LongQing Xia 龙庆峡 (Great Dragon Gorge) near Beijing

Day Trips from Beijing, China Tianjin 天津 (Tiānjīn): Explore this coastal city known for its European-style architecture, the Tianjin Eye Ferris wheel, and the Ancient Culture Street. Take a leisurely stroll along the Haihe River, visit the Porcelain House, and sample local delicacies such as Goubuli Baozi (steamed stuffed buns) and mahua (fried dough twists). Chengde 承德 (Chéngdé): Visit the UNESCO-listed Mountain Resort and its outlying temples, including the Puning Temple and the Eight Outer Temples. Immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of the Mountain Resort, explore the intricately designed temples, and marvel at the towering statue of Guanyin at the Puning Temple. Longqing Gorge 龙庆峡 (Lóngqìng Xiá): Experience the stunning natural beauty of Longqing Gorge, with its emerald green waters, towering cliffs, and scenic boat rides. Take a cruise along the gorge, ride the cable car for panoramic views, and enjoy outdoor activities such as rock climbing and bungee jumping. Simatai Great Wall 司马台长城 (Sīmǎtái Chángchéng): Explore the Simatai section of the Great Wall, known for its steep terrain, rugged beauty, and well-preserved watchtowers. Hike along the ancient wall, admire the panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, and experience the thrill of walking on one of China's most iconic landmarks. Qinhuangdao 秦皇岛 (Qínhuángdǎo): Relax on the beaches of Beidaihe or explore the Shanhaiguan Pass, where the Great Wall meets the sea. Spend a day soaking up the sun on the sandy shores, indulge in fresh seafood at beachside restaurants, and visit historical landmarks such as the First Pass Under Heaven. Chengde 承德 (Chéngdé): Visit the Chengde Mountain Resort, also known as the "Little Potala Palace," and the nearby Puning Temple with its giant statue of Guanyin. Explore the vast complex of palaces, temples, and gardens at the Mountain Resort, and marvel at the intricate architecture and religious artifacts at the Puning Temple. Qinghuang Island 秦皇岛 (Qínhuángdǎo): Take a boat trip to Qinghuang Island to visit the Old Dragon's Head, where the Great Wall meets the Bohai Sea. Explore the ancient watchtowers and fortifications, stroll along the beach, and enjoy panoramic views of the sea and surrounding coastline. Shanxi Pingyao 山西平遥 (Shānxī Píngyáo): Explore the ancient city of Pingyao, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets, visit historic buildings such as the City Wall and Rishengchang Draft Bank, and learn about the city's rich history and cultural heritage. Chengde 承德 (Chéngdé): Discover the temples of Chengde, including the Putuo Zongcheng Temple, modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and the Temple of Universal Peace. Marvel at the grandeur of the imperial temples, explore the intricately carved halls and pavilions, and learn about the religious practices of Tibetan Buddhism. Langfang 廊坊 (Lángfáng): Visit the Nanhu Peach Blossom Village in Langfang during the spring to enjoy the beautiful peach blossoms in bloom. Take a leisurely stroll through the orchards, admire the colorful blooms, and participate in traditional activities such as peach blossom viewing and folk performances. Shijiazhuang 石家庄 (Shíjiāzhuāng): Explore the Cangyan Mountain Scenic Area and its ancient Buddhist grottoes, temples, and scenic landscapes. Hike along the mountain trails, visit the renowned Cangyan Mountain Grottoes, and admire the natural beauty of the surrounding valleys and waterfalls. Tianjin 天津 (Tiānjīn): Take a stroll along the Haihe River and explore the Italian Style Town, a neighborhood with European-style architecture and cobblestone streets. Visit historical landmarks such as the Tianjin Railway Station and the Former Residence of Liang Qichao, and sample Italian cuisine at local restaurants and cafes. Qinhuangdao 秦皇岛 (Qínhuángdǎo): Relax on the beaches of Nandaihe and enjoy seafood delicacies at local restaurants overlooking the sea. Swim in the clear waters, sunbathe on the sandy shores, and savor fresh seafood dishes such as steamed crabs, grilled fish, and fried squid. Chengde 承德 (Chéngdé): Visit the Qingchui Mountain, known for its stunning autumn foliage and panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Take a scenic drive through the mountains, hike along the forest trails, and enjoy panoramic views of the colorful autumn leaves and distant peaks. Tangshan 唐山 (Tángshān): Explore the Tangshan Earthquake Memorial Park and Museum to learn about the devastating earthquake that struck the city in 1976. Visit the memorial hall, view exhibits on earthquake science and disaster prevention, and pay tribute to the victims of the earthquake at the memorial square. Jietai Temple 戒台寺 (Jiètái Sì): Discover the ancient Jietai Temple, known for its beautiful Buddhist architecture and serene surroundings. Explore the temple complex, admire the intricate carvings and statues, and participate in Buddhist rituals such as meditation and prayer. Badachu 八大处 (Bādàchù): Explore the scenic area of Badachu, home to eight ancient Buddhist temples nestled in the hills of Western Beijing. Climb the stone steps to each temple, admire the ancient architecture and religious artifacts, and enjoy panoramic views of Beijing from the hilltops. Xiangshan Park 香山公园 (Xiāngshān Gōngyuán): Enjoy hiking and panoramic views of Beijing from Xiangshan Park, also known as Fragrant Hills Park, especially beautiful during autumn. Take a leisurely stroll through the forested hills, climb to the mountain peak for panoramic views of the city, and admire the vibrant colors of the autumn foliage. Shilinxia Glass Platform 石林峡玻璃栈道 (Shílíngxiá Bōlí Zhàndào): Experience the thrill of walking on the glass platform suspended over the Shilinxia scenic area, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape. Walk along the transparent walkway, peer over the edge to see the valley below, and take in the breathtaking scenery of the rugged cliffs and rock formations. Wuling Mountain 武陵山 (Wǔlíng Shān): Escape to the tranquility of Wuling Mountain, known for its lush forests, waterfalls, and hiking trails. Explore the mountain paths, discover hidden waterfalls and streams, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, picnicking, and birdwatching.

