China Empire

Celebrations New Year's 2008 in China

2007-12-03T16:34:00.000+07:00

If you are in China at the time of New Year you will hear people wishing you Gung Hay Fat Choy. Don't get worried, it is Happy New Year in Chinese.

New Year 2008 celebrations is a grand event of China. New Year festivities lasts for one month in China. Chinese New Year is also called Spring festival. It begins from the middle of the last month of the year and ends up in the first month of the new year. These last day celebrations in China is called Lantern Festival.

How to Celebrate For a Chinese Christmas 2007

2007-11-13T17:22:00.000+07:00

For Christmas 2007 in China, it's mainly Christians who celebrate Christmas party, although the commercial aspect of the special holiday is spreading.

Steps for Chinese Christmas 2007:

1. Make paper lanterns to decorate your house.

2. Set up a Tree of Light, or Christmas tree, and adorn it with paper chains, paper flowers and paper lanterns. These trees are usually artificial.

3. Help your children hang muslin stockings to be filled with small presents.

4. Expect Dun Che Lao Ren, or Christmas Old Man, to visit.

5. Participate in local festivals (like Hong Kong's Ta Chiu festival), which happen in many parts of China. They may or may not be directly associated with Christmas.

6. Go to church if this religious tradition is an important part of your Christmas celebration. Midnight Mass is popular with the small Catholic population.

7. Prepare for the Chinese New Year, officially called the Spring Festival, which marks the beginning of the new Chinese calendar year.

8. Buy your children new clothes and toys for the occasion.

9. Understand that it's appropriate to honor your ancestors during the New Year's celebration; hang portraits in your home of relatives from past generations.

10. Display bowls of oranges and tangerines, which symbolize wealth and good fortune.

AEMI International Clown Carnival in Hangzhou

2007-10-03T13:36:00.000+07:00

Clowns try to spice up the atmosphere of AEMI international clown carnival in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang Province September 30, 2007. More than 70 comedians from 15 countries all over the world amused a great number of participants at the carnival.

[Source from; chinadaily.com.cn]

Panda cub in Chengdu

2007-07-27T14:30:00.000+07:00

A newborn panda cub sleeps in an incubator at Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Chengdu, southwest China's Sichuan province July 26, 2007. The giant panda is one of the world's most endangered species and is found only in China. An estimated 1,600 wild pandas live in nature reserves in Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi provinces, and 217 are kept in captivity. The panda, together with Tibetan antelope, swallow, fish and the spirit of the Olympic flame are represented by the five stylised doll mascots for the 2008 Olympic games.

[Source from; chinadaily.com.cn]

Contestants Sail on Bamboo in Guizhou

2007-06-19T17:51:00.000+07:00

A young girl in a Red Army costume kicks her leg in the air during the Kong Zhu Piao contest or single bamboo rafting in which competitors must get across the water on a bamboo pole while striking difficult poses in Zunyi, South China's Guizhou Province.

[Source from; chinadaily.com.cn]

Newly Born Twin Koalas Showed Up in Guangzhou

2007-04-24T13:07:00.000+07:00

A pair of newly born twin koalas made their first presence with their mother in Guangzhou's Xiangjiang Safari Park April 17, 2007. Six koalas arrived in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, from Australia in April last year.

[Source from; chinanews.cn]

Chinese Website to Launch Gay TV Show

2007-04-10T16:27:00.000+07:00

A Chinese Web site will launch Thursday what its producer describes as the country's first show to focus on gay issues and the first with an openly homosexual host. The weekly, hour long Internet TV show "Tongxing Xianglian," or "Connecting Homosexuals," will debut Thursday on www.phoenixtv.com, producer Gang Gang said in a phone interview.

The Web site is run by the same media company that runs the Phoenix satellite TV station. Gang said clips from the online show will be aired on the broadcaster. Gang said while homosexuals have appeared on Chinese TV shows, this will be the first show to focus on gay issues and the first with an openly gay host, AIDS activist Didier Zheng.

He said he hopes the Beijing-based show will improve public understanding of Chinese homosexuals. "There are many people in China's gay community, but people don't have a deep enough understanding about this community. This community faces a lot of trouble and difficulties. They face a lot of pressure," Gang said. The new show will explore homosexuality from legal, parental and sociological perspectives, dealing with issues like gay marriage, Gang said. The program will also feature a friend-matching portion.

The show's host, Zheng, 27, is a France-educated activist at the Chi Heng Foundation, which works with AIDS orphans and promotes AIDS prevention. "I hope to convey my love in caring for gays, my hopes for them to get better recognition in society," said Zheng, a Chinese citizen who pursued graduate studies in psychology at the Sorbonne.

Gang said he believes gays in China face less discrimination than in the West, where criticism of homosexuals stems from Christian beliefs. "The pressure comes more from the Chinese problem of saving face," he said.

[Source from; chinadaily.com.cn]

Jay Chou - The King of R and B in Asia

2007-03-27T13:58:00.000+07:00

Jay Chou born 18 January 1979 is a World Music Award winning, popular Taiwanese pop and R and B musician, singer, and producer. Jay Chou is known for combining both Chinese and Western musical styles along with his classical music background to produce a sound unique to mainstream Chinese pop. His unique lyrics touch on various controversial issues; for instance, domestic violence in "Dad I am Back"; eco-awareness in "Rice Fields", the devastation of war in "Wounds that end the War" and reminds listeners to honor their mothers in "Listen to Your Mother". His unique sound has gained enormous recognition throughout Asia, most notably Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan. He is also very popular in other Overseas Chinese communities.

In 2002, Jay has won awards from all over the world. In China, he has won the most prestigious annual Channel V award for Best Male Singer. Today, he is often regarded as the best Asian male singer, and the reputation earned him a title of "Small King of R and B"

In 2005, Jay Chou played the leading role in the movie Initial D (Takumi Fujiwara), which was based on a popular Japanese manga of the same name. It was the most popular and talked about movie in Asia, premiering in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and Western Countries as well. Other well known celebrities are playing too, such as Anne Suzuki, Edison Chen, Shawn Yue, Chapman To and Anthony Wong.

Jay Chou's amazing 2002 tour concert "The One," with an incredible total audience of 40,000 people has been captured on to VCDs. This twin-VCD set is a live recording of his 23 smash hits in his concert at the first station, Taipei.

As always, Jay promises an excellent performance with his vocal and dance skills. He invited his idol David Tao to be the guest performer. Jay also came out with various costumes, including Ninja, basketball player, soldier and vampire looks, perfect for those R and B nights. Watch out for Jay's R and B and RAP skills!

[Source from; answers.com]

Sexually Chinese Movie - Curse of the Golden Flower

2007-03-12T15:10:00.000+07:00

Chinese director Zhang Yimou has made some of the most fascinating films in cinema history. A short list would have to include "Red Sorghum," "Ju Dou" and "Raise the Red Lantern" from early in his career, along with 2004's "House of Flying Daggers." But his latest effort, "Curse of the Golden Flower," is a major disappointment.

It's easy to understand why this epic set in 10th-century China has generated so much buzz: It stars Chow Yun-Fat ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon") and Gong Li, two of the most charismatic actors on the international scene. But their talents are wasted on a glorified soap opera that clearly aspires to the crossover appeal of "Crouching Tiger" but is woefully low on martial-arts action.

Yun-Fat is the majestic but moody Emperor Ping; Li is the sleek but bleak Empress Phoenix. Their marriage is as sour as their surroundings are opulent. Clouds of discontent also hover over their son Prince Jie (Jay Chou) and stepson Crown Prince Xiang (Liu Ye). Ultimately, it all comes down to the question of who is to reign — and who is to die.

Yimou's gift for spectacle remains intact. But that's simply not enough to stave off boredom.

Yun-Fat and Li can't be faulted. Their performances are as good as could be expected, given the material. Because they're such fine actors, it's almost worth the price of admission just to revel in their interactions, despite the dubious circumstances.

In recent years, Yimou has alternated between making martial-arts epics such as "House of Flying Daggers" and "Hero," and intimate dramas such as "Riding Alone for Thousands of Miles" and "Happy Times." But regardless of genre, he has consistently demonstrated considerable artistry.

Perhaps the unfortunate "Curse of the Golden Flower" is merely a transitional film along the way to greater glory.

Rain Coming Shanghai in Concert

2007-02-26T15:40:00.000+07:00

Name: Bi aka Rain
Real name: Jung Ji-hoon
Nickname: Puppy
Date of birth: June 25, 1982.
Physical stats: 184 cm in height, 74 kg in weight
Blood Type: O
Favorite Color: White, Black
Education: Post modern music department, Kyung Hee University
Favorite Actor: Charlie Chaplin, Hahn Suk-kyu
Favorite Genre: R&B, hip-hop, funk
Favorite Sport: Basketball, swimming
Favorite Artist: Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Usher
Hobby: Movies, music, collecting shoes and clothes
Special skills: Sing, dancing, acting

Jung Ji Hoon, born on the 25th of June 1982 is a well known actor and singer in South Korea. He uses his stage name'Bi' , when he performs as a singer and dancer. His real name is Jung Ji Hoon, which he uses when he performs as an actor. His surname is Jung and his given name is Ji Hoon (also spelled as Ji Hun)He discovered his passion for dancing ever since he was in the 6th grade. As a teenager, he was part of the boyband group called "fanclub" and years after the group ended, Park Jin Young (Korean producer/singer who worked with American singers Will Smith, Mase, Lil'Kim, 3LW, Tyrese) took Bi under his wings after he auditioned for JYP entertainment and trained him for years in dancing and singing. Bi was a back-dancer for a famous Korean singer named Park Ji Yoon and Park Jin Young himself. During those training years, Bi was not at home much and would lie to his parents telling them he was gonna study in the library while in fact he went to the dance studio. He struggled financially and at times had to go without meals. Nevertheless, he continued to focus on his dance and singing even though he was anxiously waiting for his debut.

Finally in 2002 he debuted with the song "nappun namja (bad guy)" charming fans with his singing and powerful choreography. After the 1st album, he starred in the drama "Sangdoo Hakyo Gaja (sangdoo let's go to school)"; many people were impressed by his acting skills regardless that it was his first time acting in a drama. Following the success of his debut, he came back with a new set of style in his 2nd album and hit song "how to avoid the sun".

In 2004, he starred in another successful drama called "Full House" which has aired in other Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan and was one of the highest rating Korean drama which has won the hearts of many fans across Asia. His performance in Full House has won him the Best Actor Award at the KBS Acting Awards.

In 2005, Bi clinched the Best Buzz Asia from Korea at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan 2005. He also won the best Korean singer award 2005 at the Mandarin Music Honors in Taiwan. Having been voted as the best Asian singer by the Taiwanese media, Bi is positioning himself as one of the most admired Asian stars this year. Wherever he goes, he generates huge public interest and becomes a hot topic of conversation. His every move is monitored by the media and draws keen attention from music fans. Bi is currently on an Asian music tour which started in Seoul and will travel to Tokyo and Hong Kong. He is creating and showcasing fresh new spectacles at every single concert, and tickets are selling out quickly as a result. His first solo concert in Japan last summer, entitled "Rainy Day Japan" and held at the Tokyo International Forum, was so popular that all the tickets were sold out 30 seconds after going on sale. And the tickets for another of his concerts in Taiwan were sold out the moment they became available. Bi continues to set records in Asia. Now Bi will make a foray into China by giving a concert in Shanghai.

[ Source : from shdx.piao.com.cn ]

Last Cave Dwellers in China

2007-02-15T09:15:00.000+07:00

For Wang Fengguan, a man's cave is his castle. He lives in a huge one and he has no intention of leaving. Neither do any of the other 20 families in his village.

"Where else would we go" said Wang, sitting in his house, built in the cave where his family has lived for more than half a century, deep in the poor, remote southwestern Chinese province of Guizhou.

"This is our home. We are used to it," he added, in uncertain sounding Mandarin.Wang's village of Zhongdong which literally means "middle cave" is built in a huge, aircraft hanger-sized natural cave, carved inside a mountain over thousands of years by wind, water and seismic shifts.

In other parts of China people live in houses tunnelled out of hillsides, but Zhongdong is, the local government believes, the last place in the country where people live year-round in a naturally occurring cave.

The villagers are all ethnic Miao people, supposedly related to Southeast Asia's Hmong, and one of several minority groups who live in Guizhou.

Getting to the cave is extremely difficult. It takes some four hours to drive there from provincial capital Guiyang, the last hour on a dirt road which clings precariously to the side of a mountain valley, high above a river.

But the final way up to Zhongdong is to walk for more than an hour up a steep, rough stone path hewn out of rocks. Everything must come up the path food, concrete and even washing machines.

The government has built houses for the villagers in a valley below the cave, but they don't want to go, saying the houses are "not up to standard" and leak during the heavy rains which characterise Guizhou's damp climate.

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

Famous Barbie dolls fashionable

2007-02-10T12:38:00.000+07:00

Without a doubt Barbie is the best-known doll in the world. She was created in America in 1959 and since then she has traveled to more than 150 countries and areas. The blonde doll is popular for her fashionable clothes as well as her hair and figure.

Super Dollfie

Super Dollfie, or SD, is a combination of doll and figurine. She got her name because although she is a doll, her joints move just like a figurine.

Ddung

Ddung was created in South Korea, and is now become in China.

Ddung in South Korea
Barbie Dolls

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

Residents prepare for Year of the Pig in Fuzhou

2007-02-05T17:51:00.000+07:00

Red lanterns hang as residents visit a market in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province February 4, 2007. Resident across the country are preparing to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Pig on February 18 and Chinese New Year 2007 in China

Residents shop for new year decorations at a market in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province February 4, 2007. Resident across the country are preparing to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Pig on February 18

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

Zenspa Traditional Beijing in China

2007-01-31T08:58:00.000+07:00

Zenspa takes a holistic approach to physical and spiritual well-being, providing a sanctuary for the senses. It is the first spa in mainland China to introduce Reiki treatment, naturopathic principles, floatation therapy, Ayurvedic Shirodhara therapy, clinical aromatherapy and Thai and Indonesia herbal therapy. At Zenspa, we offer nothing but the best. Quality products are sourced and imported from around the world.

New spa therapies regularly introduced. Innovative East and West fusion signature treatments are offered. Our staff members are highly trained and undergo regular educational updates to ensure the highest standards of industry knowledge and expertise. Our massage treatments are based on evolving techniques that have passed through the hands of many generations.

Drawing on Asian traditions from centuries ago, Zenspa has created health and skincare remedies using pure essential oils, herbs and spices with ancient curative powers. Using these natural therapies and their skills in the tactile arts, our therapists devote themselves entirely to the physical and spiritual well being of our guests. Yet above allthe personal touch remains as the core of our services. To us, each guest is an individual, and each spa treatment, a highly personal affair. Our therapists are constantly attuned, sensitive and responsive to your every need. Under their intuitive touch, simple sensory pleasures are reawakened, completing the experience that defines Zenspa.

[ Source : from zenspa.com.cn ]

Beijing Badachu Park (Ba Da Chu)

2007-01-27T13:50:00.000+07:00

BaDaChu is a large park in the western hills of Beijing, about 8 kilometers south of XiangShan Park and about 25 kilometers from central Beijing. Well forested, the park covers an area of 250 Hectares.

BaDaChu Park is comprised of eight historic sites: Buddhist temples and nunneries, some still active, that are nestled in three mountain slopes in the Western Fragrant Hills.

Visitors can stroll from one temple to another, enjoying the beautiful scenery and admiring ancient pine, cypress, willow and gingko trees. Some of the trees in BaDaChu Park have been standing for over 600 years.

Although not as high as XiangShan, it is still quite a trek to the top of BaDaChu Park (460m), but a very peaceful and enjoyable one. There are good views of Beijing in the distance. A cable car is available for the journey up or down.

Especially popular in autumn when the hills turn red, BaDaChu Park in china is an attractive and peaceful place to visit all year round.

One can arrive in BaDaChu by bus or taxi from XiZhiMen or PingGuoYuan subway stations.

[ Source : from kinabaloo.com ]

A fairy land on earth in Huanglong

2007-01-23T13:57:00.000+07:00

Boardwalks permit visitors to explore the natural beauty and, while walking at a relaxed pace, a round trip can be completed in an four enjoyable hours.

To enjoy the wonders of Huanglong Valley, you can choose either walking trail from the gate.

The trail from the left provides the full range of beauties of the valley, but it is more energy-consuming; the trail from the right saves a little on energy but it misses the sightseeing of those breathtaking waterfalls.

However, the 2,000-3,000 meter elevation can cause some discomfort, so you should make sure your walk is well-paced. Visitors can rest at the chairs positioned every hundred metres or so, and bottled oxygen is also sold at the gate of the valley to help the aged people overcome the AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).

It takes about one and half hours to get to the Huanglong Monastery, the first Taoist building in the northwest Sichuan Province.

Quite close to the Huanglong Monastery you can find the Huanglong Cave. It is a natural ice cave which is the oldest of its kind in China. The cave contains different kinds of stalactites and stalagmites. The colorful lights have made the dark cave more attractive to visitors. However, the dropping water from the roof may also create a thrilling and even frightening atmosphere to the more timid visitors.

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

Harbin international ice and snow festival

2007-01-20T12:39:00.000+07:00

The ice sculpture art exhibition for the 23rd China Harbin international ice and snow festival in Harbin, northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province, January 4, 2007 is expected to attract 9 million tourists, with estimated income of 5 billion Yuan.

This session of snow and ice festival take "a harmonious world" as a subject, and aims to promote international ties as China and South Korea, Canada, Russia cooperates to construct scenic areas made of ice.

People visit at an ice sculpture art exhibition for the upcoming the China Harbin international ice and snow festival in Harbin, northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province

Much more pictures after the jump.

