashes, all with different patterns, demonstrating the light and thin texture of silk (some are even transparent). His jewellery is very detailed but does not appear excessive. The Bodhisattvas at this time exude a very noble demeanor. They have mustaches and are dressed in men’s attire, but look feminine and delicate.
In the central panel on the south wall is a preaching scene (P-F100). Rays of lights radiate from the Buddha’s urna (the white curl between his eyebrows) and usnisa (the fleshy protuberance on his head), and encircle his body three times, represented by three white circular lines. Some studies have concluded that this is the illustration of the Lotus Sutra. However, other studies suggest that it is of the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani Sutra which helps people purify all evil karma (deeds) and eradicate karmic obstruction.
Some scholars argue that on the east side of the central panel is the depiction of how Usnisa Vijaya Dharani sutra was introduced to
According to the Usnisa Vijaya Dharani sutra, one of the benefits of reciting the mantra in the sutra is to liberate the deceased from suffering by being reborn in the
The depiction of the
On a vertical margin beside the
On the east wall is the Universal Gate Chapter of the Lotus Sutra, which describes the salvation of Avalokitesvara when the suffering beings are calling on him. The scenes (P-F-110) depict Guanyin appearing when the people are in peril and call on him.
Two dancers (P-F107) in this paradise are performing in a quick tempo. The flying sashes indicate their strong and quick movements.
In general, the cave is very special because of its painted images (Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and laities performing different activities), architecture, landscape and contemporary custom; and the colouring technique of the paintings. It provides valuable information for understanding the society of the High Tang.
Turpan
The Grape Valley is a good place to enjoy the grapes of hundreds of varieties.
The city, which is also known as Huo Zhou (a place as hot as fire), is the hottest place in China. The abundant sunshine gives the melons and grapes ideal conditions to grow. The fruit here is widely known for its high sugar content, especially the grapes.
Turpan is praised as the 'Hometown of Grapes' and the Grape Valley is a good place to enjoy the grapes of hundreds of varieties. Apart from that, the locals are quite fond of sand therapy which has a history of hundreds of years in Turpan. People lie or sit under sheds, burying their bodies in hot sand about 50C (122F) to 60C (140F). It is said to be a good way to treat rheumatism and skin ailments. There is a Sand Therapy Center in the northwest of the city which is popular among visitors.
Turpan is a marvelous city blending Western and Eastern religions and culture together perfectly. The geographical position of Turpan is rather important. Lying at the junction of the east and the west of China, it has been a key point on the Silk Road since ancient times, with a great number of historical relics as well as unique landscapes.
Flaming Mountain, which is mentioned in a classical Chinese novel The Journey to the West is the hottest place in China; Emin Minaret is the largest ancient Islamic tower in Xinjiang; and Jiaohe Ancient City and Gaochang Ancient City are witnesses to the long history of Turpan. Aydingkol Lake, at the bottom of Turpan Basin, is the lowest point in the country, and Astana-Karakhoja Ancient Tombs, Bizalkik Thousand Buddha Caves, Tuyu Valley are also popular attractions. Karez System is one of the four great irrigation system of China and it is a crystallization of ancient people's wisdom and the life source in Turpan.
As a city inhabited by minority groups, you can find Uygur snacks in the streets and lanes. Kebabs, Zhua Fan (Rice Eaten with Hands), Nang, Roast Lamb will make your mouth water. There are also many traditional drinks in Turpan, including milk tea, black tea, grape wine and mare's milk. The traditional handcrafts are exquisite and are worth collecting. Carpets, clothes, caps and knives are favorites, with distinctive folk characteristics.
Turpan is an important city along the ancient Silk Road and the transportation here is very convenient. It is considered to be the hub between Xinjiang and the eastern part of China. As well as the usual vehicles, there is a special 'donkey taxi' here. It is a kind of flatbed drawn by donkey. Visitors can sit and ride on the vehicle to get a broad overview from a leisurely look around the city.
Kashi
Kashi or Kashgar is an oasis city with approximately 350,000 residents in the western part of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. Kashgar is the administrative centre of Kashgar Prefecture which has an area of 162,000 km² and a population of approximately 3.5 million.
