Silvia's wonderful cycling tour on ancient city wall of Xian

This tour journal was writen by Silvia, a travel specialist from EasyTourChina.com. In mid-Noverber, she had made study trips to Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou.

When I arrange Xi’an tour for my clients, the attraction I would like to put in mostly isAncient City Wallbesides Terra Cotta Warriors, and usually clients like it.

Ancient City Wall, Xian

Ancient City Wall is the first landmark visitors will encounter in Xi’an, stretches round the old city. It’s very special among China there’s a completed and occlusive wall in city center. When I rode bicycle on the wall with very warm sunshine in Winter, I felt that it was really an enjoyment, leisure and free. Cycling on City Wall is amazing way to overlook Xi’an. On the way I saw people doing exercise in river bank parks, the railway station and Muslim quarters with ancient style house, even the Guangren Lama Temple. Most buildings inside the circle of city wall are ancient style or very short, but the outside building are very high and modern. I thought that’s like taking time boat.

Cycling on Ancient City Wall of Xian

Xian Ancient City Wall

The round trip cycling took around 2hrs, much less if you are not crazy interested in photos, surely we enjoy every minute.

Silvia's wonderful cycling tour on ancient city wall of Xian

This tour journal was writen by Silvia, a travel specialist from EasyTourChina.com. In mid-Noverber, she had made study trips to Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou.

When I arrange Xi’an tour for my clients, the attraction I would like to put in mostly isAncient City Wallbesides Terra Cotta Warriors, and usually clients like it.

Ancient City Wall, Xian

Ancient City Wall is the first landmark visitors will encounter in Xi’an, stretches round the old city. It’s very special among China there’s a completed and occlusive wall in city center. When I rode bicycle on the wall with very warm sunshine in Winter, I felt that it was really an enjoyment, leisure and free. Cycling on City Wall is amazing way to overlook Xi’an. On the way I saw people doing exercise in river bank parks, the railway station and Muslim quarters with ancient style house, even the Guangren Lama Temple. Most buildings inside the circle of city wall are ancient style or very short, but the outside building are very high and modern. I thought that’s like taking time boat.

Cycling on Ancient City Wall of Xian

Xian Ancient City Wall

The round trip cycling took around 2hrs, much less if you are not crazy interested in photos, surely we enjoy every minute.

Beijing to offer 72-hour visa-free stay for transit travellers

Beijing will start a 72-hour visa-free stay policy for citizens of 45 countries in 2013 to boost tourism, Beijing municipal government announced on December 5.

 the Forbidden City, Beijing, China

From Jan. 1, 2013, foreigners from 45 countries, landing in Beijing but destined for other countries, can hold third country visas and plane tickets to apply for a transit without visa (TWOV), at Beijing Capital International Airport. They will be able to stay in Beijing for 72 hours without a Chinese visa.

The 45 countries were listed in accordance with the numbers of inbound overnight visitors in Beijing from 2009 to 2011.

Austria	Hungary	Portugal	Cyprus	Chile
Belgium	Iceland	the Republic of Slovakia	Bulgaria	Australia
the Czech Republic	Italy	the Republic of Slovenia	Romania	New Zealand
Denmark	Latvia	Spain	Ukraine	the Republic of Korea
Estonia	the Republic of Lithuania	Sweden	the United States of America	Japan
Finland	Luxembourg	Swiss	Canada	Singapore
France	the Republic of Malta	Russia	Brazil	Brunei
Germany	the Netherlands	the United Kingdom of Britain	Mexico	the United Arab Emirates
Greece	Poland	the Republic of Ireland	Argentina	Qatar

Beijing Capital International Airport is the only entry-exit port applicable for the policy. And, the 72 hours will be calculated starting from the moment visitors get their transit stay permits.

Transit visitors have to carry identity documents with them while traveling during the 72 hours, and register at a police station with their documents within 24 hours of their arrival. Moreover, they will be not allowed to leave Beijing to other Chinese cities during the 72 hours, and have to depart from Beijing.