August 2011.

With The New Atlas ...

The ancient town of LiJiang, in YunNan province, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 800 years of history. It was an important hub of the South Silk Road, along which many items were traded, including tea. It is home to the NaXi ethnic minority. LiJiang has lots of boutique hotels and cosy hostels in traditional architecture. The town, with its cobbled streets, streams and bridges, features many crafts (embroidery, silverware, drums and more) plus a wide variety of street snacks and restaurants.

Sometimes in browsing the web disparate things just seem to come together, as here. Two different popular singing shows, one an established artist, one a teen on a first audition; one common theme - 'this girl is on fire'. In the first video, from 'I am a singer', I was so struck by the gusto of the performance. The cut-aways are to the other competitors; one can feel that the knives were out (in some cases) but she said 'take that', and nailed it ... The song is hard to translate but means something like : I want to be the real me (not one with a smile who is sad inside). Second is a lovely teen wearing a chili pepper (which is a big plus in my book); it's a bit rough in places but she hits the key lines great. Momo Wu (we love you too) watch out ;) What I love about the 'Voice of China' is that it has real humanity - judges with true music passion and pure hearts, plus a sense of hummor ... 鄧紫棋 G.E.M. (Gem Tang) - 存在_我是歌手第二季 中國好聲音 2014-07-18 第三季 - 第一期 劉至佳 - 'Girl on Fire' (Alicia Keys)

4-Week Food Tour of China This itinerary covers a diverse range of regional cuisines in China, from the hearty flavors of Northern cuisine to the fiery spice of SiChuan, the delicate dishes of JiangSu, and the fresh seafood of Cantonese cuisine. Week 1: Beijing and Northern Cuisine Sample Beijing's famous Peking Duck at renowned restaurants such as Quanjude or Da Dong. Explore the bustling Wangfujing Snack Street and try local street food delicacies like jianbing (savory Chinese crepes) and lamb skewers. Indulge in traditional Beijing snacks like zhajiangmian (noodles with soybean paste), douzhi (fermented mung bean soup), and tanghulu (candied fruit skewers). Week 2: Sichuan Province and Spicy Cuisine Experience the bold and spicy flavors of Sichuan cuisine with dishes like mapo tofu, kung pao chicken, and hot pot. Visit Chengdu's famous food streets, such as Jinli Ancient Street and Kuanzhai Alley, to sample a variety of Sichuan snacks and street foods. Explore local markets like Jinli and Wuhou, where you can taste authentic Sichuan specialties and shop for spices and ingredients. Week 3: Shanghai and Jiangsu Cuisine Enjoy Shanghai's vibrant food scene with a mix of classic dishes like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), shengjianbao (pan-fried pork buns), and hairy crab. Explore traditional Shanghainese restaurants and local eateries in areas like Yuyuan Garden, Xintiandi, and Tianzifang. Sample Jiangsu cuisine specialties like braised pork belly, sweet and sour spare ribs, and freshwater delicacies from the nearby Yangtze River. Week 4: Guangdong Province and Cantonese Cuisine Discover the diverse flavors of Cantonese cuisine in Guangzhou, known for its fresh seafood, roasted meats, and dim sum. Explore local markets like Shangxiajiu Pedestrian Street and Guangzhou's Wholesale Food Market to taste a wide range of Cantonese dishes and snacks. Indulge in iconic Cantonese dishes such as roast duck, steamed fish, BBQ pork, and shrimp dumplings.

Infrastructure at its finest, China style ... With Walk East ... With 12 subway lines and 1 light rail line, the ChengDu metro ranks 4th largest in the world after BeiJing, ShangHai and GuangZhou. YT comment by Helghast73 : Yeah I can see this tour will just highlight what I was saying in the last Chengdu video Max, “plan for the future and then plan some more” 😂 It’s hard to believe that all this will celebrate its 12th birthday in September. Just stop and think for a moment, 12 years ago none of it was there and fast forward to now and you’ve 373 stations network, mind blowing. The idea of giving each line an actual visual identity is great, it’s not just a line colour on a network map but station platforms and train carriages too. Line 8 with it’s green and white colour scheme is super bright. Line 5 with it’s older heritage look and darker tones used but still bright. Line 18 with it’s nods to Zaha Hadid I’d say haha superb also looks like a mini Beijing Daxing with the clinical white look. Line 6 with it’s coral looking sub aquatic look. Line 9 with it’s lilac scifi.

With Middle Nation ... With Jeffrey Sachs ... With Brian Becker, Vijay Prashad and Manolo de los Santos ... With Brian Berletic ...

Capital of HeNan province. With Walk East ...