crystal_place

2006-10-19T00:23:00.000-07:00

Trip to Longsheng-toast you more wine

2006-10-18T00:32:00.000-07:00

An old saying is people pay most attention to food. During my trip, Longsheng local favor also impresses me besides Longji terraces and Ailing hot spring. Of all special dishes, unforgotten ones are rice in bamboo;air-dry fish on iron board.
1 Alcohol. This is a kind of sweet wine made from sticky rice. The way of brewery is really pristine, put raised sticky rice in a wooden cask, and then put the wooden cask in a big caldron, at last braise it, wine will stream from the bamboo which is inserted in the middle of wooden cask. White wine rushes down from pot, aroma of wine blow on my face. Shake the goblet, aroma is getting denser. Like yellow wine, after warming up, I feel the warmth of wine coming through goblet to my palm; it seems to paste my palm to the goblet.
According to guide Mr. Su, water of brewery is drawn from the stream outside the village, with gentle of water and fragrance of flower. Sticky rice grains popple in the wine, like boat in river, ups and downs.
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Slightly sip makes me sweet which I have never experienced, after tasting carefully, gingers flavor comes out. For the climate in villages is really humid, to boil the wine with some ginger can dispel algidity.
Tossing off, you will find warm current flows to your stomach, and your heart. With strong local customs in village, girls in folk costumes will toast you. Touched by songs of toast, I am getting drunk. With beautiful scenic spots, beautiful wine and beauties, how can I avoid drunken?
There are many minorities in Longsheng; their wine has its own specialty. To toast you more wine can eliminate your grief. 2 Rice in bamboo.
Cutting bamboo into sections with 35CM length, villages put sticky rice which was emerged in stream into these sections, together with wind-dry meat, agaric, dried bamboo shoot and peanut. Fill all the stuff from a small hole on bamboo, seal it with sweet potatoes, the last step is to burn the bamboo sections.
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Firewood is charcoal or bamboo so that it is more convenient to burn the sections and water will not lose. Fire can not be too fierce so that bamboo sections will not be on fire. Faint scent of bamboo and sticky rice spills out with vapor from the burnt bamboo sections. After 30-40 minutes, all things have been done. Scratching black ashes outside the bamboo sections with sharp knifes, and then hack it into two half. Mixed fragrance with meat, agaric and bamboo shoot, it really makes me water.
3 Wind-dry fish on iron board
After tasting alcohol and rice in bamboo sections, wind-dry fish on iron board attracts me again.
Streams outside the village come out from remote mountains, they are really transparent. Small fishes can be easily caught, for there are many cobbles in stream, so villages call them cobble fish.
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First of all, wind-dry the fish, and then spice them, the last step is to saute; fishes with local capsicum and garlic shoots. Its favor is hot and acetous with fragrance, it is most suitable for accompany with rice.
One more interesting thing is vegetables on the mountains, which is authentic green vegetables; without pesticides. Its favor differs from vegetables in cities, really dainty!
Sitting under boundless sky, smelling wine fragrance from far, I feel drunk again.
beijing shanghai lijiang yunnan

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My travel to Peking

2006-10-18T00:31:00.000-07:00

Beijing (Peking) is well known for its flatness and regular constructions. Like the configuration of the Forbidden City, Beijing has concentric "ring roads", which are actually rectangular, that go around the metropolis. It was also the seat of the Qing dynasty emperor until the formation of a republic in 1911, so it has rich historical sites, and important government institutions. Taking a travel to Peking is my long-cherished wish. In the golden autumn of 2000, I achieved what I’d dreamed for a long time, that was visiting to the heart of our motherland—Peking, and I really experienced its fantastic scene.

On the day of September 11th, when the sun rayed in the morning, my friends and I got the majestic Tiananmen Square, the largest city square in the world and the spiritual heart of China, where the national flag is raised exactly at sunrise everyday. It is surrounded by Soviet-style monuments and government buildings. I pressed the camera shutter continually and took photographs of the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People and the Tiananmen Gate. Then we entered the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall which sits in the south of the square. I presented a bundle of fresh flowers in state before the Chairman Mao’s statuary and made a bow for three times in front of the portrait of Chairman Mao laid in the crystal coffin. Outside the Chairman Mao Memorial Hall, the workers were busily decorating the square with flowers and lights to greet the great occasion of the National Day.

We then walked to the Forbidden City, which is officially known as the Imperial Palace Museum. It is also located in the center of Beijing, used to be the imperial palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties with a history of around 600 years, and now is the grandest integral palace complex still remaining in China. We got there when the gate was opened at 8.30am, then we walked through the vast and spectacular courtyards in relative peace. This is the right spot that visitors can appreciate the might and grandeur of the Imperial Chinese court during the height of its power in Ming and Qing dynasties. Then we were on the Tian’an Men Gate and retrospected the grand ceremony of founding the state on the National Day of 1949. I felt as if Chairman Mao was standing here and seriously declared, “People's Republic of China has been established! Chinese people stand up from now on!"

From Shenwumen Gate we got out of the Imperial Palace, and reached Jingshan park near by as well as Beihai park, where the landscape is beautiful and charming.

On the day of September 12th, we had a travel-stained visit to the Summer Palace, which is well known both in domestic and foreign. The Summer Palace is located on the northwestern outskirts of the city, and used to be the imperial summer resort of the Qing Dynasty. With the perfect layout, magnificent buildings and enchanting landscape, it is the most splendid classical garden in China. Most visitors gathered in the front hill, but we preferred quiet places, we turned to the west bank and directly went to the back hill area, where there were some quiet and secret ruins, caves, and ruined docks. In China, there is a famous saying, “you’re not a Plucky Hero till you climb up the Great Wall.” It was clear and cloudless on September 13th, and we took the special route of sight seeing bus to the Juyong Pass and Badaling section of the Great Wall. The Great Wall is the symbol of China and also one of the seven wonders in the world. The incredible Great Wall began construction almost 2,500 years ago under the direction of one of the most notorious and influential Emperors in China, that is Qin Shihuang emperor. It was a massive project involving countless millions of hands building the Wall stone by stone, the original purpose was to keep out of barbarian invaders from the North. The Wall is on top of mountain chains. Upon to the Great Wall, the guide suggested us bringing a jacket to resist the wind and cold.

The Badaling section is the most famous, but also the most over-restored and crowded part of the Great Wall. Jin Shan Ling and Huang Shan are more distant, with several hours’ drive but offer a better view of the wall in a less restored state with fewer crowds. There were too many people on Badaling section that day, and it seemed that it is not the Great Wall of China, but the Great Wall of Tourists.

We didn’t take a full enjoy to our hearts’ content during these days. But we were strongly moved by the historical ambience here for its vicissitudes and resplendence. I wish to come back to visit Peking, the world-famed historic city!