The city covers an area of 15 km². The altitude averages 1,289.5 m/4,282 ft. above sea level. The annual mean temperature is 11.7°C, with a low of -24.4° in January and up to 40.1° in July. The frost-free period averages 215 days.
Kashgar is an oasis city in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of the People's Republic of China. Minaret close to Id Kah mosque.
From the west, this is the first stop for the arrivals on land routes from Pakistan and Kirgyzistan. As a vital stop on the Silk Road, this remote city is about some 4,000 km from Beijing. Today, the city still manages to meet most visitors's requesy with modernization and architectural decline. The old streets, restaurants and markets here are great for exploring. The city is particularly busy between May and October--filled with merchants and traders from Pakistan and Kirgyistan. Abakh Khoja Tomb,Idgar Mosque,Kashgar Old Town and Sunday Bazzar are the four musts for first visitors.
View of Kashgar and the mountains to the west, 1868
It’s the moon! Quick! Celebrate!
Much like Thanksgiving for Americans, the Mid-Autumn Festival is one of the most important dates on the Chinese calendar.
Flour-filled lungs and rice-filled sausages
These are traditional snacks of the Uygurs, using sheep's internal organs as raw materials. Since the materials are uncommon and the cooking is time-consuming, this dish is a rare delicacy.
The silk road
The Silk Road (or Silk Routes) is an complex interconnected network of trade routes across the Asian continent connecting East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean world, as well as North and Northeast Africa and Europe. In recent years, it has also come to be used for the maritime as well the overland routes.
Introduction
The Silk Routes were not only conduits for silk, but also for many other products. They were very important paths for cultural and technological transmission that linked traders, merchants, pilgrims, missionaries, soldiers, nomads and urban dwellers among China, India, Persia and Mediterranean countries for almost 3,000 years.
Chinese cities along the silk road - Dunhuang
Dunhuang is located to the west part of Hexi Corridor, a city in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, China. It is sited in an oasis.
Tang Period Buddhist sutra fragment from Dunhuang
History
Dunhuang was made a prefecture in 117 BC by Emperor Wu Di of the Han dynasty, and was a major point of interchange between ancient China and Central Asia during the Han and Tang dynasties.Located in western end of Hexi Corridor near the historic junction of the Northern and Southern Silk Roads, it was a town of military importance.
Sand dunes on the edge of Dunhuang
Yining
Yining is geographically located at latitude (43.9 degrees) 43° 53' 59" North of the Equator and longitude (81.35 degrees) 81° 20' 59" East of the Prime Meridian on the Map of the world.
The locations related to Yining are represented by the shortest distances between two points on Earth and may not be nearest by road. For example, Yining is located 155 kilometre from Carkant (Almati). Yining is located 232.4 kilometre from Sarkand (Almati). Yining is located 295.2 kilometre from Jyrgolon (Issyk-Kul). Yining is located 295.3 kilometre from Tekeli (Almati). Yining is located 298.2 kilometre from Kuche.
Fairy place - Swan Lake
Actually, there are two swan lakes in china. One is in Shandong province, while the other one is here in Mt. tianshan, Xinjiang province.There is a national natural reserve here called Bayinbuluke. Bayinbuluke grassland is the second largest grassland in China with an area of 24,000 km2 and an altitude of 2,300-2,800 meters.
The main residence here are Mongolian people, consisting a percentage of 78% of the local people. The local people are well-known for their protection of swans, which makes them get along well with swans. when the night falls, it is the time swans went out looking for food. You will see many beautiful and elegant swans swimming in the lake.
How to get there:
Trains and planes are recommendly to first get to Kuche, for it is said that highways are a little dangerous. Then buses and cars are available to the Bayinbuluke grassland.Aksu (Akesu), Xinjiang, China
Name: Aksu Prefecture
Population: 2,310,000
Area: 132,500 square kilometers (51,159 square miles)
Nationalities: Uygur, Han
History:
Before the Han Dynasty (206BC – 220AD) brought the region under the central government in 60 BC, several kingdoms existed in Aksu. The Protectorate of the West Region (Xiyu Douhufu) was established by the court with Aksu as its political, economic, military and cultural center. On the ancient Silk Road, Aksu became important as a connecting point for Central China with Central Asia and West Asia.