The visa-free policy is aimed at making Beijing more accessible to the world; and, more importantly, it is expected to attract more international travelers. Within a three-day stay, people are free to visit Beijing's well-known tourist spots, go shopping, and sample the local cuisine.

Qinghai Lake turns swan lake in winter

Every year, more than 1,000 swans would fly to a wetland beside the Qinghai Lake in northwest China’s Qinghai Province for wintering. This photo, taken on November 27, 2012 by Xinhuanet.com, shows that swans swim in the Qinghai Lake, making it a beautiful “swan lake”.

Swans swin in the Qinghai Lake. 

Qinghai Lake, covering an area of 4,402.5 square kilometres, is the largest inland saltwater lake in China. It is home to 189 species of birds, including bar-headed geese, brown-headed gulls, and swans. It is an excellent place for bird watching.

Swans fly over the Qinghai Lake 

Qinghai Lake is a wintering site for swans, while few other species of bird are present here in the harsh winter months. This year, it has witnessed a remarkable increase in the number of swans thanks to government’s effective measures taken to protect the environment.

The New Year Water-Splashing Festival of Dai People in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan

The Water-Splashing Festival is the New Year’s celebrations of the Dai ethnic minority in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. Annually, it is held on the 24th to 26th day of the sixth month of the Dai calendar. In Gregorian calendar, the festival always falls in the mid-April, and lasts at least three days. Jinghong, the capital of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, usually celebrates it from April 13 to 15.

Water-Splashing Festival, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan

For Dai people, the annual Water-Splashing Festival is the most important holiday. The three-day celebrations are filled with various activities, including dragon-boat races, traditional Dai dances, the launching of rockets, parades and fairs; but water splashing is central to all.

Dragon-boat racing during the festival

About the origin of the festival, legend has it that once upon a time, there was a “demon of fire” who brought all the pains and sufferings to the local people. All the people hatred him, but his magic was too powerful for them to overcome. One day in the sixth month, his seventh wife, who had been kidnapped from the village, tricked him into revealing his weaknesses. As he slept, his wives killed the demon by strangling him with a single hair of his own. Unfortunately, wherever his cut-off head tumbled about, there were raging flames. However, once the head was carried in the arms of one of the girls, the fire would immediately go out. So the girls decided to hold the post in turn, each for one year. At the time of New Year when they switch shifts, local people would gather to splash water on the relieved girl to clean the bloodstains on her body and help her recover from the year-long fatigue.

People splash water and give their best regards to each other.

Ever since, the Dai people have been celebrating the new year by water-splashing to wash away the dirt, sorrow and demons of the old year and bring in the happiness of the new. In the Dai culture, water serves as a symbol of sanctity and brightness. On April 15, 2012, tens of thousands of people throughout the world gathered to celebrate the Water-splashing Festival in Jinghong City. Along the roadsides, in public parks or squares, local people and tourists wearing colorful clothes splashed water and give their best regards to each other. During the festival, everyone is ready for blessing and receiving wishes from others. Foreighers would get special attention so prepare to be drenched all day. Remember, the wetter you get, the more luck you’ll receive.

Miao People's Folk Valentine's Day Opened in SW China

The Sisters Festival, or Valentine’s Day for the Miao ethnic minority in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou province, kicked off to the sound of Lusheng, a reed-pipe wind instrument, and drumbeats on April 5, 2012.

Girls dressed up at Miao Ethnic Sisters Festival

The three-day fest used to be a dating occasion for young Miao people to find their Mr. or Mrs. Right, but now it is celebrated by more than just hopeful singles.

Wu Li, 34, is a mother of two kids, but she is also very excited about the festival in Taijiang county and got up at 5 a.m. to put on make-up and get ready for the parade.

“Our ethnic costumes and the silver accessories on the head weigh over 5 kgs, but they look so beautiful and I have fun dancing in them,” Wu said.
Besides the parade, the Sisters Meal is a must during the festival. Young women make flower-shaped rice dumplings with keepsakes wrapped inside and serve them to the men they like, as the dumplings are shaped like flowers, so the festival is also known as the “Festival hidden in Flowers.”