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My diary of Chengdu food

2006-10-18T00:30:00.000-07:00

Although it was not the first time I have been to Chengdu, I was still excited at the moment that the airplane landed on the airport. Sometimes I was wondering why Chengdu was so attractive to me. Was it because of its moist climate? Or was it because of its magnificence? Or its delicious food?
Well, Chengdu, I came back again!
Pengshan Drift-Tang
Pengshan, one hour bus away from Chengdu, was our meeting place. In the evening, it was a little bit cold, and the light rain dropped softly every now and then. Somebody suggested we have drift-Tang!
Drift-Tang? I was attracted by the name. Because the word “drift” had infinite romance and the romantic feeling. Thus, we went towards there with great hope.
In the dark night, bamboo at both sides of the mountain path stabbed towards us. Rain dropped in “sha sha sha” with tricky expectation, however, nothing bad occurrenced. After 20 minutes later, we arrived at the mountain-root small town. Chengdu is really a city famous for its evening life. Even in the peripheral town, some restaurants were still opened at the mid-night in the rainy evening. From this, we knew that the drift here was really well-known. At the doorway, quite a few restaurants held the sign broad, writing two words consumedly: drift-Tang!
By named drift-Tang, it had not much soup in it actually. Fillet, hair belly, mushroom and vegetable crowded together, the flavor was thick but didn’t get feed up with, instead, slippery fresh and delicate. While, another forgotten name soup with the amount of soup abundance, I think, matched drift-Tang perfectly.
Rain, doing for an occasion got heavy, beat on the roof; the surrounding was dimmer and dimmer. In the whole world, there were lights here only, exiting with the delicious drift-Tang. Talking impatiently with my friends and drinking occasionally, I was thinking actually… Perhaps the drift-Tang was a kind of artistic feeling.
Chengdu Chuanchuanxiang
The annual convention end!
We arrived in Chengdu at 9:00 pm. We arranged our baggage at hotel, and then we went straight to have Chuanchuanxiang after a little break.
String Chuanchuanxiang is a kind of hot pots in fact, all of strings is for oneself to take. People pay for the bill by bamboo sticks. Each one is ten fen, and if there are two sticks through meat, that is twenty fen. Generally speaking, there is only one piece of vegetable on a stick, or there is only a piece of meat, even the mushroom is only a little bit. We always felt that we had little for one mouth, so we had to have much to fill with our stomach. Like me, a northern girl, it was no problem to enjoy seventy or eighty sticks of food. There was really large difference between north and south, because no northern restaurants would like to earn money in this way.
Adjusted to anticipate, we were recommended to use pure oil, because it could solve hot. Moreover, it made the flavor fresher. The soup was seething in the pot, and food was rolling in the soup. Algidity brought by damp and cool day was disappearing, and meanwhile, a joviality rising up in my heart.
Chengdu, a town for eating
If there is gender for every city, I always think Chengdu is absolutely female. She keeps people stay in her arms by her deeply feminine character, so there is an old saying “Young people should not go to Sichuan.” The darker it is, the much more beautiful and more charming she is. Especially the delicious food, always attract people. But this time, Chengdu welcame me with a rare sunshine. And the sunlight was gentle and soft. A very lazy warmth was in my body, the mood also became easily leisurely immediately.
Nothing to say, except helping yourself!
First was nosh. The coming tens of bowls of food conquered us, such as Bell dumplings,Douhua,Lai rice dumplings,Dan Dan noodle... All food whether we knew its name or not, stuffed of our mouths. And then we picked up the camera “ka cha, ka cha”, to take many pictures. In addition, there were White House Feichang,Guokui, roast food, fish balls and pearl milk tea laying out on the shelf showing off flavor. It was much better if I had a big stomach!
Then we had hot pot. Mandarin Pot is a hotpot that small one in a big one. Under the bright red, the outer hot soup boiled first like the blooming red flowers, while the inner thin soup bubbled up. As the city was known for hot, thin soup just played a minor role… Besides, fish tegument dumpling also left me a good memory.
Finally, I will mention the Panglaoma Pettitoes. We went to there at 2:00 am. What astonished was that the restaurant was full of guests, no seats for us. Outside the restaurant, it parked massive taxis. When the magnetic bowl came, the inside was white tender pettitoes. They were crystal in the milky soup…
Now, I feel I don’t know of Chengdu at all suddenly. After all, eating is the superficial impression. In the deep inside of her, what is important? And what is most attraction? Actually, I don’t know it very well.
End my dairy with the name of a book: Chengdu, forget me tonight please!
beijing shanghai lijiang yunnan
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Miao Minority New Year Day