[ Source : from spluch.blogspot.com ]

Birds vary songs by habitat

2007-01-17T16:13:00.000+07:00

Just as the fairy tale of City Mouse and Country Mouse implies that mice have different lifestyles, new research in the real world indicates birds of a feather may have different voices depending on where they live.

The Lingque Zuibi, or Collared Finchbill in English, mainly lives in Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and China's Hong Kong, Hainan Province and eastern coastal areas. Courtesay of Zhejiang Nature Museum

Experts now believe that bird "languages" not only vary in different regions, but also show great differences in suburban and urban areas, China Central Television reports.

Yu Lijiang, professor at the Institute of Zoology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, conducted research in the forested areas of Nanjing, capital of Jiangsu Province, by recording the songs of a rare bird named lingque zuibi last June.

Her latest research on recordings of this variety of bird showed that the song from such birds living in the downtown areas are more high-pitched and sharper, while suburban birds sing a deeper, more mellow tune.

After Yu returned to Beijing, she and other experts compared the sound spectra of the birds in the different cities. The difference was obvious. Yu told the Jinling Evening News she would visit the forested area again this spring for further study.

Her research will center on the causal relationship between the rare bird's different dialects and their heredity.

The Jinling Evening News why the city birds' volume is louder and the pitch is higher than those of the country birds. She attributed the difference to the environment. The countryside area is more spacious and less noisy, so birds need not send out high-pitched and loud sounds to communicate.

The experts said they were building a sound bank for all kinds of rare birds in China.

[ Source : from chinadailly.com ]

Year of the Pig no guarantee of good in china

2007-01-11T18:18:00.000+07:00

Many couples are planning to have children during the next lunar year in anticipation of good luck, but the Year of the Pig baby boom may result in a rise in population that will affect children's future education, job prospects and even retired lives.

As the Chinese lunar New Year of 2007, also known as the Year of the Pig, approaches, lovers are rushing to wed and couples are planning to have babies. According to Chinese folk customs, the Year of the Pig is a year of good fortune.

According to Chinese folk customs, 2007 is the 'Year of Gold', one of the five elements, and also is the 'Year of the Pig', a sign on the Chinese zodiac. The pig is regarded as good luck for a good life. A 'Golden Pig' baby has the benefit of being born under two lucky signs.

Obstetrics and gynecology departments in hospitals are receiving rocketing numbers of women asking for pregnancy tests and examinations and the maternity, infant and domestic service markets are expecting a boost in business.

"Children born in 2000, the Year of the Dragon, are now suffering school enrolment problems," said a birthing expert in Kunming, Southwest China, the Dushi Shibao reported. China saw a baby boom in 2000 when people wanted their children to be born in the Year of the Dragon.

The expert worried that baby booms during the Year of the Pig and the 2008 Olympic Games will cause similar problems for children as the Year of the Dragon baby boom.

It's a good idea for couples to have a checkup to ensure they are healthy enough to have children, and those that are currently undergoing treatment should wait until the treatment is finished, Wang Tao, a doctor in Shenyang, Northeast China told the Shidai Shangbao. "Rushing to have children regardless of parental health is not a good idea," he said.

Wang said the health of a baby depends on the health of the parents and the quality of health care the mother receives during her pregnancy, and that the zodiac sign has nothing to do with it.

[ Source: from chinadaily.com ]

Flower covered wedding car

2007-01-08T16:36:00.000+07:00

A bride poses for a picture with a car decorated with flowers in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region January 7, 2007. A couple took pictures with their car to mark the wedding.

A child looks at a car decorated with flowers in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region January 7, 2007. A couple took pictures with their car to mark the wedding.

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

Zhao Wei Young Chinese Star

2007-01-06T09:41:00.000+07:00

Stage, screen and video star Zhao Wei, is fueling a mounting debate as she is slated to promote an anti-Japanese online game. The debate reflects the strained ties between the two Asian giants who have witnessed their relations hit the lowest point in decades

Zhao made her name by her tomboy performance style on the Huan Zhu Ge Ge, TV series adapted from the works of the popular Taiwanese romance novelist Chiung Yao. However, a photo taken for Fashion magazine in 2001 in which she is shown wearing clothes printed with the Japanese flag sparked nation wide criticism that painted Zhao as trumpeting Japanese militarism. Tensions eased after Zhao made a public apology stating in her letter of apology that she hadn't intended to cause offence and she would pay more attention to her behaviour and speech. Her agent defended Zhao saying she is only a model and has no control over what she is asked to wear.

It has been almost six years in china since the Fashion magazine incident occurred but it does not seem to have been forgotten.She is not qualified to be the representative of a patriotic online game. Her behavior has posed great detriments to Chinese people's feelings," commented an anonymous netizen on CRIonline.com.

Zhao's move has raised speculation that she wants to eliminate the impact of the incident and repair her reputation, but it seems that she has a long way to go.

Previous reports say she was to promote a patriotic online game on the eve of the anniversary named Guo Wei.

[ Source :from chinadaily.com ]

Enjoy Real Mountain Skiing

2007-01-03T09:38:00.000+07:00

Beijing's puny artificial slopes can be a serious disappointment to skiing fans trapped within the suburban hills. However,if you head northeast into Heilongjiang,Jilin and Lianing provinces, you can find some natural slopes waiting for exploration.

Dongbei is China's coldest region with winter temperatures as low as At least three of the region's slopes are worth the trek.

The Yabuli Ski Resort is 195km east of Harbin, capital of Heilongjiang Province. The resort is a great place to test one's skills.Skiing down from its high level rails will be an experience you can be proud of.

The highest point of the resort is 1,375m with an average temperature of 10 At times,this can dip as low as 40 November to April is the slope's est season.

Ski trails

The Yabuli Ski Resort has 11 mountain ski runs for a total of 27km. The smallest slope is three degrees and the steepest is 18 degrees. Yabuli is China's only resor so far to conform to international standards. Besides mountain trails, the resort has special trails for high level, middle level and primary level ski fans, and langlauf trails.

Admission
10 yuan per person for entrance Equipment rental from Monday to Thursday
Normal: 230 yuan per person for half a day 380 yuan per person for a whole day
High quality: 240 yuan per person for half a day 390 yuan per person for a whole day
Clothes: 50 yuan for half a day 70 yuan for a whole day
Snowmobile: 60 yuan for ten minutes
Ski-Archery: 40 yuan for ten arrows

Professional coaching: 160 yuan for half a day 240 yuan for a whole day (for one to two persons)240 yuan for half a day and 360 yuan for a whole day (for three to six persons).

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

Fit for fat in Beijing

2007-01-01T10:03:00.000+07:00

An overseas'posting,holiday or study tour can be an excuse to let the fitness routine slide. Everyone's heard of or experienced the situation where you come home a little heavier than you left-and we're not talking about the gifts in your suitcase

Here we were determined to be good hosts while you're in our town,and not let that happen to you We want to make sure the only thing that expands while you are here is your business network

We propose to do this by listing the most popular fitness trends from around the globe along with some local favourites and matching them with convenient and high-quality service providers right here in Beijing.So get your running shoes on and check out whats on offer.

Boxercise or Boxaerobics

An extremely physical form of exercise that mirrors the kinds of training Olympic boxers endure.Constantly moving,hands held in front of the face in the classic boxing stance,the exercise looks a lot like what a previous generation would have called'shadow boxing'.Because of the high level of aggression involved,proponents claim this physical regime helps them develop the sort of mental toughness associated with success in life.

Yoga

Yoga in beijing is actually a set of holistic spiritual beliefs,but most people know it purely for the exercise regime part of the system that takes the same name.Devotees will tell you that there are as many systems as there are people doing yoga,but in fact it is fairly easy to divide yoga into several different "schools" that have quite different emphasis. Characterised by its gentle stretches and subtle position changes,breathing exercises and minimal equipment, yoga can be practised well into old age.

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

One East On Third in Beijing

2006-12-27T10:12:00.000+07:00

Located on the site of the hotel's previous American restaurant Louisiana, which had been styled as a traditional mansion from the American south, the new One East On Third is designed to be more contemporary modern and light with a very American sense of space combined with Chinese touches.

There is now also a private wine tasting area, with a resplendent table of translucent marble. Joshua Goetz, chef de cuisine, learned his trade in New England and is passionate about his work. He finds his inspiration from the fresh seasonal ingredients, and creates innovative American flavors with the changing of the seasons. He has designed a five and seven course daily menu of signature dishes, all a culinary sensation.

One East On Third
Location: 2F,Hilton Beijing Hotel,1 Dongfang Road,Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: 010-5865-5030
Opening hours: Lunch 12:00-14:00,Dinner 18:00-22:30

[ Source : from Chinadaily.com ]

Hot Springs busy for New Year

2006-12-25T09:28:00.000+07:00

Hot springs near the city are popular with local travelers booking trips for the three-day New Year's holiday, which runs from January 1 to 3, according to travel agencies in the city.

Fewer people are expected to travel during the break than during the three Golden Week holidays this year as it is too short to venture far from the city.

"The number of tourists booking New Year holiday tours is almost the same with normal weekends," said Jin Fengyi, an official with Shanghai CYTS Tours.

"Most of them will go to the nearby Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, and some are going to head for Xiamen in Fujian Province, which is much warmer than Shanghai."

Prices of package tours during the holiday are a bit higher than usual times, as hotels are raising their rates, said Jin.

"A three-day trip to Tangshan hot spring in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, costs about 1,000 yuan (US$125), 200 yuan more than normal for the same itinerary," said Jin.

Some travel agencies are busy adjusting the tour plan for group tourists after the city government issued the holiday schedule on Monday.

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

New Year Folk Music Gala

2006-12-23T10:49:00.000+07:00

Consider as the most grandest folk music gala of 2006, Glorious China will present Chinese classic melodies flowing over half a century and being sung by singers over several generations.

Combing an all-star line-up and glorious live scene, Glorious China presents a pure Chinese style art performance through the diverse programs. With the artistry and originality,"the sound of China rings around the world" will be identified as the theme of this show. Notable musicians like Zang Tianshuo, Li Chuanyun, Tan Weiwei, Lei Jia and etc will attend this gala, thus the diversity and fusing ability of folk music will be unveiled through its fusion with original music, pop and rock. What's more, we can touch more about the greatness of folk art in Chinese

Location: Great Hall of the People, west of the Tian'an Men Square
Date/Time: 7:30pm, December 29

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

Chinese New Year 2007

2006-12-20T17:50:00.000+07:00

Chinese New Year is the time for festivity. It is the carnival for celebrating the advent of newness in the form of New Year with sheer zest and passion. The Chinese New Year starts on the first new moon of the New Year day and is one of the auspicious days for the Chinese to meet the very beginning with a lot of aspiration, trance, desire, and hope. With the toll of the New Year bell on the very first day of the lunar New Year all the Chinese unites together to meet

the Chinese New Year 2007 with an immense verve. It is the time to forget about the old days with all its undesirable memories and is the occasion to meet the new time in the form of New Year.

Lunar New Year is the time for celebration. It is the occasion of feting the newness with great passion and verve. The Lunar New Year starts on the first new moon of the New Year day and is one of the propitious days for the ethnic Chinese to greet the new beginning of the year teamed with all new dream, hope, aspiration and trance. At the stroke of the midnight on the first day of the lunar month the ethnic Chinese unites together to greet the 2007 Lunar New Year with an intense zest. It is the ideal time to bid bye to the closed year with all its unpleasant memories and to meet the forthcoming time. The countdown starts to greet the Chinese New Year 2007 much before matted with its entire festivity to woo everybody.

With the speckled presence of the red-paper couplets on doors, with the splendor of the firecrackers and with the enthusiastic shouts of the populace the Chinese New Year 2007 steps in with its entire glory and turns out to be the best time to enjoy the end of the year with passion.

So let’s plan the very best for Chinese New Year 2007 to make the forthcoming year a lot more promising and prosperous.

[ Source : from 123newyear.com ]

Beijing to see a baby boom in 2010

2006-12-18T18:15:00.000+07:00

The two million Beijingers, who are products of single child families, are expected to cause a major baby boom by the end of the decade as they are entitled to have two children.More than a third of the young couples who were both raised as single children say they will exercise their right to have two babies, causing birth rates in the capital to almost double by 2010, according to a survey by the Beijing Population Research Institute.

Government statistics show that about 78,000 babies are born each year in Beijing. The research institute says there could be 140,000 newborns in 2010.The survey, recently released at the Capital Population Development Forum, asked more than 1,300 of Beijing's couples aged between 20 and 34, who were reared as only children, about their plans of having babies.

The new government policy is that when a single child marries another single child, the couple is entitled to have two children.

Wang Guangzhou, a research fellow with the Institute of Population and Labor Economics under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, who conducted the survey, said the country's "another baby" policy will cause a peak in birth rates five year earlier than expected. Pervious estimates suggested the baby boom would happen in 2015.

Formulated in the early 1970s, China's family planning policy encourages late marriage, late childbearing and one-child families.

Statistics also show that China's population would be 400 million higher than it is now if the one-child family policy had not been put in place.

China officially announced its population reached 1.3 billion in January 2005.

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

Lovely Toy Pigs Popular in Yangzhou

2006-12-15T09:59:00.000+07:00

A shop assistant shows toy pigs at a store on Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, Monday, Dec. 4, 2006. Pig ornaments become popular in China as next year is the Year of the Boar according to the Chinese traditional lunar calendar.

Add to the fact that out of the five Chinese elements metal,wood,water,fire and earth 2007 is the year of metal,or gold,and people are expected to snaffle up the pig bars.

China first issued the pig toys of New year 2007 to commemorate the lunar new year in 2007, the Year of the Sheep. The Toys pig in China were sold for 92 yuan per gram.

[ Source : from chinadaily.com ]

Naughty Gift ideas in China Shop

2006-12-13T10:33:00.000+07:00

Christmas is drawing near and you need some different accessories to celebrate this holiday. Here are some nice suggestions.

1 Santa Claus model It's so old. I'm tired of seeing the same fat man, clad in red and spiting a snowy beard. How about a sexy,young Santa with hot rippling muscles and short pants Women would certainly enjoy Christmas more! But if all else fails,"classic"Santa is still a choice.

Available: Piaoliang Supermarket, B/1,Sunshine Plaza,Anli Road,Yayuncun, Chaoyang Price: 245 yuan

2 Christmas card A card can be a little bit controversial-you either love it or hate it. Know why Cards show your popularity:the more cards you get, the more popular you are. When I was a kid,I only got three per year.Sympathy anyone? Send me one and ease my pain!

Available: F/5,Beijing Book Store,Xidan, Xicheng
Price: 2-20 yuan

3 Christmas treeRed isn't the only Christmas color. Green Christmas trees need some attention this holiday season too. Just be careful leaving the goat anywhere near it-he might be hungry.

Available: B/2,77 Street,Xidan,Xicheng
Price: 100-250 yuan

4 Candle set No candles on Christmas Eve Are you crazy Candles are the perfect decor for that steamy, romantic ambience.Where will you stick that burning thing Why in an IKEA candle set,of course. The way the light flickers against the translucent glass is dreamy

Available: IKEA, No 1,Taiyanggong Road,Dongbahe,Chaoyang
Price: 99 yuan (28cm),9.9 yuan (small)

5 Pet clothes This one isn't for you! Some festive pet clothes might help put Fluffy in the holiday sprit. I think it would be a great gift coupled with few bones. Don't neglect him this year-puppies his age still believe in Santa.

Available: No 45,Xinjiekou Nandajie,Xicheng
Price:49 yuan

[ Source : Chinadaily.com.cn ]

China Gold harvest at Asian Games

2006-12-11T10:23:00.000+07:00

DOHA,December 9 A top Chinese sports official Saturdaythat the country's gold harvest at the ongoing Asian Games was not a surprise.On the whole,the performance of Chinese athletes was normal in the past few days of competition,Xiao Tian, deputy chef de mission of the Chinese sports delegation,told Xinhua.

Since the Asian Games opened on December 1, China has won a total of 156 medals, including 90 gold,509 silver and 20 bronze. Japan is ranked second in the medals table with 94 medals (26-30-38), followed by South Korea with 90 (19-25-45).

With more than 200 gold medals up for grabs, China looks set to keep its top position at the gold medal tally.China will definitely defend its number one spot if there are no major upsets," said Xiao.

Since its Asian Games debut in 1974,China has clinched the top place in gold medals and total medals five times. At last Asian Games in Busan, China won 150 gold medals for the top finish.

In most of the 28 Olympic sports that Chinese athletes are competing in the Asiad,a youth movement is well underway, including major sports like swimming, diving, gymnastics, table tennis and soccer.

Xiao,who is also deputy minister of Chinese General Administration of Sport,said that most of the youngsters have lived up to their expectations.

[ source : from Chinadaily.com.cn ]

Largest Christmas tree in Beijing

2006-12-06T09:40:00.000+07:00

A 30 meter high Christmas tree is erected in Beijing New World Plaza on Sunday, Dec.3,2006,which attracts many local citizens. Currently this Christmas tree is the largest one in the capital of China.

Although Christmas is not a traditional Chinese holiday, many of the country's hotels,stores,restaurants and manufacturers recognize its business potential.

For instance, Yiwu in neighboring Zhejiang Province exported US$37.9 million worth of Christmas products in the first 10 months of this year, 43 percent more than last year.

[ Source : from Chinadaily.con.cn ]
[ Source : from en.ce.cn ]

China Winner Gold in Doha Asian Game

2006-12-04T10:13:00.000+07:00

DOHA Everyone knew China would dominate the Doha Asian Games, but few knew they could do in such an extreme way.They swept 16 out of 20 gold medals on offer on the first day's official competition on Saturday,getting off to flying start towards its seventh consecutive feat of topping the medal tally since 1982.

Japan took three golds,including two from their traditional territory of judo and one from the swimming pool.Judokas Sae Nakazawa won the women's 78kg class while Muneta clinched men's over 100kg.Their other gold medal was from swimmer Sano Hidemasa in the men's 400m individual medley.