Colorful Sister Meal - a must for the festival

Taijiang county is home to 159,000 people, of which the Miao account for 98 percent. For Miao people, the Sisters Festival is one of the most active festivals, and held annually from the 15th to 17th day of the third lunar month. In the festival, young lads and girls sing gentle love songs with soft emotion. It offers a good chance for them to meet and begin their courtship. Girls, who are the center of the festival, would invite their sweet hearts to eat Sister Rice. Also, there are other traditional activities, including canoeing contest, dragon dance, horse racing, and bullfighting.

Miao girls would serve Sister Meal to the men she likes.

(Source from Xinhua)

Qingming Festival Falls on April 4, 2012

Qingming, literally pure and brightness, is the fifth one of 24 solar terms in Chinese lunar calendar. The day represents a welcome transition from winter to spring. With the coming of spring, nature wakes up, dressing the world in green. All is new, clean and fresh. It always comes at April 4 or April 5 each year.

Moreover, it is a festival of remembrance. Chinese people sweep the tombs of their ancestors in a yearly mark of respect. This is why Qingming is also known as the Tomb-Sweeping Day. After slightly sweeping the tombs, people offer food, flowers and favorites of the dead, then burn incense and paper money and bow before the memorial tablet.

Qingming was frequently mentioned in ancient Chinese works, the most famous one is the poem by Du Mu.

清明时节雨纷纷，
A drizzling rain falls like tears on the Mourning Day;
路上行人欲断魂。
the mourner’s heart is breaking on his way.
借问酒家何处有？
Where can a wine house are found to drown his sadness?
牧童遥指杏花村。
A cowherd points to  Xing Hua (Almond Flower) Village in the distance.

The Qingming Festival sees a combination of sadness and happiness. In contrast to the sadness of the tomb sweepers, people also enjoy hope of Spring on this day. It is a good time for people to go outside and enjoy the greenery of springtime.

Qingming is also significant in Chinese Tea Culture since it is the specific day which divides the fresh green tea by their picking dates. A kind of green tea picked and dried before the Qingming Festival is called “Mingqian tea”. Mingqian tea is known for its tender buds and rich fragrant bouquet, and it’s valued for its quality.

For more infos about Qingming Festival, please follow this link:
http://www.easytourchina.com/fact-v355-the-tomb-sweeping-festival

Alice's Tour Journal: Enjoy Quietness in Scenic Baofeng Lake, Zhangjiajie

What impresses me most of this Zhangjiajie tour is Baofeng Lake. It is so tranquil that I felt my mind got totally relaxed. I forgot the busy working days and the disturbing city scenes, when I finally reached these water and mountains, and got into this beautiful landscape painting.

Baofeng Lake with graceful mountains and charming waterway

It is a lake hidden and surrounded by a succession of mountains. We climbed on the steep road, went through the narrow lane, and then saw it. We arrived there late in the afternoon, and there were very few people there, so that we could really enjoy the quietness.

Boating excursion on Baofeng Lake

We were sitting in a boat, imaging sailing for a fairy world. We listened to the Tujia minority girl and boy singing folk songs, watched mandarin ducks swimming in pairs. We also saw a beautiful stone statue, and were told a fairy tale. A girl waited for her boyfriend, who had collected medicinal herbs and disappeared in the mountains. Years and years, she turned into a stone statue.

Silvia’s Hiking along Golden Whip Stream, Zhangjiajie

Before I came to Zhangjiajie city, I have been told that by one of my prior clients Golden Whip Stream was her most favorite place in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. Wondering what is the attraction to her.

Beautiful scenery along Golden Whip Stream

Actually it’s different with my imagination. What I expected was “hiking”, which means the road along a stream is bumpy like mountain road. When I came to there, I found that the road is built very well, not too wide but enough for pedestrians. There’s also something interesting on road to please tourists such as short piles, wood suspension bridge and little monkeys. Certainly the views on both sides are amazing.