2006-10-18T00:28:00.000-07:00

Miao minority is one of the minorities which locate in the north of China. Now there are totally 7,384,000 Miao people in China, with 430,000 in Guangxi, which are mainly spotted on the four Autonomous counties-------Rongshui, Longlin, Sanjiang and Longsheng, with the other are on Ziyuan, Xilin, Rongan, Huanjiang, Tianlin, Napo, Laibing. Except their own traditional festival-----Miao New Year Day, Miao people of Guangxi observe the same Festival Day of Han people, while their activity is a little different from Han minority people.
On 9th February,2006(12th January, lunar calendar), we photography team were invited to Antai countryside of Rongshui county to celebrate the Miao minority New Year, the destination is to Zaihuai village of Antai countryside. We started from Guilin at 8:30am (Guilin----Lingui----Yongfu-----Rongan-----Rongshui), we arrived at Rongshui County at 1:00pm, just eating some rice-noodle, we continued at 1:30. Unfortunately, when we arrived, we met a strong fire, which burnt two wooden storied building, and had obstructed us for an hour.
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At 5:00pm, we the team with more than 90 people, we went to the village as we are with our guns (tripod) and cannons (cameras) as if we are devils, while the villagers did not look us as that way, they were exited to heard that we are photography fonder, and some of which were from media units, so they welcomed us with the most warmest ceremony. The villagers dressed up in queue met us with fresh flowers, the others played the Yaogu (a kind of Chinese drum which can hang on ones waist), and Lusheng (a kind of traditional musical instrument of Miao minority people), a pretty girls toast us one by one.
When we arrived the village square, the villagers served us with the most wonderful Lusheng dancing; we felt the atmosphere of festival in their skilled performance, beautiful and honest dance posture. We could not help clicking the shutter as to catch the most brilliant instant.
This night the arranged us stay in the villagers families, with the way of Dahongbao (the host serves us a night sleeping, a supper, a breakfast, and each of us pay the 20 Yuan, cheap? So cheap! )
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Lao Xu and I were arranged to the family with the master whose name was Lao Shi, Lao shi was pretty veridical and honest. He guided us to his house and showed us the rooms which are ready for us, in which there is simply a bed, maybe that can not be titled as bed, which was built by several wood bat, ok, it does not matter, we originally came here to experience the life of people here, while the problem is the bed is not large enough, I thought we would fell on the floor in the night, Lao shi caught our he explained I had three children, Laoer (his second child) stay in his friends house as to provide for us, if this does not enough I will ask Laosan (his third child) to do that too. When he said he veiled his eyes all the time. We said ok. At last we have others two even three persons slept in a bed.
Our supper was simple, (we ate in a wood building, which may be owned by collectivity, the first floor is kitchen, the second one is dinning room which displayed about 6 big dinning tables, and the minority people were very hospitable.) Every 8 persons sat by a table, all the food were placed by large bowls, two bowls of stewed beef, braised pork, net radish, cabbage, soup, a bowl of meat was stewed with big boiler, which had little attraction for us, compared with the delicacies of every kink, it was a bad one, while their we cannot buy in the restaurant and also I knew it was the best for the local residents, they did their best to satisfy us, I, too, tried my best to taste my food, even though I felt I could not swallow them.
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The scale of the celebration this year is the largest; the Lusheng teams joined us, too. The ceremonious performance lasted until 2:00 at dawn. Zaihuai village was divided into 5 production teams, Lao shi family was the first one. There are six persons in Laoshis family, his old father, his wife, his three children and he, the eldest and the elder ones are boys, the eldest one is disabled on his leg, while the littlest is a girl, who is a senior grade 2 student, Laoshi worked at a power plant as a casual laborer, salary is 400 Yuan per month, with the three pigs they fed, they could earn 10,000 Yuan per year, which was on a low level in their village, with the mail earning on curing his eldest childs leg, and on the girls study.
I had a bad sleep that night, I could not adapt to the condition, and the cock sang at about 2:00 at dawn, since then I opened my eyes turning over from time to time, since their breakfast started at 10:00, and its raining all the last night, I had to got up until 8:00, at about 10:00, the members of the family got up one by one, and then they were busy with our breakfast. They began to boil Youcha(a kind of tea), kill the chicken, and Youcha is the necessary meal to the Miao people and the Dong people, which was considered as breakfast. It was very simple to make it. First of all, put some edible oil in the pan when the oil is heat, we could fry the Mihua (a kind of sticky rice which was boiled and dried) then put 1,000km water with 20-30 grams tea, and boiled it, adding some salt, monosodium glutamate was ok, we can enjoy a wonderful tea, it was a traditional food there, this morning, or we can say it was noon, we had a wonderful meal.
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Laoshi treated us as honored guests ,he asked us to drink more all over the time, they called it Quangjiu, in their way Quangjiu means the host respect or welcome you very much, they would make many excuse cheat you to drink more, the more you drink, the more happiness they got, I could understand this, so that day I drunk much, though I usually drunk little, I loved the family, loved their custom, at last, Lao shi exchanged his cup with mine, I felt some his wife told me, that mean he want to close to you, it was also their custom, I nod my head, did that and smiled, suddenly I remembered my father, I did not know why. Our main food was sticky rice ,it was very funny, we ate it with hands. 12:30, we finished our breakfast, and went to the plaza, both of we gave another 20 Yuan to Laoshi for his hospitality.
The celebration was held for a while when we arrived, we saw there were many Lusheng pillars of every camp and the body of the pillars were carved as dragons, with a favonian bird on the top of the pillar. Lusheng pillar is the signal of holy. Thousands of Miao minority people and Dong minority people and several dozens of Lusheng team ran from all aspects. They sacrificed and prayed under their own pillars, they prayed the God to give them a harvest next year. I forgot everything as if I was the member of them, together with them to feel the exiting and happiness which the God gave us. And it was also a good chance to make young people fell in love; this was another custom of them. The remainder was perfect, too. The particular one was which called horse-fight. Maybe it is more bloody and, but it was also a kind of culture, as if the bullfight on abroad.
How time flied, we have to leave. When we got on the bus, all the villagers in the street, their mood was same with ours. Wait for me next year, I shouted with my heart. See you next year, thank you for your hospitality; I will miss you, with the beautiful photos in my camera, which is eternal in the shoot, also in my heart.
yangshuo anshun yangtze river cruises
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Lost civilization-Dunhuang

2006-10-18T00:23:00.000-07:00

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From Jiangnan to Lanzhou, we took train for two days. And then changed cars, five days later in the evening we arrived Dunhuang. Dunhuang, in my impression, it is merely a small border town to the northwest. But in Dunhuang, I knew that I was shallow. Beacause Dunhuang is a bustling city, with all establishments eastern cities have, including health and unhealthy. When the car crossed the long of windbreaks, and went into the cantonal, all unexpected things were no longer concerned to us, it was important that we tried our best to reached Dunhuang finally. We cheered spontaneously: Dunhuang, we are coming!
The next morning, we drove to Mo Gao Ku. In the vehicle, the leader of our team repeatedly warned us: in Mo Gao Ku, don’t take separate action, don’t leave the tour, and don’t take photos. He called them "three no" policy, we must adhere to the rules. About forty minutes trip, we got to Mo Gao Ku.
Mo Gao Ku located in a obscure khaki-coloured mountains waist. The cave were covered by sparsely wood, a long river was dry, absolutely desolate and lorn, but extremely mysterious.
Although there are marvellous spectacles such as Weeping Dune and Ku Crescent Moon Spring, undoubtedly Mo Gao Ku by Treasure for the Treasure. It brought together many of the cultural history; Collection of the painting scroll of history too; Also embodies the essence of art too much human thought. When you are in Mo Gao Ku, as if you are walking into human civilization time and unable to pull yourself up in the human small and the great.
Mo Gao Ku built in Jianyuan 2nd during the Former Qin dynasty (AD. 336), which is claimed to have 1,000 caves, in fact probably more than 500 caves. In front of the gate, we handed in our cameras (camera was not allowed in Mo Gao Ku), and followed two guides into a dark cave and entered the long process of history.
Mo Gao Ku more than 500 caves, from the former Qin Shi Huang, experienced the dynasties of Sui, Tang, Yuan, Ming and Qing, Every generation repaired holes in the cave, every cave that dynasty basically have condensed the essence of the art. We didn’t see all five hundred caves, but caves of every dynasty we visited, it seemed to be going a long history of civilization. The kind of arts and cultural differences between the characteristics and brought us toward the concert. To protect the cave paintings and statues, Mo Gao Ku all cave lights are not installed, every cave have advanced electronic monitoring equipment to ensure the protection of heritage. Moreover, each cave is locked, guides carry a huge key to open the cave. When the visitors finished their visiting, the door was locked immediately, even a following group will immediately come to visit also are not mistakenly locked.
On the tour personnel, there was one object, flashlight, which is used for visiting. In the dark cave, people followed the guide with one foot shallow one foot deep. Suddenly the guide opened flashlight, and illuminated a beautiful murals, they already began on the images. They certainly were nonchalant to the murals and tourist’s shocking, as there was no exciting in their speech. But the visitors were experiencing some excitement and the attack of the heart. The small flashlight illuminated the great predecessors, but also the image of small ourselves.
We visited one cave by one, all caves had no name except the number: "330 houses, 350 houses, 220 houses" liked a milestone on their long, recording the process of people toward civilization, and creating civilized history. It recorded every dynasty also. Murals of Tang dynasty were undoubtedly the most outstanding in all cave, the content of the richest Tang dynasty was highest skilled. By the Qing dynasty, it was apparent some decline, no spirit, no vivid, as guides said the expression of all figures were like the same as the Empress Dowager Cixi.
Finally, we entered the 17 hole, which is the city. The most important thing in human archaeology in the twentieth century was the discovery of the city of Dunhuang. In 1900, it as if the history offer the twentieth century a gift in that year, the closed door opened to the world.
It is because of Mo Gao Ku Dunhuang, is there a city Dunhuang, while also, because of the city, is there Mao Gao Ku. Wangdaoshi who is difficult to evaluate opened the door of Dunhuang, Mo Gao Ku more than 10,000 pieces of incalculable treasures were grabbed by foreigners at here.
The door which Wangdaoshi found out was still opened, and nothing was in it. We could hardly imagine that, in this poor cave, had existed such rich cultural deposits; and it was also difficult to judge whether it was a national glory or shame.
At noon, experienced a hearts baptism, all visitors return to the vehicles exhaustedly. In the sunshine, the desert became more inhospitable. One thousand and six hundred ago, Ledun monk saw Fo Kuang on three crisis Hill, then excavated the first cave of Mo Gao Ku. Thousands of years later, a number of stonemen came here from a long and hard journey to create Mo Gao Ku brilliance. I am wondering, in the process, what supported their lives for the faith? So many fine art objects from different nation, different religious beliefs, different artistic approach, and what caused them get together in Dunhuang? Maybe this world is really difficult to explain things too much, we can not find out the answer. We are just the visitors, and we came and went, leaving our astonishment, take some small souvenirs, and then rush toward the next destination, but Mo Gao Ku will always belong to Dunhuang.
beijing shanghai xi'an tibet
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Limpid water from hot spring

