Ancient Chinese Mummy

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 Mummy

The 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 Dai

China 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.

Yang Concubine, One of the Four Beauties of China

Yang 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 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. An 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.

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…

Hainan, Sea of the South

Hainan Island; where the edge of the sky unites with the rim of the sea.

Hainan Island is one of the most attractive places of China; is located in the South of China although Hainan is the largest ocean island of China but it is the smallest land province in China. Hainan was named as the Oriental Hawaii because of the beautiful scenery covering 34,000 square kilometers with the 1,580 kilometers long of coastline.

Mild Climate of Hainan Island

The climate in Hainan Island is in tropical monsoon climate with high temperature; annually temperature is about 22-29 degrees Celsius. The lowest temperature is in January and February which is about 15-21 degrees Celsius; the highest temperature is in July and August which is about 25-29 degrees Celsius except in the mountainous regions may be a little bit lower. Hainan has more than 300 sunny days a year. Hainan is a good place for those people who want to get away from cold.

Roaming on the paradise beach

Hainan Island is the popular tourist attraction; without doubt the most famous scene of Hainan is the beach with the white soft sand, fresh air, clear water and beautiful seascape as you can see the edge of the sky and the rim of the sea unite together, it will take you back to the nature. Enjoy your vacation with Scuba Diving, Fishing, Snorkeling, Water Ski, Jet Ski and Swimming.

Roman Empire and the Silk Road

In 30 BCE, Roman had conquered Egypt affected the commercial and communication between India, Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, China, Middle East, Africa and also Europe blossomed on an unprecedented scale.

Marine and Land were closer than before, a lot of developments were transferred from Europe, Asia and Africa. Transportation became more convenient so that intercontinental trade and communication became regular.

Romans and Chinese Silk

Romans were so crazed for Chinese silk but they believed that silk was obtained fro, trees but actually not silk is an animal fiber; it’s the product from silkworm.

China or what European called The Seres was very famous in producing silk with the best quality. As Romans were so crazed in Chinese silk after its were traveled along the silk road to Roman it would cause a huge of gold

The Senate issued, in vain, several edicts to prohibit the wearing of silk, on economic and moral grounds: the importation of Chinese silk caused a huge outflow of gold, and silk clothes were considered to be decadent and immoral:

"I can see clothes of silk, if materials that do not hide the body, nor even one's decency, can be called clothes... Wretched flocks of maids labour so that the adulteress may be visible through her thin dress, so that her husband has no more acquaintance than any outsider or foreigner with his wife's body" (Seneca the Younger (c.3 BCE–65 CE, Declamations Vol. I).

Xiaolongbao, Shanghai

When you say Shanghai, one of the first things that people may think about is Shanghai Xiaolongbao or in literally is buns in the basket; it may be Chinese dumpling for some peoples. Shanghai Xiaolongbao is very famous in Shanghai and also spread out oversea include Thailand, we often see Shanghai Xiaolongbao restaurant in the departments store and in commercial street as Silom Road, Bangkok.

Shanghai Xiaolongbao is something must try if you visit Shanghai; Xiaolongbao is the quintessential Shanghai snack. Actually these little buns were supposedly invented in the village of Nanxiang, and spread out around now Nanxiang is a suburb of Shanghai.

The distinctive point of Xiaolongbao is soup inside which is very traditional Chinese soup taste. Let me show you how to cook Xiaolongbao by yourself so that you can try…

How to cook your Xiaolongbao

At first prepare the ingredients and following

For wrapper

High gluten flour 3/4 cup
Water 1/3 cup less 1 tablespoon
Plain flour 1/3 cup
Boiling water 1/4 cup
Flour for dusting 2 teaspoons oil

For soup

Skin of pork 180 grams
Chicken breast 225 grams
Pork 140 grams
Chinese ham 60 grams
Scallion 1
Ginger 2 slices
Chinese rice wine as you like
Salt as you like

For filling

Ground pork 285 grams
Light soy sauce 2 tablespoons
Salt 1/4 teaspoon
Ginger and scallion water 1 tablespoon
Pepper as you like
Sugar as you like
Sesame oil 2 teaspoons
Chinese rice wine 2 teaspoons

Making the soup

(For 2 cups. use only one)
1. Wash and clean the pork skin then parboil it with the chicken breast and ham in boiling water.
2. Prepare 6 cups of water in a saucepan with all of the meats.
3. Put ginger and scallion and leave it until boil.
4. Decrease heat and stew until pork skin is soft, and only 2cups of liquid remains then strain and reserve the liquid keeping the pork skin.
5. Dice and save pork skin the whiz the pork skin and liquid in a blender till milky.
6. Whiz the pork skin and Season with salt and leave to cool. Take it before it becomes gelatinize.

