The beautiful HuangShan 黄山 mountain, part 2 (2/7)

In GuiZhou province.

XiàMén is a coastal city in FuJian province, east / south east China.

With WestChinaGo ... With BeijingBuzzz ... With Ross ... With China Walking Tour ... With Chris ... Summer Palace Visitor Guide - BeiJing Overview The Summer Palace, located in the HaiDian district of Beijing, is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens, and palaces. It served as a royal garden and retreat for the Qing Dynasty emperors and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Getting There Location: 19 XinJianGongMen Road, HaiDian District, Beijing, China. Public Transport: Subway: Line 4, Beigongmen Station (North Palace Gate), Exit D. Alternatively, Line 10, Xiyuan Station, Exit C2. Bus: Several bus lines stop near the Summer Palace, including routes 303, 330, 331, 332, 346, 508, 579, and 584. Opening Hours April 1 to October 31: 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM (ticket sales and last entry at 4:00 PM) November 1 to March 31: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (ticket sales and last entry at 3:00 PM) Tickets April 1 to October 31: Entrance Fee: ¥30, Through Ticket (includes Dehe Garden, Tower of Buddhist Incense, Suzhou Street, and Wenchang Hall): ¥60 November 1 to March 31: Entrance Fee: ¥20, Through Ticket: ¥50 Main Attractions The Summer Palace is rich with historical and cultural sites. Here are some of the main attractions: Kunming Lake: This large lake dominates the Summer Palace and is ideal for boating. It covers about three-quarters of the park's area. Longevity Hill: Standing 60 meters high, it provides excellent views of the lake and surrounding area. Important buildings such as the Tower of Buddhist Incense are located here. Seventeen-Arch Bridge: A long, beautiful bridge that connects the eastern shore of Kunming Lake to Nanhu Island. Long Corridor: A 728-meter-long covered walkway decorated with intricate paintings, connecting the Hall of Dispelling Clouds to the Marble Boat. Marble Boat: A lakeside pavilion built from marble and wood, symbolizing stability and the enduring nature of the Qing Dynasty. Hall of Benevolence and Longevity: The administrative center of the Summer Palace, where Empress Dowager Cixi handled state affairs. Suzhou Street: A charming area designed to resemble the canals and traditional shops of Suzhou, complete with waterways and bridges. Activities Visitors to the Summer Palace can engage in various activities: Boating: Rent a paddleboat or take a dragon boat tour on Kunming Lake. Walking and Hiking: Stroll along the scenic paths, the Long Corridor, or hike up Longevity Hill for panoramic views. Photography: Capture the stunning architecture, landscapes, and historical sites. Guided Tours: Join a guided tour to learn more about the history and significance of the Summer Palace. Dining and Refreshments Several cafes and snack stalls are available within the Summer Palace, offering light refreshments, drinks, and local snacks. For a more substantial meal, visitors can dine at restaurants near the park entrances. Visitor Tips Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are the best times to visit due to the pleasant weather. Summer can be very hot, and winter can be quite cold. Wear Comfortable Shoes: The Summer Palace is vast, and exploring it involves a lot of walking. Stay Hydrated: Bring water, especially during the hotter months. Respect the Site: The Summer Palace is a cultural heritage site. Avoid touching artifacts, stay on marked paths, and do not litter. Plan Your Visit: Due to its size, plan which sections you want to visit in advance to make the most of your time. Nearby Attractions Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan): Located nearby, this former imperial garden offers ruins and beautiful landscapes to explore. Beijing University: One of China’s most prestigious universities, known for its beautiful campus and Weiming Lake. Tsinghua University: Another top university in China, with an expansive and scenic campus. Conclusion The Summer Palace in Beijing is a magnificent site rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Whether you're interested in Chinese history, stunning architecture, or beautiful landscapes, the Summer Palace offers a memorable and enriching experience.

With Jason Fung ...

Completely random bonus film - a Halloween party at an international school ... And one more ...

Including the Terracotta Warriors ...

Bonus film - the world's longest sea bridge ...