2006-10-18T00:22:00.000-07:00

Down the hill to Longji terrace, we went by car to Longsheng hot spring which wins the reputation of The first hot spring of southern China.
It locates in the national forest park of Longsheng hot spring which is 32 miles far from the county and it is the centre and soul of the park. Recorded by the history of Longsheng County: sulfur in this spring which can cure skin disease, water is very pure and not smelly. Although it sits deeply in the mountain, there still lots of visitors come there; I can image the springs history.
The car ran along the Sangjiang River; the mountains on each of the bank were up-and-down, on which the trees were heavily wooded; firs and bushes which are like loyal guarders, watch the mountains on the banks. There is a pellucid stream on the left road in which pebble stone can be seen, in which duck swims. Look from distance by the window, streams of Sangjiang River run from the land which have existed for thousands of years, following along with the bobbin; singing sounded by the washing women, my thoughts went far away.
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We came to the terminal of this journey----Centre Hotel of Longsheng Spring, companies with the singing scenery which run in sight is the dense forest, which give us a stimulus. Immediately, the Spring Centre Hotel built by the mountains caught our eye sights. We surprised the Longsheng peoples attention to tourism, as there was a magnificent five star hotel in the deep mountain.
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The hall of the hotel was studded by an engraving of Longji terrace, which told every visitor that terrace and spring are the pride of Longsheng, which linked closely. The hotel was consisted with the main building of the four stars; and SPA building of five stars, with every guest room is flat with mountain scenery, when opening the window, it seems you can touch the blue sky, forest, fountain, and falls. It may be contented thing to sit in couch enjoying the scenery outside.
There are little bridges and green bamboo in the scenic spot, which make the scenery very superb, as if we fell into the fairyland, or the heaven. Wandering between the green-black Mountain and pure river which combine originality with modern times perfectly, we felt that how time flied! Unconsciously, we reached the spring.
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The fountains shot from 1,200m deeper of the layer of rock, which formed two springs of cold and hot ones after circling, the fountain slope down the stone wall of cliff, inpouring into the bathtubs which are made of pebbles with all shapes and sizes. The fountain affluxes slowly, flowing out from the outlet of its bottom, it made the fountains pellucid and clear all the time. Although there were lots of hot spring around our country, Longsheng Spring was famous for its natural fountain which can be drunk easily, without the smell of sulphuric acid.
Secondly, its temperature that formed naturally. The cold and hot fountains keep abreast pouring down the cliff; one of them was as a basin of scalding soup, the other was like a handful of snow. The temperature of the two springs can be regulated automatically. With the natural spring and the thick wood, one can absorb the fresh air, and also enjoy the spring. How happy the Yao minority people are to live there.
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The spring located in the hidden valley, with peaks around it. It is warm in winter and cool in summer. Wandering in the fairyland where we can enjoy the bamboo dancing in the wind at daytime, listening to the river singing at night, we really have fun there.
Laying in the quiet bathtub, let the body be moistened by the warm spring, you could understand this temperature was proper, when you were caught up it entirely, you would feel that it was so near and familiar. Holding your head suddenly, three poetic Chinese words burst in your sight, dipping your head and listening, it was calling lowly;in another way, it was listening your soft saying.
At that time, I smelt the leaves.
I changed into another room with another temperature. The water was warmer there, it caressed me. The fell of warm, quiet, sweet fulfilled my heart. The water then was like a flood of strength which chucked my body, released my heart, and make my idea went far and far. I had seen colorful light glassed themselves in a sheet of skyey water which rippling into my heart. I doubt that I had heart snow falling on the roof.
The temperature of Jingyi basin is the highest. The water flew out from the stone cranny, which surrounded by mist. Lying in it, I did want to think nothing, say nothing, only want to enjoy the quietness and peace which far from the city.
The light were twinkling in the night, with the stars blinking their eyes in the sky, the night was so charming which make me have a sound sleep, sweet and comfortable.
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One Day Tour of Leshan Giant Buddha