High and straight trees along the road

Even if it took around 2.5hrs by walking, but we didn’t feel tired. It’s a kind of leisure.

I like those high and straight trees along the road very much. Our guide told us, Golden Whip Stream locates on valley so it’s not easy to meet sunshine. Trees need to grow harder and harder to be tall for more time to enjoy the sunshine each day. Wow, how motivational these trees are.

Cathy’s Travel Stories: Walkway alongside Guigu Cliff on Tianmen Mountain

Can you image a path suspends on a cliff more than 1,400m above sea level? We took a short trip to experience the road in the sky at the end of February, 2012. The road in the sky is also called the Plank Road along side Guigu Cliffs. It is located on the Shifou Mountain (also called Tianmen Mountain), Zhangjiajie City, Hunan Province. Tianmen is the highest peak in the Wulingyuan Mountains and is regarded as the “soul” of Zhangjiajie city.

Here our hearts were agitated by the extreme shock and stimulation. The walk is totally awesome. We like actions slithered along the cliff wall and when we spotted someone coming in the opposite direction. And we hadn’t seen them in hope that they would be the ones to risk their life with polite offering of allowing the other to pass. It was an adventurous experience!

Kilometres of paths was built alongside Guigu Cliff on Tianmen Mountain.

Tianmen mountain literally means Heavenly Gate Mountain, standing at 1,500 meters above sea level. Tianmen cave is a natural hole half way up the mountain of a height of 131.5 metres. It is just like a gate to the heaven. Also, the mountain got its name “Tianmen Mountain”. The cableway from Zhangjiajie downtown towards Tianmen Mountain is considered to be the longest cableway in the world, covering a distance of 7,455 meters and with a height of 1,279 meters. An 11km road with 99 bends also reaches the top of the mountain and takes visitors to Tianmen cave.

Cable car, Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie city

In 1999, in an acrobatic show, three airplanes flew through Tianmen Cave.

Impressively, a 60-metre-long glass path has been built 4700ft high on the western side of Tianmen Mountain. The walkway is so high up that it allows visitors to looking down at the peaks of smaller mountains below.

Visitors tread nervously over the see-through "sky walk".

Discover the Idyllic Huangyao Ancient Town nearby Yangshuo, Guilin

Huangyao ancient town is situated in the northest of Zhaoping County, Guangxi, some 200 km away from Guilin and 90 km from Yangshuo. The town is just like a shy maiden, standing quietly by the low reaches of Li River. It has been relatively unknown until Hollywood filmed The Painted Veil a few years ago.

The idyllic Huangyao presents a typical Chinese scene - "small bridge over the flowing stream".

The history of Huangyao town can be traced back to Song Dynasty (960-1279). It was constructed again during the Wanli Period (1573-1620) of the Ming Dynasty, and boomed during the reign of Emperor Qianlong (1736-1795) of the Qing Dynasty. The family names of the townspeople were mainly Huang and Yao, hence the town got the name “Huangyao”.

Huangyao, with an area of 3.6 sq km, has long been known as a mini-Guilin for its typical karst landform. A river named Yaojiang passes through it, and the whole town is embraced by flows of winding water. So, according to Chinese fengshui, Huangyao is an ideal place for people to live. There are over 300 houses of Ming and Qing style, built in an array of Nine-Palaces and Eight-Diagrams. All the eight streets in Huangyao are paved with flagstone, and it is said that there are 99,999 flagstones altogether. Those houses along the streets have a functional design combining business and living into one unit. They are more than 20 small temples to visit, a number of pavilions and an old stage.