South Korea,fighting for the second place against Japan at the Games, managed only one from Jang Sung Ho,who claimed the men's 100kg judo.

China claimed its first gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle team event early Saturday morning.Olympic champion Zhu Qinan,Li Jie and Liu Tianyou beat South Korea with 1,786 points to win the Games'first gold.

China took away all three weightlifting gold medals in the women's 48kg, 53rd classes and men's 56kg category. They also ruled the swimming pool, seizing five out of six gold medals to leave the remaining one to Japan.World bronze medalist Wu Peng struck a brilliant victory to retain the men's 200m butterfly title under the pressure of two strong Japanese rivals.

Zhou Yafei and Pang Jiaying each had two gold medals to their names when defending champion Zhou won the women's 100m butterfly in 58.39 after Pang beat defending champion and teammate Yang Yu for the women's 200m freestyle gold in 1:59.26.

In the last event later Saturday night,the two rallied with Luo Nan (breaststroke) and Zhao Jing (backstroke) to bring in another gold for China in the 4x100m medley relay.Asian champion Ji Liping of China took the first ever 50m breaststroke gold and set the Games record in 31.52. The 50m breaststroke was added to the Asian Games program for the first time.

In judo action,Tong Wen was the only Chinese winner,beating Tserenkhand Dorjgotov of Mongolia with ippon to take the women's over 78kg.A total of 28 gold medals will be decided on the second day's competition on Sunday.

[ Source : from Chinadaily.con.cn ]

China Pig Gold Sales in Next Year

2006-12-01T10:02:00.000+07:00

A shop assistant shows a pair of "gold pigs" at a store in Hangzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province,November 28,2006. The pig ornament is priced at 1,080 yuan (US$138). Pig ornaments are becoming popular in China as next year is the Year of the Boar,according to the Chinese traditional lunar calendar

China Gold Coin Corporation issued a series of gold bars made of 99.99 percent gold on Friday to commemorate the forthcoming Year of the Pig.

The total volume of gold bars being issued in China this year is 3,000 kg, at a price of 175 yuan per gram in Beijing, the first city to issue them to the public.They can be bought in weights of 1000g,500g,200g,100g and 50g.

Sales of the gold bars are expected to be boosted due to the Year of the Pig being the last year in the 12 year rotation of the Chinese lunar calendar making it a lucky and rich year,according to traditional superstition.

Add to the fact that out of the five Chinese elements metal,wood,water, fire and earth 2007 is the year of metal,or gold,and people are expected to snaffle up the pig bars.

China first issued the gold bars to commemorate the lunar new year in 2002, the Year of the Sheep. The wooly gold bars were sold for 92 yuan per gram.

[ Source : from Chinadaily.com.cn ]

Chrismas Santa Claus Toys in China

2006-11-29T09:42:00.000+07:00

SHENZHEN This southern city in China,once the centre of Christmas gift manufacturing, is losing its dominance due to rising costs and a higher minimum wage for workers, said those in the industry.

The working environment is worse for us, and I'm afraid I have to move my factory out of here soon,"said Zhang Renzhong, general manager of Yuanxing Christmas Production Co.

Zhang's factory has produced artificial Christmas trees and gifts in Dapeng of eastern Shenzhen for more than a decade, mainly supplying the United States and European markets.

"This year the order for Christmas products decreased nearly 30 per cent," Zhang said. "We tried to raise prices to cover losses generated by the higher costs of raw materials, but many foreign buyers wouldn't accept it."

Official figures for the export of Christmas gifts this year are not yet available. In the past, reports said eight out of every 10 artificial trees sold in the United States were made in the city.Prices for raw materials such as plastic and colour toner surged 20 to 30 per cent from a year before, Zhang said.

Another factor making business tough is the government's new policy for a higher minimum wage for workers, which went into effect on July 1.The policy requires employers outside Shenzhen to pay workers at least 700 yuan (US$88.6) per month. The previous minimum was 580 yuan (US$73.4).

[ Source : from Chinadaily.com.cn ]

Zhou Xun Best Award at 43rd Golden Horse

2006-11-27T09:49:00.000+07:00

Chinese mainland actress Zhou Xun won the best actress award at the 43rd Golden Horse film awards,a Chinese language equivalent of the Oscars, held in Taipei Saturday.

Zhou took this honor for her performance in "Perhaps Love,"the musical story of a romantic triangle on a film set. The film also harvested other three honors, including best director of Hong Kong's Peter Chan, the best cinematography and best original film song categories.

Among mainland Taiwan or mainland-Hong Kong co-productions,"The Banquet" won the award for best art direction and the best makeup and costume design "Crazy stone"for the best original screenplay.

Zhou attributed her victory to good luck, saying other nominees like Siqin Gaowa are very good actresses, according to local media in Taipei.

Nominated co-production films include Peter Chan's musical movie "Perhaps Love"starring mainland actress Zhou Xun,who has been nominated for best actress"The Postmodern Life of My Aunt"starring Chinese actress Siqin Gaowa,also nominated for best actress; "Crazy Stone"and Chinese director Feng Xiaogang's Hamlet-inspired epic "The Banquet", which stars Zhang Ziyi.

[ Source : from Chinadaily.com.cn ]

The Battle of Wits star Andy Lau

2006-11-25T10:03:00.000+07:00

China Daily new update film The Battle of Wits starring Andy Lau is filled with magnificent battle scenes, martial arts and dazzling effects-but it's also a film without real heroes and it carries a potent anti war message.

For their magnificent battle scenes and dazzling techniques, it would be easy to compare Hong Kong director Jacob Cheung's latest film "The Battle of Wits" with the Hollywood Trojan War epic Troy.Battle" opens in cinemas nationwide today.However,director Cheung is not trying to create a Chinese version of"Troy"in this historical drama but to convey ancient Oriental philosophy, wisdom and a universal message of peace.

"Super hero movies are a popular genre for Hollywood filmmakers but are not that common in the Asian cinema," says director Cheung. "It took me 11 years to prepare and make the film."The 47-year-old Cheung looks more like a mild and low-key scholar who has deep passion for profound Chinese culture than a movie industry figure. As a director and producer, Cheung has enjoyed remarkable success in the past decade.

His films, including "Beyond the Sunset" (1989) and "Cageman" (1992), have won many prizes, such as the Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay."The Battle of Wits" is an adaptation of the popular Japanese comic"Mozi's Assault"by Mori Hideki.Set in China's Warring States Period (476-221BC), the film recounts how Ge Li, disciple of the famous philosopher Mo Tzu, helps the small Kingdom of Liang fight off invaders from the powerful Kingdom of Zhao.Hong Kong star Andy Lau teams up with mainland actor Wang Zhiwen and South Korea's Ahn Sung-gi and Choi Si-won in this US$15 million production."This is the only film I am presenting this year," Lau says with a laugh. "You can see how much the story appeals to me."

Mainland's veteran actor Wang Zhiwen also vividly portrays Emperor Liang, in a performance that is another highlight of the movie."Emperor Liang is not merely a fatuous governor," Wang says."He just doesn't want to lose what he already possesses. The psychological crisis leads to his selfishness, ferocity and the ambivalent doubting character."Though the movie seems to have almost all the commercial and entertaining elements, director Cheung refuses to compromise his filmmaking just to cater to the market in China.

I really want to tell modern people that there is no real hero in battle and express my anti-war opinions," he says.The Battle of Wits" will premiere nationwide today in China.It will be shown in Chinese with both English and Chinese subtitles of China.

[ Source : from Chinadaily.com.cn ]

Chinese cuisine eaten west

2006-11-23T10:19:00.000+07:00

Fu 1039 takes its name from the street number of the building in China, a small French house on secluded Yuyuan road that has a venerable history, as can be seen as soon as one steps up to the very Shanghai-style floor tiles of the entrance.

Each with chic Western furniture:from the large tables to the silverware cabinet and chandeliers, and the ornaments apparently casually placed, all are authentic pieces from Shanghai's heyday in the early part of the 20th century in China.

Fu 1039 offers Chinese cuisine eaten in a western style. Head chef Mr Li is a master of Shanghai style of cooking, he believes that the secret to gourmet cooking is in the ingredients themselves.

Fu 1039
Location: 1039 Yuyuan Road
Tel: 021-52371878
Opening hours: 11:00-24:00

[ Source : from Chinadaily.com.cn ]

Shanghai High hopes for China's tourist trade

2006-11-21T10:12:00.000+07:00

Everybody knows it will be a big piece of cake. But nobody knows how truly huge it can be.That ref lects a true picture of the Chinese tourism market, in the eyes of many international tourism promoters attending the ongoing China International Travel Mart 2006 (CITM 2006), Asia's largest tourism fair, which opened yesterday in Shanghai.

More than 4,100 domestic and overseas tourism authorities, travel agencies, hoteliers, airlines and caterers set up shows at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre for the largest international tourism fair ever held in the city. CITM 2006 has attracted exhibitors from 91 countries and regions,a historical high based on an increase of 12 per cent from last year when the fair was held in Kunming of Yunnan Province,said organizers.

Pinning high hopes on the growing number of Chinese tourists and business people visiting overseas,international tourism promoters took up 45 per cent of the total exhibition area, an increase of 10 per cent from the previous year.

The delegations from the United States and Canada, each led by a senior trade and tourism official, are the fair's largest exhibitors.As a strong signal to support the American tourism industry and welcome more Chinese visitors, visiting US Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez showed up at the American booths of the tourism fair yesterday.The United States expects to receive 300,000 Chinese visitors this year. It is estimated that this number will double by 2010, Gutierrez said.

China travel tourist and the United States have not granted approved destination status (ADS) to each other, which has prevented many Chinese from visiting the United States as individual travellers.Gutierrez said the two countries have started to negotiate on ADS issues,a process that he said would take three to five years.By March of this year, the Chinese Government had already approved 117 overseas countries for ADS.

Meanwhile, foreign visitor arrivals in China rose 10 per cent last year from the previous year to 120 million, exhibition organizers said yesterday.Foreig n c u r renc y revenue from international tourism reached US$29.3 billion, up 13.8 per cent from 2004.

[ Source : from shanghai-star.com.cn ]

Li Yundi released his new album

2006-11-17T09:57:00.000+07:00

Young Chinese classical piano sensation Li Yundi, the successor of romantic pianist masters,has released his new album,"Chopin, Liszt Piano Concerto No.1.The album includes Frederic Chopin's Piano Concerto No.1,Li's signature piece that helped him win the prestigious International Chopin Competition in 2000 at 18,becoming the youngest-ever winner.

In addition to Chopin's Piano Concerto No. 1, fans will also be able to enjoy Li's performance of Franz Liszt's Piano Concerto No.1.Li will have a solo concert at the Century Theater in Beijing on Dec 3.He will also perform at more than 20 concerts in the US in February under the baton of master conductors Leonard Slatkin and Kurt Masur.What's more,he will perform works from the 20th century with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and Seiji Ozawa.

Some foreigners say Chopin and Liszt are Chinese musicians' typical choices. Li refutes these claims, saying that as a perfectionist, he always chooses to perform his favorite pieces with passion. It takes time to get to know a composer, he said. One or two years is very common.Regarding the two piano concerto on the new album, Li had planned to record them a long time ago, but he never felt the time was right until he cooperated with Gustavo Dudamel,a conductor from Israel. Under him,Li Yundi gained confidence. He prefers to have a high starting point.

Born in 1982, Li is anxious to promote classical music to his peers. Li says he will have more contact with young people by keeping the originality of classical music to get them interested.Meanwhile, I am growing up too. I hope we can still grow together when we are 30, 40, 50 years old.Children are affected by what they have seen and heard,he muses.

Li Yundi Beijing piano recital
Date/Time: 7:30pm, December 3
Location: Century Theater, No.40 of Liang Ma Qiao Road, Chao Yang District
Ticket: RMB 100(out),180,280,380,580,680,980(VIP),1280(VIP)

[ Source : from Chinadaily.com ]

Yao Ming validates his all star accolades

2006-11-15T10:50:00.000+07:00

HOUSTON, United States (AFP) There are a lot of people who feel Yao Ming's all-star hopes hinge on an internet voting frenzy orchestrated by his loyal compatriots in China.But the 25-year-old Yao's recent performances have silenced his critics and validated his selection as the starting all-star centre ahead of Shaquille O'Neal.This is the best I have seen him play since he's been in the league,Yao's Houston Rockets teammate Jason Terry said.He is playing like a beast.

Yao, who was the top vote getter for last month's National Basketball Association All-Star Game in Houston, is considered one of the most dominant players in the game.And in five of his past six games, Yao has scored 30 or more points and averaged a superb 32.8 points and 11.2 rebounds.

The Rockets steam towards the playoffs without their other star Tracy McGrady, who could miss the remainder of the regular season because of a back injury.The Shanghai-born Yao is helping fill the void but he's going to need some help from his teammates.

While Yao Ming has shot 56 percent in the last three games his teammates have combined to shoot just 33 percent over the same period.

[ Source : from Chinadaily.com ]

Giant pandas wrestling

2006-11-13T10:33:00.000+07:00

Two giant pandas scrum in Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Centre in the picture taken on August 19, 2006. Pandas are not always gentle and peaceable, they sometimes play rough-and-tumble games.

Elizabeth Irwin of Anderson, SC visited the Zoo on April 11, 2003, as the grand-prize winner of an online sweepstakes hosted by Fujifilm called Meet the Pandas.

Highlights of the tour included a behind-the-scenes visit to the observation area at the Fujifilm Giant Panda Conservation Habitat and a face-to-face meeting with Norman, a 600-pound California sea lion and a long-time favorite of Zoo-goers and 17 panda cubs all born in 2006 take a group picture at the China Wolong Giant Panda Research Center, Southwest China's Sichuan Provice November 7, 2006. Giant pandas in China had a baby boom in 2006 with 17 of 19 cubs survived.Panda cubs, all born in 2006,make a pubic appearance at the China Wolong Giant Panda Research center A three month old panda cub plays at the China Wolong giant Panda.

We started a new study, a nursing watch, last weekend. We will collect data two weekends per month to learn about Tai’s nursing frequency and duration. This watch, conducted by volunteers, will run continuously from 7 a.m. Friday morning through 7 p.m. Monday evening. This means more quality time for our nighttime web cam viewers! In January, we will look at his nursing frequency, as well as hormonal data, to determine the progress of his weaning. One specific hormone of interest is urinary cortisol. Increased corticoid levels are associated with the maintenance of lactation in mammals. We have documented this phenomenon for Olympic pandas, and Mei’s levels have doubled since Tai's birth. We have endless learning opportunities with Mei Xiang and Tai Shan. This information will also help us begin to plan for the 2007 breeding season.

Surce :chinadaily.com.cn ]

The Banquet (Ye Yan) - 2006 Movies

2006-11-03T10:20:00.000+07:00

The Banquet has been described as a loose adaptation of "Hamlet"it is a tale of fate and revenge set in 10th century China.A new Emperor has usurped the throne through murder. Zhang Ziyi plays the widowed Empress, who marries the new Emperor (Ge You) only to protect herself, but also secretly plots his death with the help of the Crown Prince (Daniel Wu) and the Chief Minister (Ma Jingwu). Yet the Prince and Minister each have their own plans for the throne, and, of course, so does the Emperor. All these intrigues are brought to a climax when the Emperor calls for a lavish banquet, where the murderous plans are set in motion. According to director Feng Xiaogang: "If Hamlet is about a prince who must make a choice involving life and death, then The Banquet is about how each character must face a choice of life or death All are motivated by desire, but as soon as they have begun their plans must grow more extreme, and they move step-by-step towards the abyss They do not intend evil, but turn to it out of self-preservation and ever-growing ambition.

Zhang Ziyi Empress Wan
Ge You Emperor Li
Daniel Wu Prince Wu Luan
Zhou Xun Qing Nu
Ma Jingwu the Grand Marshall
Huang Xiaomoing the Grand Marshall

Director Feng Xiaogang ("A World Without Thieves")
Music Tan Dun ("Couching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Hero")
Cinematographer Zhang Li ("A World Without Thieves")
Art Director Tim Yip ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon")
Screenwriters Chiu-Tai An-Ping , Sheng Heyu
Dance Choreographer Wang Yuanyuan ("Raise the Red Lantern")
Executive Producer Yuen Wo-Ping ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon")
Shooting Dates September 2005 through January 2006
Production Company Huayi Brothers & Taihe Film Investment Co. (HTF)Budget $20 million

[ Source : from helloziyi.us ]

Double Ninth Festival of China

2006-11-01T09:59:00.000+07:00

The Double Ninth Festival, also named Chong Yang Festival, falls on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese lunar calendar, hence it gets name of Double Ninth Festival.

The festival is based on the theory of Yin and Yang, the two opposing principles in nature. Yin is feminine, negative principle, while Yang is masculine and positive. In ancient times people believed that all natural phenomena could be explained by this theory. Numbers were also related to this theory. Even numbers belonged to Yin and odd numbers to Yang. The ninth day of the ninth lunar month is a day when the two Yang numbers meet. So it is called Chong Yang. Chong means double in Chinese. Chong Yang has been an important festival since ancient times.

It is hard to say when these customs were created. But there are many stories which are closely related. As recorded in a historical book of the sixth century, in ancient times, there lived a man named Huan Jing. He was learning the magic arts from Fei Changfang, who had become an immortal after many years of practicing Taoism. One day, the two were climbing a mountain. Fei Changfang suddenly stopped and looked very upset. He told Huan Jing, On the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, disaster will come to your hometown. You must go home immediately. Remember to make a red bag for each one of your family members and put a spray of dogwood on every one. Then you must all tie your bags to your arms, leave home quickly and climb to the top of a mountain. Most importantly, you must all drink some chrysanthemum wine. Only by doing so can your family members avoid this disaster.