2006-10-18T00:21:00.001-07:00

Leshan Giant Buddha, a stone statue of 71m height, is carved out of a cliff face that lies at the confluence of the Minjiang, Dadu and Qingyi rivers in the southern part of Sichuan province in China, near the city of Leshan. According to records, the carving of this giant Buddha was begun in the first year of the reign of the Tang Emperor Tang Xuanzong (713 AD), and completed in the 19th year of Emperor Dezong (803 AD), with a total of 90 years. It is now the largest stone-carved Buddha in the world.
This is my one-day tour experience in Leshan Giant Buddha spot.
Before we visited the great work, our guide gave us a brief introduction that the solemn Buddha is 71 meters high and its head itself is 14.7 meters high. Its ear is 6.2 meters long, eye 3.3 meters wide, and shoulder 34 meters wide. Its middle finger is 8.3 meters long and the smallest toenail is large enough to accommodate a seated person.
Taller by 17 meters than the standing Buddha in Afghanistan, Leshan Giant Buddha was added to the World Natural and Cultural Heritage List. The stone sculpture faces the Holy peak Mount E’mei, with the rivers flowing below his feet. The statue depicts a seated Buddha with his hands resting on his knees, his head reaching the hilltop and his feet the river, occupying the entire hillside. There is a local saying: " The mountain is a Buddha and the Buddha is a mountain". It was a monk called Hai Tong who initiated the project. Master Haitong, a Buddhist abbot of the Lingyun Monastery, raised the necessary funds and commenced the construction of the Giant Buddha in order to subdue the waters and save lives. After 20 years' begging alms, he finally accumulated enough money for the plan. When some local government officials had designs on tempting this amount of money, Hai Tong said that they could get his eyeball but not the money raised for the Buddha. After Hai Tong dug out his eyeball, these officials ran away scared. The project was half done when Hai Tong passed away, and two of his disciples continued the work. After a total of 90 years' hard work, the project was finally completed. I was totally moved by the story.
Though it was designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, over the past 1,000 years, erosion did become a major threat to the statue. Strong winds, heavy rains, acid rain and visitors have left their marks. Water detained at the stomach of the Buddha has lowered the strength of the rock, and as a result, plants and fungi have sprung up from the upper part of the body.
We chose to visit the Giant Buddha by a walk. We stepped onto the breathtaking plank road alongside the cliff, climbed around the statue and got a good sense of proportion, it was really worth looking at the Grand Buddha from several angles. The total walking takes about 2 hours. After 40 minutes, we went to the top, opposite the head. The charm of the Buddha lies not only in its size but also in its architectural artistry. The head of the Leshan Buddha is covered with 1,021 buns of curly hair. Seen from afar, they seem to be a whole while in fact they are made of rocks and each of which is large enough to support a big round table. But stone coils of hair on the head of the statue have fallen down.
We then reached it’s huge nose, has turned black and the face has become speckled because of acid rain. What looks like tear stains can be found at the corner of the Buddha's eyes, and part of the body surface has begun to peel off. During the way, I felt a little dizzy.
We descend a short stairway to the feet for a Lilliputian perspective at last. Each of the feet is 11 meters long and 8.5 meters wide, large enough to accommodate more than 100 people sitting on it.
Leshan statue is a work of art as well as a work of creativity. We looked carefully and found an internal drainage system was incorporated into the sculpture that is still in working order. My guide told us, the drainage pipes were carved in various places on the body, that scattered on the head and arms, behind the ears and in the clothes to carry away the water after the rains so as to reduce weathering, and they play an important part in the protection of the Buddha.
There is another interesting thing, according to the experts involved in the maintenance in 1962, there is a cave in the chest of the Buddha. On entering the cave they found scrap iron and bricks. The stele covering the entrance of the cave dates from the Song Dynasty. The reason for this stele in the chest of the Buddha remains a mystery.
The huge statue not only represents the brilliant civilization of ancient China but also the largest ancient sculpture in the world.
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Jiuzhaigou Tell us a Spring Fairy Story

2006-10-18T00:21:00.000-07:00

Would you like to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Jiuzhaigou? Now, I would like to take the opportunity to show you the magic land. I am sure you will be attracted by its radiant and picturesque landscape.
Blue Jiuzhaigou
Nature, the creator of life, is in deep love with the magic terrain which locates in the northwest of Sichuan province. The lofty mountains stand toweringly, crystal clear waters flow away, all which decorate the tranquility region into a fairy land. And while, Jiuzhaigou valley, which is famous as“the world of fairy tale”, is the soul of the fantastic land.
It is said that the most beautiful season for Jiuzhaigou is autumn. Actually, there is a special outlook in spring. When spring comes over here, the ice of Jiuzhougou begins to melt. Meanwhile, the river rose up. And a few surfaces of lake are translucent, some of which still in ice, and some water begin to flow.
On the road to Jiuzhaigou, even though it was still in low temperature, but we had felt the breath of spring as the flowers blurted out all over the hills. On the best dreaming background of the snow peaks, Jiuzhaigou valley was just a real fantastic world. Gentle and slouching sun rose up, and the sunlight began kissed the blue lake. Amazing it was!
Blue lake and the green trees were also a fabulous picture in my eyes.
With water as their mirror, Green trees was doing up their hairs. Colorful shadows turned on a dreamscape.
Green Jiuzhaigou
Dark blue was the lake, and serene it was, which afforded tranquility for my heart.
Verdant green trees gave my eyes a broad space.
Bright yellow was an extraordinary, charming, landscape.
Jiuzhaigou valley, a fairy land gifted by nature, always showed us the spring tale scenery, which formed a natural enchanting picture. It appeared so colorful and natural that I wished I had possessed it forever.
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It is the Palace

2006-10-18T00:19:00.000-07:00

Early in the morning I woke up automatically, because I would visit the Palace. This time would certainly murder many negatives, so I must quickly ready for it.

First to see the Palace, the idea flashed through my brain was the old words“I am coming!” Generally speaking, the Palace in the first coming tourists’ heart such as me is that if only one choice spots around Beijing, the Palace is always the first choice. In numerous dramas about palace, the audience will get a mystical feeling about palace, a place full of conspiracy and desire. But drama is drama after all, brings us more is entertainment. Standing still in the ceremony place where ministers worship on bended knees and looking at emperor seat, I was deeply impressed by the power authority had been really existed. Complex and magnificence buildings, unself-esteem proprieties, those were the two indispensable conditions for the absolute authority! When the guide spoke, I was thinking. In the Qing Dynasty palace issues, Yong Zheng won wife, Shun Zhi Reign became a monk, such puzzles once took place in this grandiose and resplendent palace where I was standing. I saw the plaque which Kangxi wrote "official" the words for the sake of their ministers’ disinterested attitude towards to their work. Behind the plaque was the release of Yong Zheng... After the middle of the Qing dynasty, it was the place where China signed all treacherous treaties, including China and Japan War of 1894-1895, royal ultimate resolution to appease Japanese by cutting Taiwan. Far away in Taiwan Qiu Fengjia wrote famous words sadly: "to ministers to cede territory, to me unable to reoccupy it". I remembered grandparents who spoke fluent Japanese, reminded the Taiwan presidential office building today was the government House during the Japanese occupation, Japanese Restaurants everywhere in Taiwan, Japan wind, and even Denghui Lee said: "To the death of Japanese emperor, I am more sorrowful than you Japanese.”… it was 2006 today, more than 100 years from the war in 1894. While Taiwan's present satiation came from here… my heart was beaten.