Ancient residences, with wooden doorways and tiled rooftops, along street in Huangyao

This gorgeous 900-year-old Huangyao, with its laid back lifestyle, can’t fail to wow visitors with its bucolic rhythms. Two 500-year-old banyan trees wind their way up from the river’s edge to the side of the town. Mountains go with water, water goes with bridge, bridge goes without pavilion, pavilion goes without couplet, and couplet can not go without stele, which forms a unique scene of the ancient town. Impressively, the local live as they did in old times –the old people sit gossiping on their doorsteps; young women wash vegetables or clothes by the riverside; children play games…

The locals wash vegetables or clothes by the ancient Well.

Home-made wines are sold along the street, and free for tasting.

Owing to its isolated location – surrounded by mountains and the inconvenient transportation, Huangyao always keep its half-closed condition. Thus, it makes the ancient house and cultural relics are well-preserved. With tourism development, more and more people from home and abroad visit Huangyao. And, the town, along with West Street in Yangshuo, famed as one of most valuable 50 places for foreign tourists in China.

Beijing Impression

"...the city remains an epicenter of tradition with the treasures of nearly 2,000 years as the imperial capital still on view—in the famed Forbidden City and in the city's lush pavilions and gardens..."
                                                       — National Geographic

Beijing is the capital of China, and also the nation's political, educational and cultural centre. Its history can dates back several thousand years. Stop-start capital since the Mongol Yuan dynasty (1271 - 1368), it has been the heart of China's history for centuries. The city name, from the Chinese characters 北 for north and 京 for capital, means literally the "Northern Capital". For travelers, Beijing is truly awe-inspiring with its epic imperial grandeur.

The Forbidden City - Fourteen emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368- 1644) and ten emperors of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) lived and ruled China in this palace for as long as 490 years from 1421 to 1911.

The Great Wall, one of the world's most popular tourist attractions, is 3,333 miles long and was built, section by section, between the 5th century BC and 16th century AD.

Temple of Heaven, literally the Altar of Heaven, served as a vast stage for solemn rites performed by the Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties, who prayed here for good harvests, and sought divine clearance and atonement.

Summer Palace - the largest and best-preserved royal garden in China. it was once a summer retreat for Empress Dowager Cixi, combining palace temples, gardens, pavilions, hill and lakes.

Beihai Park is the capital's oldest imperial garden, with an 800-year history. It's a relaxing place to stroll around, or go boating on the lake.

Yonghe Lamasery - the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It was converted to a lamasery in 1744 after serving as the former residence of Emperor Yong Zheng.

Prince Gong's Mansion - one of Beijing's largest private residential compounds. It shows how the upper class lived during the Qing Dynasty.
Ming Tombs are the final resting place of 13 of the 16 Ming Emperors. At the gate of the tomb area stands a marble archway which leads to the Sacred Road linced by 12 pairs of stone animals followed by 6 pairs of stone civil and military officials on both sides of the way.

Old Summer Palace, known in China as Yuan Ming Yuan, was an extremely large complex of palaces and gardens next to Summer Palace. After it was torched by invading British and French forces in 1860, a melancholic array of broken columns and marbel chunks remain.

Importantly, a journey into the city's Hutong - the traditional living quarters of the locals; and pay a family visit to the old walled Siheyuan (a compound with houses around a courtyard). From spring to autumn, Beijing residents collect outside their gates, drinking beer, playing chess, and... After a hutong tour, it is the time for you to enjoy local flavour snacks. Some of the cheapest and most delicious meals can be had on the streets. Whatever you taste, a Peking roast duck dinner is an essential part of your visit to Beijing - another one is climbing the Great Wall. Peking duck has the reputation of being the most delicious Beijing food. It is mostly prized for the thin, crispy skin, though the meat is fat, it is tender and tasty, not greasy. In the evening, a Peking Opera show would be a good choice to entertain you. The show combines singing, musical dialogue, martial arts and fantastic coustumes. It is widely regarded as the highest expressionof the Chinese culture.

Confucius museum to be built in E China

With an investment of 500 million yuan (79.4 million U.S. dollars), the museum, located in Confucius’ hometown, the county-level city of Qufu, which is administered by the city of Jining, will cover 56,135 square meters, according to the Jining Tourist Information Center.