Since then, climbing a mountain, carrying a spray of dogwood and drinking chrysanthemum wine became the traditional activities of the Double Ninth Festival, to avoid evil spirits and misfortunes.

[ Soure :from chinaculture.org ]

Tea Production in China

2006-10-30T10:04:00.000+07:00

A new tea plant Production in China must grow for five years before its leaves can be picked and, at 30 years of age, it will be too old to be productive. The trunk of the old plant must then be cut off to force new stems to grow out of the roots in the coming year. By repeated rehabilitation in this way, a plant may serve for about l00 years.

For the fertilization of tea gardens, soya-bean cakes or other varieties of organic manure are generally used, and seldom chemical fertilizers. When pests are discovered, the affected plants will be removed to prevent their spread, and also to avoid the use of pesticides.

The season of tea picking depends on local climate and varies from area to area. On the shores of the West Lake in Hangzhou, where the famous green tea Longjing (Dragon Well) comes from, picking starts from the end of March and lasts through October, altogether 20-30 times from the same plants at intervals of seven to ten days. With a longer interval, the quality of the tea will deteriorate.

The new leaves must be parched in tea cauldrons. This work, which used to be done manually, has been largely mechanized. Top-grade Dragon Well tea, however, still has to be stir-parched by hand, doing only 250 grams every half hour. The tea-cauldrons are heated electrically to a temperature of about 25 C or 74 F. It takes four pounds of fresh leaves to produce one pound of parched tea.

The best Dragon Well tea is gathered several days before Qingming (Pure Brightness, 5th solar term) when new twigs have just begun to grow and carry "one leaf and a bud." To make one kilogram (2.2 lbs) of finished tea, 60,000 tender leaves have to be plucked. In the old days Dragon Well tea of Chinese tea this grade was meant solely for the imperial household; it was, therefore, known as "tribute tea".

For the processes of grinding, parching, rolling, shaping and drying other grades of tea various machines have been developed and built, turning out about 100 kilograms of finished tea an hour and relieving the workers from much of their drudgery.

[ Source : from chinaculture.org ]

Five Friendlies mascots of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games

2006-10-28T10:38:00.000+07:00

The name Friendlies has been abandoned as the organization committee for the 2008 Beijing Olympics silently changed the English name of the Games' five mascot dolls last week.fuwa, beijing olympics, 2008 beijing The organization committee decided to adopt the name "Fuwa",which is a literal, pinyin translation of its Chinese name and is more frequently used in China.

However, the organization committee played down the name change,replacing all Friendlies to Fuwa on its official site, but without releasing a formal announcement to inform the public of the switch.Sources within the organization committee said they received an internal notice about the change last week but don't want to amplify it for fear of affecting the sales of Olympic commodities.

Li Yanjun, a Legal Affairs Department official,that they have finished all the legal processes needed for the change but don't think there's a need to emphasis it.Li also said the decision was made considering a variety of reasons but did not want to comment on them.You may know about the background and many unfavorable comments concerning the mascots' former name across the web, but I won't comment on them,Li said.I'm not in the position to make it clear if the change was prompted by this.

A report published last week on China Radio International (CRI)revealed the name change and listed the reasons why the Friendlies name should be changed.Firstly, Friendly is somewhat an ambiguous name, which could refer both to friendly people and friendly matches,"a Dr.Li from Lanzhou University was quoted as saying on the site. Secondly, the term Friendlies has a similar pronunciation to 'friendless' and thirdly, the spelling of Friendlies could be split as 'friend lies'.

Laura Fitch,a Canadian who works in China as news editor, welcomed the change, saying the name Friendlies sounds a little bit childish and "doesn't really have a meaning.

[ Source :from chinadaily.com.cn ]

China Bid of the Olympic Games

2006-10-25T09:31:00.000+07:00

Hosting the 2008 Olympic Games not only can help spread the Olympic Spirit, but also can be helpful to upgrade the status of the hosting country, improve the population quality and develop the economy. This is why so many countries bid for the Games every time.China has a population accounting for one fifth of the world's total population. Therefore, it is a matter of course for China to bid for the Olympic Games.In early 1945, when China had just won the Anti-Japanese War, the first Chinese Olympic commissioner Wang Zhengyan, Chinese gymnasts Yuan Dunli and Dong Shouyi lodged a request to hold the 15th Olympic Games in 1952. The action created a big stir in China.

Since the reforms and opening-up, China's overall national strength has increased substantially and the population quality has also been greatly improved. China has held the Asian Games, the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled and other large-scale international sports competitions. China has accumulated lots of experience. Now it is time for China to host the Olympic Games. With the concern and support of the Chinese Party and leaders, Beijing bid for the 2000 Olympic Games in 1991. However, for some reasons and the obstructions from some countries, Sydney in Australia gained only more than two votes than China and won the bid finally. China lost the bid, but its participation made the world get a further understanding of China and also helped China to know the world better.

The first failure of the bid didn't reduce the Chinese people's eager of hosting the Games. In 1999, due to the reason of last failure and sufficient preparation this time, Chinese Olympic Games Committee agreed on Beijing's request of hosting the 2008 Olympic Games. The mayor of Beijing himself sent the application to the headquarters of the International Olympic Committee in Lausanne, Switzerland.

On July 13, 2001, in the 112th plenary meeting of International Olympic Committee, Beijing won the bid overwhelmingly and became the hosting country of the 2008 Olympic Games. The Olympic dream of thousands of millions of people came true at last.

[ Source : from chinaculture.org ]

National Wax Museum of China

2006-10-21T09:51:00.000+07:00

The National Wax Museum of China preserves the images of famous Chinese and foreign figures from the past and present to show one side of human civilization.A number of skilled sculptors and wax artists work for the museum recreating the likenesses in a historical and subjective manner of a wide variety of famous figures of the past and present.

The exhibits include figures from the ups and downs of the country and her people, such as far-sighted and wise politicians and military figures and revered thinkers and teachers of the past.There are also wax statues of the brightest from the People’s Republic in the field of science and technology alongside Chinese historians and literary giants whose masterpieces have had a great impact on later generations working in the fields of history and literature, plus champion athletes and film and television stars.Also represented in the museum are revolutionary pioneers who gave their lives for the Chinese nation for the cause of Liberation and ordinary citizens who unselfishly gave their lives in the line of duty.The statues bring the characters to life and enhance them due to the great skill of the artists.

The Chinese nation has been around for thousands of years and has produced large numbers of heroes and a civilization that has caught the attention of the world. The entire country has been unanimous in praising the government’s reform and opening up policy, which has scored many great achievements. The really great men are truly found in this age alone. The National Wax Museum of China is constantly working to expand and develop into a great, high-level wax museum.

[ Source : from nationalmuseum ]

National Festival of China 2006 (Republi of China)

2006-10-18T17:16:00.000+07:00

The inhabitants of Beijing and the tourists will be able to see during "the week out of gold" of the national Festival the Palate of Potala the railway line Qinghai-Tibet and the Stopping of the three throats. All that, without having to leave the Place Tian' anmen. To achieve this exploit, there did not need to have recourse to a miracle of technology. they are only counterparts of these three sites. Among colourful attractions, one will be able to also see a floor set of themes made up of hundreds of thousands of flowers out of pot and giant statues with the effigy of the 5 mascots of the OJ of 2008.

We tried to combine best techniques of gardening and topics of social topicality , explains Zhou Jianping, vice-director of the Office the Gardening and of the Forestry "This year,one added even more demonstrations.They were never attracting" is delighted it.

The counterpart on a scale of 1/25e of the Palate of Potala placed in front of the Large Palate of the people pays homage to the end of the construction of the Qinghai-Tibet line. A"train" covered with chinese crab apples crosses "the Qinghai-Tibet Plate" and arives at Lhassa Capital of the autonomous area of Tibet,west of China.

We like much these decorations of flowers here. It is one of the most beautiful gifts of birthday and Shanghai city tourit China for our large Republid a tourist of Shandong come especially to the capital with is family for the holidays national festival china 2006.

[ Source : from chine-informations.com ]

Yungang Grottoes Shanxi of China

2006-10-12T18:39:00.000+07:00

Datong, situated in the far north of Shanxi Province, covers a total area of 14,112.56 square kilometers, and averages at 700 to 1,400 meters in altitude. The city has a population of 2.848 million, about 60% of which is in rural areas. Datong has ethnic minority groups like Mongolian, Manchu, Tibetan, Hui, Miao, Korean, etc., and the Han people make up 99.6%.

Datong Yungang Grottoes Temple , with a long history and located at a strategic place, was once a capital of the country in ancient times, the capital city of two non-Han Chinese dynasties and a town of military importance in four dynasties. Datong Yungang Grottoes China enjoys convenient transportation and communications travel Temple, and boasts rich mineral resources and solid industrial foundation. It is now an energy and heavy chemical base in China, and is especially famous for coal production, which wins it the name of the capital of coal.

The finest of the city's marvelous natural sites is a magnificent series of Yungang Grottoes China travel built in the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), just west of the city. Yungang Grottoes, Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes and Luoyang Grottoes are called China's three major grottoes, which are of very high artistic value.

The most beautiful landscape in Datong is Hengshan, one of the five holy mountains of Taoism. At the foot of Hengshan Mountain, there is the almost unbelievable Midair Temple of China, which lies against cliffs and stays high up in the air, and is acclaimed as the peak of perfection.

[ Source : from chinaculture.org ]

The Lama Temple of Beijing

2006-10-10T14:34:00.000+07:00

In the northeast corner of the old city of Beijing lies a group of buildings with yellow roofs bounded by a red wall. It is the famous Yonghe Palace, or the Lama Temple of China travel Beijing city, covering an area of 66,400 square meters. This temple is listed as significant historical site protected by the national government.

This Lama temple of Beijing is different from other temples for its uniqueness, in terms of history and contents. It was built in 1694, and was the residence of the Manchu Prince Heze. In 1723, Heze succeeded to the throne as Emperor Yongzheng. In the third year (1725) of Yongzheng's reign, the site was turned into a royal residence, and thus, the green tiles were changed to yellow, for yellow was the imperial color. It was called Yonghe Gong (the Palace of Eternal Harmony). The emperor later converted the palace into a lamasery for monks from Mongolia and Tibet, for both Emperor Yongzheng and his son, Qianlong, were all believers of Lamaism. In 1744, during Emperor Qianlong's reign, it was officially declared a Lama temple of China Travel of Beijing Temple.

The Lama Temple of Beijing preserves over one thousand Buddhist figures and rich classical cultural relics of Buddhism. Besides, it displays a large number of other rare cultural relics, including its three treasures a 18-metre-high statue of Maitreya (the Smiling Buddha) carved out of a single sandalwood trunk the miniature "Mountain of Five Hundred arhats" made of gold, silver, copper, iron and tin; and a shrine made of Nanmu, a precious hardwood with golden veins.There were originally four halls for learning, namely, the Hall of Mathematics, the Hall of Explicating the Scriptures, the Hall of Tantra and the Medicine Hall, and lamas China travel of Beijing in state of temple studied in these halls with a term usually lasting more than 10 years. It took 30 years for lamas to study Buddhism from enrollment to graduation.

[ Source : from chinaculture.org ]

Gong Li to Play in Television Show Miami Vice

2006-10-07T14:14:00.000+07:00

Gong Li, a Chinese mainland superstar China actress, was given the OK by Oscar winner Jamie Foxx, to play a major role in a movie version of the classic 1980s television show Miami Vice.Following his best actor Oscar for his portrayal of legendary singer Ray Charles in Ray at last month's Academy Awards, Foxx's new status has earned him the right to decide who stars alongside him - and he is more than happy to have Gong Li aboard.

Gong Li superstar of China starred in Raise the Red Lantern and plays a part in the film rendition of the novel Memoirs of a Geisha, which is currently in postproduction. While she was making Memoirs with Rob Marshall, she came to the attention of Miami Gong Li film Vice creator Michael Mann.Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell will star as ultra-cool undercover cops Ricardo Tubbs and Sonny Crockett in the film.

Foxx said Miami Vice would be a full-out dramatic film with action

Shooting will begin this summer, once Foxx has finished his work on Sam Mendes's movie Jarhead. Ciaran Hinds, currently playing Julius Caesar in the BBC/HBO drama Rome, which is being filmed in Rome, will play another of the Miami Vice detectives.

The Miami Vice TV series in the 1980s is largely remembered for its stylish detectives Sonny Crockett (Donn Johnson) and Ricardo Tubbs (Phillip Michael Thomas), its music and its distinct visuals, but beneath the veneer was a surprisingly dark cop show. The cocaine boom of the 1980s framed many stories about drugs and murder, with Crockett and Tubbs often having to resort to violence in the course of their work. Time magazine once called Miami Vice TV's hottest and hippest cop show.

[ Source : from china.org.cn ]

Halloween Style of China

2006-10-03T13:23:00.000+07:00

The month of October 2006 Halloween chinese has come and gone. To me it has always ment the coming and going of seasons. This is the month that warm turns to cold, green turns to gold, and all people celebrate, young or old. Halloween is a great holiday that I always look forward to. I've always made a point to celebrate this holiday and to teach children in whatever country I am in how much fun it can be. Who doesn't like getting candy, carving pumpkins, and dressing up Celebrating this holiday in China was a little bit different. I learned the absolute power, the incredible mass, and the invincible strength that the Chinese possess. I have seen people packed in train staions of china, I've seen streets full of families, but one thing I have never seen is the children of China in action.

I went into my class and tried Halloween china of ded not to rouse the kids too much. I was covered in makeup and dressed like a true vampire as soon as I entered the room the screams and laughter erupted. I watched as the children transformed into candy hungry monsters. The children's eyes all widened, their sugar craving stomachs began to growl. It seemed as if they all became possessed by an overactive, overexcited, super child. There was no turning back now, I closed the door and started the lesson.

Halloween Chinese Style

We were to calmly explain to the children what would happen during the break. On the hour the children were to coolly walk from door to door, knock politely, get their candy, and move on to the next classroom. They were to stay on their floor. No pushing, no shoving, no stomping or stealing. They were to return to their class ten minutes after being let out. To the point rules that are easy to understand. No matter how hard I tried to get their attention I could not break their stare from the clock. As each minute passed they became more and more restless. Whatever I was said to them was no important now, candy was coming, that’s all they cared about.

I nervously watched as the clock ticked one minute closer to break of China Halloween, there were only a few minutes remaining. I ran over the rules one more time and tried to keep them calm. They started to jump out of their seats. Determined to get as much candy as possible their drive was incredible. I tried to block the door. They all began shouting and pushing, they were all against me.

[ Source : From community.travelchinaguide.com ]

The Chinese Military Museum and Bronze Gui Museum

2006-09-28T19:15:00.000+07:00

The Chinese Military Museum is located in western Beijing just south of the beautiful Yuyuantan Park. The exhibits cover 5,000 years of Chinese Military history.The permanent exhibits include: Hall of the Northern Expedition and Agrarian War, Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Hall of the National Liberation Wars, Hall of Weapons, Hall of Ancient Wars, Hall of Modern Wars.

The museum also hosts special exhibitions on national defense, science and technology, and Chinese culture and arts.

An astonishing Gui (a round- mouthed food vessel with two or four loop handles) in Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC-771BC) is one of the spotlights of the relics. Its bronze material as well as its particular design catches people's eyes. The bottom pattern is composed of four creatures' face and was carved in extrusive lines. Twenty lines with a total of 198 Chinese characters of inscription under the texture describe the history of the march of Ban following Mao. This Gui was presented to Ban and Mao for their contribution in that battle.

The inscription is important material for the research on the history New Beijing Museum of the Western Zhou Dynasty.

[ Source : from regenttour.com ]

Beijing Lady Street Plaza

2006-09-25T11:07:00.000+07:00

The street adjacent to Laitai Flower Lady Street is known as Beijing Lady Street, and is the largest clothes market in Beijing lady street China. Its 1,100 stalls trade in clothes, shoes, headgear, and some 10,000 other commercial varieties.

Compared with other clothes wholesale Lady street Plaza markets in Beijing, Lady Street is ahead in fashion of China, and boasts a better shopping environment. Most of its goods are produced in travel Guangdong China, South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan. There are three blocks on the street, the bulk of attractions being concentrated in Block A, where there are all kinds of women's goods. On the first floor are clothing and other commodities, and on the second floor are cosmetics, underwear, headgear, wigs, shoes and hosiery.

Traditional-style clothes China have come back into favor in recent years, and Lady Street Beijing stocks some particularly unusual designs. In the boutique opposite the staircase on the first floor of Block A, female shoppers are captivated by dresses decorated with embroidered coiling dragons, the "fu" Chinese character (meaning happiness) in red, and gorgeous peonies, and there is an array of qipao gowns in traditional and updated styles. Among its wares is a pink shawl that is particularly eye-catching. Covered by thin layer of tulle, this embroidered silk shawl evokes an air of ethereal elegance. According to the sales assistant, traditional-style garments are most favored by customers in literary, arts, and drama circles, who most accurately interpret the traditionally refined and poised bearing of Chinese women. At the modest price of 200 to 300 yuan, such traditional garments are accessible to women of all ages and professions.

[ Source : from chinatoday.com.c ]

Jiuzhaigou Valley, the Paradise China

2006-09-22T13:58:00.000+07:00

Jiuzhaigou Valley which means “Valley of Nine Villages” , which is the hometown of nine Tibetan villages; is located in Nanping County in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture about 450 Km north of Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province in south of China Mainland.

Jiuzhaigou is well-known in its many multi-level waterfalls and colorful lakes. This place is full of more than 100 beauteous lakes and what makes the lakes in Jiuzhaigou area differ from other lakes is a high concentration of calcium carbonate so that the lakes and embankments are all covered with crystals.

The water in the lake is so clear that you can see the bottom despite depths of several meters.

