Monday, May 29, 2006

Chinese Traditional Costume : Qipao

One thing which is the symbol of China is Qipao. This is a chinese traditional costume whish has their own style and at this century you can find many girls in China mainland wear Qipao.

The cheongsam is a traditional dress worn by Chinese women, typified by a high collar, long length (mid-calf usually) and button or frog closures near the shoulder. This fitted dress is often made up in shimmering silk, embroidered satin or other sensual fabrics. Best on athletic or slim figures, the cheongsam is an acceptable alternative to the little black dress for special occasions.

Cheongsam(Qipao) is a chinese female dress with distinctive Chinese features and enjoys a growing popularity in the international world of fashion. This body-hugging dress for women in China originating from the Manchus in the early 17th century, modernized and improved in Shanghai around 1900.

The name "cheongsam," stands for "long dress," comes from the dialect of China's Guangdong Province (Cantonese). In other parts of the country including Beijing, however, it is known as "qipao".

Easy and comfortable to wear, cheongsam fits well the Chinese female figure. Its high neck, closed collar, and its sleeves may be either short, medium or full length, depending mainly on season and taste. The dress is buttoned on the right or lefr side, with a loose chest, a fitting waist, and slits up from the sides, all of which combine to set off the beauty of the female shape.

The cheongsam is not too complicated to make. Not only it calls for little material, but also for there are no accessories like belts, scarves, sashes or frills. Besides its simplicity, Qipao provides designers with vast and creative space: some short, some long, with low, high, or even no collars at all.

Today, with its variety of styles, more and more women in China appreciate its beauty. In many occasions, cheongsam is their first choice among dresses. Actually, lots of influential people have suggested that this kind of dress should become the national dress for women in China. This shows that it remains an important part of Chinese culture.
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Monday, May 22, 2006

Chinese Zodiac : Rat Sign

Origin of the twelve signs of the Chinese zodiac

The twelve animals in the cycle derive from a legend about Buddha who invited all the animals to join him for Chinese New Year's Day. Only twelve animals went to see Buddha. As a reward he promised to name a year for each one in order of their arrival, these were the rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog and boar.

Actually the ox would have been the first to arrive but the rat sat on his back and jumped off just before they arrived and therefore was first. This also explains why e.g. the dragon appears only in the fifth place. Another legend has it that Buddha invited the animals on the day he was to leave the earth and only 12 animals showed up.

The doctrine of the twelve signs of the zodiac emerged during the Han dynasty which makes it more than 2000 years old. The signs of the zodiac in China are also widespread in China's neighbouring countries.

Rat zodiac

Born in the year
1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

In general
Creative, problem solver, imaginative, hyperactive worker and respected for its resourcefulness.

Intuitive with ability in acquiring and holding on to things it values. Outward personality is certainly appealing, but below the surface there often abides a crafty and opportunist character.

In financial matters, they are erratic, scrimping, cutting corners and budgeting carefully when money is scarce, but spending lavishly instead of saving in time of plenty.

Chinese five element rat types
- Metal (1960) : Self-confident, hardworking, helpful, problem solver, prefer to work alone, and difficult to express their good points.

- Wood (1924) / (1984) : Freedom lover, imaginative, highly principled and not many close friends.

- Water (1912) / (1972) : Introvert, creative, adventurous until a safe haven found, systematic and believes in justice.

- Fire (1936) / (1996) : Warm-hearted, aggressive, without caring about the consequences to follow after bad-tempered action. "Control" will gain more friends.

- Earth (1948) / (2008) : Materialistic, hard-worker and hates the routine life. Not giving up when facing defeat will lead to success.
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Friday, May 19, 2006

Asean Mediterranean : Fujian Fuzhou China

Fujian is a province in Fuzhou capital of China. Fujian is situated on China’s southeastern coast of China.

Fujian faces to the island of Taiwan. In the north Fujian borders to Zhejiang, Jiangxi to the west and to the south Guangdong China.
Occupation of Fujian is around 120,000 square kilometers and the permanent resident population is above 34.7 million.

Fujian China has a year-round warm and humid climate you can travel in all seasons.

Travel attractions

Mount Wuyi (Wu Yi Shan) you will impressed with its beautiful mountains and transparent waters. Including Gulangyu Island or nickname “The Garden on the Sea” this is the heaven of sea breezes and sunshine you will feel like travel in Mediterranean.

There is the longest and most prestigious history of Buddhist shrines : Nanputuo Temple.

Earth Towers of the Hakkas in Yongding area are the much fabled mountain residences in this world of make believe.
The industrious and facile Hui'an women in the south of Fujian add much to their folk customs.