Qufu's South Gate

Construction on a Confucius museum recently began in east China’s Shandong province, local authorities said Feb. 28, 2012.

A total of 110,000 pieces of cultural relics and 260,000 archived materials about Confucius and his families will be showcased when the museum is completed in three years.

Confucius was giving lecture.

Confucius (551-479 BC), an educator and philosopher, founded a school of thought called Confucianism that deeply influenced later generations. He was also the first Chinese person to set up private schools and enroll students from all walks of life.

Qufu is the hometown of the great sage – Confucious, and his ancestors – the Kong clan. The city contains numerous historic palaces, temples and cemeteries. Collectively, the principal sights – the Confucius Temple, the Confucius Mansion and the Confucius Cemetery – are now known as the ‘San Kong’ (Three Confuciuses). Together, these three sites have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994. Overall, Qufu is a testament to just how important Confucian thought once was in imperial China.

Courtyard of Confucius Mansion (Kong Fu), Qufu, China

Confucius Temple (Kong Miao),Qufu, China

Confucian Cemetery（Kong Lin） - the graveyard of Confucius and his decedents.

(Source from Xinhuanet.com)

Tibetan New Year Celebrations of Losar 2012

Losar is the Tibetan word for “new year”. Losar Festival in Tibet is the biggest event, just like the Christmas in the West. It marks the beginning of Tibetan New Year. The festival lasts for 15 days, from the 1st to 15th day of the first month in Tibetan calendar. Since most Tibetans practice Tibetan Buddhism, celebrations of Losar are permeated with strong religious atmosphere. They feature ancient rituals, stage fights between good and evil, chanting and passing fire torches.

Tibetan people are dacing for celebrating Tibetan New Year

DateHistorically, since the systematization of the Tibetan calendar in 1027 A.D., the first day of the first month became fixed as Losar – the New Year. The Tibetan calendar is made up of 12 or 13 lunar months, each beginning and ending with a new moon. A thirteenth month is added every two or three years, thus an average Tibetan year is equal to the solar year. Tibetan people follow a lunar calendar, so the date of Losar changes from year to year. In 2012, the Tibetan New Year begins on February 22.

Kasai - a special kind of fried curled dough sticks

PreparationActually, preparations for Losar start a month or days earlier. Tibetans buy food, clothing, furniture, and decoration materials for the coming celebrations. On the 19th day of the twelfth lunar month, tradition says that it is a day for cleaning. People would clean their houses very thoroughly to sweeps away bad luck.

Offerings on household shrine

Traditions & CelebrationsTraditionally, the celebrations begin on the twenty-ninth day of the twelfth lunar month, that is, the day before the Tibetan New Year’s Eve. The custom that day is to make a traditional noodle soup called “Guthuk”. It is made from nine different ingredients including dried cheese and various grains. This dish is served with small dumplings. The dumplings are stuffed with one of various things such as chilies, salt, wool, rice and coal. The ingredients one finds hidden in one’s dumpling are supposed to be a lighthearted comment on one’s character. Wool means “good-heartedness”, and coal “black heart”. It is a good way of merrymaking. After dinner, people let off firecrackers and torches are used to rid the homes of evil spirits which may be lurking. On the last day of the year, Homes are freshly painted, families dress up in new clothes, good food and special dishes are cooked. People then honor the gods in their household shrines and place offerings before them. Also, Monasteries are all deckled up in the finest decorations and a Blessing Ceremony is performed on the first day of Losar.

"Night of Guthuk" on the 29th day of the 12th lunar month

By tradition, the most important thing on the first day of Tibetan New Year is to seek “holy water”. In the morning, Housewives would get up very early, and cook a pot of barley wine for the family. When dawn breaks, they head for a nearby river, or well, to fetch the first bucket of water. For the “holy water”, the family would be blessed with good luck for the New Year. Also, family member will greet each other with well-meaning wishes – “Tashi Delek”. In the coming two weeks of celebrations, Tibetans will also exchange New Year’s greetings, worship gods and horse-racing.