Location:
Aksu Prefecture is located in the southwest portion of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It shares a 235 kilometers-long boundary to the northwest with Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. In the south, it is separated from Hotan by the Taklamakan Desert. It is about 450 kilometers northeast of Kashgar.
Physical Features:
Aksu lies at the south foot of Tianshan Mountain on the north edge of the Tarim Basin. The Tianshan Mountains are in the north while the Taklamakan Desert lies to the south.
Climate:
The region's climate is dry and chilly in the winter and arid and torrid in the summer. Temperatures vary greatly between day and night. While there is abundant sunshine, the area gets inadequate rainfall. The average annual temperature is around 10 – 11C. September and October are the best times to visit Aksu.
Religion:
Islam is the chief religion in the region. The Corban Festival on the tenth day of the twelfth month and the Ramadan Festival in the ninth month of the Islam calendar are the most important festivals during the year. Corban is also called the 'butchering' festival since it features the sacrifice of livestock. During Ramadan, Muslims avoid eating in the daytime. They usually take two meals a day—one before dawn and one after dusk.
In addition, the Qiuci Culture and Tourism Festival is celebrated from June to August. Tourists and business travelers from far and near attend to witness unique folk performances.
Special Local Products:
Agricultural output includes melons; walnuts; apples; pears and apricots. Uygur apparel featuring folk costumes; riding boots and embroidered caps and waist bands.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The Ancient Town of Lijiang
The ancient town of Lijiang stands at an elevation of 2,400 metres in north-western Yunnan Province. It is characterized by many narrow waterways, cobblestone streets, canals, trees and old houses with small shops and cozy guesthouses.
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| The Naxi ethnic minority at a festival group dance in the ancient town of Lijiang. In the background are the Yulong (Jade Dragon) Snow Mountains. |
Take a walk away from the main tourist draws, enter narrow streets and climb steep steps up the hill, for a glimpse of the real Lijiang.
If you get lost, follow a stream and you will find yourself in Sifang Square in the centre of the old town.
Here, there are numerous small restaurants serving simple Naxi and Han dishes at bargain prices. There are also many tea shops selling Yunnan tea and some will let you taste the flavour before you buy.
It is cold from dusk till dawn, even in the summer, so it is best to wear something warm. The local people use melted ice water for drinking. You can choose bottled water, which is not so cold.
The Naxi people forbid anyone from throwing rubbish or pouring water into the streams and harming the trees. Also, when visiting the local people, do not sit on the threshold of the homes.
Lijiang's picture-perfect place is Black Dragon Pool. It offers breathtaking views of ponds, pavilions, bridges and the Yulong (Jade Dragon) Snow Mountain in the background.
The Dongba Culture Museum near the Yuquan Park is a great place to admire the famous hieroglyphs and other ritual articles of the Naxis.
Many hotels and inns offer bikes for hire. Within an hour or two, you can cycle out of Lijiang and make your way through traditional Naxi villages that are not on the tourist trail. You will not find any tourist facilities here: no bars, restaurants or shops, just family units living in communities working on land.
About 7 kilometres from Lijiang lies the secluded Suhe Village. Leather processing, bamboo wares and educational facilities that date back to ancient times make it an interesting stop.
The Yulong Snow Mountain is located 35 kilometres from Lijiang and the fastest way to get there is by taxi. From there, grab a chairlift to a height of 4,506 metres to the mountains. Or, you can walk through the forests and reach Yunshanping (Fir Flatland) or Maoniuping (Yak Flatland) from where you can take fantastic pictures.
These two places are famed as the sites where young Naxi lovers sang and danced before committing suicide over parental objections to their relationship. Such tragedies, which peaked in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), seldom happen anymore.
The Dongba Park near the Yufeng Temple on the southern slope of the Yulong Snow Mountain is also worth a visit. Its architecture conforms to Naxi mythology and Dongba shamans often perform various rituals here.
Lashihai Lake, 8 kilometres west of Lijiang, has emerged as a nature reserve for some 30,000 birds of 57 species. From the serene alpine lake, you can trace several streams to their origin. For example, the Meiquan Stream originates in the Zimei Pool whose crystal-clear waters can be viewed 6 metres deep.
There are buses in Lijiang going to Lugu Lake, some 200 kilometres away. You can live with a local Mosuo family there and get a glimpse of the interesting customs of their matriarchal society.
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