BeiHai Park, BeiJing 北京, a panorama

Snow Patrol - 'Run' - acoustic cover - with Julia Westin and David MeShow - just awesome - connect your bestest amp - that celtic influence and those chord changes - wow! - gotta love this - soooo beautiful ... Bravo the sound engineers, as well as these two great artists; plus Snow Patrol, for creating this pure and poignant artwork. PLUS : 'Number 1' - with Touch & Go / Buddha Bar - there's something about the rhythm here that makes this special ...

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China The Great Wall (长城 Chángchéng): Located in Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Shanxi. An ancient fortification stretching across China's northern border, built to protect against invasions. Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang (北京和沈阳的明清皇宫 Běijīng hé Shěnyáng de Míng Qīng Huánggōng): Located in Beijing and Liaoning. Magnificent palace complexes representing China's imperial history and architecture. Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (秦始皇陵 Qín Shǐ Huáng Líng): Located in Shaanxi. The burial site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, known for the Terracotta Army. Mogao Caves (莫高窟 Mògāo Kū): Located in Gansu. A complex of Buddhist cave temples containing exquisite murals and sculptures along the Silk Road. Mount Taishan (泰山 Tàishān): Located in Shandong. A sacred mountain with cultural and historical significance, known for its temples, stone inscriptions, and natural beauty. Mount Huangshan (黄山 Huángshān): Located in Anhui. A stunning mountain range known for its granite peaks, pine trees, hot springs, and mystical atmosphere. Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (峨眉山风景名胜区，包括乐山大佛风景名胜区 Éméishān Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū, Bāokuò Lèshān Dàfó Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū): Located in Sichuan. A sacred Buddhist mountain with monasteries, temples, and the world's largest Buddha statue. Old Town of Lijiang (丽江古城 Lìjiāng Gǔchéng): Located in Yunnan. A well-preserved ancient town with traditional Naxi architecture, cobblestone streets, and canals. Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian (周口店北京人遗址 Zhōukǒudiàn Běijīngrén Yízhǐ): Located in Beijing. A significant archaeological site containing fossils and artifacts related to Peking Man. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou (苏州古典园林 Sūzhōu Gǔdiǎn Yuánlín): Located in Jiangsu. A collection of exquisite gardens dating back to the Song Dynasty, known for their harmony between natural landscapes and human creations. Mount Wuyi (武夷山 Wǔyíshān): Located in Fujian. A scenic area with dramatic cliffs, gorges, rivers, and ancient cultural sites, recognized for its biodiversity and tea cultivation. Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (武当山古建筑群 Wǔdāngshān Gǔjiànzhù Qún): Located in Hubei. A complex of Taoist temples and monasteries nestled in the Wudang Mountains, renowned for their architecture and martial arts heritage. Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa (布达拉宫历史建筑群 Bùdálā Gōng Lìshǐ Jiànzhù Qún): Located in Tibet. A symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and culture, the Potala Palace is an architectural masterpiece and former residence of the Dalai Lama. Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde (承德避暑山庄及其周围寺庙 Chéngdé Bìshǔ Shānzhuāng jí Qí Zhōuwéi Sìmiào): Located in Hebei. A vast imperial garden and palace complex featuring traditional Chinese architecture and landscaped gardens. Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu (曲阜孔庙、孔府及孔林 Qūfù Kǒngmiào, Kǒngfǔ jí Kǒng Lín): Located in Shandong. A sacred site dedicated to Confucius, including his temple, family mansion, and forest of tablets. Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing (颐和园 Yíhé Yuán): Located in Beijing. A masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, the Summer Palace features pavilions, temples, and the famous Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing (北京天坛:天坛地区的祭坛 Běijīng Tiāntán: Tiāntán Dìqū de Jìtán): Located in Beijing. A complex of religious buildings where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed sacrificial rituals for good harvests. Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (青城山-都江堰 Qīngchéng Shān - Dūjiāngyàn): Located in Sichuan. A Taoist mountain and ancient irrigation system recognized for their cultural, historical, and technological significance. Dazu Rock Carvings (大足石刻 Dàzú Shíkè): Located in Chongqing. A series of Buddhist rock carvings dating back to the 9th century, depicting Buddhist scriptures, deities, and scenes of daily life. Mount Lushan National Park (庐山 Lúshān): Located in Jiangxi. A scenic area known for its natural beauty, cultural sites, and historic role in Chinese literature and art. Lushan National Park (庐山国家公园 Lúshān Guójiā Gōngyuán): Located in Jiangxi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity, unique geological formations, and cultural landmarks. Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟 Yúngāng Shíkū): Located in Shanxi. A complex of ancient Buddhist cave temples containing thousands of statues and intricate carvings, dating back to the 5th century. Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas (云南三江并流地区 Yúnnán Sānjiāng Bìngliú Dìqū): Located in Yunnan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity and unique geographical features. Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom (古高丽国都及陵墓 Gǔ Gāolí Guó Dū jí Língmù): Located in Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. Containing archaeological remains of the ancient Koguryo Kingdom. Historic Centre of Macao (澳门历史城区 Àomén Lìshǐ Chéngqū): Located in Macau. Known for its historic architecture, cultural landmarks, and fusion of Chinese and Portuguese influences. Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains (四川大熊猫栖息地:卧龙、四姑娘山和夹金山 Sìchuān Dàxióngmāo Qīxīdì: Wòlóng, Sìgūniáng Shān hé Jiājīn Shān): Located in Sichuan. Protecting habitats of the giant panda and other rare species. Yin Xu (殷墟 Yīnxū): Located in Henan. The ruins of the ancient capital of the Shang Dynasty, known for its oracle bone inscriptions and archaeological significance. Tu Fu's Thatched Cottage (杜甫草堂 Dù Fǔ Cǎotáng): Located in Sichuan. The former residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, now a museum dedicated to his life and works. Mount Sanqingshan National Park (三清山 Sānqīngshān): Located in Jiangxi. Known for its dramatic granite peaks, lush forests, and unique rock formations. Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源风景名胜区 Wǔlíngyuán Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū): Located in Hunan. Famous for its towering sandstone pillars, deep ravines, and lush vegetation. Historic Villages of China - Xidi and Hongcun (中国古村落-西递、宏村 Zhōngguó Gǔ Cūnluò - Xīdì, Hóng Cūn): Located in Anhui. Featuring well-preserved traditional villages with ancient architecture and cultural heritage. Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟 Lóngmén Shíkū): Located in Henan. Containing thousands of Buddhist statues and carvings carved into limestone cliffs. Mount Wutai (五台山 Wǔtáishān): Located in Shanxi. A sacred Buddhist mountain known for its monasteries, temples, and cultural significance. China Danxia (中国丹霞 Zhōngguó Dānxiá): Located in various provinces. A series of unique landscapes characterized by red sandstone formations, known for their natural beauty and geological significance. Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in "The Centre of Heaven and Earth" (登封历史建筑群 Dēngfēng Lìshǐ Jiànzhù Qún): Located in Henan. Containing ancient religious sites and martial arts traditions. Site of Xanadu (元上都城址 Yuán Shàngdū Chéngzhǐ): Located in Inner Mongolia. The ruins of Kublai Khan's summer capital, known for its historical and cultural significance. Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (峨眉山风景名胜区，包括乐山大佛风景名胜区 Éméishān Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū, Bāokuò Lèshān Dàfó Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū): Located in Sichuan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its sacred Buddhist mountain and giant Buddha statue. Qin and Han Dynasties: Mausoleums and Goguryeo Ancient Tombs (秦汉与高句丽古墓群 Qín Hàn yǔ Gāojǔlí Gǔ Mù Qún): Located in Liaoning and Jilin. Containing ancient mausoleums and tombs.