Horse-racing for New Year's celebrations

China nominates Tianshan Mountains for UNESCO heritage bid

Tianshan Mountains (or Celestial Mountains) in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of Northwest China, with their spectacular glaciers and diverse wildlife, have been nominated for inclusion on the U.N.’s World Heritage list, local officials said on Feb. 13.

Snow-covered peak and spectacular glacier within Tianshan Mountains range

Green and boundless glassland with beautiful natural scenery

The government of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region recently submitted an application to the UNESCO World Heritage Center for review and evaluation, said officials from the Tianchi Administration Committee, a body that oversees preservation efforts for the Tianshan Mountains.

The Tianshan Mountains stretch for 2,500 km in Xinjiang, bordering Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The range is home to 15,953 glaciers, the most of any mountain in the country, as well as the endangered snow leopard. About 66 percent of the world’s 2,500 remaining snow leopards live in Xinjiang.

Vanishing Snow leopards in Tianshan Mountains

Bogda Peak, one of the snowy peaks within the tianshan mountain range, is covered with snow all the year round and thus nicknamed “the sea of snow”. On the mountainside of Bogda Peak, there’s a lake called “Tianchi” (meaning “heavenly lake“). It is 1,900 meters above sea level and as deep as 90 meters. The crystal-clear lake water is made up of melted ice and snow. The lake is like a big mirror reflecting the snow-white peak and emerald-green spruce trees. The picturesque spot is a famous tourist attraction.

Tianchi or Heavenly Lake on the mountainside of Bogda Peak

(Source from: Xinhuanet.com)

Incredible Chengdu - Native Land of Pandas, China

Chengdu is the capital city of Sichuan province in Southwest China. Its name literally means "becoming a city", and dates back to the city's founding over 2,300 years ago. For Chengdu, it is perhaps best known outside of China for lovely Giant Pandas and spicy Sichuan cuisine. Actually, it is a tourism paradise for travelers, with enchanting natural scenery, amazing historical sites, unique cultural ambience, and leisurely lifestyle. It is also called 'a city where one would not think of leaving once there'.

Like many major cities in China, Chengdu is a place of contrasts - modern and ancient. Traditional wooden architecture and tree-lined streets are giving way to flashy malls and glassy high-rises. New western style buildings can be found everywhere in the downtown. However, the city still boasts a long glorious history and rich culture that can'be rivaled. Among many historical sites in and around Chengdu are Wuhou Memorial Temple, Du Fu Thatched Cottage, Sanxingdui Ruins, Leshan Giant Buddha, Emei Buddhist Mountain, Qingcheng Taoist Mountain, and... Whatever one's interests, there is always plenty to do.

Impressively, Chengdu has the reputation as a very "laid-back" city for its carefee lifestyle. Something is still present in the city's teahouse where locals will spend the day relaxing, drinking tea and playing mah-jong. Traditional teahouses in Chengdu feature bamboo chairs and wooden tables, and jasmine tea is served as the local staple. They can be spotted on almost every city corner, and are a focal point of Sichuan culture. Besides, Chengdu people clearly know how to enjoy their colorful nightlife, from dinner party at hotpot restaurants, tasting snacks at night markets, singing KTV, to dancing at night clubs.

And of course, no visit to Chengdu is complete without going to see the pandas. As China's national treasure, the giant panda is one of the rarest animals in the world. For protection, a breeding center for giant pandas was founded in the north suburbs of Chengdu. It offers a good chance to go eye to eye with cute pandas.

Chinese Lantern Festival

The first month of the Chinese lunar calendar is called yuan month, and in ancient times people called night xiao. On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, it is the first night to see a full moon after the New Year. Thus, the day is called “Yuanxiao Festival” or “Shangyuan Festival”. According to Chinese tradition, at the very beginning of a new year, when there is a bright full moon hanging in the sky, there should be thousands of colorful lanterns hung out for people to appreciate. Also, Chinese people celebrate it as Lantern Festival. The date in the Western calendar changes annually; and in 2012, it falls on February 6.