Preparing the Filling

1. Put the ground pork into a mixing bowl then add light soy sauce and salt.
2. Mix with chopstick or wooden spoon continuously in one only direction.
3. Add the rest of the ingredients and continue to mix in the same direction until sticky.
4. Pour one cup of the prepared soups gradually, mix thoroughly with the pork.
5. Wrap in cling film and put in the refrigerator.

Preparing the wrapper

(For 40 wrappers)
1. Mix the 3/4 cups of high gluten flour and 1/3 cup less one tablespoon less water until it resembles bread crumbs in a large mixing bowl then knead into dough.
2. Add the plain four into a mixing bowl.
3. Boil 1/4 cup of water in a small saucepan.
4. Add the 1/3 cup plain flour then move the saucepan away from the flame and continue stirring the flour vigorously with a wooden spoon.
5. Leave it until cool then kneading together with the gluten flour dough prepared earlier.
6. After finish kneading cover it with clean damp cloth and leave it for 4 hours.

Forming the dumplings

1. On the work top put 2 teaspoons of oil and put the dough on top then knead for a little while.
2. Cut the dough into 4 quarters, divide a quarter into a 20mm cylinder then divide again the cylinder into 10 pieces.
3. Roll each piece into round shape then flatten with the your palm into a disk
4. Use a rolling pin to roll the disk out forming a 60mm disk let the edges thinner than the center.
5. Make a well with you thumb and first finger and drape the disk over.
6. Let it sag in the middle to form a recess for the filling.
7. Put 2 teaspoons of filling.
8. Gather the edge of wrapper carefully then make folds and hold on to them until fully gathered.
9. In traditional Chinese they can make 18 fold the trick is do not let your finger touch the filling while doing wrapping otherwise it’s going to be a mess then do the same for the rest.

Final step Steaming

1. Cut out 10 cabbage and leave it in the disk or you can use thin slices of carrot and stick one piece to the bottom of each dumpling.
2. Put all of the dumplings into a 200mm bamboo steamer.
3. Rolling boil water in a large saucepan or wok.
4. Sit the Steamer on a rack over the boiling water, close the lid and steam for seven minutes.
5. The dumpling is done when the filling feels firm to the touch.
6. Serve with a small dish of thinly shredded ginger in vinegar.

Gulang Yu the Piano Islet, Xiamen

The small island located in the southwest of Xiamen City, covering only 1.8 square kilometers. It takes only 5 minutes by steamboat from Xiamen to the island. The name Gulang means “drum waves” because the wave hit the southwestern reef like drum beat and Yu means the small islet.
No need to talk about pollution on this Islet because the only transportation on the islet is only your leg, you can only walk and may ride the bicycle around the islet. There’re no any vehicles on the islet; only two cars on the islet which are one fire car and one ambulance.

Why we call Piano Islet?

The largest Piano Museum of China is situated on this islet that’s why we call Piano Islet and it already became the symbol of this islet and also the most fascinating attraction of Gulang Yu, Xiamen. There are about 620 pianos with populations 17,800 on the islet.

Inside the museum there are a lot of different types of pianos such as automatic pianos, miniature pianos, accordion pianos and round-shaped pianos; all are on display but it is forbidden to touch them so please be careful as these pianos are cherished collections of overseas Chinese, who hope to allow more people to see and be inspired by these displays.

There’re also the large numbers of music schools and musicians within this islet, many famous Chinese pianists, such as Yin Chengzong and Xu Feiping, are natives of Gulangyu.

When you are walking along the islet you may frequently hear the sound of beautiful piano melodies which will make you touch relax and peace with the beautiful scenic spot around the islet.

Legend of Silk in China

China is the first country who knew how to produce silk. According to the Chinese legend, manufactured silk about 2600 BCE was sponsored by the Empress; the mulberry trees were cultivated to raise silkworm in order to manufacture silk.

In Qianshanyang, Zhejiang province about 5000-years old silk ribbons and fragments of silk cloth have been found some evidence of the date of silk is a mummy in Egypt has been recovered with silk, dating to c. 1070 BCE, which indicates the silk trade along The Silk Road.

The secret of Chinese Silk

Chinese people kept secret of the cultivation of silkworms and the manufacturing silk fibers into clothes for 2,000 years; exported live silk worms out of China was prohibited that was the policy to protect the secret of the incredible silk.

