Shaolin Temple was established in 495 during the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534), in honor of an Indian monk called Bodhidharma (known to the Chinese as Da Mo), who is founder of the Mahayana sect of Buddhism or more popularly known as Chinese Chan (or Zen) Buddhism. Shaolin Temple is therefore regarded as the birthplace of Chinese Buddhism. The present Shaolin Temple is not only famous for its ancient Buddhist culture, but is more renowned at home and abroad because of its Sholin Martial Arts (Kung Fu).
Heart of a Stone House _ Zhuokeji
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The previously steep hill sides rise a little more gently skyward as the valley opens out. A cluster of geometric grey stone block houses sits comfortably on the slope smartly dressed in their distinctive white washed window frames, corner and roof trims. Colourful prayer banners flutter gently in the breeze above the rooftops. The village of orderly three story stone houses climbs the forested slope above the riverbank, in sharp contrast and yet perfect harmony with the backdrop of greens and blue. The sun lingers just a little longer in the valley floor – this afternoon casting a golden glow over an already magical scene.
Categories: Travel around China.
Nostalgic blossoms, nostalgic Yangtse South
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1.
When the Song dynasty panoramic paintings, « Along the river during Qingming Festival » were exhibited, I was much intrigued, in my candid reading, by the festive spirit in which springtime travel was practiced as early as in olden times China as if in escapade from the hustles of the city. The lady in sedan chair adorned with willows and wild flower figs, with her array of escorting servants and husband on horseback commuting back from the countryside to town appear to epitomise the tradition of springtime outing, termed in old Chinese « treading the meadows » (踏青), originally a custom from the bygone « Shang Si Festival» (上巳节), or the third lunar day of the third lunar calendar month (三月三), festival dated as early as two thousand years back to the Spring and Autumn Period, whose customary practices having been absorbed beyond the Tang Dynasty into the ceremonial tomb-sweeping Qingming (Pure Brightness) Festival (清明节) always falling on the following days.
When the Song dynasty panoramic paintings, « Along the river during Qingming Festival » were exhibited, I was much intrigued, in my candid reading, by the festive spirit in which springtime travel was practiced as early as in olden times China as if in escapade from the hustles of the city. The lady in sedan chair adorned with willows and wild flower figs, with her array of escorting servants and husband on horseback commuting back from the countryside to town appear to epitomise the tradition of springtime outing, termed in old Chinese « treading the meadows » (踏青), originally a custom from the bygone « Shang Si Festival» (上巳节), or the third lunar day of the third lunar calendar month (三月三), festival dated as early as two thousand years back to the Spring and Autumn Period, whose customary practices having been absorbed beyond the Tang Dynasty into the ceremonial tomb-sweeping Qingming (Pure Brightness) Festival (清明节) always falling on the following days.
Categories: Travel around China.
Where a River Runs Red
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A river splits what might have been just one city into two small and equally uninspiring country towns. The Chishui River forms a natural border between Guizhou and Sichuan with Chishui 赤水 in Guizhou on one bank and on the other, Jiuzhi 九支a short distance away in Sichuan. Chishui is an isolated outpost in north western Guizhou. It’s a long march from anywhere but Mao as always was unfazed. Following an historic meeting in nearby Zunyi 遵义in January 1935 in which Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai were entrusted with the leadership of the Communist forces, Mao made his momentous decision to march his army west through Chishui and eventually north into Shanxi and relative safety.
Categories: Travel around China.
Urumqi: How Bazaar!
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Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang, is not a common destination on every traveler’s “to-visit” list. Frankly there’s not too much interest in the one thing that has put Urumqi on the map, or more precisely into the Guinness Book of World Records – the fact that it is the most remote city from any major body of water in the world (2,500km). No doubt officials at the travel bureau scratch their heads in bewilderment trying to figure out how to best use this designation as the most inland city to their advantage. Fortunately for them Urumqi does have its fair share of beautiful scenic spots and must-see parks including the Heavenly Lake and Red Mountain Park, but what sets this city apart, and what I find myself observing today, is its unique diversity.
Categories: Travel around China.
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