The Kaiyuan Temple looks splendid, glittering and grand despite its age. Fujian China also is a place where famous national heroes like Lin Zexu and Zheng Chenggong lived and won their seats of honor in history books.

If you are the one who addict to drink tea, you would know Oolong tea which is mild and good aromatic and Oolong tea from Fujian China is the best product that you can’t miss to shop for souvenir.
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Wednesday, May 17, 2006

China Flag

About China Flag

China's national flag was adopted in September, 1949. This flag was first flown in Tiananmen Square on October 1, 1949 - the day of the founding of the People's Republic of China

The rectangular flag has a red field with five golden-yellow stars (each with five points) in the upper left corner. The star on the left is larger than the other four.

The red color of the flag symbolizes revolution. The large star symbolizes the Communist Party (which rules China) and the smaller stars represent the people of China

What is the China flag

Red with a large yellow five-pointed star and four smaller yellow five-pointed stars (arranged in a vertical arc toward the middle of the flag) in the upper hoist-side corner.

Source by : greenwichmeantime.com
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Anciant Performance Chinese Opera

About chinese opera

The main features of Chinese Opera are a spectacle of song and dance which, together with the colorful costumes, make-up, acrobats, jesters, storytellers, acting, poetry and martial arts combine to present the Opera in a very attractive way. This is the another way to perform people know about China.

Majority of the chinese opera's clothing design came from the Ming Dynastys of China. The hand-made clothing that delicate in every details, embroideries, pinning or jeweled girdles. Attractive features peoply by their different styles of face painting and hairdresses of each performer.

Over the past 800 years, Chinese opera has evolved into many different regional varieties based on local traits and accents.

Today in China, there are over 300 dazzling regional opera styles. Kun opera, which originated around Jiangsu Province, is a typical ancient opera style and features gentleness and clearness.

This enabled it to be ranked among the World Oral and Intangible Heritages. Qinqiang opera from Shaanxi, known for its loudness and wildness, and Yu opera, Yue opera, and Huangmei Opera are all very enjoyable.

Beijing Opera , the best-known Chinese opera style, was formed from the mingling of these regional styles.

Chinese opera is one anciant culture in China which is still appear untill now, even the world goes on with hi-technology.
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Monday, May 15, 2006

Zhang Ziyi : Chinese Actress Superstar Go Inter

About Zhang Ziyi

Zhang Ziyi was born the 9th of February 1980, in Beijing, China, and is the daughter of an economist father and a kindergarten teacher. Raised with her older brother in an urban, working-class part of Beijing China, Zhang was originally interested in dance and gymnastics.

Her entrance into the dance world came when she was 11, as she was accepted to a secondary school affiliated with Beijing Dancing College China. During the 4 years that she was trained in dance, she managed to pick up some awards, including one at the National Young Dancer competition in China.

Zhang Ziyi : Statistics

Name: Zhang Ziyi
Native Home: Beijing, China
Date of Birth: February 9, 1979
Mother: Li Zhousheng
Father: Zhang Yuanxiao
Older Brother: Zhang Zinan
Astrological Sign (Western): Aquarius
Astrological Sign (Chinese): Sheep
Blood Type: O
Height: 164 cm, 5' 4.5"
Weight: 49.5 Kg, 109 lbs

Souce by : chinese-school.netfirms.com
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Mission Impossible 3 VS China

What happened with the talk of the town movie, Mission Impossible 3 and China?

Chinese media have speculated that flashes of underwear and other "inappropriate" images in the China scenes of Mission Impossible 3 (MI3) might jeopardise the mainland release of Tom Cruise's latest Hollywood blockbuster.

Despite hitting American screens over a week ago, China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT), is yet to approve MI3's mainland distribution, the Beijing News newspaper said on Monday.

Underwear hanging out to dry and other images "harmful to China" might be responsible, local papers have suggested.

"In the Shanghai China scenes, all the roofs and alleys have raggedy clothes hanging from bamboo sticks everywhere" said the Beijing Times.

The paper also said that many movie-goers found the scenes shot in Shanghai China and the village of Xitang China "inappropriate", given both locations "became places for the storage of terrorists' chemical weapons".

"Chinese viewers will have trouble accepting this plot of foreign criminal elements fighting publicly in Shanghai" the paper quoted one viewer as saying.

SARFT's final verdict on releasing MI3 (Mission Impossible 3)is due this week, the Beijing News said, adding that an official had expressed that its distribution chances were "high" -- but some editing would need to be carried out.

The official declined to provide further details, the paper said.

That means Mission Impossible 3 will be a mission impossible to release in China.