The main essence of Jiuzhaigou is water and there are all kinds of waters such as small ponds, calm lakes, rushing streams or magnificent waterfalls. Jiuzhaigou’s core of the scenery is waterfalls which were situated between lakes on different level with water flowing down to the cliffs covered with trees.

Location and Climate of Jiuzhaigou

The location of Jiuzhaigou is secluded from outside, the geography of Jiuzhaigou is mountainous which belongs to a carbonate barrier lake landform, high mountains and deep valleys also can be found there. Jiuzhaigou covers a vast area of 60,000 hectares with the scenic area over than 80 Kilometers long.

The main obstacle for traveling to Jiuzhaigou is the dreadful roads from Chengdu, the capital city of Sichuan province, China that leads to the Valley. The buses have to journey along the winding roads and that’s still ok unless include frequent landslides that may send the big rocks flying onto the rocks and if unluckily enough on to the buses and below the roads, there is the rushing Minjiang River. The drivers have to familiar with the route otherwise it’s going to be the horrible trip.

The climate in Jiuzhaigou is cool temperature, humidity and cold on the high mountain slopes and dry and cool in the valleys.

Average Temperature in summer is from 19 degrees Celsius to 22 degrees Celsius; in fall season is from 7 degrees Celsius to 18 degrees Celsius; spring season is from 9 degrees Celsius to 18 degrees Celsius and for winter is under zero. The average annual temperature is 7.2 degrees Celsius.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Jiuzhaigou was first found accidentally by woodcutters in the 1900s then became a nation nature reserve in 1978. In 1982 it became a part of the first batch of scenic areas under special nation protection and the best new scenic area in 1990. In 1992 UNESCO world heritage declared Jiuzhaigou as the world natural heritage list.

Legend

As China is the country of legends, Jiuzhaigou also the same as other places in China that has so many legend and what I would like to present here is the one I heard about…

Once upon a time, a warlike philosopher grounded a charming mirror with the wind and cloud the present it to his beloved who is Goddess Wunosemo. Unfortunately the monster meddled and the Goddess dropped the shatter broken mirror into the human world so that its became the numerous lakes in Jiuzhaigou nowadays.

Shanghai Food China

2006-09-20T11:09:00.000+07:00

Shanghai Food school of cuisine" is one of the most famous Chinese cuisine's school of China, Shanghai's school of cuisine consists of 6 parts which are Shanghai school of local flavor south of Yangtze River, Shanghai school of Beijing, Sichuan, Guangdong flavor, Shanghai school of Western - Style meal and Gongdelin vegetarian dish.

These dishes keep the cream of the former school cuisines while embodying differences comparing to the local dishes with rich Shanghai local flavor.

Shanghai food is famous for cooking of freshwater food, seafood, poultry and beasts, and vegetables in season. The cooking techniques of Shanghai food Chian is the proportion of dishes by braising, simmering and stewing which need long time heating is reduced gradually while quick-frying, stir-frying and quick-boiling which need shorter time are widely used. The traditional braising in soy sauce and straming in clear soup are another gimmicks.

Shanghai Food's Taste

Shanghai food's China taste is mainly light while stress on characters, there are spicy, sour, strong and many kinds of mixed flavors, but the taste is still gentle and the material is clear.

Famous Shanghai Dishes

* Black Sea Cucumber with Shrimps Roe
* Fried Crab Ovum
* Covered Three Shreds of Mushrooms
* Bamboo Shoots and turnips
* Braised Black Carp's Hind Parts
* Stir Fried Bamboo Shoots
* Guifei (Imperial Concubine) Chicken
* Pine Nut Kernel and Mandarin Fish Granules
* Saute Eggplant in Soy Sauce
* Smoked Pomfet and Fried Vegetable "Crab Meat", ETC.

Source : shanghaifinance.com

Xian, Western Peace of Shaanxi Province, China

2006-09-18T11:55:00.000+07:00

Terracotta Warriors and Horses

In the ancient time Xian was called Chang’an which means “Perpetual Peace”; it was the capital city of 13 Chinese Dynasties with in 3,100 years; Xian meaning “Western Peace” was one of the four major ancient civilization capitals. Xian is one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of China.

Xian Capital City of Shaanxi Province is located in the central part of China, in the southern part of the Guang Zhong Plain. Qinling Mountains span from the north to the South Xian and the Weihe River is in the south of the city. The location of Xian is favorable surrounded by water and hills.

The Best Travel Time to Xian

Spring and autumn are ideal travel seasons in Xian, and the best time to travel are May, August, September, and October. A lot of indoor tourist attractions such as the Museum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Warriors and Horses, Stele Forest, Shaanxi History Museum and the Great Mosque also welcome tourists in summer and winter.

The Museum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Warriors and Horses

The Museum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Warriors and Horses and Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang are the must see attractive places of Xian, These places are key historical monuments under the AAAA scenic areas. They have been included in the list of the World Cultural Heritages by the UNESCO.

The Terracotta Warriors and Horses in Xian were excavated in 1974, and the museum was built at the site in 1979 and it has made the city famous and Xian is best known for the Chinese Terracotta Army.

The museum has 3 pits of Terracotta Warriors and Horses, forming a huge region. The 3 pits forms are in the form of a Chinese character with a total area of 22,780 square meters. More than 7,400 life-size warriors and horses, and over 130 chariots were excavated.

Pit 1 covers 14.260 sq. meters and contains more than 6,000 terracotta warriors and horses, arranged in orderly military formations. In front of the army, 3 rows of 70 warriors each make up the vanguard, which is followed by the main body of the army, 38 rows of troops.

There are also flank columns and rearguards. The array breathes the power of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s army.

Pit 2 covers 6,000 sq. meters with the large military formation of chariots, cavalrymen, archers and foot soldiers and contains 4 independent units, with more than 1,300 terracotta warriors and horses, over 80 chariots and a large number of metal of metal weapons.

Pit 3 is in the shape of "(ao)" covers 520 sq. meters and contains 68 pottery warriors, 4 horses and 1 chariot. Pit 3 forms an organic whole with the other 2 pits.

Chinese Terracotta Warriors and Horses

All the Terracotta Warriors and Horses are meticulously made, tall and strong. According to the legend, all of them were sculptured according the real imperial troops that protected the imperial palace of the Qin Dynasty.

The Warriors are well modeled and proportioned, and each has different features and facial expression. Uniformly strong and firm in appearance, they vary in individual aspects according to age, experience and social status. Some are generals, some are officers and the others are soldiers.

The shortest is 1.78 meters, and the highest is 1.97 meters; and the lightest is 110 kilograms, and the heaviest is 300 kilograms. The heads and hands were modeled separately and then attached and painted, showing high workmanship.

Summer of Yalujiang River in China

2006-09-15T11:13:00.000+07:00

The Yalujiang River extends along the western boundary between China and North Korea, and flows from a temperate deciduous forest source through extensive agricultural areas.

It discharges into the Yalujiang River estuary on the north-east Yellow Sea coast. The Yalujiang River estuary comprises in China a main channel and a secondary channel, the latter being silted and with little water flow.

The estuary is generally well-mixed as a result of a semi-diurnal tide , with strong tidal currents , which may affect the river waters up to 40 km inland. A turbidity maximum may extend up to 10 km in the upper estuary and total suspended load in the estuary can be high. The estuary is shallow. The budgeted area described here is for the main channel and estuary and includes 170 km2 water surface area with an estimated average depth of 6m.

The Yalujiang River china

long-term averaged discharge rate is about 1,200 m. The sediment load is relatively low and concentrations of suspended matter are also often low. Compared with most Chinese rivers, phosphate in the Yalujiang River is relatively low but nitrate is very high.

The river receives input from cultivated land and from urban sewage/industrial wastes, especially in its lower reaches – up to 900m M NO3 concentration has been measure. In the dry season, the river nutrient profile is relatively stable reflecting groundwater and tributary inputs in the upper reaches of the river and urban/industrial waste loading from the lower reaches. Heavy summer rainfall and resultant flood flow probably results in strong leaching of nutrients from agricultural lands.

The physics and chemistry of the estuarine system have been studied by oceanographic cruises particularly in the 1990’s and the loads and inputs to the estuary have generally described by Zhang (1996), Zhang et al. (1997) and Zhang et al. (1998).

The area along Yalujiang River china has entered early Autumn. The scenery along the river turns stunningly beautiful.

Where to Eat in Tibet?

2006-09-13T10:38:00.000+07:00

Tibet has unique food and drink due to its highland climate, religious beliefs and distinctive ethnic customs. Famous traditional food includes butter tea and fried flour. Tibetans eat a lot of beef and mutton but avoid dog and donkey meat.

Butter tea is the most common drink in Tibet and made by mixing brick tea, butter and salt together.

Fried flour is made out of barley flour and eaten together with butter and sugar. Tibetans often bring barley flour with them in small leather bags when they leave home to do business. From barley flour Tibetans also make barley beer, which tastes a bit sour and is a favorite drink in Tibet.

In Tibet, tourists have access to Tibetan cuisine, Sichuan cuisine and western style dishes as well as Nepalese and Indian food in some hotel restaurants. It's worth noting that Sichuan dishes in Tibet are more expensive than in other parts of China.

Dine in Lhasa

Most of the restaurants in Lhasa cluster around the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street, the center of Lhasa City. Here are some of them : Crazy Yak Saloon Has unique Tibetan decor and furnishings as well as highly acclaimed Tibetan food, especially yak meat. Another highlight is the Tibetan song and dance show from 7:30pm to 8:30pm every evening. Location: next to Kirey Hotel, No.101 Beijing East Road China.

Xue Shen Gong Restaurant (Snow-Deity Palace Tibetan Style Restaurant One of the only slap-up Tibetan food restaurants in Lhasa serving authentic Tibetan food such as mashed yak meat, yak blood sausage, Tibetan momos and yogurt are on offer. Location: west of the Potala Palace Plaza China.

Snowland Restaurant : Serves a range of western food, Tibetan food and Nepalese food at affordable prices. Location: No.4 Tibetan Hospital China Road

source : (chinadaily.com)

Shanghai Huanglpu Tourist Festival in China

2006-09-11T12:35:00.000+07:00

Time : September 21-27
Venue: Shanghai

What's On Performances on large decorated floats, open-air concerts, Chinese-foreign tea culture exchanges, symposiums on internaitonal tourism and displays of the art and culture of the Red Mansions.

Tours include Being a Shanghai in China Citizen for One Day, Discovering the Essence of Shanghai, China a Night Cruise over the Huangpu River. There are shopping centers and a world of delicious food.

Source : chinaplanner.com

Yang Concubine, One of the Four Beauties of China

2006-09-07T11:25:00.000+07:00

Image of The Emperor Tang Xuanzong and Yang Gui FeiYang Gui Fei is one of the most beautiful ladies of ancient China but she got the most unfortunate compare to those three left.

Yang Gui Fei or Yang Concubine was named Yang Yuhuan, she was a daughter of a nobleman in the little village by her 16 years old, her father sent her into the palace to be a wife of the sixteenth years old 18th prince.

After she got into the palace, her beautiful appearance was well-known after the Emperor Tang Xuanzong heard that he wanted to see this girl so that he went to his son’s palace; once Xuangzong saw Yang Yuhuan he suddenly fell in love with her and accommodated her into his palace. In that time Xuanzong was 56 years old and Yang was 22 years old

Yang Concubine’s character

Yang Gui Fei ImageYang was not only beautiful but also very clever, learned fast and talented in music and dancing, the sound of music of Yang brought Xuanzong into day-dream.

One day Xuanzong took Yang to see the beautiful white lotus, and said, "The lotus is beautiful without spirit, it cannot be compared with my concubine. My concubine is the best flower in the world."

After several years she became ennobled high-ranked imperial concubine and ranked with the Empress the she was named as Yang Gui Fei.

The smile of Yang Gui Fei was enough to enchant and enrapture the Emperor. Xuanzong loved her more than anything in the world; he even built her a natural warm spring pool which she could take a bath at spring time.

The First Class Concubine’s power

After Yang Yuhuan, a normal ordinary girl from little village became the first class concubine Yang Gui Fei; gradually her family’s member gained the high position in the government the finally Yang’s family gained enormous power in the Tang Court. Yang Guo Zhong who was Yang Gui Fei’s eldest brother became the Prime Minister but he was very corrupt.

At the time people in Tang Dynasty preferred to have a daughter than son because of Yang family who got the glory and wealth form Yang Gui Fei so that people hope their daughter could follow her footsteps to be the favorite concubine of the Emperor.

The End of the Prosperity

After several years that Yang Guo Zhong governed the Tang’s land as a prime minister, people got suffer from his corruption and lived very poor and difficult. Image of Yang ConcubineAn Lu Shan who was the non Han Chinese commander-in-chief and governor of Fan Yang had come to visit Chang An the Capital and found out that the Prime Minister so that he wanted to report to the Emperor but not success by this situation he had made a formidable enemy then Yang Guo Zhong also knew about this and vowed to destroy him.

The Rebellion

Yang Guo Zhong sent troops to ransack An Lu Shan’s house and also killed An Lu Shan’s friend that enraged An Lu Shan so that he wanted to retaliate without no others mission.

An Lu Shan leaded 170,000 troops marched to the Chang An the Capital to make a war against Yang Guo Zhong. An Lu Shan’s troop were unstoppable, they crossed the Yellow River, overran Luo Yang and went straight to Chang An in china.

The people and also the government of Tang were in panic since the Emperor ordered a mass evacuation then not so long, An Lu Shan occupied the capital and demolished it to the ground.

The Execution

The procession of the Emperor went southwest towards Cheng Du with the thousands of the residents from the capital and after arrived Ma Wei Yi which is about 100 kilometers from the Capital the mass of people stopped and refused to go and protect the Emperor.

People demanded the death of Yang Gui Fei and Yang Guo Zhong since they were the cause of this destruction. Xuanzong had no alternative under such extreme circumstances so that he issued an order the have them executed.

The Prime Minister was carried out for the execution instantly and for Yang Gui Fei was to be executed by hanging from the tree in a nearby hill. At the time Yang Gui Fei cried and begged for life, Xuanzong had powerless to help her but hung his head and buried his face in his dragon robes.

After Yang Gui Fei kicked her bucket and died finally, the crowd were quiet. Yang Gui Fei’s jewelry was scattered all over but nobody picked them up.
The Emperor’s life after the death of his love’s one
The death of Yang Gui Fei brought out the spirit of Xuanzong also, he lost his vitality to continue as Emperor so that he abdicated the throne to his third son, Li Heng who became Emperor Su Zong.

After the rebellion were crushed, Tang Court moved back to Chang An and on the way back to the Capital at the spot where Yang Gui Fei died Xuanzong stopped and he tried to find the place that she was buried but couldn’t.

At the times Xuangzong could not bear to look at the full moon as it reminded him to think of Yang Gui Fei. Xuanzong recited the secret the phrases which nobody knew but him and her.

"Up above the sky we wish we were a pair of birds
On earth we wish we were the two branches of a tree."

At Chang An the capital, the natural warm spring pool was still there and also the flowers and trees but no more Yang Gui Fei. Xuanzong lost his will to live, he lived with grieve only hope he had in that time was to see Yang Gui Fei in his dreams every night. He ordered the soothsayer to search for her spirit but never appear, not even just once…

Olympic Star Panda Celebrates 1st Birthday

2006-09-05T13:26:00.000+07:00

Jing Jing, in China a giant panda chosen as one of the Olympic mascots, chews bamboo behind her birthday cake made by ice during her first birthday party at the Chengdu, China Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in west China's Sichuan province August 30, 2006. Hundreds of tourists from home and abroad gathered here to celebrate her birthday.

Source : (chinanews.cn)

Shopping - Wang Fu Jing in China

2006-09-01T10:25:00.000+07:00

Wangfujing street China and its surroundings have quite a selection of shopping options.

There are two western style, modern malls in China. One has an English name written on it saying "Sun Dong An", which is confusing because its Chinese name is "Xin Dong An". This one is the older of the two, situated on the center crossroads of Wangfujing street, China 12 minutes walk north of the subway station.

It has 6 floors of shops and some pretty glass elevators. Here you can find fashion stores, souvenirs, cafes and restaurants, a cinema and a built-in large department store with some reasonably priced high-quality electronics.

The second of the two malls is near the subway and is called Oriental Plaza. This is a huge complex and one of the biggest malls in Asia. It has only 2 floors, but it stretches for a few city blocks. It is so big there are subway stations more or less at each end. It takes about 15 minutes to walk the length, if you are a quick walker.

Oriental Plaza has many fashion stores, a lot of cafes and restaurants, a cinema, an Apple Computer center, VW Audi car showroom, Sony science exhibition center, banks and lots more.

Apart from the malls there are many large, tradional department stores, souvenir stores, and a side street with tradional Chinese food stalls.

Wangfujing is not merely a shopping street but a whole experience. There are often large exhibitions and festivals held on the street. Check out our Tourist Trail - Wangfujing section for more details about why people come to the street and some more pictures.

Near Oriental Plaza there is one of the largest book stores in Beijing, China the Wangfujing Book Store. This is 6 floors of books, mainly Chinese but has a large selection of Chinese literature translated into English. You can also find books for studying the Chinese language and some maps and guide books in English. Credit cards are accepted in the book store and many of the larger stores in both malls.

Wangfujing is located pretty much in the center of Beijing in China and is not too far from Tiananmen Square. You can get there by subway. The Wangfujing station (118) on Line 1 has an exit which takes you directly into Oriental Plaza. The other option is to go by taxi. The south end has a large taxi rank, opposite the Beijing Hotel in China. The rank is the only place where taxis are allowed to drop off or pickup, so don't try stopping one anywhere else when you leave. The Chinese name for Wangfujing is written below. Print and hand to your taxi driver.