Various lanterns displayed to greet Lantern Festival

Of course, for Lantern Festival, the displaying of lanterns is a major event at night. In the moonlight, lanterns with various colors, shapes, and sizes are hung in the streets. People walk at a leisurely pace, and appreciate the creativity of diverse lanterns. Children carry self-made or bought paper lanterns, and have fun with their family. “Guessing lantern riddles” is an essential part for lantern watching. The puzzles or riddles were written on a piece of paper and posted on the lanterns. If one can solve that puzzles, a little gift would be given.

And, Tangyuan, a traditional food for Lantern Festival, is eaten together with family. Its name has a similar pronunciation as the word for “reunion” in Chinese. In Northern China, it is also called “Yue Xiao”, which derives from the festival. The food is made from glutinous rice flour with stuffing in round shape. The difference between Tangyuan and Yuanxiao is the way they are made. People in north China make yuanxiao by rolling a hard stuffing in glutinous rice flour. In south China, tangyuan is prepared by placing the filling inside rice flour wrapping, similar to the making of jiaozi. The round shape of the balls and the bowls where they are served, come to symbolise the family togetherness.

Tang Yuan - Lucky food eaten on Lantern Festival

Besides, some performances would be staged in the daytime of the festival, like setting off fireworks, dragon dance, lion dance, land boat dance, yangge dance, and walking on stilts, etc.
For more infos about Lantern Festival, please follow this link:
http://www.easytourchina.com/fact-v354-the-lantern-festival

Lucky Food for Chinese New Year (Spring Festival)

As a popular Chinese saying goes, food is heaven for the people. It is not surprising that food plays a major role in any Chinese festivals. During Spring Festival, several “lucky” foods are served to celebrating Chinese New Year. As their names are homophones for words that mean good things, they are consumed to usher in wealth, happiness, and good fortune.

Fish
Fish is always a must for new year’s celebration because it is a symbol of prosperity. The pronunciation of “fish” (鱼) in Chinese makes it a homophone for “surpluses”(余). It is customary to serve a fish for the New Year’s Eve dinner. Usually, fish is not cut into pieces, but cooked as a whole. When fish is placed on the dining table, its head must be at the elders, as a sign of respect. In most areas, fish is not eaten completely (and the remainder is stored overnight), as the Chinese phrase “may there be surpluses every year” (年年有余) sounds the same as “may there be fish every year”.

Fish, a symbol of prosperity, make it a homophone for "surpluses".

Jiaozi
Jiaozi or Chinese dumplings are one of the major foods eaten during the Chinese New Year and year round in the Northern provinces. Jiaozi symbolize wealth because its shape resembles a gold or silver ingot. Chinese people make dumplings after reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, and the preparation is similar to packaging luck inside the dumpling. When people eat Jiaozi around midnight, they hope that it will bring prosperity and good luck for the forthcoming year.

Jiaozi symbolizes wealth, for it looks like a gold or silver ingot.

Niangao
Niangao literally means “new year cake” with a homophonous meaning of “higher year”. It is a kind of sticky cake made of glutinous rice flour and sugar in the shape of rectangle or circular. The color of the sugar used determines the color of Niaogao (white or brown). Chinese people usually send pieces of it as gifts to relatives and friends in the coming days of the new year. It is considered good luck to eat nian gao during Spring Festival, for its symbolism of “promoting year by year”.

Niaogao, with a meaning of "promoting year by year".

Tangyuan
Tangyuan, also called Yuexiao in Northern China, is a boiled glutinous rice ball with stuffing. Its name “Tang-yuan” in Chinese has similar pronunciation as the word for “reunion”. It is eaten traditionally on Lantern Festival, which falls on the 15th day of the 1st month in Chinese lunar calendar. Thus, Chinese people also call the day “Yuanxiao Festival”. It officially ends the 15-day Chinese New Year celebrations.

Tangyuan signifies "reunion" for their similar pronunciation in Chinese.