Winter trip to LiJiang 李江 YunNan province

The nearly one million square meter Palace Museum lies at the heart of Beijing ...

With Vegan in China ... With GoYvon ... Vegan Food in China Introduction China is a vast country with a rich culinary history, and it offers a variety of delicious vegan options. From traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine to modern plant-based dishes, vegan travelers will find a wide range of flavors and textures to enjoy. This guide explores the vegan food scene in China, highlighting popular dishes, regional specialties, and tips for finding vegan-friendly restaurants. Traditional Vegan Dishes Many traditional Chinese dishes are naturally vegan or can be easily modified to suit a vegan diet. Here are some popular vegan dishes you can find throughout China: Mapo Tofu (麻婆豆腐) Mapo Tofu is a spicy and flavorful dish made with soft tofu, fermented black beans, and a chili sauce. While the traditional version often includes minced meat, you can find vegan versions at many restaurants or request it without meat. Buddha's Delight (罗汉斋) Buddha's Delight is a popular vegetarian dish in Chinese Buddhist cuisine. It consists of a variety of vegetables, tofu, and sometimes mushrooms, all stir-fried in a savory sauce. This dish is often served during Chinese New Year and other festive occasions. Jiaozi (饺子) Jiaozi, or dumplings, can be found with various vegan fillings such as mushrooms, cabbage, and tofu. These delicious dumplings are often steamed or boiled and served with a soy-based dipping sauce. Stir-Fried Vegetables (炒青菜) Stir-fried vegetables are a staple in Chinese cuisine and can be easily found in almost any restaurant. Common vegetables used include bok choy, spinach, broccoli, and snow peas, all stir-fried with garlic and a light soy sauce. Regional Specialties Sichuan Cuisine Sichuan cuisine is known for its bold and spicy flavors. Many dishes can be made vegan by substituting meat with tofu or vegetables. Look for dishes like Sichuan Hot Pot with vegetable broth and an array of vegetables, or Kung Pao Tofu, a spicy stir-fry with peanuts and vegetables. Cantonese Cuisine Cantonese cuisine features lighter flavors and fresh ingredients. Popular vegan options include Dim Sum with vegetable fillings, stir-fried greens, and Congee, a rice porridge that can be made with mushrooms and other vegetables. Shandong Cuisine Shandong cuisine is known for its hearty and savory dishes. Vegan options include stir-fried tofu, vegetable stews, and steamed buns filled with vegetables. Shandong cuisine also features a variety of soups made with vegetables and grains. Finding Vegan-Friendly Restaurants While many traditional Chinese restaurants offer vegan options, there are also specialized vegetarian and vegan restaurants in major cities. Here are some tips for finding vegan-friendly places to eat: Use Apps: Apps like HappyCow can help you find vegan and vegetarian restaurants in China. These apps often include reviews and recommendations from other travelers. Learn Key Phrases: Knowing a few key phrases in Mandarin can be helpful when ordering food. For example, "wǒ chī sù" (我吃素) means "I eat vegetarian" and "bù yào ròu" (不要肉) means "no meat". Visit Buddhist Temples: Many Buddhist temples have vegetarian restaurants that serve delicious vegan meals. These are often affordable and offer a peaceful dining experience. Ask for Modifications: Don't hesitate to ask for modifications to make a dish vegan. Most restaurants are accommodating and can make adjustments to suit your dietary needs. Vegan Snacks and Street Food China's street food scene is vibrant and offers many vegan-friendly options. Here are some popular vegan snacks and street foods to try: Sesame Balls (麻团) Sesame balls are deep-fried pastries made with glutinous rice flour and filled with sweet red bean paste. They are coated in sesame seeds, giving them a crunchy texture and a sweet flavor. Spring Rolls (春卷) Spring rolls are a popular snack made with thin pastry wrappers filled with vegetables and sometimes tofu. They are usually deep-fried to a crispy golden brown and served with a dipping sauce. Grilled Vegetables (烤蔬菜) Many street vendors offer grilled vegetables, such as corn on the cob, mushrooms, and bell peppers. These are often seasoned with a mix of spices and grilled to perfection. Tofu Skewers (豆腐串) Tofu skewers are a popular street food snack made with marinated tofu chunks grilled on skewers. They are often seasoned with chili and cumin, giving them a spicy and savory flavor. Vegan Grocery Shopping In addition to dining out, you can also find a variety of vegan products in grocery stores and markets in China. Look for fresh fruits and vegetables, tofu, tempeh, and plant-based milk. Many supermarkets also carry imported vegan products such as plant-based meat, dairy-free cheese, and vegan snacks. Travel Tips for Vegans Plan Ahead: Research vegan-friendly restaurants and grocery stores in advance, especially if you're traveling to less touristy areas where options might be limited. Pack Snacks: Carrying snacks like nuts, dried fruit, and energy bars can be helpful when you're on the go and need a quick vegan option. Communicate Clearly: Use translation apps or carry a card with dietary preferences written in Mandarin to help communicate your needs to restaurant staff. Be Open-Minded: Trying new foods is part of the travel experience. Be open to exploring local vegan dishes and experimenting with new flavors and ingredients. Stay Informed: Join online vegan communities and forums to get tips and recommendations from other vegan travelers in China.