Legend of China Square - Tiananmen Square Beijing

2006-08-29T10:00:00.000+07:00

When you think about China most people will surely think of Beijing which is capital city of China. The important attraction then in Beijing of course, theTiananmen Square Beijing. Let's explore Tiananmen Square Beijing.

About Tiananmen Square : Famous, Important Square of China

Tiananmen Square is huge open space surrounded on all sides by imposing official buildings. Apart from being a popular gathering place for tourists and kite flyers, it is still often used for any big celebration and for the government leaders to address the people.

You can visit Tiananmen Square Beijing freely until 10.30pm at night. If you go during the day you can often buy a ticket to go up to the balcony from which the leaders address the people.

This gives a very impressive view of the square and you can pretend to be the government figure of your choice.

Getting to Tiananmen Square Beijing is best done by subway or walking as taxis are not really allowed to stop anywhere near it.

Just find the Beijing Hotel on Changan Avenue, walk past it and keep going west on Changan Avenue. You can find many hotels if you travel here.

The Chinese name of Tiananmen Square is written below. You can use it to ask people directions or follow signs: 天安门

Source by : beijingtraveltips.com

Chinese movies and Hollywood in the 1980s-1990s

2006-08-23T18:42:00.000+07:00

This was the golden era in China but also the most commercially exploited era of Chinese movie making.

There was a flood of Chinese movies ranging from martial arts, to love stories, to slapstick comedies, to Hollywood copycats as investors and movie makers seek the golden target from a finicky Chinese audience.

There were some commercial success but most movie ventures lost money.

Breaking the trend of Chinese movie flops was Jacky Chan, a up and coming martial art actor who laced his kung-fu movies with a hugh dose of humor and sometimes slapstick.

His movies became best sellers across not only in China or Hong Kong but Asia.

Around the same period, Tsui Hark, another great Hong Kong director, directed and produced a few blockblusters around the legends of an early Kung Fu master, Wong Fei Hong.

He also brought to fame Jet Li, a top martial arts champion from China, who was the key actor for many of his movies.

These led to a revival of martial arts movies, which had went into a downtrend ever since the death of Bruce Lee in 1973.

Not only were Chinese martial arts movies a great showcase for Chinese kung Fu, many of them had gripping storyline, great acting, strong production and strong social themes.

And the same time, up and coming talented directors and actors were coming out from mainland China as commercial film takes on a viability in China.

Taiwan film makers were also introducing good directors and actors or directors.

Not only did many of these Chinese movies took Chinese speaking society by storm, they also took Asia and eventually the rest of the world by storm. Chinese movie making talent had arrived on the world stage.

Info:chinese-culture.net

What’s Mummy“Mummy” - Mummy in China

2006-08-17T09:52:00.000+07:00

What’s Mummy“Mummy” when anyone hears this word, they will mostly think about Egypt but how many people know that China had the best preserved bodies in the world…

Mummy is the corpse of death people which preserved by the special chemicals that is keep the corpse dry and cold so that the corpse will not decay. Normally the mummy were embalmed by the by unusual natural condition in order to keep the corpse but for the reason have to specify where the mummy was found because it depends on different culture in different part of the world.

One thing that is still suspicious until now is why the development of each culture in different parts of the world grew in the same way as in Egypt and China; these two countries had the similar culture to preserve the corpses as the mummies despite the territories of China and Egypt are very far away and no communication in that time.

Lady Dai, Chinese MummyThe left image is the image of the reconstructed statue of a youthful Lady Dai from the Ancient Han Dynasty and the right image is the resontructed image of Lady Dai at aged about 50 years old.

Lady Dai was a noble woman from the Western Han Dynasty which ruled 2,100 years ago; is now housed in the state-of-the-art Hunan Museum in Changsha, Hunan province in the Central of China.

The corpse is so well preserved that can be autopsied by pathologists and the cadaver is look like recently deceased human being.

A lot of visitors come to visit her everyday with the wondering how the ancient morticians embalmed her and what materials did they use?

Diva Mummy, Lady DaiChina became a source of fascination for scientist from around the world because of the rich culture and numerous mysteries and treasures buried deep under the land and the sea. “Diva Mummy”, Lady Dai is the top attractive which invites the visitors for coming to see the great mysteries of archaeology.

The Mummy of Lady Dai is the mummy of all mummies; her corpse was the most well-preserved which may be remains for eternity…

Inside the Tomb More than 1,000 perfectly preserved artifacts which claimed to be the most perfectly preserved corpse ever found were found inside the tomb.

This tomb is belonged to the wife of the ruler of the Han imperial fiefdom of Dai, Xin or Lady Dai died between 178 and 145 BC at the age about 50 years old.

The objects inside the tomb revealed that Lady Dai was a wealth and important woman who enjoyed the good things in her life.

As the belief of Chinese about the next life there were not only a lot of the exquisite lacquer dinnerware but also the exotic foods and the fine fabrics that would followed her to immortality also well-preserved state of her remains.

Different of Dragons - Chinese Dragon and Others

2006-08-10T17:36:00.000+07:00

Chinese dragons have five toes. The Chinese believe that all eastern dragons originated from China. They believed that when the dragons flew away, they began to lose toes.

The farther and farther the dragons flew, the more toes they lost. So, Korean dragons have four toes, and Japanese dragons have three.1

Japanese dragons have three toes. The Japanese believe that all eastern dragons originated from Japan. They also believed that when the dragons began to leave Japan, they gain toes. The farther the dragons went, the more toes they gained.

This is why the other dragons have more toes. The breath of Japanese dragons turned into clouds, which could produce rain or fire. Due to a measure upon their heads, they could ascend to Heaven when they chose.2

Korean dragons have four toes. The Koreans believe that all eastern dragons originated from Korea. When the dragons leave Korea and go toward China, they gain toes. When the dragons leave Korea and go toward Japan, they lose toes.

Info:blackdrago.com

Drinking Tea in Chinese Style - Chinese Tea Ceremony

2006-08-04T18:05:00.000+07:00

The art of drinking and serving tea plays a major cultural role in China. It inspires poetry and songs. Mutual love of tea cements lifelong friendships.

For centuries, the ritual of preparing and serving tea has held a special place in the hearts and minds of Chinese aristocracy, court officials, intellectuals and poets.

The Chinese tea ceremony emphasizes the tea, rather than the ceremony -- what the tea tastes like, smells like, and how one tea tastes compared to the previous tea, or in successive rounds of drinking.

Ceremony doesn't mean that each server will perform the ritual the same way; it is not related to religion. Each step is meant to be a sensory exploration and appreciation.

Most teas used in the Chinese tea ceremony are grown in the mountains of Taiwan at around 4,000 feet. These teas are particularly refined, such as oolong teas which are lightly fermented and red teas that can be moderately to heavily fermented.

This style of tea-drinking uses small cups to match the small, unglazed clay teapots; each cup is just large enough to hold about two small swallows of tea. These tiny cups are particularly popular in Fujian and Chiujao, in southern coastal China above Canton. In Shanghai and Beijing they use large cups.

To Brew Tea Chinese-style Chinese Tea Ware.

After heating water to boiling, the teapot first is rinsed with hot water. Using chopsticks or a bamboo tea scoop, fill teapot approximately 1/3 full with tea leaves and then pour boiling water into the pot.

Hold the teapot over a large bowl, letting the overflow run into the bowl.

Give the tea leaves a rinse by filling the pot half full with hot water, then draining the water out immediately, leaving only the soaked tea leaves.

Now fill the pot to the top with more hot water, cover and pour additional water over the teapot resting in the tea bowl. Do not allow bubbles to form in the pot.

When mixed with the tea, bubbles form a foam that is not aesthetically pleasing. Be sure to not let the tea steep too long; the first infusion should be steeped for only 30 seconds.

In less than a minute, pour the tea into the cups by moving the teapot around in a continual motion over the cups so that they are filled together. Each cup should taste exactly the same.

After steeping, the tea can be poured into a second teapot or tea pitcher to be served at leisure. More water can be added to the teapot, and up to five infusions typically can be made from the same tea leaves. Be sure to add 10 more seconds for the second brewing and 15 additional seconds thereafter.

Each pot of tea serves three to four rounds and up to five or six, depending on the tea and the server. The goal is that each round taste the same as the first. Creating consistent flavor is where the mastery of the server is seen.

Importance of Water

The water used in the tea ceremony is as important as the tea itself. Chlorine and fluoride in tap water should be filtered out as they harm the flavor of the tea. Distilled water makes flat tea and should be avoided.

High mineral content in the water brings out the richness and sweetness of green tea. Black teas taste better when made with water containing less Volvic.

Ideal tea water should have an alkaline pH around 7.9.
Green teas are ruined by boiling water; the temperature is best around 170-185 degrees F.

Oolongs made with underboiled water are more fragrant, which enhances the tea-drinking experience.

Info:holymtn.com

Architecture of Lama Temple - Beijing - China

2006-08-02T13:57:00.000+07:00

The dimensions of the Lama Temple Beijing are magnificent, which have five courtyards in a row.

The front structural layout in the temple is bright and spacious dotted with screen walls with carved murals, lifeless things and decorated archways.

Each hall in Lama Temple Beijing has a Buddha. In the fifth hall the Buddha is seventy five feet high and was carved from one piece of Tibetan sandalwood.

Because the structure once served as an imperial palace, the layout of the temple is quite different from other temples.

The main gate at Lama Temple Beijing faces south, and on its 480-meter-long north-south axis are five main halls and annexs connected by courtyards.

They include a glaze-tiled arch, Gate of Peace Declaration (Zhaotaimen), Palace of the Heavenly King (Tianwangdian), which was formerly the entrance to Yongzheng's imperial palace.

Hall of Harmony and Peace (Yonghegong). The Hall of Eternal Blessing (Yongyoudian), the Hall of the Wheel of the Law (Falundian) and Pavilion of Eternal Happiness (Wanfuge).

Lama Temple Beijing: 12 Yonghegong Dajie, Beijxinqiao, Dongcheng District Beijing, China

Info: beijingservice.com

Chilling Shopping in Panjiayuan Weekend Market in Beijing, China

2006-07-27T11:43:00.000+07:00

What you can shop here in Panjiayuan Weekend Market in Beijing?

Stone cups and bowls with silver laid around them are beautiful. Nor are they as expensive as they look so bargain hard.
Teapots in all shapes and sizes. You should be able to get a nice box too if you buy one. Most fragile items come with a box or case.
For those who love their Kung Fu Bruce Lee movies or are Lord of the Rings fans - swords and axes. Just don't try to carry them on the plane.
Stone statues and buddhas in the back of a truck ready for a road trip.

There are rows of Chinese paintings and scroll paintings. Some scroll paintings are in pairs or sets. They should come with nice boxes for safe travels. Realise these are generally handmade but mass produced and should not be too expensive

A poster of Mao leading the proletariat - lots of posters, calligraphy and Chinese books for sale.
Chairman Mao is a favorite. There is a shop entirely dedicated to him and his wares.

The Panjiayuan Weekend Market is a super shopping market for all Chinese arts and crafts. It is made up of over three thousand individual stalls covering 48,500 square metres.

There really is something for everyone here. Even Hilary Clinton has shopped at Panjiayuan Weekend Market Beijing, China.

There is a little overlap between stalls so you can compare and bargain but the range of goods is excellent. Stall owners come from twenty-four provinces around China to sell their wares.

Panjiayuan Weekend Market is at its best on weekends. The Antique Zone is open every day and the Arts and Crafts Warehouse Zone is open on Saturday and Sunday only.

Source: thebeijingguide.com

Cooler Yourself Through Eating in China

2006-07-24T17:57:00.000+07:00

There are many ways to counter the summer heat. One of these ways, surprisingly, is eating! A vegetarian meal not only helps diners escape the worries of gaining weight, but helps to regain a peaceful heart previously strained by summer heat.

A vegan diet is beneficial to health in many aspects. Studies have shown that vegetarians (following a well-balanced low-fat high-fiber vegetarian diet) often have lower incidence of coronary artery disease, hypertension, obesity and some forms of cancer.

Besides, fruit consumption always has protective effect. Adequate intake of vitamins prevents wrinkled skin and promotes overall health.

Here we have a list of vegetarian eateries in Beijing and Shanghai, hoping to help you achieve a cooler summer by eating.

Jingsi Sushifang

Jingsi Sushifang improvises on traditional Buddhist dishes. Famous dishes include Puduzhongsheng (save all living creatures on earth) made from various mushrooms, Fokousanxiang (fragrance radiating Buddha mouth) pine nut braised together with fragrant mushrooms, Zaisujinshen (reincarnated golden body), fried bean curd rolls with vegetarian hams, fragrant mushrooms and bamboo shoot slices as stuffing.

Jingsi Sushifang is also famous for its various tea drinks.

Hetang Yuese (lotus pond moon view)

Hetang Yuese features an eclectic variety of vegetarian dishes, based on temple dishes improved by integrating a folk vegetarian diet, a royal vegetarian diet and a foreign vegetarian diet.

As its name indicates, Hetang Yuese is a poetic dining place. Tableware is not of regular shape or color. Signature dishes include "Huangying Cuiliu" (yellow birds green willows) made out of baby cabbages and yellow pumpkin interspersed with mushrooms and "Picasso Sunshine" made with mushrooms and cauliflower.

New Age Veggie

Rising against the current vegetarian trend, New Age Veggie advocates creative vegetarian dishes. Recommended dishes include Heijiao Niuliu (black pepper beef slices), a tender dish arguably better than real steaks, and Yanjianrou (salt fried meat) made out of soybeans yet looking exactly like steak meat.

New Age Veggie also offers hot dishes as well as various desserts and ices. The lemon lotus root slices are recommended, although they may not appear too pleasing.

However, dishes are served in small quantities and the price is a little bit on the higher end.

Jujube Tree

Zaozishu is famous for its affordable vegetarian dishes catering to ordinary citizens. Simple decoration radiates an easygoing ambiance.

Fruits are served as appetizers. Recommended dishes are "Changxiangsi" (forever missing you) tasting something like sausage and "Wucaiboliqiu" (colorfull glass balls, RMB 32) featuring a beautiful appearance and a pleasing flavor.

Many foreign vegetarian recipes have come into China. Zaozishu also offers rather worthwhile business lunch at RMB 18. All dishes are served in large quantities.

Tianran Jiankang Shushi (natural healthy vegetarian dishes)

Recommended dishes include "Shengcai Shula" (RMB 32), green vegetable rolls with fake pork grains, beef grains, carrots and peanuts as stuffing and "Supin Nanguazhong" (crispy husk pumpkin cup, RMB 10), thick corn soup.

Freshly pressed fruit juices are served with labels indicating their health benefits in simple words, such as tomato juice labelled as "detoxifying and improving the digestive system".

Menus are presented in three languages: Chinese, English and Japanese.

Original Info:chinadaily.com.cn

Shopping in Shenzhen - Great Time Ever!

2006-07-18T10:06:00.000+07:00

The economies in Shenzhen are very blooms in these recent years. You may see a lot foreigner in shopping centers such as Luohu; so many foreigners can speak Chinese very well while they were negotiating the price with venders.

Actually food in China is very cheap but not in Shenzhen; foods are quite expensive, Shenzhen in China is the city that got highest standard cost – living in China.

There’re so many tour group come to Shenzhen just for shopping so I would like to recommend the shopping places below.

The Luohu Plaza – Shopping Place

Luohu Plaza in China is a place that every tourists must visit every products you want, you can find here with negotiable price but also have to be careful.

All the price that the venders tell you they already multiply by 5 or 6 times so negotiation is necessary and you have to check everything well before you leave the store because the venders may replace your bought products by other things.

There’s so many Thai tourists from Thailand often come to visit Luohu you can easily see because a lot of vender there can speak Thai.

Dongmen Lu – Famous Shopping Street

Dongmen Lu takes only two underground stations from Luohu, this is a very famous street with so many shops you may spend 2 or 3 days to visit every part of this street.

Almost the goods in this street are fashion products such as clothes, shoes, bags, ETC.

The important thing is be careful of your bag and other valuable things, there’s a lot of pickpocket.

Enjoy shopping in Shenzhen, China

Romance in Beijing

2006-07-13T17:11:00.000+07:00

To hunt for marriage partners, single white collars in Beijing have begun to change their focus from at a range of the whole city to smaller units-their own work places.

"We work from morning to evening. We have no chance to meet other boys/girls except our colleagues.

We don't want to be single, but there is no chance for us to change our situation," shrugged Li Yan, an office worker at Beijing Fenglian Plaza.

It is learned that finding a boyfriend or girlfriend has become a headache for many white collars.

Recently, Beijing Fenglian Plaza becomes a sea of lilies when a special matchmaking activity is in full swing.

Holding lilies, single office workers all from the same office building are organized together to seek their would-be boyfriend or girlfriend here, most of them being from well-known companies, such as Coca-cola and Dell.

Although they work in the same building every day, they don't know each other until now when the chance is presented for them.

They also get access to their internal websites or mobiles to get to know each other in the same office building.

Meanwhile, similar office romances are also staged at several other famous office buildings in Beijing, such as Shangdu International Center, Jianwei Building, and Jing'an Center.

It is learned that sponsored by a biggest matchmaking website in China, the activity will cover 50 thousand single white collars.

It is the first time in Beijing for educated single youths to look for their marriage partners on a large scale among office employees in the same office buildings sharing similar backgrounds and status.

Info:chinadaily.com.cn

Where to Escape in China in Summer?

2006-07-12T14:07:00.000+07:00

As the heat of the summer looms over most Chinese cities, a challenging task faces many city dwellers: keeping cool. Instead of pumping up the air conditioner and gaining weight from ice cream, why not follow citylife's escape maps?

Chengde: Hide in China's Largest Classic Imperial Garden

Close to Beijing, Chengde has China's largest classical imperial garden, Summer Retreat Hill and a group of eight temples called Waibamiao.

