The sound of China 中国 … Don’t miss it !

YangShuo, GuangXi province.

A little outside of our usual type of post, but we think that this is a topic that ripples widely. Here, some ABCs (American Born Chinese) straight talking from real life experience. First, a hyper-drive Wei Li, with a little 'bad language', but strong message. Not Chinese, not American, just a regular Jo / Joe ? There's still a message for you / us all. Be strong, yet without any need to put others down; be totally you while appreciating others. Wei Li nails it. Never think 'better than others'; think 'best I can be' (no compromise on who you are, no fear, no hate). Asians are all A+ students, right ?! Exploring stereotypes and the harm that, often silently, can ensue. CanWen Xu ... Olivia Lai ...

An hour or so north of Beijing.

With Rafa Goes Around! ... Bonus films - With Cyrus Janssen ... With Neel in China ... With KING KWESI ...

The West's new cold war is hotting up. What is the US up to in all China's neighbors ... Derailing China's Belt and Road Initiative, this time in Pakistan ... Malaysia ...

With Stef Hoffer : Here’s a brief overview of some of the places visited in this video. After a short introduction, we begin this journey near the spectacular rice terraces of Yuanyang, before moving on to the captivating Buddhist temples of Dali. Via the peculiar Shilin Stone Forest and the ‘Rainbow Mountains’ of Zhangye, we arrive in Guangzhou (Canton), one of China’s largest cities. After the Yellow Mountains national park, and the intriguing ‘tulou’ buildings, we visit the Great Wall and the Leshan Giant Buddha, the largest such statue in the world. After flying through the ice and snow city of Harbin, where people enjoy a unique Winter event, we take a brief look at the imposing Yellow River, Hukou waterfall, Zhengzhou and Changsha cities, before stopping at the breathtaking Jiuzhaigou national park, filled with crystal clear blue lakes. The next place is the countryside in between rural Yangshuo and urban Guilin, easily one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, where the Li river meanders through bizarre karst scenery. For more diversity, we travel to Dunhuang to visit the arid Gobi Desert. We also have a look at a solar panel field and windmill park, before we fly over some heavy industry, including a steel factory, coal mine, oil refinery, concrete dam, shipyard, an oil rig, and a massive bridge. Hong Kong is our next destinations, before moving on to several places along the Yangtze river (or its distributaries), including Tiger Leaping Gorge, Chongqing, and Wuhan. On Hainan island we see the ‘tropical’ side of China, while in Xiahe and Tibet we visit the country’s highlands. From the frozen cities of Jilin and Xining we arrive in Qingdao, with its German colonial architecture and coastal vibe. In Macau we fly over the famous casinos, but also visit the Portuguese quarters, and after the rice fields of Longji (Dragon’s Backbone), we increase our altitude in the Yulong national park. After Hangzhou and Shenyang, we briefly look at one of China’s many ‘ghost towns’ and construction sites, before flying on to the surreal pillars of Zhangjiajie, and the (perhaps) equally stunning skyline of Shanghai. After showing the modern part of the city and the port (harbor), we also explore some of the disappearing neighborhoods, destroyed factories, and the strange looking ‘bicycle graveyard’. From the freezing ‘Xuexiang’ village and walled city of Pingyao we continue our journey in Xian, Shenzhen, Suzhou, and Changzhou. Finally, we take a look at the mesmerizing Yuanmou ‘Earth Forest’, Kunming city, and Lijiang, one of China’s most famous historic towns. Video chapters / timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 3:29 Yuangyang rice terraces 4:59 Chengkan 5:17 Dali 6:08 Shilin stone forest 6:50 Zhangye national park 7:55 Guangzhou 10:22 Huangshan national park 11:24 Fujian ‘tulou’ 12:03 The Great Wall 12:33 Leshan 12:55 Harbin 15:00 Yellow River 15:28 Hukou waterfall 15:50 Zhengzhou 16:20 Changsha 16:31 Jiuzhaigou national park 17:26 Yangshuo 20:25 Dunhuang 21:42 Qinghuangdao 21:58 Guazhou 22:47 Benxi, Fushun, Guangzhou, Hainan 24:19 Danjiangkou 25:12 Aizhai bridge 25:39 Hong Kong 29:19 Tiger Leaping Gorge 29:44 Chonqging 31:45 Yangtze River 33:03 Wuhan 35:41 Hainan island 38:02 Xiahe 38:51 Tibet 40:26 Jilin 40:44 Xining 41:25 Linxia 41:51 Qingdao 48:22 Macau 49:34 Longji rice terraces 49:59 Shexian 50:21 Yulong national park 51:42 Hangzhou 53:06 Shenyang 53:32 Shenfu ‘ghost town’ 54:26 Chengdu 54:46 Zhangjiajie national park 56:12 Shanghai 1:04:26 Xuexiang 1:05:49 Pingyao 1:06:28 Shenzhen 1:06:54 Xian 1:07:12 Suzhou 1:10:05 Changzhou 1:10:44 Yuangmou Earth forest 1:11:23 Kunming 1:12:43 Lijiang

With Walk For You ...

With Wei's Travel ... Bonus film - West NanJing Road - with Walk East ...

With MisterVaughn ... Welcome to Yuan Dadu City Wall Park Discover the ancient walls of Beijing About Yuan Dadu City Wall Park Yuan Dadu City Wall Park is a historical park located in the northern part of Beijing, encompassing the remnants of the city walls from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368). The park preserves a section of the ancient city walls and provides visitors with a glimpse into the rich history of Beijing. The park stretches for several kilometers and is a popular spot for both locals and tourists to relax, exercise, and learn about the city's past. Main Attractions Ancient City Walls The park features well-preserved sections of the ancient Yuan Dynasty city walls. These walls, originally built to protect the capital, now stand as a testament to the architectural prowess and historical significance of the Yuan Dynasty. City Wall Relics Museum Located within the park, the City Wall Relics Museum offers an in-depth look at the history of the Yuan Dadu city walls. The museum displays artifacts, historical documents, and detailed models of the ancient city. Scenic Walkways The park features beautifully landscaped walkways that run alongside the ancient walls. These walkways are perfect for leisurely strolls and provide visitors with picturesque views of the park's greenery and historical structures. Peony Garden The Peony Garden, located in the park, is a must-visit during the blooming season in spring. The garden showcases a stunning variety of peonies and is a popular spot for photography and relaxation. Activities Morning Exercises Yuan Dadu City Wall Park is a popular spot for locals to perform morning exercises such as tai chi, dancing, and jogging. Visitors can join in or simply enjoy watching these traditional Chinese activities. Photography The park offers excellent opportunities for photography, especially around the ancient city walls and gardens. Capture the historical essence and natural beauty of the park in your photos. Seasonal Festivals Yuan Dadu City Wall Park hosts various cultural events and festivals throughout the year, such as the Peony Festival in spring and traditional Chinese cultural performances. These events provide a deeper understanding of the local culture and history. Transport Yuan Dadu City Wall Park is easily accessible from various parts of Beijing. Here are some ways to get there: By Subway: Take Line 10 to Jiandemen Station, then walk north for about 10 minutes to reach the park. By Bus: Multiple bus routes stop near Yuan Dadu City Wall Park, including routes 27, 55, and 305. Get off at the Dadu Ruins Park stop. By Taxi: Taxis are a convenient option, especially if you are traveling with a group or have heavy luggage. Just ask the driver to take you to Yuan Dadu City Wall Park (元大都城垣遗址公园).