With Sticker Travel. The second film shows scenes from the dances at the XinXiang International Bazaar Theater in Urumqi.

With Jerry's Take on China ... YT comment : "It is win-win versus win-lose. Two very different mindsets". YT comment : "Propaganda is about decoupling what people 'know' from reality. Insanity is believing your own propaganda". YT comment : "A bully does not want competition at all. Rules are always bend to suit their own agenda and arms are twisted to coerce who is the big daddy on the playground. Moreover deploying half truth tactics or false flags to raise fear are common tactics in their playbook." YT comment : "Fear is the only reason the U.S. wanted to contain China. When tariffs failed, technology sanctions followed. When both tariffs and sanctions failed, de-coupling became the buzzword. And when de-coupling was found to hurt the U.S. economy more than China's, it was changed to de-risking which in effect means a "slow de-coupling" until a more appropriate time. And now, fear has invaded European minds and the Europeans want to adopt the American low-life tactics. Twenty years ago, American muscle cars and reliable Japanese cars plus reputable German, French and Swedish cars and even newbies from South Korea were selling like hot cakes in the Chinese market and each and every maker made a fortune in China. Nowadays, however, the U.S. has no hope of selling anything to China -- not only industrial products but also agricultural produce which are easily replaced by many other countries around the globe. Sooner or later, the world will be divided into 2 camps: one that embraces worldwide integration and the other a closed economy that fears competition. The acceleration of the de-dollarization movement will speed up the divide even further, to the point that it may break the world monetary system in half." Bonus films - on China's economy - with Peter Walker and Thinkers Forum ... On the Belt and Road Initiative and how it shows China's vision for Development - with BRIX Sweden and Stephen Brawer ...

With Walk East ...

An awesome film - don't miss it ...

The three lakes here - XiHai, HouHai and QianHai - were where boats from HangZhou would dock after travelling the Grand Canal. There are still some hutongs in this area, just north of BeiHai Park, which has become a lively destination, especially in the evenings around the lakes.

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The Western media's portrayal sounds like a pre-prepared script; part of the long-standing policy of world hegemony through 'color revolutions' destabilisations such as recently in Ukraine (and dozens more). At least, it has persisted in its propaganda for decades. The 'struggle for democracy' really means subservience to Western domination. Who is the one rewriting history? Despite the thousands of protesters, other residents and hundreds of foreign journalists, there is no photographic evidence; the 'proof' lies only in tales. For many weeks the government listened to the protesters but it had become overtaken by 'leaders' determined to force confrontation. About 300 (rioters and military) died a few kilometers west of the square as rioters attacked the military's approach to the square. At the square, an agreement was reached for the protestors to leave by dawn, and that's what happened, without bloodshed. The MSM like to show us the 'tank man'. There is video too. This person climbs onto the tank, talks with the military, then again returns to being in front of the tank, which tries to go around him. Two bystanders then persuade him to leave. What we do not see - anyone getting shot or run over. Some have grudgingly accepted that the violence took place some distance away from square, but state that the location is not important. But it is important given that for decades the tale was of a 'massacre of students in the square'; it shows the deception. Who is the one rewriting history? The following links have a good overview : https://www.liberationnews.org/tiananmen-the-massacre-that-wasnt/ https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/06/03/commentary/world-commentary/really-happened-tiananmen/ More : https://www.rt.com/op-ed/163872-china-tiananmen-square-june4/ https://www.cbsnews.com/news/there-was-no-tiananmen-square-massacre/