The BeiJing 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony

Scenes around the central lakes area ...

A great film of the Great Wall north of Beijing, including 'wild wall', accompanied by great music (踏古 (Ta Gu) by Lin Hai, 'Walking into Ancientry', with Chinese lute (pipa)). We [mum, dad - videographer - and son and daughter, from Singapore] hiked 3 sections of the Great Wall in winter, without any guides after studying blogs and posts by fellow hikers. All these sections are different. From the unrestored GuBeiKou Great Wall where we were the only people around, to the wonderful JinShanLing, where the climb is steep and every direction gives you good photo opportunities, to the restored MuTianYu where we hiked in heavy snowfall. We stayed at local farmhouses on both nights, dined with the locals and hitched rides to nearby bath-houses. Temperature ranged from -5 deg C (day) to -12 deg C (night). Winter daybreak is at 7am and the sky becomes dark by 5pm so one has only 10 hours of daylight, so plan your travelling and hiking schedules carefully. This once-in-a-lifetime experience was captured on video and we would like to share it with you. The feelings just can't be described - you need to experience it first hand. Take only memories, leave only footprints and kindness ... A wonderful animation combining traditional Chinese painting and dance - don't miss it ! 踏古-林海 作曲：林海 视频作者：中国传媒大学动画学院

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.

West Lake, HangZhou

With Silberventures ...

In China, the people are family. In the West, the people are merely livestock. As simple as that. As profound as that. Competence and success is the real 'threat'. The old colonial powers are less than 10% of the world's population, yet still clamber to be its master, putting everyone else down, by economic and political sabotage, subversion, proxy wars, etc. 100 years of great shame. If democracy means anything real, the majority of the world must be allowed to have its say, be allowed to grow, be allowed to be. The US imperialist hegemony empire doesn't have 'allies', only slaves, and sees the rest of the world as its plantation. The sheep (Ukraine, Australia, UK, Europe, Taiwan, Japan, S. Korea..) are encouraged to worry about wolves all their lives, but in the end are eaten up by the shepherd. Don't these countries realise that they are possessed, militarily and psychologically. From 2013 (and still true today) ... Bonus film - with Jeffrey Sachs ... With Garland Nixon ...

A 70 minute feature length film. Starting at MuTianYu Great Wall, Beijing.

With Sherendev ...