Beautiful musical fountains at the West Lake, HangZhou 杭州

With Our Travel Journal ... ZhuJiaJiao Ancient Water Town Travel Guide History Attractions Activities Food Transportation Tips History of ZhuJiaJiao ZhuJiaJiao, often referred to as the "Venice of Shanghai," is an ancient water town located about 47 kilometers from the bustling center of Shanghai. With a history spanning over 1,700 years, this charming town is known for its picturesque canals, traditional Chinese architecture, and tranquil atmosphere. It was established during the Three Kingdoms Period and flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties as a vital trading hub. Top Attractions in ZhuJiaJiao 1. Fangsheng Bridge The Fangsheng Bridge, built in 1571, is one of the most iconic landmarks in ZhuJiaJiao. It is the longest, largest, and tallest stone bridge in the town, offering stunning views of the water town's canals and ancient buildings. 2. Kezhi Garden This classical Chinese garden features intricate rockeries, tranquil ponds, and traditional pavilions. Originally built in 1912, Kezhi Garden showcases the beauty of Chinese landscaping and architecture. 3. Qing Dynasty Post Office Dating back to the Qing Dynasty, this ancient post office is the oldest in eastern China. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the postal history of China and houses a collection of old letters and postcards. 4. Great North Street Great North Street is the main commercial street of ZhuJiaJiao, lined with quaint shops, tea houses, and traditional residences. It's a great place to shop for souvenirs, local crafts, and taste delicious street food. Activities to Enjoy 1. Boat Rides Take a traditional wooden boat ride through the canals of ZhuJiaJiao for a unique perspective of the town's historic architecture and scenic views. The boat rides are a relaxing way to explore the waterways. 2. Walking Tours Stroll along the ancient streets and alleys, explore hidden courtyards, and admire the well-preserved ancient architecture. Walking tours are the best way to immerse yourself in the charm of ZhuJiaJiao. 3. Tea Tasting Visit one of the many tea houses along the canals to experience traditional Chinese tea culture. Enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea while overlooking the serene waterways. Local Food & Delicacies 1. Zongzi (Rice Dumplings) ZhuJiaJiao is famous for its zongzi, a traditional Chinese food made of glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, typically filled with red bean paste or meat. 2. Steamed Pork Dumplings These delicious dumplings are a must-try in ZhuJiaJiao. They are steamed to perfection and filled with savory pork and a touch of soup. 3. Lotus Root Snacks A local delicacy, these crunchy lotus root snacks are sweet, sticky, and coated with honey. They make for a perfect snack while exploring the town. How to Get There By Bus Take the Huzhu Express Line from Shanghai Stadium, which takes about 1 hour to reach ZhuJiaJiao. Buses run frequently throughout the day. By Car ZhuJiaJiao is approximately a 1-hour drive from downtown Shanghai. You can either hire a private car or take a taxi for a more comfortable journey. By Metro Take Line 17 of the Shanghai Metro and get off at ZhuJiaJiao Station. From the station, it's a short taxi ride or a 20-minute walk to the water town. Travel Tips for ZhuJiaJiao Visit early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful experience. Wear comfortable walking shoes as you'll be exploring on foot and navigating cobblestone streets. Bring cash, as many of the smaller shops and food stalls may not accept credit cards. Don't forget your camera to capture the picturesque views of canals, bridges, and ancient architecture.

With Qog Bazar ... XinJiang, officially the XinJiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, is a provincial-level autonomous region of China in the northwest of the country. Whether the magnificent natural scenes or the hospitable people, it's a priceless treasure to see and feel. [videogallery id=UCcDC6XZ5wmZ8NYG3zNSyclQ num=6]

Known as YíHéYuán in Chinese, meaning the Garden of Nurtured Harmony ...

YT comment - Marcus Silvio : "This song, for me at least, has always represented an enlightened global perspective; we are all just souls passing through the mist of life - not one of us more special or important then the other. It's up to as Humans, not men and women, not white and black, but as humans, to put aside petty differences and spread love; a love not restricted and shared with a few, but with everyone. As Roger said 'there is no Us and Them, just US'." ~~~ Choose LOVE ~~~ The Great Gig in the Sky ... The Lockdown Recordings (don't miss it - 99 seconds to midnight on the doomsday clock) ...

From the ashes of Western imperialism, the first Summer Palace, close by the 'new' Summer Palace (YiHeYuan), is still an enchanting place of natural beauty and Chinese garden arts ...

Thoughts on how emotional stress / trauma can get stuck / repressed (suppressed / buried / hidden) and have a big impact on our current health / 'diseases'. The insights of Pavlov (conditioning) and Freud (repression, the unconscious, projection, ...) remain key facts in psychology ... Emotional stress is being stuck in the past, in some deep-rooted ways. To live in the now, those roots must be uncovered and removed. True living is not reliving the past, or fearing the future; it is about being in the now, detached from past conditioning / beliefs, and the ensuing fear of / dreams of the future. Eat when hungry, sleep when tired, live while you're alive. What you do now, is what will live on. Simple as that.