However the immigration brought the knowledge of silk culture to Korea around 200 BCE and by 300 BCE all over Asia was also known about the culture of silk. Finally, silkworms were smuggled out of China to Greece so in the sixth or seventh century CE southern Europe was developing a silk industry, the first countries were Greece, Italy and Turkey then spread to Spain, Portugal and France.

Silkworm, source of Silk

As almost people know that silk is made of silkworm somebody may think that silkworm is a kind of worms but actually not, silkworm is the caterpillar of the Bombyx mori moth. Due too many millennia of fastidious cultivation the Bombyx mori has come to produce the finest white silk thread ever known. Bombyx mori breed very fast less than one week it can produce around 500 tiny eggs which are 30,000 caterpillars. The foods of Bonbyx mori are mulberry’s leaves.

Bombyx mandarina Moore which was found only in China is a silk moth that trive specifically on the leaves of the white mulberry bush was selected to be the prime candidate for sericulture.

Two kinds of Silks

Silk is an animal fiber or natural fiber; made of silkworm. There are two varieties of silkworm; the wild and the cultivated. The wild silks are brown and have a coarse, hard texture. This worm feeds on the scrub oak instead of the mulberry leaf and grows in India, China and Japan. The first two countries called this silk as Tussah silk and in Japan they called wild silk.

To cultivate silkworm needs a great deal of care, quiet and sanitation. The silkworm farmer treats them as royalty. The silkworms live very short time – only about two months and they are very greedy; eat about 30,000 times compares to its weight.

Chen Concubine's Tomb, Suzhou

Suzhou, the city in southeast of Jiangsu province in eastern China, is the oldest city in Yangtze basin with several thousand years. Suzhou is so famous in beautiful landscape nowadays this city is preserved by the government, build the tall building is not allowed in this city you can see only 2-3 stories building because they want to keep this city to be tourism city with ancient, peace, natural and no pollution.

Suzhou's Environment

As Suzhou has numerous garden inside the city so there's no pollution at all. A flavorable location of Suzhou and mild climate with the annual temperature 15.7 Celcius attract a lot of tourists, it has been a famous historical and cultural city in China since the ancient time. The old-style houses and buildings in Suzhou are pervaded with ordour of ancient. When you are in Suzhou even in downtown you will feel like cut back to hundred years ago.

Chen Concubine's Tomb, Suzhou

On the way from Shanghai to Suzhou you can see Chen Concubine's Tomb which is one of the attractions of Suzhou. Chen Concubine is one of the concubines in Tang dynasty. In my opinion the girl who had to be concubine in China ancient time was very pity like this concubine even how much the emperor was so in love with her but she'd never be number one but still better than thousand of concubine left some of them never got a chance to see the emperor for all of her life time and had to be in the royal palace.

Anyway Chen Concubine was the one who impressed by the emperor so she’s the one who was very lucky and after she'd got sick the emperor ordered every one to find the best doctor from everywhere to cure his mostly love concubine but after she'd sick for 3 days 3 nights she died finally. The emperor was so sorry about this, he couldn't govern the country anymore just lived day by day likes no spirit to do anything for this life anymore, for this situation can you imagine the feeling of the empress and other concubines those who were also deep in love with the emperor?

After the dead of Chen concubine for few years the emperor built the tomb for her, the tomb is in the middle of canal just to recall the good period of time in the past when they sailed along this canal. In the middle of the tomb there's a statue of Chen Concubine surrounded by the peaceful and beautiful garden, and the tomb is backward inside. Actually take a photo here is not allowed because Chinese they believe that the one who takes a photo here will take back grieve of the emperor and also the worse luck of Chen Concubine.

This is one of sad love story about China but next time I will continue something lively about Suzhou.

Shanghai's Landmarks, China

Shanghai is the biggest city of china and also one of the biggest cities in the world; covering an area of 5,800 square kilometers or 2,239 square miles. Shanghai located on the estuary of Yangtze River of China near East China Sea. The annual temperature is about 15.7 Celsius with 4 seasons.

Huangpu River, Shanghai

Huangpu River has 97 kilometres longs, 400 metres wide and 9 metres deep, flowing northeast past Shanghai into the Chang estuary at Wusong. It divides Shanghai in to two parts; Pudong (East) and Puxi (West). Huangpu is the main water source of Shanghai, most of Shanghai drinking is from this river.