Compared to the name of Palace, I prefer the name of Forbidden City. The Imperial Palace is the former palace, desolate; while the name of Forbidden City stands for Royal dignity, in spite of the dignity have gone with the wind. Although the palace is opened to all people, the psychological significance of it is not similar with such spots as Shenzhen Happy kingdom. The Imperial Palace is not only the royal kin homes, but also the symbol of the Chinese nation former brilliance. In this hall, Qianlong had met Britain ambassador Mageerni, besides Kanghsi had displayed a great landscape map… At that time, I filled with recollections. China prospered here and declined here also.

We went to the Hou Temple, and visited the legendary Zhenfei wells. Then I had the same idea like the travel notes: can a person enter into such a small wells? I and my friends suspected it just actually attached to the story only. And then we visited the imperial concubine residence. How small their residence was! They couldn’t go out easily except living in the small place. Even diligently dropping around it was estimated not too interesting. If they played Mangjiang together everyday, it help them not only to spend the boring day, but also contributed to transfer women’s jealousness.

After finishing the Palace, I was still very excited: no matter how magnificent buildings are, distinguished status, if not properly preserved, can only leave our offspring endless sigh.

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If we fail to reach the Great Wall, We are no heroes

2006-10-18T00:18:00.001-07:00

This morning, we got up early, after we had breakfast, we got together and drove to the Great Wall. Our motorcade ran on the highway straightly towards Badaling. Not long after we passed Juyongguan, we arrived at the Great Wall.

Great Wall is the symbol of our China, extending for more than 12000 kilometers. It is one of the great building of the world. The Great Wall began its construction at Qin Shihuang period, and subsequent dynasties continued to strengthen and extended the wall. The construction of Min dynasty reached the present magnificent scale. Badaling is the only part which is not only best preserved among the Min Great Walls, but also the representative one. This section with an altitude of 1015m, is the outpost of Juyongguan. Steepy and solid, hence it is always an important strategic place for wars. After entering the gate, we saw the Min dynastic cannons displayed at the two sides of steps. As they experienced lots of dynasties, old brown cannons stood stably, and they will still stand up to the flying times.

We climbed towards the north. The foundation and the walls were built of stone blocks and bricks. As standing in the storms, bricks had begun to fade, and faint grey they were now. Various signature we found everywhere, on the walls, battlements, it seems as though the tourists would tell every body that they had been here. Names could exist with the Great Wall, while, could they exist with the history yet?

We had to climb up some high steps before we arrived at the No.2 northern building. There were about 100 steps and about 35 CM per step, so we climbed by my hands and feet. One of my colleagues told us that when he had been studying in Beijing, he often had climbed the Great Wall. And a guide had told him that one foreign young guy had climbed up the Great Wall every morning from No.1 northern building to No.8 northern building in a breath. I was astonished and kidding “I think our football national team should climb 5 times for very day’s training, so that they will energetic in the match.” We joked along our trip and forgot the sighting. Actually, so did our life! We passed over No.2 building and got to No.3 building, when we took a rest, I am looking back: The Great Wall was so magnificent that we were in its long-narrow embrace. It was filled with people at the beginning place. Wind come through from the battlement, blowing our T shirt,we felt a little cool. The sun walked slowly in the sky, mountains all around stood solemnly. Instead, the mountains under the Great Wall put down their prideful heads. Sparse grass covered the soil of two sides of Great Wall, low vegetation formed a green illusion. It was the unique views from the mountains behind us every time we passed a signal fire platform. Meanwhile, the Great Wall turned on a fantastic scenery: blue sky, clouds, breeze, peaks, green trees, yellow soils, and ribbonlike roads, all got together harmoniously. It was just a vivid picture.

During our climbing, there were slopes and steps. Was our life like that? Yes, absolutely! Because our life was full of adventures and wateriness. The epigraph of Mao chairman “If we fail to reach the Great Wall, We are no heroes.” we saw when we arrive at the No.8 northern building. And we paid the entrance fee, and then entered the picture area. Until we were not interested in taking photos, we reminded us that all extraordinary sighting was at peaks, and then I decently pick up my girlfriend’s hand, looked up to the peak. Absolutely, up-and-down peaks showed us the magnificent northern mountains, and all beautiful views were in our eyes.

After our pictures developed, I found that only the one which we took at the beginning could show the magnificence of the Great Wall, instead, those we took from various angles during our trip was just the evidence that we had been to the Great Wall. Maybe, only at the beginning, specially, at the basement of the history, can we appreciate the Great Wall seriously. Relatively, for my life, shall we see our life clearly at the beginning, while on the way, we lose because of the changing angles and exotic attractions?

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Everest, we were so close to you,but miss you in the end!!!

2006-10-18T00:18:00.000-07:00

From the lesson I know that the Everest is the highest peak of the world with the elevation of 8848 meters. Its name has the original meaning, the words “zhumu” means goddess, and “lanma ”means “the third”, because there are four mountain peaks around, Everest is the third one. Everest is the honor of our Chinese people, and it is also always the goal for athletes and the mountain climbing fancier for years, every climber is proud of climbing up to the top of Everest. Well, this time we were so close to it.
When we were still in Lhasa, auntie Yang made a phone excitedly to tell her friends that she would go to Everest. She was proud that we couldn’t describe with words. Naturally, her friends envied her very seriously. On the way to Everest, somebody told us his impression of Everest, “you will regret if you won’t go to there, and you will regret either you have been to. It is the destiny to see the whole view of it. Someone saw it at the first time, while someone hadn’t seen it for a month living at the foot, and went back home with regret. (the person was a foreigner) We hurried back from immortal hills of Ali,we were hesitated to go to the foot of Everest, because we had to pay for the environment, it would cost us four hundred yuan for our cross-country car, besides, the gate fee was more than one hundred Yuan a person, it was not a small expense in all. More over, Luosang persuaded us, “it is not a big deal to go to there, as it is a base camp after all for athletes. We won’t meet the athletes and will be regret to see nothing exciting if it is not fortunate. But if we live in Old calendar, we can live in a hotel where we can see the Everest from the window, actually not only Everest, but also other mountain peaks altitude over eight thousand meters.” I was hesitated. We came to Tibet from far away, should we really give up the chance in the condition that we spend large money? Should we change again to visit it? Other three members gave up the plan, so I had to follow them, as we were a team. Luosang was satisfied with our decision, and played the game of “count seven” and sang Tibetan songs that evening.
So we accommodated us in Old calendar which was four or five hours bus driving from Everest. It was clear that day, we went out to see the Everest. Pointing the peak far in front of us, some said it was Everest, some said it was Gasherbrum Friends Fung, and some said it was Xixiabangmafeng… later, we got on the bus, and discussed which peak it was. To be honest, I regret that we didn’t go to the foot of it, no matter how bad the weather was, and no matter how expensive the fee we had to pay, we should have visited them.
Everest, we were so close to you, but miss you in the end!!!
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Cruise Downstream the Yangtze River

