The importance of fasting – and eating real food

YuanMingYuan, also known as the 'Old Summer Palace', was constructed during the 18th and early 19th century and was a wonderland of lakes and waterways, bridges, hills and pavilions. One third of the ground of YuanMingYuan was taken up by over 200 small hills with steep sides, secluded valleys, rock walls and stone caves. Half of the garderns are covered by the waters of lakes, winding streams and ponds. It was at YuanMingYuan that the emperors of the Qing Dynasty resided and handled government affairs - until it was destroyed; the Forbidden City was mostly used only for formal ceremonies at this time. The southern part of YuanMingYuan was where emperors handled state affairs, while the other parts were primarily for personal use and comprised of more than 150 scenic spots, involving rare exotic flowers and trees from different parts of the country. There were originally towers, terraces, pavilions, halls, corridors, pagodas and bridges with a total construction area of 150,000 square meters - corresponding in scale to that of the Imperial Palace. Artisans were recruited from all over China to enact the exquisite settings. The various styles of architecture, standing encircled by hills and rivulets, presented a most picturesque view. Many were reproductions of scenic mountains, rivers and famous gardens in China (mostly southern China). During his many tours of the country, emperor QianLong made it a point to have pictures of famous gardens and scenes drawn so that he could have replicas built in Beijing. Most famous of these were the ten scenic spots of the West Lake in HangZhou. The Old Summer Palace is often associated with the European-style palaces (Xi Yang Lou) that were built of stone. The designers of those structures, the Jesuits Giuseppe Castiglione and Michel Benoist, were employed by emperor QianLong to satisfy his taste for exotic buildings and objects. However, more than 95% of the Imperial Gardens consisted of essentially Chinese-style buildings. There were also a few buildings in Tibetan and Mongolian styles, reflecting the diversity of the Qing empire. In addition, hundreds of invaluable Chinese art masterpieces and antiquities were stored in the halls, including some unique copies of literary works and collections. In 1860, during the 'Second Opium War', the British and French expeditionary forces looted the Old Summer Palace. Later, on October 18 1860, a British general - despite protestations from the French (who in fact had began the looting) - gave the order to set fire to the huge complex, which burned to the ground. In 1900, those buildings that had partly survived or been restored were burnt for good by the Western expeditionary forces sent to quell the 'Boxer Rebellion'. Many priceless artifacts were plundered and made their way to museums and private collections in Europe. The ruins were further plundered by the warlords of the early republican period and further destruction of the ruins took place during the 'Cutural Revolution'. After all this destruction, what was left was truely just an empty shell. Empress dowager CiXi later directed the forming of YiHeYuan (Garden of Nurtured Harmony), into a new Summer Palace; this was near to the Old Summer Palace, but on a (somewhat) smaller scale. Nearest subway station : YuanMingYuan on line 4.

Join us for a hike through the amazing peaks and valleys of HuangShan (Yellow Mountain) Scenic Area in AnHui province, east China ...

Top videographers - bjKina, AnyuXu and DearNessie - take you on a tour of Beijing ... First song : Going Home by Faye Wong, from the album To Love, 2003. Note : highly addictive music straight ahead ... A fantastic video film by AnYu Xu ... Includes a great hyperlapse along Beijing's south-north axis, from [TianTan, the Temple of Heaven], QianMen, through Tian'AnMen, GuGong ('Old Palace', the 'Forbidden City' / Palace Museum), JingShan Park, the Drum and Bell Towers and onto the Olympic Park and Olympic Forest Park ... New (old) BeiJing - fashion, food and the vibe, with DearNessie. A vlogging masterclass - 'show don't tell'; plus deft editing and great music ...

Also known as the Spring Festival, the Chinese New Year starts on Saturday 28th January this year and on the mainland lasts one week. This year, based on a lunar calendar, will be the Year of the Rooster. Preparations will already be under way and include a spring clean and adding festive decorations. New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are a time for family reunions, and for many this means travelling home from the city to the countryside. Chinese New Year is celebrated in many countries and China-towns around the World. GōngXǐ FāCái 恭喜发财 ! The first film, 'Coming Together', is from Malaysia - enjoy ... The Spring Festival is about a new year, a new beginning. A time of renewal, and hope and a fresh start, a time of good-will. For example, fireworks, apart from being a joy to all, are to scare away bad spirits. One can see this symbolize the breaking of old habits of thought – a spring clean of the mind. A new year is a new chance for a better life – if you will take it. Keep your eyes open, heart abundant, and strive for a better world. Help others on their journey whenever you can and always share a smile. It may help another, but it will certainly be good for you. As the second film says, it is love that brings us closer to happiness. Above all, the Spring Festival is a time for family. Next 4 films : 1: 'Going Home' ... 2: A touching song about life and friendship (forget the sub-titles, just watch the video). 'Beautiful Snow County is my Home' ... 3: 'Family Portrait' (from Malaysia) - a wry look at family life in the digital age ... 4: 'Don't be tied to the past, but don't tear it up' ... Two 2017 CNY songs from the M Girls (Malaysia). They have released a CNY album every year since 2001 ... 2011 flash-back - CNY fireworks in BeiJing ... Lion Dance in Malaysia (2017) ...

Highlights of an eight week trip though Tibet, YunNan, SiChuan, GanSu and QingHai provinces (2007).

HaiNan ('South Sea') island is the southern-most part of China.

An awesome video - don't miss it ! Bonus films - ChenJiaPu 陈家沟 'wild' Great Wall ... Hiking the 'wild wall' is technically illegal for conservation reasons, and safety concerns. However, permits are available. It is recommended to go with a guide; 'dangerous' is not hype in places like JianKou - be careful - don't go alone, take your time, have a mobile and water with you, etc.

Get up, get up, get up (and go). With a cool drum and bass mix, and some snazzy editing ...

FúJiàn province, east China

HuangShan (Yellow Mountain) is a group of mountains in AnHui province, east China. Famous for its rugged peaks, unusual rocks and tenacious pine trees, this beautiful landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

ShaanXi province Filmed by stellaxhyu