There are over 120 groups of ancient architectural structures hidden between blue mountains and green rivers, complemented bylakes and islands, forming an enchanting landscape.

Another famous scenic spot is the Wulingshan Forest Garden, with its precious plants and animals, as well as amazing natural scenery.

Local specialties include hawthorn, chestnut, nut, Rose Cake (royal snack) and Bazhen Imperial Wine (brewed following a secret recipe from the court).

Beidaihe, Hebei: a Natural Bathing Beach Close to Beijing

Nicknamed an international summer retreat during the Qing dynasty Beidaihe, surrounded by two mountains, has long been the first summer retreat choice of ancient Chinese rulers as well as current top officials.

There is a lot for visitors to do and see, including a lotus flower rock park, Kwan-yin Temple and a graveyard with impressive tombs. There are also many parks dedicated to literary celebrities.

Jiuzhaigou (nine villages valley), Sichuan: A Mystic Valley

As the name suggests, Jiuzhaigou has nine villages, full of Tibetan flavor and beautiful natural scenery. Over half of Jiuzhaigou is covered by virgin forest and the rest by lakes, waterfalls and snow-capped mountains.

Mobile phones are functional in the main scenic spots inside the valley and at the entrance to the valley there are several IC card phones. At Jiuzhaigou, visitors also have access to ATMs.

Shangri-La (meaning moon and sun in Tibetan, referring to an idyllic and beautiful place), Yunan: Dream City

Ever since its mention in British writer James Hilton's Lost Horizon, Shangri-La has been a city of people's dreams.

The shining snow-capped mountain, boundless meadows, changing clouds and glittering smiles on the faces of local people seem to be the same as they were thousands of years ago.

Shangri-La's serenity and tranquility is hard to describe with words. The only way to truly know about it is to experience it in person.

Visitors can also experience local Tibetan celebrations such as horse races, the Gedong Festival and the Xianzi (a local instrument) Festival.

Spring and summer are the best seasons to visit Shangri-La.

Wutaishan (five platform mountain), Shanxi Province: Appreciate Buddhist Culture

Wutaishan is famous for its magnificent temples and history. In ancient china, it was often chosen as the preferred monastic training venue by emperors and aristocrats. In modern times, its doors are open to visitors from around the world.

Each of the five main peaks of Wutaishan boasts a beautiful and unique view and history.
Summer in Wutaishan is always rainy, so visitors better carry umbrellas or rain coats.

If they want to watch the sunrise on top of the Eastern platform, it is a good idea to bring a cotton coat to keep warm.

Qinghaihu (blue sea lake), Qinghai Province: Lake Water and Lama Culture

Qinghaihu has two main attractions: the fishing grounds and Bird Island. Qinghaihu is rich in huangyu, a kind of fish exclusive to Qinghaihu.

Frozen huangyu is available above RMB 40 per piece.

Bird Island is also known as the Kingdom of the Birds because every spring a great number of birds fly from India and Nepal to the island to breed then fly back with their new families when autumn arrives.

There is also a wealth of Lama temples in the area and visitors can participate in a variety of activities including yachting. All prices are negotiable here, so try your hand at bargaining.

Shennongjia, Hubei: Get to Labyrinth

Shennongjia has a well-preserved primitive forest that hides many modern-day mysteries, such as the Yeren (also known as the Abominable Snowman or Big Foot).

There is a constant stream of Yeren sightings, although none have been confirmed.

Shennongjia boasts another wonder, a unique white animal kingdom, where there are white vultures, white monkeys, white deer and white bears.

Changbaishan (forever white mountain), Jilin: Holy Mountain

Changbaishan is a volcano and boasts many unique, beautiful landscapes. On top of Changbaishan's main peak Baitoushan (white head mountain), there are many white fushi, (magma rocks) and snow throughout the year.

The most famous scenic spot is Tianshan Tianchi, a lake at the mouth of this volcano. The lake water is superbly clear and as blue as sapphire.

Changbaishan is also a natural museum for rare plants and animals, rich in ginseng, mink skin and deer (the three are sometimes referred to as the three treasures of Northeast China).

Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province: a Perfect Model for Painting Chinese Landscapes

Rocks pop out of the ground and thousands of rivers wind through the landscape, making Zhangjiajie a perfect model for painting Chinese landscapes.

Visitors can take a cable car to Huangshizhai where they can appreciate the daunting rock columns. Other famous scenic spots include Mount Tianmen (heaven gate), Jiutian (highest sky) cave, Puguang Temple, Mount Wulei (five thunders), as well as many spots commemorating the Chinese revolution.

There is also a wealth of ethnic minorities in Zhangjiajie, and visitors can see them celebrate their unique cultures in dance and song.

Lushan, Jiangxi: Summer Retreat

Lushan has villas of various styles and famous scenic spots including the Lushan botanical gardens and a fanciful hill town called Nianling. Nianling has Lushan's second largest man-made lake, Xihu.

As a Buddhist holy place, Lushan hosts a number of temples once owned by ancient Chinese emperors and eminent writers. There are also many famous works of calligraphy and steel carvings in various places around the mountain.

Enjoy your summer vacation in China!

Info:chinadaily.com.cn

Wangfujing Shopping Street in Beijing, China

2006-07-10T19:05:00.000+07:00

Beijing, the capital city of China mainland

Beijing, the capital city of China, is located in the North part of country with the area 16,808 square metres. Beijing is a very big city with the long history more than 700 thousand years.

The average temperature is about 11.7 celcius, the best time to go is in Spring season not so cold or hot.

Wangfujing Street, Old Commercial Street

Wangfujing Street is located in the heart of Beijing Capital City in east of Tian An Men Square, there're a lot of big department store, foreign book store, shops, boutiques and restaurants with the varieties of goods and the price are reasonable.

Wangfujing Street is a very beautiful street, in the night time maybe a little bit crowded but mostly in weekend is very crowded but anyway so fun there. The shops in Wangfujing Street are decorated in Ming and Qing Style.

What to Shop in Wangfujing Street?

There're wide varieties of goods in Wangfujing Street such as clothes, shoes, caps, silk, scissors, Chinese brushes and ink-stick, books, jade articles, souvenirs photoes, tea, desserts, pickled vegetables, roast ducks and so on. You may find local goods of Beijing in Wangfujing Street.Have a wonderful trip!

Nightlife and Entertainment in Beijing Today

2006-07-07T17:48:00.000+07:00

Nightlife was unknown to many people in Beijing 20 years ago, and the word wasn't even used. But nowadays it is very common, especially for young people, to go out in the evenings and spend their time at cinemas, theatres, nightclubs, song and dance halls, Karaoke clubs, restaurants or bars.

Compared to people in south of China, Beijing people are more conservative. Most of them, married people in particular, like to stay at home watching TV or chatting with friends, which is why the streets are quite deserted after nine o'clock at night, when most of the stores are closed.

Don't despair, you can always find places to spend your evenings if you are not tired after the day's sightseeing. Almost every four-or five-star hotels have facilities for entertainment.

Besides hotels, nightlife venues are mostly in the city center. You can see the Peking Opera, acrobatics, dramas, local ballad singing, song and dance performances, or attend a music concert, or drop in at a roadside disco.

It's best to stick to places that have been recommended by other tourists or Chinese friends.

Now, the city has witnessed a mushrooming of foreign theme pubs, new exotic bars and locally run clubs. Foreign pubs, bars, cafes and disco clubs attract foreign residents and tourists as well as young Chinese.

The admission fee is usually about 50-80 yuan and beer is 15-20 yuan.

Info:World66.com

Things You Must Shop in China!

2006-07-05T15:46:00.000+07:00

There are many exotic and unusual things to buy in China which make wonderful souvenirs and gifts for relatives and friends back home.

The following is a sample of the amazing range of goods available.

Silk: Chinese silk is famous all over the world for its magnificent quality, color and variety. Silk products from Hangzhou, Sichuan, Suzhou and Dandong are particularly good.

Tea: There are hundreds of varieties of Chinese tea. They can be classified into five categories - green tea, black tea, brick tea, scented tea, and oolong tea. Longjing, Biluochun, Huangshan Maofeng, Junshan Silver Needle, Qimen Black Tea, Liuan Guapian, Xinyang Maojian, Duyun Maojian, Wuyi Rock Tea and Tieguanyin are top ten teas that you should bring home.

Wines and Spirits: Alcoholic drinks, in ancient China, were regarded as sacred and were used only in sacrifices. Today, however, wines and spirits are becoming popular as accompaniments to Chinese food.

Yanghe Daqu and Shuanggou Daqu, Gujing Tribute Liquor, Maotai and Dong Liquor, Wuliangye, Jiannanchun and Luzhou Laojiao, Fenjiu Liquor are wines and spirits that have won many international awards

Antiques: If you're an antique enthusiast, China is the place for you! Fascinating antique and curio shops and market stalls are to be found in most cities and country towns. Care is needed, however, when buying expensive items to ensure, for example, that the item carries the official red seal of the shop and the sale documents are in order. Chinese law forbids the export of antiques dated earlier than 1795.

Chinese Medicinal Materials: Traditional Chinese Medicine is an integral part of Chinese life and culture. With its unique diagnostic methods, systematic approach, abundant historical literature and materials, Traditional Chinese Medicine has found many adherents in Western countries.

The use of traditional herbs and potions lies at the core of Chinese medicine. Mostly made from animal and plant materials, these medicines have proved effective for treating a wide range of illnesses and disorders. Tonics based on herbs are also popular. Examples of the materials used in the preparation of medicines and tonics are ginseng, antler, rhubarb horse-tails, bezoars, angelica, Tianqi, licorice root, apricot kernel and the root of balloon flower.

In recent years, for the sake of protecting endangered animals, the preparation of medicinal materials from rare animals, such as musk, antler, leopard and tiger bone, rhinoceros horn and elephant skin, has been restricted. Such medicines cannot be exported from China; however, tourists can export Chinese herbs with a total value of less than 300 RMB (per person).

Arts and Crafts: Arts and crafts products make ideal souvenirs and gifts. These include bronze ware, cloisonne, folk toys, jade, kites, lacquer wares, paper-cutting, porcelain, pottery, seal, prints and scrolls, silk, embroidery and printed and dyed fabrics.

Cloisonné made in Beijing, porcelain made in Jingdezhen in Jiangxi, embroidery from Suzhou, Hunan, Guangdong and Sichhuan, Tang tri-color pottery horses and camels, and batik from Guizhou and Yunnan are all highly recommended.

The "four treasures of study" - namely writing brush, ink stick, ink slab, paper - play an important part in Chinese culture. You may want a set for your own study or to give as a unique gift to your friends. The best writing materials are said to be Xuan paper and Hui ink stick from Anhui, Duan ink slab from Guangdong and Hu writing brush from Zhejiang.

Info: goingtochina.com

Bamboo Temple Kunming China : Qiongzhu Si

2006-07-03T14:45:00.000+07:00

Bamboo Temple Kunming China is situated on the Yu'an Mountain, about 15 km from the center of Kunming. On each side of the temple gate stand four ancient Cypress trees, planted during the Ming Dynasty, more than 400 years ago.

Entering the temple, the first thing visitors notice is the carefully designed courtyard, spread over four layers, one on top of another.

The Main Hall contains a trinity of enormous gilded Buddha statues seated on lotus thrones.

About the temple

Bamboo Temple Kunming China is a Tang Dynasty temple known for its Arhat statues, is arguably the most famous of Kunming's temples. Arhats are famous monks and "saints" of Chinese Buddhism, usually displayed in large groups of 500 or more.

The Arhats of the Bamboo Temple were made over a period of seven years by a famous craftsman from Sichuan called Li Guangxiu. His masterpieces are extremely realistic and lifelike, even if some of the statues are a bit surreal.

Terra Cotta Warriors Horses China : World Cultural Herritages

2006-07-03T11:51:00.000+07:00

Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses China are the most significant archeological excavations of the 20th century. Work is ongoing at this site, which is around 1.5 kilometers east of Emperor Qin Shi Huang's Mausoleum, Lintong County, Shaanxi province.
It is a sight not to be missed by any visitor to China.

Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. They are replicas of what the imperial guard should look like in those days of pomp and vigor.

Altogether over 7,000 pottery soldiers, horses, chariots, and even weapons have been unearthed from these pits. Most of them have been restored to their former grandeur. Terracotta Warriors and Horses China is a sensational archeological find of all times.

It has put Xian on the map for tourists. It was listed by UNESCO in 1987 as one of the world cultural heritages.

Tianjin China : Bohai Gulf’s Diamond

2006-07-01T15:16:00.000+07:00

Tianjin China is one of the 4 municipalities directly under the Central Government in China.
Tianjin China is located in the northeast of the North China Plain and this is the city which closest seaport to Beijing. Tianjin China is one of the biggest industrial and port cities in China.

The best time to travel in Tianjin China

Tianjin China enjoys 4 distinct seasons a year and the best time I advise you to travel are spring and autumn.

What to see in Tianjin China

There are many beautiful travel attractions in Tianjin that you wont’ miss to visit

- Huangyaguan Great Wall
- Dagukou Emplacement
- Dule Temple
- Panshan Mountain Scenic Area
- Haihe Park
- Water Park
- Central Line Scenic Area
- Culture and Food Streets

Also you should enjoy several and variety of foods that is quite different from other regions in China. The famous Tianjing-style braised creamed cabbage ( steamed stuff buns called “goubuli” ). Fist and seafood are also very common.

Tianjin China is one province which you shouldn’t miss to travel. You will see the local style, people, travel attractions and foods, It is easy to fall in love in this beautiful province.

Shanghai China : Food Paradise City

2006-06-29T16:35:00.000+07:00

As a modern and big city in the world, Shanghai has attracted a great number of brilliant chefs from other parts of China, and has become one of China's gastronomic centres of the eight major Chinese cuisine.
During years of culinary practice, absorbing the art and skills of other styles of cuisine, Shanghai chefs have created varied styles of cuisine peculiar to every region.

Shanghai dishes are characterized by using heavy flavoured sauce, cooked in deep fat and soy sauce, in fact , the food is palatable, it retains its primary nutrition by braising with red sauce, stir-frying, simmering, deep-frying and pan-frying. These are a traditional cooking style of China.

Vegetarian cuisine in Shanghai has also been developed. Taking vegetables, bean products, dried mushrooms, fungus and bamboo shoots, these are a major ingredients that you can find in every fresh market in China, chefs make savoury dishes resembling non-vegetarian ones only without the smells of meat and fish,

which are frowned upon by the vegetarians. The skills of the chefs are often marvelled by the diners.

With the increasing contacts between Shanghai and other parts of the world, more and more visitors from abroad are coming to visit to Shanghai China.

With a view to suit for these visitors, western-styled restaurants have been set up for them. These restaurants offer English, French, German, Italian or Russian cuisine. It's good idea to travel in Shanghai China just for taste chinese food because there are a thousand delicious foods wait you to taste.

Explore All China : China National Museum Beijing

2006-06-28T20:02:00.000+07:00

When you travel in China and you want to go some place which talks all about China and Chinese and you suppose to travel there within a day. I suggest you to go China National Museum. This place collects everything all about China, history, cultural and people’s living in the past till now.

Service in China National Museum

There are over 100 volunteer guides provide you for free any traveler so you will understand more about China when you travel in the museum. Lectures respond with the exhibition contents and social focus is available for you and also acoustic guide equipment. Also there are service of wheelchairs, cradle and first aid facilities for free.

For working hours :

- Normal hours : open 7 days a week, 8.30 AM – 4.30 PM but last ticket sold at 3.30 PM

- Peak season hours : (May 1 – 7, July 1 – August 31, October 1 – 7 ) Open 7 days a week, 8.00 AM – 6.00 PM and last ticket sold at 5.00 PM Note : the museum closes 1 day a year on the day before Chinese New Year’s Day.

For ticket :

Ticket price is 30 Yuan per person but this price is not for special exhibition. The museum purchase tickets for groups also.

Basic Functions in the China National Museum

1. Safekeeping, management and scientific conservation of collections
2. Exhibitions Area
3. Education and Information Service
4. Academic Research
5. Field Archaeological Research Center
6. Underwater ArchaeologicalResearchCenter
7. Remote Sensing and Aero-photographic Archaeological Research Center
8. Cultural Exchanges

Address of the museum

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

Color Up Your Life : Shanghai China

2006-06-27T16:52:00.000+07:00

China, the wide and large country in the world and of course there are many several and varity of cultural and people. Not only Beijing is the well-known city in China, it has many city that I would like to advice but today I would like to talk about Shanghai.

Shanghai China located along Yangtze River, this is the largest industrial city in China.

In the past Shanghai was a seaside fishing village and at this moment Shanghai is a multi-cultural metropolis with both modern and traditional Chinese features. Bubbling Shanghai shows off every aspect of her unique glamour.

Shanghai is well-know of “the Oriental Paris” and Shanghai has three key areas of interest to the visitor. These comprise Sightseeing, Business and Shopping centered upon People's Square and along the Huangpu River.

The city's Cultural Center with its public activities and community facilities and finally the main Entertainment and Holiday Tourism area is located at Mt. Sheshan, Chongming Island, Dingshan Lake and Shenshuigang Area.

Now Shanghai continues to grow and prosper meeting the aspirations of the 21st century while retaining its proud traditional cultural and hospitality.

Peaceful Place Guizhou China

2006-06-27T09:33:00.000+07:00

General Information

Guizhou, a multi-national province on the eastern section of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in southwestern China, has an area of more than 170,000 square kilometers and a population of 27.77 million, of which 80.4 per cent live in the rural areas and 19.6 per cent in the cities.

It is inhabited by more than six million china minority people, or one-fourth of its total population, from the Miao, Bouyei, Dong, Yi, Shut, Hui, Gelo, Zhuang, Yao and other nationalities.