The Bund, Landmark of Shanghai

Waitan or The Bund, the world famous Bund, is the most attractive place of Shanghai as the symbol of Shanghai for hundred of years. At Zhongshan road one side is the beautiful buildings from pre-1949 times so Zhongshan has often been called The Museum of International Architectures and you can see a lot of sky scrappers while on the other hand is the bank of the Huangpu River; walking along the Bund you will see the beautiful scenic as Oriental Pearl TV Tower in the opposite site and also Jin Mao Tower. If you have a chance to come to The Bund you should not miss visit this speacil place.

Nanjing Road, Shanghai

Start at the Bund east and ends at Jingan Temple on Nanjing Road (West), the total long are about 5 kilometres. Nanjing Road is one of the world famous shopping streets also the important commercial street of China. You will enjoy with more than 300 hundred stores along the road, a lot of restaurants, theatres, the international hotels, modern shopping malls, specialty stores etc. Buildings along this street is very luxurious and beautiful, it will erase your thought of big air-opened market. Nanjing is the must go place for every shoppers; with countless of brands, new-fashion and super quality products.

Yuyuan (Yu Garden), Shanghai

Located in the south part of Shanghai, Yuyuan is also one of the most attractive places of Shanghai. Yuyuan is decorated in Suzhou-style garden; was built in Ming Dynasty, at the first time Yuyuan is a private garden of Pan Yunduan who spent 20 years with all his saving in his life to build this garden to please his parents in their old age and this is the source of the name Yuyuan because Yu in Chinese means "peace and health". Yuyuan is situated in the middle of Shanghai's old street shopping bazaar, for those who come to visit this place should not miss a chance to try Shanghai Xiaolongbao or Shanghai dumpling; it's very famous for hundred years with the full-flavoured taste.

"Those who have come to Shanghai but missed Yu Garden and the City God Temple Bazaar can not claim that they have been to the city."

Lingshan Buddha, Wuxi

Wuxi is one of the oldest cities in China with the history more than 3,000 years; located in Central Yangtze River Delta in Southeast Jiangsu province in East part of China, this city lies between Shanghai and Nanjing. It's 128 kilometres away from Shanghai to its east. Wuxi is the city which rich of natural source you can see a lot of trees, rivers and lakes along both side when you're on the way. Wuxi becomes one of the important industrial areas in China; it is the main center of textile and electron industry.

Lingshan Dafo (Lingshan Buddha)

The symbol of Wuxi, takes about 25 kilometres from downtown area. The Lingshan Sakyamuni Buddha (Lingshan dafo) stands solemnly at the site of famous Tang Dynasty Xiangfu Temple. The bronze icon is 250 feet long, 100 feet higher than the Statue of Liberty. Entirely made of tin and copper, the statue weights more than 700 tons. On the left side, the Shiwuwei seal is supposed to reduce suffering in the world while the Yuyuan seal on the right delivers happiness. The character on the Buddha's chest represents solemnity and virtue. With the nearby Taihu Lake and a beautiful range of hills, the Lingshan Buddha attracts the faithful.

During Spring Festival, a lot of travelers from around the world come to Xiangfu Temple to listen to the tolling of the bell, believed to bring good luck. The bell - at 3.5 metres high and weighing in at 12 tons - is the biggest in South China.

How to get there

Take bus No.88 or 91 from Wuxi Railway Station.
If you are traveling from Shanghai, catch the tourist shuttles either at the Hongkou Football Stadium (07:30 on weekends) or at the Shanghai Stadium (08:20 on weekends).

Cost: 50 Yuan (0.61823 USD). Opening hours: 06:30-18:00.

Genghis Khan, The Great Conqueror

Genghis Khan (The Great Conqueror or Universal Ruler) or his real name Temuchin, was born 1155 - August 18, 1227 in Mongolia. The name Temuchin was taken from one of the Tartars (a rival nomadic tribe) who had killed by Temuchin's father. When Genghis Khan was born, he'd got blood clot in his fist which means this child will become a hero in the future, his father was killed by the group of Tartars when he was 12 - 13 years old after that he became a leader of family and lived in extremely poverty, his mother told him about the important of trust and independence "Remember, you have no companions but your shadow." A few years afther the lowest point for his life he can revenged for his father and killed many followed and became a leader of group. Temuchin built a reputation across Mongol Empire with cover Central Asia, Afghanistan and Persia. Genghis Khan had created enormous Mongol Empire.

