Solar Valley in DeZhou, ShanDong province

With Rafa Goes Around! ...

GuangXi province. With Walk East ...

"Meet the new 'boss'; same as the old 'boss'" ... (and who's the real boss ?) How long will this go on ... till most can see : that they've just been fooled again ... Only less than 1% of those who 'represent' us work for us; the rest work for the less than 1%.

Provincial capital of GuangDong. GuangZhou, on the Pearl River about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north-northwest of Hong Kong, has a long history and was a major starting port for the Silk Road of the Sea. The city features avant-garde architecture such as the GuangZhou Opera House (also known as the Double Pebble), the carved, box-shaped GuangDong Museum, and the iconic, and unusually feminine, Canton TV Tower skyscraper, that resembles a slim hourglass.

50 Small Eats Dishes in China Dumplings (饺子, jiǎozi) - Steamed or fried dough pockets filled with meat or vegetables. Spring Rolls (春卷, chūn juǎn) - Crispy rolls filled with vegetables and sometimes meat. Scallion Pancakes (葱油饼, cōng yóu bǐng) - Flaky, savory pancakes with scallions. Sticky Rice Dumplings (粽子, zòngzi) - Glutinous rice wrapped in bamboo leaves, usually with fillings like meat or beans. Soup Dumplings (小笼包, xiǎo lóng bāo) - Steamed dumplings filled with broth and meat. Sichuan Spicy Wontons (红油抄手, hóng yóu chāo shǒu) - Wontons in chili oil with a spicy sauce. Sesame Balls (煎堆, jiān duī) - Deep-fried glutinous rice balls coated in sesame seeds. Fried Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐, chòu dòufu) - Fermented tofu fried until crispy. Guokui (锅盔, guō kuī) - Crispy, pan-fried flatbread. Chinese Crepes (煎饼果子, jiān bǐng guǒzi) - Thin pancakes filled with savory ingredients. Roujiamo (肉夹馍, ròu jiá mó) - Chinese-style hamburger with shredded meat inside a flatbread. Tea Eggs (茶叶蛋, chá yè dàn) - Hard-boiled eggs marinated in tea and spices. Fried Dough Sticks (油条, yóutiáo) - Crispy fried dough sticks, often eaten with soy milk. Cold Noodles (凉面, liáng miàn) - Chilled noodles served with a savory sauce. Congee (粥, zhōu) - Rice porridge often served with various toppings. Baozi (包子, bāozi) - Steamed buns filled with meat or vegetables. Liangpi (凉皮, liángpí) - Cold noodles made from wheat or rice flour, served with spicy sauce. Jianbing (煎饼, jiānbing) - Savory Chinese crepe filled with egg, crispy cracker, and sauces. Fried Rice Balls (炸年糕, zhà nián gāo) - Crispy fried glutinous rice balls. Fried Mashed Taro (芋泥, yùní) - Mashed taro fried until golden and crispy. Lotus Root Stuffed with Sticky Rice (藕夹, ǒu jiá) - Sticky rice stuffed into hollowed-out lotus root slices. Chive Pockets (韭菜盒子, jiǔcài hézi) - Pan-fried dumplings filled with chives and sometimes eggs. Lamb Skewers (羊肉串, yángròu chuàn) - Grilled skewers of seasoned lamb. Steamed Buns (馒头, mántou) - Plain steamed bread often served with dishes. Fried Glutinous Rice Cakes (糍粑, cíbā) - Sticky rice cakes fried until crispy. Stuffed Tofu (香干, xiānggān) - Tofu pockets filled with meat or vegetables. Fried Pork Ribs (排骨, páigǔ) - Deep-fried marinated pork ribs. Shengjian Bao (生煎包, shēngjiān bāo) - Pan-fried buns filled with pork and soup. Spicy Cold Jelly (凉粉, liáng fěn) - Cold, chewy jelly noodles in spicy sauce. Pan-fried Pork Buns (生煎包, shēng jiān bāo) - Pan-fried buns with juicy pork filling. Fried Glutinous Rice Balls (炸年糕, zhà nián gāo) - Crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. Lamb Skewers (羊肉串, yángròu chuàn) - Grilled skewers of seasoned lamb. Green Onion Pancakes (葱油饼, cōng yóu bǐng) - Crispy pancakes flavored with green onions. Pork and Chive Dumplings (韭菜饺子, jiǔcài jiǎozi) - Dumplings filled with pork and chives. Steamed Custard Buns (流沙包, liúshā bāo) - Soft steamed buns filled with sweet custard. Hot and Sour Soup (酸辣汤, suān là tāng) - Spicy and tangy soup with mushrooms, tofu, and bamboo shoots. Steamed Shrimp Dumplings (虾饺, xiā jiǎo) - Delicate dumplings filled with shrimp and bamboo shoots. Spicy Chicken Wings (辣子鸡翅, làzi jī chì) - Crispy fried chicken wings tossed in spicy seasoning. Spicy Cold Noodles (麻辣凉面, málà liáng miàn) - Chilled noodles in a spicy, numbing sauce. Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜, pāi huángguā) - Refreshing salad of sliced cucumbers with garlic and vinegar dressing. Cold Tofu (冷豆腐, lěng dòufu) - Chilled silken tofu served with soy sauce and toppings. Fried Chicken Dumplings (炸鸡饺子, zhà jī jiǎozi) - Crispy dumplings filled with seasoned chicken. Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉面, niúròu miàn) - Hearty soup with tender beef slices and noodles. Cumin Lamb (孜然羊肉, zīrán yángròu) - Spicy stir-fried lamb seasoned with cumin and other spices. Steamed BBQ Pork Buns (叉烧包, chāshāo bāo) - Soft steamed buns filled with sweet barbecued pork. Cold Sesame Noodles (凉拌麻酱面, liángbàn májiàng miàn) - Noodles tossed in a savory sesame sauce. Spinach and Pork Wontons (菠菜猪肉馄饨, bōcài zhūròu húntún) - Wontons filled with spinach and ground pork. Fried Radish Cake (萝卜糕, luóbo gāo) - Pan-fried cakes made from shredded radish and rice flour. Shrimp Toast (虾多士, xiā duōshì) - Crispy bread topped with shrimp paste and sesame seeds. Red Bean Pancakes (红豆煎饼, hóngdòu jiān bǐng) - Sweet pancakes filled with red bean paste. Egg and Tomato Stir-fry (西红柿炒鸡蛋, xī hóng shì chǎo jī dàn) - Simple and delicious stir-fry of tomatoes and scrambled eggs. Spicy Stir-fried Egg and Chili Peppers (辣炒鸡蛋, là chǎo jī dàn) - Eggs stir-fried with spicy chili peppers. Potato, aubergine / egg-plant, and chili peppers (地三鲜, dì sān xiān) - Stir-fried dish featuring potatoes, eggplants, and chili peppers.