Climate Information

Guizhou has a humid, sub-tropical monsoonal climate with warm winters, mild summers and unclear seasonal contrasts. It has a mean annual temperature of 15-17ºC. and a mean annual precipitation of 900-1,500 mm.
It has more overcast days than any other part of China, the area around Guiyang averaging 220 cloudy days a year.

Famous Tourist Attractions

- Guiyang
- City of Gardens
- Underground Park
- Xifeng Hot Springs
- Caohai Lake
- Haungguoshu Falls
- Maotai Village
- Flower Stream (Huaxi)

Flower Stream : Huaxi, Guizhou China

The high light of Flower Stream :

Huaxi, this is an extraordinarily beautiful park with willows and blooming jasmine lining the banks of a clear winding stream. One of the park’s attractions is a series of stepping stones across the stream, which provide a pleasant way of getting to the other side. Visitors can take a rest at pavilions or terraces under the shade of trees in Flower Stream, Huaxi China.

Source by : china.org.cn

Let's Taste Yummy Chinese Noodle Soup

2006-06-26T21:20:00.000+07:00

Chinese Egg Noodles

This kind of long yellow noodles made with wheat flour and eggs. They are available as a round noodle in various thicknesses and can also be fond as a flattened noodle in various widths.
Chinese Egg Noodles are golden yellow in color and generally found wrapped tightly in a bundle or nest. They should be cooked similar to Italian egg noodles.

Cooking Time : Dried noodles - Cook in boiling water for 3 to 6 minutes, depending on size. If adding to a soup, slightly undercook the noodles. Fresh noodles - Cook for 1 to 3 minutes. If adding to a soup, fresh noodles can be added without precooking.

Chinese Wheat Noodles

This long round or flat noodles made with wheat, water and salt. They are found in various thicknesses and are generally white or light yellow-beige in color.

Cooking Time : Dried Noodles - Cook in boiling water for 4 to 7 minutes, depending on size. Fresh Noodles - Cook for 2 to 4 minutes.

Chinese Noodle Soups are another famous dish except Dim Sum and you can order this fastfood anywhere in china.

Source by : hormel.com

Dim Sum : One Famous Chinese Food

2006-06-26T20:23:00.000+07:00

Dim Sum is one famous food in China and you can eat Dim Sum anytime you want, in the morning, enjoy with friends at lunch or tasted Dim Sum with family at night.

Dim Sum is the Chinese meal of magic. In the Canton provinces, many people gather at tea houses during the morning and early afternoon to socialize or conduct business over small meals.

In China this is most popularly called going to yum cha -- going to tea -- because the drinking of tea is so strongly associated with the snack foods served.

Most Dim Sum foods are savory pastries -- steamed or fried dumplings, filled buns, noodles. There are also sweet pastries, vegetables, meats.

The portions are bite-sized, and they are served in small quantities, usually three or four to a plate, so that the diners can enjoy a variety of foods, whether they eat very little or indulge in a huge feast.

Variety is one of the keys to Dim Sum. Some restaurants offer over 100 different items on a busy day.

So you can say that Dim Sum is Chinese fastfood and you can see it anywhere in China...ummmmmm....yummy!!

Chinese Valentine's Day : Romantic Stories

2006-06-24T09:47:00.000+07:00

For Chinese Valentine's Day also has the romantic story. There are 2 romantic story of Chinese Valentine's Day...

Chinese Valentine's Day : First story

The seven daughters of the Goddess of Heaven caught the eye of a Cowherd during one of their visits to earth. The daughters were bathing in a river and the Cowherd, Niu Lang, decided to have a bit of fun by running off with their clothing. It fell upon the prettiest daughter (who happened to be the seventh born), to ask him to return their clothes.

Of course, since Niu Lang had seen the daughter, Zhi Nu, naked, they had to be married. The couple lived happily for several years. Eventually however, the Goddess of Heaven became fed up with her daughter's absence, and ordered her to return to heaven.

However, the mother took pity on the couple and allowed them to be reunited once a year. Legend has it that on the seventh night of the seventh moon, magpies form a bridge with their wings for Zhi Nu to cross to meet her husband.

Chinese Valentine's Day : Second story

Niu Lang and Zhi Nu were fairies living on opposite sides of the Milky Way. Feeling sorry for the two lonely sprites, the Jade Emperor of Heaven actively tried to bring them together.

Unfortunately, he succeeded too well - Niu Lang and Zhi Nu became so enraptured with each other that they neglected their work. Annoyed, the Jade Emperor decreed that from that point on, the couple could only meet once a year - on the seventh night of the seventh moon.

On June 7th Chinese couples will celebrate Chinese Valentine's Day. It's not importance this day for couples only, you can celebrate Valentine's Day to people you love such as your family or your friends.
Let's celebrate Valentine's Day to anybody you love...

Chinese Valentine’s Day

2006-06-24T08:47:00.000+07:00

There are chocolate and flower for international Valentine's day but it differs to Chinese Valentine's day.
Qi Qiao Jie, or the seventh eve, is often referred to as Chinese Valentine's Day. While the annual gift giving commonly associated with St. Valentine's Day doesn't take place, there are several charming customs associated with this romantic day for lovers.

About Chinese Valentine’s day

In Chinese lunar calendar, July 7th is regarded as the Chinese Valentine's Day. Traditionally it has a special meaning for girls, on which they burn joss sticks to pay their courtesy and obeisance to gods and beg for a light hand at housework and a perfect match in marriage.

Since it falls in the harvest day, some melons and fruit are usually placed on the table as sacrifice. A small test is said to be able to tell if you are a capable girl. On that night, when the moon is high up in the sky, you put a needle on the water surface, if it doesn't sink, then you are already smart enough. And there is a beautiful folktale about the origin of this festival.

Next time I will tell you about a romantic story of Chinese Valentine's Day...

Suzhou Embroidery : China’s Traditional Art

2006-06-23T16:07:00.000+07:00

Suzhou embroidery from China, Hunan embroidery, Sichuan embroidery and Guangdong embroidery are the four most famous in China. Suzhou embroidery has a long history.

It has been excavated in Auspicious Tower and Mount Tiger Tower made in Northern Song in Five dynasties. The pieces of embroidery on characters, animals and flowers, mountains and water are for appreciation.

They can also be made into pictures, book marks, a set of hanging scrolls, etc. There are also the varieties of embroidery: single-side embroidery, double-side embroidery of different colors.

Double-side embroidery, the specific style of suzhou embroidery can be appreciated from both sides. Pictures look exactly the same and wonderful on both sides.
Special ways are used in knitting instead of knotting. There the end of silk threads are invisible. You still see this traditional ancient art of China at this century and you will wonder how its so much beautiful.

Source by : china-window.com

Suzhou China : Basic Informaiton

2006-06-19T09:39:00.000+07:00

Have you ever traveled in Suzhou China? Somebody has a plan to travel China in the future or soon but you still don't know where to travel or to visit. Today I introduce you about Suzhou China for basic information and it would be useful for you in the future.

Location:

Situated in the south of Jiangsu Province, in the middle of the Yangtze Delta; in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and on the shores of Taihu Lake, bordering on Shanghai in the east, Zhejiang Province in the south , Taihu Lake in the west and the Yangtze River in the north.

Climatic Features:

In the north edge of subtropical zone, monsoon maritime climate; mild and humid; with enough sunshine

Local Highlights:

Kunqu Opera, Suzhou Opera and Ballad-sing; silk; handicrafts such as: Suzhou Embroidery, Fans, national musical instruments, scroll mounting, lanterns, mahogany furniture, jade carving, silk tapestry, traditional painting pigments of Jiangenxutang Studio, the New Year's wood-block prints of Taohuamu Studio, etc; Yangcheng Lake huge crab

Source by : travelchinaguide.com

Traveling China : Basic FAQ

2006-06-17T11:48:00.000+07:00

These are some questions which mostly asked and maybe they would be your basic information before you decide to travel for your long vacation or holiday in China.

What do you do when check-in at China airport?

Besides showing your valid ID. Ticket and tax coupon, you need to check-in your non-carryon luggage. You may need to pay for the overweight luggage.

Where can I find Internet in China?

Most 4 or 5 hotels provide convenient Internet service with reasonable fees. In most big cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai and Qingdao in China, you can easiliy find internet cafe? usually no drinks supplied.

How to dress while you travel in China?

During the day-time tour, shirt, T-shirt, jeans, Shorts and sneaker are all very practicle. The regular daily 3 meals too.
Unless there is a show or special dinner, it is nice to dress up as you used to do in your own country. But that doesn’t mean you need to pack several suits or dresses even if there are several special occasions during your trip.

Can I arrange my own meal rather than the pre-arranged restaurants in the tours?

In a guided tour in China, having lunch with the group is easier for you to enjoy the tour, and it's easier for us to operate the tour. You may arrange your own dinner.

What days are the workdays in China? What about shops and stores hours?

Five days a week, 8 hours a day, normally from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All the government offices, institutions, schools,hospitals and other units do not work on Saturdays and Sundays.
The emergency clinic is open when the hospital is closed. Shops are open everyday, normally from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. In big cities, stores close late. In summer stores close later than in winter.

What's the best buy in China?

Silk, tea, antiques, paintings and calligraphy, Chinese medicines, handicrafts such as paper-cutting, replicas of terra-cotta horses and warriors and other articles with Chinese flavor are all ideal souvenirs and good gifts for friends.

Have a nice vacation in China!

Source by : chinatravel.com

China : Tourist Visa Requirement

2006-06-16T09:37:00.000+07:00

These China Visa Application Instructions summary would useful for some tourists who have plan to visit or travel in China but still not know how to do or what to do.

Passport Validity

Your signed passport must be valid and with sufficient blank visa pages for any visa stamps (Note: passport page 22, 23, 24 are not visa pages, and can not be used for visas) The passport's expiration date must be greater than six months from the date of entry for the China visa you are applying for.
If your passport does not meet the requirements, you must renew your passport or obtain a new passport.

Note: You need to send your original passport to obtain the visa.

Complete Application

You can print out for the application form from the official website of China Embassy

1 Passport photograph

China Visa Validity

Single entry visas are to be used within 3 months of issue. Double entry visas can be issued for 3 or 6 months, but usually 3 months. Time allowed to stay in China is 30 days for most visas.

China Visa Processing Time

Visas are usually processed in 5 working days. 24 - Hours and same day processing are available for additional fees. Service fee for regular processing is $49.00. Rush service fee of $98 will be assessed for any attempts to process the China visa in less than regular processing time.

Source by : travisa.com

Xian China : Attraction City

2006-06-15T09:27:00.000+07:00

Do you know Xian China? It is the eternal city, records the great changes of the Chinese nation just like a living history book. Called Chang'an in ancient times, Xian is one of the birthplaces of the ancient civilization in the Yellow River Basin area of the country.

About Xian China

Xian is the capital of Shaanxi province, located in the southern part of the Guanzhong Plain. With the Qinling Mountains to the south and the Weihe River to the north, it is in a favorable geographical location surrounded by water and hills.

It has a semi-moist monsoon climate and there is a clear distinction between the four seasons. Except the colder winter, any season is relatively suitable for traveling.

Xian China Tourist Attractions

Cultural and historical significance of the area, as well as the abundant relics and sites, help Xian enjoy the laudatory title of 'Natural History Museum'.
The Museum of Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses is praised as 'the eighth major miracle of the world',

Mausoleum of Emperor Qin Shi Huang is listed on the World Heritage List, and the City Wall of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) is the largest and most intact Ming Dynasty castle in the world.
In the city, there is the 3,000 year old Banpo Village Remains from the Neolithic Age (approximately from 8000 BC to 5000 BC), and the Forest of Stone Steles that holds 3,000 stone steles of different periods from the Han Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty.

Around Xian, the Famen Temple enjoys the reputation of being the 'forefather of pagodas and temples in Central Shaanxi,' because it holds the finger bones of Sakyamuni -- the founder of Buddhism.

The natural landscape around Xian is also marvelous Mt.Huashan one of the five best-known mountains in China, is famous for its breath-taking cliffs and its unique characteristics.

Xian China Nightlife

Night life in Xian has a unique glamour. Traditional ways include enjoying the night scenery around the Bell Tower, taking part in a Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, strolling on the ancient Big Wild Goose Pagoda Square and watching the music fountain performance.
More modern and fashionable ways include singing in the KTV, hanging out in a bar, or dancing in a Disco. All in all, any experience in this ancient city will bring you fun and possibly a little surprise!

Imperial Park Beihai Park Beijing China

2006-06-14T10:17:00.000+07:00

Beihai Park Beijing China is located in the center of Beijing City, close to the Forbidden City and Jingshan Park China.This imperial park has a history of over a thousand years. More than half of the park is covered by water.

In the north area of the park is a big pool called Taiye Pool connecting the other two pools with each other. This Pool is also known as Beihai (North Sea). There are many places of interests in the park like Bai Ta (White Dagoba), the Five-Dragon Pavilion, the Nine-Dragon Wall and so on.

Imperial Beihai Park Beijing China in the center of Beijing has an area of more than 70 hectares with a water surface of 39 hectares. To its north is Shishahai Lake and to its east is Jingshan Park. The Palace Museum is to its southeast, a short distance.

China Culture : Old Generation New Generation

2006-06-08T17:31:00.000+07:00

Culture of China is quite unique and special. It contains wonderful and delightful arts and customs as well as very interesting ways of life. Yet there is one aspect of Chinese Culture that truly sets it apart from other cultures and countries: the connected split between Old and New.

China Culture as a whole can clearly be divided into two: Traditional Culture and Modern Culture. Like all other cultures of the world, the Chinese Culture is changing continually. Throughout history it has evolved and changed, especially during the 20th century.

Social scientists believe that there are four chief factors that cause a culture to change: changes in the environment, contact with other cultures, invention, and the further development of the culture itself.

The last three have proved to be the key factors in China's cultural change from old to new, as China began opening its doors to foreign relations and making scientific, technological, social, and economic advances.

Many of the topics and areas explored in this site are divided into the sections of Traditional and Modern. The two "subcultures" of Chinese Culture are clearly distinct and different; yet, they are also connected together, even "co-existing".
Although separate in history, they are linked together in the Chinese society.

China Festival : Lantern Festival

2006-06-03T13:50:00.000+07:00

Lantern Festival or Yuanxiao Jie is a traditional Chinese festival for people having fun, which is on the 15th of the first month of the Chinese New Year. The festival marks the end of the celebrations of the Chinese New Year.

Chinese started to celebrate the Lantern Festival from the Han Dynasty (206 BC - 221 AD). Like most other Chinese festivals, there is also a story behind the Festival. It is also believed that the festival has Taoist origins.

About the Lantern Festival and special sweet

On the night of the Lantern Festival in China main land, people go on streets with a variety of lanterns under the full moon, watching lions or dragon dancing, playing Chinese riddles and games, and lighting up firecrackers. There is really a lot of fun for the all ages of China's people, young or old.

The festival is not well celebrated in the US, though you may find celebrations in some Chinese communities, such as Hsi Lai Temple, Hacienda Heights, California.

Yuanxiao is a kind of sweet dumpling, which is made with sticky rice flour filled with sweet stuffing.
And the Lantern Festival is named after the famous dumpling. Yuanxiao is sticky, sweet and round in shape, symbolizing family unity, completeness and happiness.
Enjoy the Lantern Festival of China's culture and the yummy Yuanxiao, China's traditional sweet.

China Top 10 Lucky Characters

2006-06-02T16:59:00.000+07:00

Chinese characters usually have one or more meanings and some of them are particularly loved by Chinese people. These are the top 10 list of the lucky meaning in China. Be careful Pinyin is also used here, which is the Chinese spelling system for the characters. For example, fu is the pinyin for good luck in Chinese. But fu is only the phonic part of the character and it also represents other Chinese characters that sound the same.

1. Fu means Blessing, Good Fortune, Good Luck

Fu is one of the most popular Chinese characters used in Chinese New Year. It is often posted upside down on the front door of a house or an apartment. The upside down Fu means good luck came since the character for upside down in Chinese sounds the same as the character for came.

2. Lu means Prosperity

It used to mean official's salary in feudal China. Fengshui is believed to be the Chinese way to health, wealth and happiness.

3. Shou means Longevity

Shou also means life, age or birthday.

4. Xi means Happiness

Double happiness is usually posted everywhere on Chinese weddings.

5. Cai means Wealth, Money

Chinese often say money can make a ghost turn a millstone. It is to say money really can do a lot of things.

6. He means Harmonious

'People harmony' is an important part of Chinese culture. When you have harmonious relations with others, things will be a lot easier for you.

7. Ai means Love, Affection

Don't need to say any more about this one. Just want to point out ai is often used with 'mianzi' together. Aimianzi means 'be concerned about one's face-saving.'

8. Mei means Beautiful, Pretty

The United States of American is called Mei Guo in the short form. Guo means country so Meiguo is a good name.

9. Ji means Lucky, Auspicious, Propitious

Hope all is well.

10.De means Virtue, Moral

De means virtue, moral, heart, mind, and kindness, etc. It is also used in the name for Germany, i.e., De Guo.

Pure Nature China Ancient Grand Canal

2006-06-01T22:42:00.000+07:00

Ancient Grand Canal of China is 1,794 kilometers long_which surpasses, by far, the world's next two grand canals: The Suez and Panama canals (195 kilometers and 81.3 kilometers, respectively) and it extends from Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, in the south, to Tongxian, part of the Municipality of Beijing, in the north.
China Ancient Grand Canal connects five major rivers, including the Yangtze. In terms of improving communications between the north and south, promoting economic and cultural exchanges and strengthening the unification of the country, the canal—like the ancient Great Wall—was an astonishingly huge project in the history of Chinese civilization.
If you want to explore the real natural of China maybe Ancient Grand Canalwill be your choice to visit next time.

Chinese Traditional Costume : Qipao

2006-05-29T16:10:00.000+07:00

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.