2006-10-18T00:17:00.001-07:00

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest one in the world, where the steepiest section--the Three Gorges has been China's biggest construction project since the Great Wall and has ever generated controversy at home and abroad. The Three Gorges project is supposed to be an important future source of energy for China's growing electrical consumption. It is also expected to improve the navigation and tame the fabled Yangtze River.
Nowadays cruising China's Yangtze River (Three Gorges) has become a popular and booming vacation choice for incoming tourists from home and abroad.
On the day of June 5th, 2001, my fellow and I took 3 days to travel downstream the Yangtze River from Chongqing to Yichang on a 5-star cruises vessel.
On the first day, we arrived at Fengdu, also known as the "Ghost City" or Wanxian, it is an important port on the Chang River at the beginning of the Three Gorges and also the administrative and commercial center.
We departed on the following morning and then boarded the ship and passed towards the fantastic Three Gorges. We first arrived at the Qutang Gorge, which is the shortest, narrowest, and most dramatic of the Three Gorges. The span of its narrowest surface is tens of meters, and the span of its widest reaches is less than 150 meters. We were all astonished at the grand scenery and unconsciously got over the breath-taking gorge.
We boarded the ship and sailed through Wu Gorge, the most beautiful gorge of the Three Gorges. This scenic zone extents from Daning river of Wu mountain in the west, to the Badongguan ferry in the east, with total length of 42 Km. The famous weathered twelve peaks in Wu mountain lying there just like twelve fairies,which have shaped a deep zigzagging valley and forested mountains; the graceful goddess peak stands lovely and delicately, the 25-mile long Wu Gorge is famous for its lofty scenery, which is flanked by cliffs so sheer that the sun barely penetrates the precipices.
After lunch we disembarked the ship and boarded smaller vessels at Wushan for an excursion of Shennong Stream. The Shennong Stream is tributary carrying clear, cool water into the Yangtze. It is also the main transportation link for the farmers living in the area. Even today, they use small wooden boats that are pulled upstream. There are many traditional tracker boats, which are powered by rowing, or by heaving long ropes from the shore to cope with shallow or fast flowing water. The Shennong Stream is also famous for its beautiful scenery. During the trip, we saw coffins suspended high on the cliff and wild monkeys running under the primitive bushes.
We continued to pass through Xiling Gorge which is the longest and historically the most dangerous of the Three Gorges. It starts from the western point, the outfall of Xiangxi River in Zigui County to Nanjin Pass in Yichang, and the eastern point. Xiliing Gorge has got its name for being located in the west of Yichang. It contains Kongling Gorge ,Dengying Gorge, Qing Beach, Xie Beach , the Three Gorges Dam, etc. It’s known for strange rock formation, speed and alarming danger. Passing Xiling Gorge is an adventure. We were getting closer to the hanging coffins and Zhangfei Shrine and all felt excited.
On the next day, after breakfast we started our last shore excursion and visited the massive Three Gorges Dam. It is the largest hydro-power plant in the world. We had great experience of the falling of dozens of meters when passing Gezhouba’s gate. We eventually arrived in Yichang and disembarked around noon.
Yichang City is located in the western part of Hubei Province, at the exit of the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. It has been confirmed by archeologists that there existed human traces at least 100,000 years ago. Yichang is a tourist city with a variety of attractions rich in historical sites and cultural relics. Yichang has also become a modern city with convenient transportation and communication facilities in recent years.
The Yangtze River is rich in splendid Chinese civilization, it has fed the Chinese people generation after generation and created many scenic wonders. We witnessed its grand view and were proud of it as well as being a Chinese.
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A facial expression in the sunlight

2006-10-18T00:17:00.000-07:00

During this time I went to Tibet, cattle left me a special impression. At first, on the way to Namucuo, I saw several cattle stood in the river that a rivulet rushed down along the brae with water current hurrying in the disordered stone cluster. Maybe the cool water from the snow mountain seemed made the cattle enjoy the swimming. From their leisurely and contented facial expression and the stance for enjoy, we could see clearly that they were just comfortable warm sunshine was shining on the back while the following river water, under the belly, did up their hair. How pleasure they were! Before us were the river and black cattle, it was just like a beautiful picture. Could the working-hard cattle enjoy the happiness that belonged to them This was the first time I saw their pleasant.
When we left Namucuo, at the time we were inebriated and marveled at the extremely charming scenery just now, suddenly, rushed out a group of cattle, moving very slowly, we had to wait patiently for them to go through. At that time, one cattle caught our sight. It was a happy cattle running happily. You couldn’t imagine how such awkward cattle could jump breezily. Its back hoofs tried to hold up to almost level. The holding hoofs and almost level tail nearly showed out its excitement which was just like the children’s happiness. I remembered that I had seen such innocent happiness when I once followed a kid. While in the broad grassland cattle run unbridled on the spacious grassland, the comparison between awkward appearance and extremely resilience influence our moods. Every one could not help crying and laughing to see this cheery guy rushing. Maybe happiness could be delivered. The holding up hoofs cattle hadn’t escaped from our view yet, and then came three small cattle, played around to run and push each other in the very wide road like kidding boy run away and disappeared in the grassland. We astonished the lovely cattle, we thought we should enjoy our running unbridled on the grassland, roll and frolic!
We saw most was the cattle and tents scattering on the hillside and grassland. Bright sunlight poured on the green land, quiet and peaceful, it seemed as if scattered casually. Some black cattle lingered there too, sporadic. It seemed they were still, or moved quietly. Not far ahead, there were some black tents, on occasion, Tibetan women flashed through. On the grass before their tents, basked their felt mats. A wisp of light smoke rose up, hillside became more quiet because of the light smoke. In the broad world, this scenery appeared a life that life was moving. Such sedateness brought us foreverness came from ancient time to today. The green grass, sunlight, the leisure and the tranquility unknown appeared everywhere. How should the human being be if life existed in this situation.
What deepest impression did Tibetan leave me was their unperturbed attitude towards life. Not only when they were pattering, but also walking or knocking head, they always showed a kind of constant peace, not please and sad appeared. They always pay attention on their inner thought, not looked around. What they saw was their soul which was not disturbed by external world. When we talked with them, their expression in their eyes was innocence and transparent. When they smiled, their happiness was always real. The feeling flowed naturally to come out both from face and the corner of the mouth was extremely influential. Even though we couldn’t communicate because of the language, we still understood the words in their eyes, still understand the honest and frank but silent smile----- the facial expression that belonged to the sunshine! Shall we have such sight Or shall we have such bright smile Or shall have such mood But it’s a pity that we have forgotten everything already, and we have grown up! At the place that close to the sky most, human beings have still such pure virginity, it is the treasure for the human beings I think. I love their peace, innocence and sedateness deeply. I also love their attitude towards not only the curiosity to them, but also the eyes both friend and unfriend, love their attitude of facing the complicated word with simpleness.
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A Bright Pearl of the Silk Road