With Jeffrey Sachs ...

YunNan province, in south west China, has a diversity of ethnic cultures and a myriad of landscapes; a real-life idyll ... An amazing film - don't miss this ! Two fun-loving young women from Vietnam take to the road across YunNan province ...

About 2 1/2 hours NNE from BeiJing city center ...

A talk by Martin Jacques; October 2020.

With China Road Tales ... Zezhol Monastery, a spiritual beacon of the Bon Religion Perched dramatically on the cliffs of the renowned holy mountain, Mt. Zezhol, Zezhol Monastery stands as a remarkable testament to the enduring legacy of the Bon religion, one of the oldest spiritual traditions in Tibet; indeed, the indigenous faith of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Located in DingQing County, Chamdo, in eastern Tibet, this sacred site is situated at an impressive altitude of 4,800 meters, making it not only one of the highest monasteries in Tibet but also one of the most significant centers for the Bon religion. The monastery lies approximately 37 kilometers from the county town, adding to its mystique and remoteness, which only enhances its spiritual aura. The Bon Religion: A Deep-Rooted Tradition The Bon religion predates the introduction of Buddhism to Tibet and is believed to have originated in the ancient kingdom of Zhangzhung, centered around the sacred Mount Kailash. Bon has played a crucial role in shaping the spiritual and cultural landscape of Tibet, and despite the dominance of Tibetan Buddhism, Bon continues to thrive in certain areas, particularly in eastern Tibet and in communities that maintain strong ties to their indigenous spiritual heritage. Bon is characterized by its unique practices and rituals, which include worship of nature spirits, ancestor reverence, and a rich tradition of oral teachings. The religion encompasses a wide array of rituals intended to harmonize with natural forces, protect communities from malevolent spirits, and promote the well-being of individuals and society as a whole. Central to Bon is the belief in the interconnectedness of all life, the importance of living in harmony with nature, and the pursuit of spiritual enlightenment. Zezhol Monastery: A Center of Bon Spirituality Zezhol Monastery is not only a religious site but also a living repository of Bon teachings and practices. The monastery's location on Mt. Zezhol, a mountain revered as sacred in the Bon tradition, underscores its importance as a place of pilgrimage and spiritual refuge. The faithful believe that the mountain itself is imbued with spiritual power, and the monastery, perched precariously on its cliffs, serves as a conduit between the physical and spiritual realms. Founded centuries ago, Zezhol Monastery has been a pivotal center for the preservation and dissemination of Bon teachings. It houses ancient scriptures, sacred relics, and thangka paintings that depict the Bon deities and cosmology. The monastery’s monks continue to perform traditional Bon rituals, including offerings to the mountain spirits, ceremonies to ensure harmony between humans and nature, and the recitation of ancient Bon texts. The Continuing Influence of Bon Today Despite the rise of Tibetan Buddhism, the Bon religion has managed to survive and even thrive in certain areas of Tibet. Today, Bon practitioners can be found not only in Tibet but also in Nepal, Bhutan, and among the Tibetan diaspora worldwide. The influence of Bon is particularly evident in eastern Tibet, where communities still practice Bon rituals and uphold its teachings. In some regions, Bon rituals are integrated into local Buddhist practices, creating a syncretic form of spirituality that honors both traditions. For instance, many Tibetan Buddhists incorporate Bon deities and rituals into their own religious practices, recognizing the deep cultural and spiritual roots that Bon has in Tibetan society. Furthermore, Bon teachings on the relationship between humans and the natural world continue to resonate, particularly in the context of environmental preservation and sustainable living. Zezhol Monastery remains a vital symbol of this enduring legacy. Pilgrims from across Tibet and beyond visit the monastery to seek blessings, participate in rituals, and connect with the ancient spiritual traditions that have shaped their culture. The monastery’s remote location, high in the mountains, adds to its allure as a place of profound spiritual significance, where the faithful can retreat from the material world and engage deeply with the sacred. Conclusion Zezhol Monastery is more than just a religious site; it is a living testament to the resilience and continuity of the Bon religion in Tibet. As one of the highest and oldest Bon monasteries, it plays a crucial role in preserving this ancient tradition, offering a place of refuge and spiritual nourishment to those who seek to connect with the deep, mystical roots of Tibetan spirituality. In a rapidly changing world, Zezhol Monastery and the Bon religion it represents continue to provide a link to the past, offering insights and teachings that are as relevant today as they were centuries ago.

"I'm Katherine, an environmental engineering Masters student from Virginia, USA, living in Nanjing, China. On this channel, I'll be sharing my travels in China, my bike rides through the countryside, life with my Chinese boyfriend, and stories of fellow environmentalists. I love sharing my life here and all the unique and interesting things I encounter on a regular basis - come join me, let's explore China!" [videogallery id=UCrcDPAshreK6gXlDIrDgYjQ n=8]