Souce by : today.reuters.co.uk
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Saturday, May 13, 2006

Shopping Souvenir Chengdu China

Chengdu China, the capital of Sichuan : the "land of abundance", stands in western Sichuan, where there is a huge expanse of land, greeness high mountains, long clear rivers as the chineses ancient poem and the well-known Wolong Giant Panda Nature Reserve.

Hot pickled mustard tuber has a long history, and Sichuan embroidery, porcelain in a bamboo basket, Wuliangye liquor, Luzhou Laojiao liquor and Jiannachun liquor have been well-known in abroad.

There are many shopping places or bazaars in Chengdu China that you can shopping anytime you want with varities of souvenir.

Famous Bazaars

- People's Plaza
- Chengdu Department Store
- Lotus Pond Market
- Red Flag Plaza
- Parkson Square

Famous Production

- Bamboo Production

Since Chengdu is home to the panda, the area is also home to bamboo. Apart from food for the bears, bamboo is used to make covers and mats for vases, teapots, bowls, caskets etc. Only a special type of bamboo is used to make these pieces.

This kind of stuff is very fashionable in the west at the moment and the Chengdu Bamboo Weaving Factory, is the most famous factory making bamboo products in Chengdu. The prices here are much more reasonable than in the west too!

- Laquerware

Chengdu is one of the major producers of lacquer ware. The Chinese name the different types of laquerware according to the method of production. Many different types of laquer product are produced in Chengdu including wall decorations and screens.

Some pieces are covered with flax, paper or plastic before they are painted to avoid the wood rotting. The main factory producing these exquisite pieces is the Chengdu Lacquer Craft Factory at 81 Jinghejie.

- Silk Tapestry

Silk tapestry are hand made rugs which use silk and spun silk as materials. After the tapestry has been spun by machine, the pattern is delicately woven by hand. This is a popular wall hanging. The tapestry is smooth and sleek and to touch it feels soft and springy. China exports this product to the west and southeast Asia and this makes a lovely souvenir.

- Silverware

Chengdu has long been famous for its silverware. Chengdu silver is produced from extremely thin and fine threads of metal, which are as thin as hair. The delicate pieces are welded together and made into jewelry, wall decorations, table decorations and other pretty pieces.
Silverware is widely available throughout Chengdu. Try the Arts & Crafts Service Department Store.
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Thursday, May 11, 2006

Magnificent Li River (Lijiang) Guilin China

Li River (Lijiang), situated in Guilin City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region China, is a bright pearl on the list of China's tourist attractions and it is the highlight of sightseeing tour in Guilin China.

The 83-km-long waterway from Guilin to Yangshuo is the masterpiece of Li River (Lijiang) China, decorated with rolling hills, steep cliffs, fantastic caves, leisurely boats and lined bamboos which is just like enjoying a melodious symphony.

Along the river you will enjoy with the green hills, rolling peaks, precipitous cliffs, and clear water compose a enchantment hundred-mile pictures gallery. Li River (Lijiang) Guilin China is located in the midst of precipitous peaks hung with waterfalls.

The most beautiful scenes of Guilin China scenery are found along the Li-River (Lijiang).The hills beyond hills with their reflections in the crystal clear water are like fairy land, the green bamboo greets you all the way along the river in the breeze.
Chinese traditional paintings are what Chinese artists have being trying to depict the scenery for thousands of years.

The Lijiang River (Lijiang)Guilin China with crystal-clear waters twists and turns between splendid and beautiful mountains.
Its banks are covered with lush bamboo and luxuriantly green woods. Luohan Mountain, Chaoban Mountain, Wuzhi Mountain and Luosi Mountain rise up from under the waters. What a splendid scenery they present.

Source by : chinatravel.com
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Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Old Summer Palace : Old Odyssey Beijing China

Old Summer Palace Beijing China lies in total ruin, blasted into fragments by the Anglo-French invasion force during the 1860 Opium War.The sprawling compound has an aura of faded glory like the Roman Forum. Its ruined pathways, gutted pavilions, and unruly vegetation fill the place with a "sublime" horror.

History of Old Summer Palace

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

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

Old Summer Palace Beijing China 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.

Old Summer Palace Beijing China was first surveyed in the 12th century and had been developed into a network of gardens by the time of Emperor Qianlong's regimen the late 18th century.

Then at his request, Jesuit architects designed structures in a European baroque vocabulary, including the 10,000 Flowers Maze.
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Chinese Moon Festival

History of Chinese Moon Festival

The Chinese Moon Festival, or sometimes called the Mid-Autumn Festival, takes place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month. The festival dates back to the Tang dynasty 618 A.D. and celebrates the biggest and brightest full moon of the year, the harvest moon.