In BeiJing alone, there are around 200,000 places to eat, so you'll never be far from a tasty meal and there is so much to try that China is very much a foodie heaven. Here's BeiJingBuzzz's cheat sheet of popular food dishes that you will love. Feel free to print out for personal use ... Huo Guo (火锅) : 'Hotpot' - order what you like and cook it in a steaming broth that can be spicy, mild or both. Served with a sesame sauce topped with coriander and / or spring onion; with vinegar and soy sauce as additional options. Thinly sliced meats, all manner of vegetables, noodles, eggs, tofu and more. Be sure to try Dong Dofu (iced tofu) and Dofu skin - super delicious in Huo Guo. There are many independents but you cannot go wrong if you see a XiaBu XiaBu, a very popular restaurant chain. Mābo Dōfu (麻婆豆腐) : soft beancurd in a spicy sauce with minced pork BaoZi (包子) : steamed buns filled with meat or vegetables JiaoZi (饺子) : boiled or pan-fried dumplings filled with meat or vegetables RouJiaMo (肉夹馍) : a sandwich made with flatbread and filled with meat (most commonly pork) CongYou Bing (葱油饼) : spring onion / scallion pancakes - a savory flatbread made with scallions and flour ZhengJiao (蒸饺) : steamed or pan-fried dumplings filled with meat or seafood ZongZi (粽子) : glutinous rice dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves GouBuLi BaoZi (狗不理包子) : steamed buns filled with meat or vegetables, popular in Tianjin DouHua (豆花) : sweet tofu pudding XiaoLongBao (小笼包) : steamed dumplings filled with meat or seafood and soup Xī Hóng Shì Chǎo JīDàn (西红柿炒蛋): egg and tomato - a popular dish in Chinese cuisine, it is often a simple and comforting dish, that can be found in many Chinese home-style cooking. It is typically made by stir-frying diced tomatoes and beaten eggs together with some seasonings, such as salt, pepper, and sometimes soy sauce. DanDan Mian (担担面): a spicy Szechuan noodle dish made with thin wheat noodles, a spicy chili oil-based sauce, and often ground meat JianShui Zhu (建水煮): fried vermicelli noodles popular in Yunnan province LanZhou LaMian (兰州拉面): hand-pulled noodles popular in Lanzhou, Gansu province ReGan Mian (热干面): Wuhan hot dry noodles - a spicy dish made with thin wheat noodles, chili oil and ground meat, popular in Wuhan, Hubei province ZhaJiang Mian (炸酱面): a dish of thick wheat noodles served with a fermented soybean paste sauce and vegetables, popular in northern China ZhaJiangMian (炸酱面): a dish of thick wheat noodles served with a bean paste sauce, popular in northeastern China GuoTie (锅贴): Chinese fried dumplings MaLaTang (麻辣烫): a spicy hotpot popular in Sichuan and Chongqing Di San Xian (第三鲜): a popular dish in Chinese cuisine, typically found in northern China, it is a type of stir-fry dish made with three main ingredients: potatoes, eggplant, and bell peppers, it is also called "Three Fresh" or "Three Precious Vegetables". It is typically stir-fried with garlic, ginger, and scallions, and seasoned with soy sauce, sugar, and sometimes oyster sauce. GōngBǎo JīDīng (宫保鸡丁) : also transcribed Gong Bao, Kung Pao or Kung Po, is a spicy, stir-fried Chinese dish made with cubes of chicken, peanuts, vegetables, and chili peppers. A classic dish in Sichuan cuisine. JīSī Liáng Miàn (鸡丝凉面) : Chinese Chicken Noodle Salad - Chinese chicken noodle salad features noodles tossed in a nutty savory sesame sauce and topped with shredded chicken and cucumber. Hei Jiao Niu Liu (黑椒牛柳) - Sliced tender beef with onions, peppers and black pepper. Huo Guo - hot pot There are also around 6,000 McDonalds in China, plus Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway and more. And if you like cooking from scratch yourself, you'll find many huge supermarkets plus local markets.

With Mark Hyman and William Li ... With Eric Berg ... With Chris Knobbe ...