With Little Chinese Everywhere ... The Hani rice terraces are a spectacular example of ancient agricultural engineering located in the Yuanyang County of Yunnan Province, China. These terraces are renowned for their beauty and cultural significance, as well as their sustainable farming practices that have been maintained for over a millennium. Historical and Cultural Background Origins and History The Hani people, an ethnic minority in China, began constructing these terraces around 1,300 years ago. They transformed the steep slopes of the Ailao Mountains into a series of stepped terraces, making the land suitable for rice cultivation. Cultural Significance The terraces are not just a testament to agricultural ingenuity but also a reflection of the Hani culture and their harmonious relationship with nature. The Hani people believe in a symbiotic relationship with their environment, which is reflected in their farming practices, spiritual beliefs, and festivals. Agricultural Practices Irrigation System A sophisticated irrigation system channels water from the forested mountaintops down through the terraces. This system ensures a stable water supply, critical for the cultivation of rice. Sustainability The Hani terraces are an example of sustainable farming, with practices that preserve soil fertility and biodiversity. Crop rotation and the use of natural fertilizers are integral parts of their agricultural methods. Natural and Scenic Beauty Visual Appeal The terraces are most visually striking during the planting season when the fields are filled with water, reflecting the sky and creating a mirror-like effect. During different seasons, the terraces change colors, ranging from the vibrant green of growing rice to the golden hues of the harvest season. Tourism The terraces attract tourists from around the world, especially photographers and nature enthusiasts. Key viewing points include Duoyishu, Bada, and Laohuzui, each offering breathtaking views of the terraces at different times of the day. UNESCO World Heritage Status Recognition In 2013, the Hani rice terraces were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This recognition underscores their cultural and historical importance, as well as their unique agricultural landscape. Conservation Efforts Efforts are underway to preserve this heritage site, focusing on maintaining the traditional farming practices and protecting the environment from modern threats such as tourism pressure and climate change. Conclusion The Hani rice terraces are a remarkable blend of human ingenuity and natural beauty. They represent the Hani people's enduring relationship with their land, showcasing a sustainable agricultural system that has thrived for centuries. As both a cultural treasure and a stunning visual spectacle, the Hani rice terraces continue to captivate and inspire visitors from around the globe.