An ambitious guy, lust for blood

Genghis Khan was a guy who lusted for blood; he always followed his dream to conquer this world and killed everybody who resisted. The quote that his mother told him when he was young and lived in poor time mean a lot to Genghis Khan, he never put to much trust to anybody but himself and went on his own way. In 1206, Genghis Khan proclaimed the ruler of Mongolia, Genghis Khan is a very respected leader of Mongol until now Mongolian still believe that one day Genghis Khan will reborn and lead Mongol to preponderance again.

Genghis Khan ".. in his arms .. "

"The greatest joy a man can know is to conquer his enemies and drive them before him. To ride their horses and take away their possessions. To see the faces of those who were dear to them bedewed with tears and to clasp their wives and daughters in his arms"

Beijing Opera

National Opera of China Mainland

Beijing Opera is a pure National Chinese Opera; has existed for more than 200 years ago. Nowadays Beijing Opera becomes one of the rare performances. Origin of Beijing Opera was in Anhui province and Hubei province in Southeast part of China then came to Beijing in 1790 on a performance tour the order of Imperial Court. The role play of the opera is full of cultural fact of China, accompanying harmonious music, unique singing and attractively decorated costumes. The Beijing Opera band almost consisted of orchestra and percussion band. In the past this kind of opera mostly performed in the open-air stage market, streets, tea houses and temple courtyards so the performers had to play loudly in order to be heard over the crowds.

There are 4 main of roles in Beijing Opera

Sheng - Leading male actor
Laosheng - Old man
Xiaosheng - Young man
Wusheng - Fighter, Military man
Wawasheng - Kid
These roles play usually not paint face for the performance but except for Hongsheng who'd got red paint face for the role Guanyu and Zhao Kuangyin.

Dan - The female roles, female impersonator.
Laodan - The old ladies
Caidan - The female comedians.
Wudan - Military or non-military women capable of martial arts.
Qingyi - Respectable and decent ladies in elegant costumes.
Huadan - lively and clever young girls, usually in short costumes.

Jing - mostly male; warriors, heroes, statesmen, adventurers and demons. "Zhengjing," "Fujing" and "Wujing

Chou - Clowns with a white patch on the nose.

Facial Painting in Beijing Opera

Facial painting in Beijing Opera is unique makeup in the world; is one of the most meaningful component for this performance beacuse each colours have their own meaning in themselves, this is also one kind of chinese art the colour for paint will represent the character, personality and emotion of the performer. Example for the meaning of the colour; yellow and white represent sly, red stands for honesty, integrity and loyalty, black means bravery and wisdom, blue and green indicate the energetic and ambitious character of rebellious heroes and gold and silver represent mystic or super-natural power.

Today's Beijing Opera

At present Beijing Opera'a audiences mostly are old people, one day this beautiful art may vanish. Youth might not like Beijing Opera so much beacause nowadays there're a lot of kind of media which more modern and some may think that Beijing Opera is old-fashioned but for those the audiences who so deep in love with Beijing Opera, this kind of art will never vanish but always be beautiful in their heart.

Hangzhou, the Beautiful Natural Ancient City

Hangzhou, The Ancient Capital City

Hangzhou, the famous city in the south of China is the capital city of Zhejiang province. Hangzhou is one of the seven ancient capital cities of China, located in South-East of China, southern end of Grand Canal. Hangzhou covers 16,596 square metres with 8 districts. Because of the beautiful natural of Hangzhou, when the well-known Italian traveler "Marco Polo" had arrived China, he even admired Hangzhou as the most beautiful and splendid city in the world. The Climate in Hangzhou is not so hot in the summer with the highest temperature 34 Celsius and in the winter is also not so cold with the lowest temperature only 7 Celsius.

West Lake, the Famous Attraction of Hangzhou

West Lake is undoubted symbolic of Hangzhou; is well-known because of the beautiful and natural scenic spot of China. West Lake is located in the west of Hangzhou, covers approximately 6 square kilometres. Although Hangzhou in nowadays became a developed city but still remain natural beautiful part, if you sailing boat in West Lake you will see the different of modern city part and natural part of Hangzhou by looking on one side is the modern city part you will see the skyscrapers and modern decorated building, and another side is the natural part with the hills, forest and a lot of trees beside the bay.

Famous local goods of Hangzhou

Silk and tea are the famous local goods of Hangzhou. As Hangzhou is named Capital of Silk, silk from Hangzhou made from the particular material, the process dates to Tang dynasty (the prosperity period of China in the past) so you may see fine and beautiful silk here in Hangzhou. Dragon green tea in Hangzhou is the best green tea of China with the famous green colour, scented favour and fresh taste. Drinking green tea will make you healthy both body and mind.

Hangzhou.... Heaven on earth