YanQi Lake 雁栖湖 at dusk, HuaiRou, BeiJing

With Roaming N Watching ... With Fyfy & Nyny ... QiBao Ancient Town visitor guide Overview QiBao Ancient Town, located in the MinHang district of ShangHai, is a picturesque water town known for its well-preserved ancient architecture, historical sites, and traditional culture. The name "QiBao" means "Seven Treasures," and the town is famous for its seven historic treasures, though only a few remain today. QiBao offers visitors a glimpse into China's rich cultural heritage and a chance to experience traditional JiangNan water town scenery. History QiBao Ancient Town has a history that dates back over a thousand years to the Northern Song Dynasty. It flourished during the Ming and Qing dynasties as a prosperous commercial hub. Today, QiBao retains much of its historical charm, with well-preserved buildings, stone bridges, and narrow canals that transport visitors back in time. Main Attractions QiBao Temple QiBao Temple is a significant religious and cultural site in the town. Originally built during the Song Dynasty, the temple has undergone several restorations. It is an important place of worship and a symbol of the town's spiritual heritage. QiBao Old Street QiBao Old Street is the heart of the ancient town, lined with traditional shops, teahouses, and food stalls. The street is divided into North Street and South Street, each offering unique experiences and local delicacies. QiBao Shadow Play Art Museum The QiBao Shadow Play Art Museum showcases the traditional Chinese art of shadow puppetry. Visitors can learn about the history of shadow plays, watch live performances, and even try their hand at manipulating the puppets. QiBao Zhuzhai (Old Residences) QiBao Zhuzhai are ancient residential buildings that offer a glimpse into the traditional lifestyle of QiBao's inhabitants. These well-preserved houses reflect the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties and provide insight into the daily lives of ancient Chinese families. Culture and Traditions QiBao Ancient Town is a cultural gem that showcases traditional JiangNan water town culture. The town is known for its traditional crafts, local cuisine, and cultural performances. Visitors can explore the various workshops and studios where artisans create silk, paper-cuts, and other traditional handicrafts. Activities and Experiences Boat Rides One of the best ways to experience QiBao Ancient Town is by taking a boat ride along its narrow canals. The boat ride offers a unique perspective of the town's architecture and serene waterways, providing a peaceful and scenic experience. Food Tasting QiBao is renowned for its local delicacies, including QiBao rice cakes, braised pork, and stinky tofu. The food stalls and restaurants along QiBao Old Street offer a wide variety of traditional snacks and dishes that are a must-try for visitors. Cultural Performances Visitors to QiBao can enjoy various cultural performances, including traditional Chinese opera, shadow plays, and folk music. These performances are often held in public squares and cultural centers, providing an authentic cultural experience. Accommodation QiBao Ancient Town offers a range of accommodation options, from traditional guesthouses to modern hotels. Staying in a local guesthouse provides an immersive experience and a chance to enjoy the town's charm after the day-trippers have left. Travel Tips Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit QiBao Ancient Town is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild and pleasant. Getting There: QiBao Ancient Town is located about 18 kilometers from ShangHai city center. It is accessible by metro (Line 9, QiBao Station) or by taxi. The journey takes approximately 30-40 minutes. Opening Hours: The town is open to visitors daily from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Entrance Fees: There is no entrance fee for the town itself, but some attractions and museums within the town may charge a small fee. Dress Comfortably: Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the town's streets are paved with cobblestones and can be uneven. Respect Local Customs: When visiting temples and cultural sites, be respectful of local customs and traditions. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people.

YinChuan, 'Silver River', lies in NingXia province, central - north China. It is located near the western bank of the upper course of the Yellow River, in the south-central section of the HeLan Shan mountains and the Ordos Desert. Thanks to the Yellow River, YinChuan enjoys beautiful natural scenery and favorable conditions for agriculture and has long earned the fame of a "River Side City in the Northwest" and "Home to Fishes and Rice". Around the city of about 2 million are a number of interesting cultural sites, including part of the Great Wall of China (not far from the western end-point) and grand mosques (Hui minority) and lies on a trade route from cities in the far west to the east. Nearby are the extensive Western Xia Dynasty (1038 - 1227) Tombs, 40 kilometers to the west. There are two pagodas in YinChuan that are part of the 'Eight Famous Sceneries of NingXia': one is the HaiBao Pagoda in the northern suburb and the other is the ChengTianSi Pagoda in the west. Sand Lake lies about 50 kilometers north of YinChuan. Being a world of desert and a large lake, it is a place of beautiful nature and a great getaway. The immediate plains area, intensively irrigated by a system developed as long ago as the Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220), is very productive for agriculture. A great film by Sticker Travel ...

Including BeiJing, Hong Kong, MuTianYu Great Wall, HuaShan mountain, Xi'An, ZhangJiaJie, TianMen mountain, FengHuang, the LongShen rice terraces, YangShuo, GuiLin ...

With Wei's Travel ...

Where the journey began ...

Divide and rule. Distract and rule. With RT America ... Bonus film - on the World Bank and IMF - The Moderate Rebels with Michael Hudson ...

Quote (from the BBC 'news' website, 19th February 2023) : "Meanwhile, friends of the detainees [supposedly lockdown protesters], anxious and worried for their own personal safety, continue to keep tabs on the situation and share information. Many of them live overseas and did not attend the November protests ... [about saving lives with lockdowns]." The lockdowns might have been over the top, but doubtless saved many lives - so that is a matter of debate; and the 'protesters' might have had some good arguments [one might say], but the key thing here is whether in reality it was all a Western attempt at subverting China; and if one looks at other articles around the same time / leading up to these 'protests' [greatly exaggerated], that seems to indeed be the case. Again, in the BBC's own words : Many of them LIVE OVERSEAS. In the BBC's own words : Many of them LIVE OVERSEAS. LIVE OVERSEAS. This is a very important point to keep in mind : these people were not there, but somehow have something to say, and their 'not even there' tale is being pushed by MSM. It is the XinJiang / HK scam repeated over, and over, and over again. Who are these people and who do they work for ? [Well hidden of course] Not knowing these facts, why trust them ??? Enough of the BBC - they have no credibility; we are not going to do this every day [when see excrement, step over it, it is not worth analysing]; the lies are easy to spot, if you look. Open your eyes ... And always remember that propaganda is the first move in war - demonise your 'enemy' [everyone 'else']. While frustration can be understood, covert agendas [and foreign recruits?] are another thing. For sure, though, the 'daily hate' will continue; and shame on them. *** Once the venom is extracted, the disease is cured. *** Bonus film - the US spent millions of dollars shooting down $12 hobby balloons ...

Where the Great Wall of China meets the sea, HeBei province, east from BeiJing ...