The hand of the Earth, GuiZhou

How to find your mojo / be in the zone, by not trying too hard, letting go and living in the now. Don't get stuck in the past, and future thoughts. Be alive, now. That's Wu Wei - 'without effort' : without preconception, or desire. With Einzelgänger ...

Mount SiGuNiang, in SiChuan province, is famous for its beautiful scenery. The surrounding area is reputed to be the "Oriental Alps". Mount SiGuNiang National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park comprises Mount SiGuNiang and the surrounding three valleys, namely ChangPing Valley (长坪沟), HaiZi Valley (海子沟) and ShuangQiao Valley (双桥沟), covering an area of 2,000 square kilometers. Mount Siguniang

With Walk East ... GuanYin of Mount XiQiao ... Foshan, located in Guangdong Province, is a city rich in culture, history, and culinary delights. Known as the birthplace of martial arts legends like Yip Man and Wong Fei Hung, it offers a blend of traditional and modern attractions. * Top Attractions: Ancestor Temple (Zumiao Temple): A Taoist temple showcasing exquisite architectural art from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Visitors can enjoy kung fu shows, lion dances, and Cantonese opera performances. Lingnan Tiandi: A district featuring well-preserved Lingnan-style architecture, with arcades, green brick houses, and stone roads. It's a vibrant area filled with galleries, cafés, bars, and handicraft shops. Ancient Nanfeng Kiln: Built during the Ming Dynasty, it's the oldest continuously operating kiln in the world. Visitors can explore the Shiwan Ceramic Museum and even try their hand at pottery making. Qinghui Garden: One of China's top ten gardens, showcasing classical South Chinese gardening art with its intricate designs and serene landscapes. Xiqiao Mountain Scenic Area: A national park featuring natural beauty and cultural heritage, including the impressive Nanhai Guanyin statue. * Culinary Highlights: Foshan, particularly the Shunde district, is renowned for its gastronomy. Recognized by UNESCO as a "City of Gastronomy," it offers a plethora of local delicacies. * Travel Tips: Language: Mandarin is widely spoken, but Cantonese is prevalent among locals. Transportation: Foshan is well-connected by metro and buses. It's also close to Guangzhou, making day trips convenient. Best Time to Visit: Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer pleasant weather for sightseeing. Foshan seamlessly blends its rich historical heritage with modern development, making it a captivating destination for travelers seeking cultural immersion and culinary adventures.

Only begun in 1995, the Shanghai metro now has 12 lines with 268 stations over 420km. Already the world's longest metro system, by 2020 it will double in size to comprise 22 lines with a total length of 877 km.

Bonus film - The WuTa Temple in BeiJing ...

With Wei's Travel ...

With Josh Reid ...

BaMei village ...

Introduction: Hoisin sauce is a thick, flavorful condiment commonly used in Chinese cuisine as a dipping sauce, marinade, or glaze for meat dishes. While store-bought hoisin sauce is readily available, making it at home allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your taste preferences. This DIY hoisin sauce recipe is simple to prepare and uses easily sourced ingredients. Ingredients: 1/4 cup soy sauce 2 tablespoons peanut butter (smooth) 1 tablespoon honey or molasses 1 tablespoon rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1/2 teaspoon Chinese five-spice powder 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon chili oil or paste, or sriracha or other chili sauce (optional, for heat) Method: Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, peanut butter, honey or molasses, rice vinegar, minced garlic, sesame oil, Chinese five-spice powder, black pepper, and chili paste (if using). Mix until smooth and well combined. Adjust Consistency: If the hoisin sauce is too thick, you can thin it out with a little water or additional soy sauce. If it's too thin, you can add more peanut butter or honey to thicken it to your desired consistency. Taste and Adjust: Taste the hoisin sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add more soy sauce for saltiness, honey for sweetness, vinegar for acidity, or chili paste for heat, according to your taste preferences. Store: Transfer the homemade hoisin sauce to a clean, airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Allow the flavors to meld together for at least an hour before using the sauce. Usage Tips: Use homemade hoisin sauce as a dipping sauce for spring rolls, dumplings, or roasted meats. Brush it on grilled chicken, pork, or tofu as a flavorful marinade or glaze. Stir it into stir-fries or noodle dishes for added depth of flavor. Adjust the sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness of the hoisin sauce to suit your taste preferences. Enjoy your homemade hoisin sauce in your favorite Chinese dishes! Hoisin sauce is commonly used as a condiment for Peking Duck. Peking Duck is a famous dish from Beijing (formerly known as Peking), where roasted duck is served with thin pancakes, along with condiments such as hoisin sauce, sliced scallions, and cucumber. When enjoying Peking Duck, diners typically spread hoisin sauce onto a pancake, then add slices of roasted duck, along with some sliced scallions and cucumber. The pancake is then rolled up and eaten as a delicious and flavorful wrap. Hoisin sauce complements the rich, savory flavor of the roasted duck with its sweet, salty, and umami notes. It adds depth and complexity to each bite and enhances the overall dining experience. While hoisin sauce is a key component of Peking Duck, you can also use it as a condiment for other dishes, such as stir-fries, grilled meats, spring rolls, and more. Its versatility makes it a popular choice in Chinese cuisine.