One of the legends about the Moon Festival is about a builder or architect named Hou Yih. Hou Yih built a beautiful jade palace for the Goddess of the Western Heaven or sometimes called the Royal Mother.

The Goddess was so happy that she gave Hou Yih a special pill that contained the magic elixir of immortality. But with it came the condition and warning that he may not use the pill until he had accomplished certain things.

Hou Yih had a beautiful wife named Chang-O. Chang-O was as curious as she was beautiful. One day she found the pill and without telling her husband, she swallowed it.

The Goddess of the Western Heaven was very angry and as a punishment, Chang-O was banished to the moon where, according to the legend, Chang-O can be seen at her most beautiful on the night of the bright harvest moon.

The Moon Festival is a big holiday with family reunions, moon gazing activities, and feasting on "moon cakes" which are round pastries filled with red bean paste, fruit or jam. Dragon and lion dances, whose origins also date back to ancient China, are wonderful dances done during festivals, especially exciting are the dragon and lion dances.

Legend says the dragon dance was invented to stop the spread of epidemics, sickness and disease. Over the years it evolved into a folk activity.

The lion dance was originally used for worship and to pray for rain, but now the dance is used for entertainment. The lion chases a scampering clown, who dodges from left to right, jumping to and fro to make fun of the lion.

Chinese Moon Cake

During the Yuan dynasty (A.D.1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D.960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without it being discovered.

The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack.

On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attacked and overthrew the government. What followed was the establishment of the Ming dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644). Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend.
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Tuesday, May 09, 2006

Advanture Trip : World Highest Region Tibet China

Have you been Tibet China before? One peaceful region of China which still be natural and pure culture.

Tibet is situated on the Tibetan Plateau, the world's highest region. The world's highest mountain, Everest, is on Nepal's border with Tibet and most of the Himalaya mountain range lies within 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.

Advanture trip : drive to Tibet on 4 Wheel Vehicles

For those real adventure people, drive a 4-wheel vehicle to Tibet is a better choice! It needs better physical conditions, more time, more money, and a lot of courage and determination.

You can drive to Tibet via 5 routes:

- Sichuan (Chengdu) to Lhasa : 2159 kilometers to 2407 km
- Yunnan (Kunming) to Lhasa: 2317 kilometers
- Qinghai (Xining) to Lhasa: 1947 kilometers
- Xinjiang (Yecheng) to Lhasa: 2743 kilometers
- Kathmandu to Lhasa

Among the above routes, driving from Qinghai or Kathmandu ("friendship highway") are easier. We do not suggest you drive to Tibet from the other ways except you are "professional" adventurers with all the necessary gears and backup.
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Famous Shops Stores Beijing China

Beijing China is a civilized ancient city with a long history and a developed trade. As early as in the Yuan Dynasty 1 1206-1368), Beijing was a famous commercial city in the world.

During the Qing Dynasty, the market in Beijing was brisk. Today shops in Beijing China are in a great choice, scattered in every corner and goods are sophisticated. Goods on Beijing market are brand, special and new products from various parts of the country.

The goods tourists to Beijing China prefer to buy are unique handicrafts and cultural relics full of Beijing flavor, such as cloisonne, jade ware, bronzes and stone tablets with inscriptions, writing brushes, ink sticks, paper and ink slabs, antiques, paintings, calligraphic works and handicrafts including dough figurines, facial masks and kites unique to Beijing.

Shopping Streets

Wangfujing Street China

As the most famous shopping center in Beijing, it boasts many reputed shops such as New Dong'an Bazaar, Department Store, Arts and Crafts Mansion, China Photo Studio,

Foreign Language Bookstore, Shengxifu Hat Store, Darning Optical Shop, Swiss Watch Repair Center, Green House Store, Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant and Vegetarian Restaurant.

Chongwenmenwai Street China

It is flanked by some big shops and markets such as Jinlun Mansion and New World malls, Hongqiao and Ciqikou markets selling farm produce and aquatic products, and Heavenly Temple Market selling flowers and pot plants.

Source by : goingtochina.com
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Friday, May 05, 2006

Olympic 2008 Beijing China : New China

The Olympic Movement's Agenda 21 is Beijing's guideline for hosting the 2008 Olympic Games One of the themes for Beijing 2008 is a "Green Olympics" if it is selected to host the Games.

Hosting of the Games in Beijing will serve as a "catalyst" for environmental improvement and help promote sustainable development in Beijing and China.

Beijing will invest a total of 12.2 billion U.S. dollars in protecting the ecological environment in the period of 1998-2007.

