The LongJi 龙脊 (Dragon’s BackBone) rice terraces

With China Walking Tour ... Visitor Guide to JiNan, ShanDong Province Overview JiNan, the capital city of ShanDong Province, is known for its natural springs, rich history, and vibrant culture. Often referred to as the "City of Springs," JiNan is a blend of historical landmarks and modern development, making it a fascinating destination for travelers. Getting There By Air: JiNan Yaoqiang International Airport (TNA) is located about 33 kilometers northeast of the city center. It offers both domestic and international flights. You can take an airport shuttle bus, taxi, or the JiNan Metro to reach the city center. By Train: JiNan is a major railway hub with two main stations: JiNan Railway Station and JiNan West Railway Station. Both stations offer high-speed rail connections to major cities like BeiJing, ShangHai, and Xi’an. By Bus: Long-distance buses connect JiNan to various cities in ShanDong Province and beyond. The main bus stations are JiNan Long-Distance Bus Terminal and JiNan East Bus Station. Getting Around Public Transport: JiNan has an extensive bus network and a growing metro system. The metro is convenient for getting around the city quickly. Taxis: Taxis are readily available and relatively inexpensive. Ensure the driver uses the meter or agree on a fare beforehand. Biking: Bike-sharing services are popular and convenient for short trips around the city. Main Attractions Baotu Spring Park Baotu Spring Park is one of JiNan's most famous attractions, known for its clear and gushing springs. The park is a beautiful place to relax and enjoy the natural scenery, traditional pavilions, and cultural performances. Daming Lake Daming Lake is a large natural lake in the heart of JiNan, surrounded by lush gardens, ancient pavilions, and historic temples. It is a popular spot for boating, picnicking, and enjoying the serene environment. Thousand Buddha Mountain (Qianfo Shan) This mountain is famous for its ancient Buddhist statues and temples. Visitors can hike to the top for a panoramic view of the city or explore the many caves and carvings along the way. ShanDong Provincial Museum ShanDong Provincial Museum houses a vast collection of cultural relics, historical artifacts, and natural exhibits. It offers a comprehensive overview of ShanDong's history and culture. Black Tiger Spring Black Tiger Spring is another renowned spring in JiNan, known for its powerful jets of water that resemble a tiger's roar. The spring is located in a scenic park with beautiful landscaping and walking paths. Local Cuisine JiNan's cuisine is characterized by its use of fresh ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. Here are some must-try dishes: JiNan Roast Duck: A local specialty, this roast duck is known for its crispy skin and tender meat, served with pancakes and hoisin sauce. Sweet and Sour Carp: Fresh carp from Daming Lake, prepared in a tangy and sweet sauce, is a signature dish of JiNan. JiNan Noodles: These hand-pulled noodles are often served with a variety of toppings, including meat, vegetables, and spicy sauces. Fried Dumplings: Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, JiNan's fried dumplings are a popular street food. Shopping Furong Street: A bustling pedestrian street lined with shops, street food vendors, and souvenir stalls. It's a great place to try local snacks and buy traditional crafts. Quancheng Road: One of JiNan's main shopping streets, offering a mix of modern malls, boutique shops, and local markets. JiNan Wanda Plaza: A large shopping mall with a variety of international and domestic brands, restaurants, and entertainment options. Accommodation Luxury Hotels: For a high-end stay, consider hotels like the Shangri-La Hotel JiNan or the Hyatt Regency JiNan, both offering excellent amenities and service. Mid-Range Hotels: Options such as the Sofitel JiNan Silver Plaza and Holiday Inn JiNan City Center provide comfortable accommodations at reasonable prices. Budget Hotels: For budget travelers, hostels and budget hotels like the JiNan Blue Horizon Hotel offer affordable and convenient lodging. Tips for Visitors Best Time to Visit: The best times to visit JiNan are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild and pleasant. Clothing: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures. An umbrella or raincoat is useful during the rainy season. Respect Local Customs: Be respectful of local customs and traditions. Dress modestly and be mindful of local etiquette, especially when visiting historical and cultural sites. Language: While Mandarin is widely spoken, learning a few basic phrases or using a translation app can be very helpful. Plan Your Visit: JiNan is best explored at a leisurely pace. Take your time to wander through the parks, visit local shops, and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Conclusion JiNan, with its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural springs, offers a unique and memorable travel experience. Whether you're exploring ancient temples, savoring the local cuisine, or strolling along the scenic lakes and springs, JiNan provides an unforgettable experience. Plan your visit carefully to make the most of your trip to this fascinating city in ShanDong Province.

With Flora and Note ...

Top videographers - bjKina, AnyuXu and DearNessie - take you on a tour of Beijing ... First song : Going Home by Faye Wong, from the album To Love, 2003. Note : highly addictive music straight ahead ... A fantastic video film by AnYu Xu ... Includes a great hyperlapse along Beijing's south-north axis, from [TianTan, the Temple of Heaven], QianMen, through Tian'AnMen, GuGong ('Old Palace', the 'Forbidden City' / Palace Museum), JingShan Park, the Drum and Bell Towers and onto the Olympic Park and Olympic Forest Park ... New (old) BeiJing - fashion, food and the vibe, with DearNessie. A vlogging masterclass - 'show don't tell'; plus deft editing and great music ...

With The New Atlas. Brian Berletic and Angelo Giuliano cut through the propaganda and shine light on realities ... Bonus films ... On Thailand ... On Nicaragua ... On Palestine ... On Syria ... On Cuba ... On Yemen ... On Taiwan ... On Western propaganda puppets ...

With DianXi XiaoGe ... Bonus films - village tour ... Home rebuild ...

A 5-6 hours hike along the scenic YangDi to XingPing section of the Li River, GuangXi province. From YangShuo bus station there are regular buses to YangDi; the journey takes about an hour. After the ferry crossing at YangDi, the trek through farms and villages to the 2nd ferry crossing takes about an hour. At QuanJiaZhou, you can take a raft then continue on foot to the 3rd ferry crossing. From the Nine Horses Mural Hill, the tram to XingPing will stop by the scenery featured on the back of the RMB 20 bank note. The tram ride is included in the fare for the 3 ferry crossings. At XingPing bus station, there are buses to YangShuo till about 8 pm. If you start from XingPing in the morning, the scenery featured on the RMB 20 note will look better, but note that the last YangDi-YangShuo bus is around 5 pm.

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

Regarding term limits - President Xi is exceptionally well read and very much the right person at the right time, a period where China will (is) facing unprecedented attack for its success. Xi's plan is longer term and so requires a longer term limit; an extraordinary measure for extraordinary times.