2006-10-18T00:16:00.000-07:00

After my train entered Shanxi province, I got down from my up-sleeper. It was sunshine and blink outside the window. From then on, I could hardly find green views along the road of Shanxi—Gansu—Xinjiang. Unknown grey grass scattered on the broad and bald Loess Plateau. The ravines washed out by flood looked like a sword lacerated the chest of mountains, astonishing and amazing! The goats scattering on the hillside grazed the scanty grass. This scenery made me think how the dry area kept the moisture. Was this the Loess Plateau which was mentioned in the songs? Yes, it did is! Now, I understand the reason that songs of Xingtianyou were always deplorable. When I was in the primary school, the bleakness impression of northwest poem was deep in my heart. If I would not visit here, I, who lived in the south washy city, could hardly imagine how hard the people here live in a water-scarce condition. Compared with them, we are so lucky, aren’t we? Water is the most precious thing on the earth; it is the origin of every thing! This word is more profound for me from then on.
The second station of our Silk Road was Dunhuang, a bright pearl of the Road. In the past, Dunhuang was an important city for fair of Silk Road, but now, the past flourish had gone with the wind, and left people memories to recall.
Under the Mingsha hill, a flock of camels were ready to go. Behind the dune, charming Moon Spring was jumping. Desert and camel you can find easily around the world, however, Moon Spring is the only one. Hence, we grasped the chance to appreciate the spring.
“From far away, there is a beautiful moon spring, it is the eyes of the sky, and it is also the heaven of stars.” Until we got close to the spring, we knew why people sang it as the eyes of the sky; it was so fantastic and amazing! The spring was embraced by dune, the clear-crystal spring looked like the bright eyes staring at the welkin, and the reeds around were the eyelash of its eyes.
Moon Spring is considered as a miracle of nature. Maybe god takes pity on us, those who live in the desert, and creates the life origin for us. But we have to protect it well, because it is reported that the Moon Spring is not a spring which will not dry up since its water surface shrank from 22 Mu of 70s last century to the present 9 Mu, meanwhile, the depth reduced from 7m to 3m. I am afraid that after sometime, we can’t see the desert bright pearl Moon Spring.
I walked around the spring, and later went back to our bus in time. But some team members were attracted by the camels, and rode on the camels for about forty minutes. So our fugacious time couldn’t be enough for other activities.
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3 Days'Impression Tour in Guilin

2006-10-18T00:02:00.000-07:00

Guilin is Located in the subtropical zone in the southern part of China, and boasts a pleasant climate throughout the year. Built over 2,000 years ago during the Qin Dynasty and named after the fragrance of osmanthus, Guilin has been famous for its picturesque scenery; the peculiar landforms of Limestone Mountains and numerous caverns are renowned throughout the world and called the finest beauty under the heaven. Over the course of centuries many poets and painters have been drawn to these parts, and they have all praised the beauty of Guilin in their works. The Lijiang River flows from northeast to southeast like a jade ribbon.
I had a close visit to Guilin in holiday last summer, which is a tour not only to Guilin city itself, but to the beauty around the city: ethnic minority experience in Longsheng north of the city, cruise on Li River to Yangshuo in the south and a special show in the open air with the river as the stage. I remembered that I sent pictures of the hills of Guilin to friends back home, and few of them believed what they saw.
On the first day, we had an Ethnic Minorities Culture expedition at Longsheng Terrace. After three-hour drive we arrived at Longji Rice Terrace, which is located in the southeast of Longsheng County and is called the champion of the terrace world ? The terraces wind from the foot to the top of the hillside and show a picture of great momentum and imposing beauty. Layers on layers, some of them look like great chains, others look like ribbons. We hiked for about 1 hour up to Ping’ an village and visited the rice terraces of Dragon's Back Mountain where the Zhuang and Yao Ethnic Tribes have inhabited for hundreds of years.
For me, not the beauty but the local women with their long and black hair that is the most charming feature. From a local woman, I learned that long hair is a local tradition. All the Hongyao women can cut their hair at 16 years old; symbolizing the fact she is an adult who can look for a lover. But the hair cut off should be kept by her grandmother instead of being thrown away. That was really interesting!
We drove back to Guilin in the afternoon and freed at leisure for the rest of the day.
Departed from the hotel in the next morning, we were transferred to the Zhujiang Pier for wonderful Lijiang River Cruise. Lijiang River, the river of poems and paintings, is the soul of Guilin scenery. From Guilin to Yangshuo, the 83-km-long waterway forms a gallery of landscape painting, which is a fairyland in the world with "Nine Horses in Picture Hill", "Places of Interest in Xingping", ?ellow Cloth Shoal ? etc. After 4.5 hours we arrived in Yangshuo. Yangshuo is probably the most westernized backpackers’ town that I’ve been to in China. The foreigner street here, literally called ?est Street ? is full of bars, hostels, and the requisite foreigners. I was impressed by the picturesque mountains, peaceful green fields, farms and villages with water buffalos, cows wondering around on both sides of the river bank, etc.
I rented a bicycle and wandered through the back parts of town, which was really wonderful!
In the evening, I enjoyed the Show of Impression Liu, a brand-new performance produced with a natural stage setting of Guilin scenery. The performance is based on a lady Liu Sanjie who was well known for her beautiful voice and she always sang while working in the fields. The production aims to provide an insight into the lives of the region's ethnic groups through song and dance.
We lodged in Yangshuo and had a cool night. We returned to Guilin city on the third day by bus, and today’s highlight is a half days' city tour of the most famous hills and caves in Guilin. We first visited the Elephant Trunk Hill, which is situated majestically on the west bank of Li River, and resembles an elephant sucking water from the river with its long trunk. It is supposed to be the landmark of Guilin landscape. To our guide, I knew that when the moonlight sprinkles over the river, the mirror-like water reflects of the moon-like cave, and hence the name 'Moon over the Water'.
Then we came to the Reed Flute Cave, which is known as "the Palace of Natural Arts". The cave got its name from the verdant reeds growing outside it, with which people make flutes. Inside this water-eroded cave is a spectacular world of various stalactites, stone pillars and rock formations created by carbonate deposition.
We were free at leisure in the rest day, I tasted the famous local delicacy - Guilin Rice Noodles and went for shopping on the Zhongshan Road in the evening.
We departed Guilin and headed for home on the next morning. Coming close to Guilin is a dream in my life, now I hope to sleep in my dream and never wake up. The verdant mountains, elegant waters, and fantastic caves deeply impressed me. Guilin, I wanna dream in your charming land forever!
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