Since 1998, Beijing has invested a total of 3.63 billion U.S. dollars in spreading the use of clean fuels, controling gas pollutant emission, treating wastewater, safe disposal of solid waste and protecting wild life species.

By the time the Olympic Games Beijind China opens in 2008, Beijing will have met the required environmental quality standards. A new Beijing of fresh air, beautiful environment and sound ecosystem will emerge in the eyes of the people of the world.

Source by : 210.75.208.182/eolympic
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Chinese Ancient Mystery Mummies

Don’t let their names confuse you. The desert mummies are often referred to by the names of the places where they were found or now reside (museums).

They are referred to as Cherchan Mummies, Tarim Basin Mummies, Takla Makan Mummies, Urumchi Mummies, the Desert Mummies, Qawrighut (where Loulan was found), etc.

This basin, full of pits of salt (where nothing can grow), became a large cemetery. The greatest mystery is, "What were Caucasians doing in China at this time?"

Some of the Takla Makan mummies found in the desert could have been sacrificial victims. A young woman was found partially dismembered and her eyes had been gouged out. A baby boy had apparently been buried alive. The desert basin is full of other ancient burial sites. Only time will let the mummies tell the full story of the secrets of their past.

Source by : library.thinkquest.org
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Thursday, May 04, 2006

China : National Museum Beijing

One famous national museum in China is The National Museum of China in Beijing.

The National Museum of China, a four-storied main building with two symmetrical wings, runs more than 300 meters north and south along the eastern side of Tian'anmen Square.
The predecessors of the National Museum are two museums: the Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of Chinese Revolution, which shared the same building complex.

The building was one of ten famous architectures built in 1959 to mark the 10th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic. The Museum of Chinese History was in the South Wing while the North Wing housed the Museum of the Chinese Revolution.

They were both opened to the public in 1961. The building has a rectangular exterior and faces the Beijing Great Hall of the People. Twenty-four square pillars make up the magnificent west gate portico. With its classical color and imposing structure, the whole building is an important part of the panorama of Tian'anmen Square China.

Information:

Open: 8:30 -- 16:30 (Last Entry at 15:00) for March 1 - June 30
8:00 -- 18:00 (Last Entry at 17:00) for July 1 - August 31
8:30 -- 16:30 (Last Entry at 15:00) for September 1 - October 31
9:00 -- 16:00 (Last Entry at 15:00) for November 1 - February 29

Admission: 30 yuan

Address : 16, East Chang’an Street, Dongcheng district, Beijing 100006, China

Source by : china.org.cn
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Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Ancient Chinese Dragon

Chinese live with their strict culture and belief long time ago. They also believe and respect to animals and one animal is the symbol of China and live with them for thousand years ago is dragon.You will find there are dragon images anywhere in China, temples, royal palaces or even king and queen's clothes.

Dragon cultures exit in both the Eastern and Western world. Dragons are deeply rooted in Chinese culture, so Chinese often consider themselves, 'the descendants of the dragon.'

In the Western, dragons can be found in many literatures and they look significantly different from the Chinese dragon. We will focus on the Chinese dragon here.

The dragon looks like a combination of many animals, such as a reptile, a snake, an alligator, and a lizard. Or it may be just a product from the imagination of Chinese people.

There are many Chinese stories about the dragon. There is even a very famous Chinese idiom, 'Lord Ye's Love of Dragons,' which means professed love of what one really fears. Here is the story behind the idiom. Lord Ye loved dragons deeply.

He had dragons everywhere and he was thinking about dragons all the time. His love of dragons moved a real dragon, so the dragon came to visit him one day. When he saw the real dragon, he was frightened to death

Source by : chineseculture.about.com
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Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Imperial Prayer Hall Beijing China

The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, at the Temple of Heaven, a major landmark in downtown Beijing China, re-opened to visitors on Saturday after being closed for renovations for nearly a year.

The Prayer Hall is the main building of the Temple of Heaven Beijing China, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, which covers an area of 273 hectares.
The structure rests on 28 massive wooden pillars without any use of modern materials such as steel, cement or even cross beams. It’s a legendary landmark in the history of Chinese architecture.

The repair work started last May and was completed with an investment of 47 million yuan (US$5.8 million), according to the Temple of Heaven administration.

The work has restored the Prayer Hall's imperial Beijing China appearance to that of the reign of Emperor Guangxu (1875-1908) when the ancient structure underwent a major re-construction, said manager Yang Xiaodong. This is the third time the hall has been repaired since the reconstruction. The last occasion was in 1971.

Source by : china.org.cn
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