The China food culture has a very long history. Every food has its own symbolism. If you have a China travel, you should know it.
In China, foods are given particular meanings, so that a type of food can only be eaten by some specific individuals in certain occasion, or must be eaten in specific occasion.
Usually, an honored guest will be served a snapper's head or shell to hail him and show warm welcome in some districts.
Noodles are the symbol of longevity in Chinese culture. They are as much a part of Chinese birthday celebration as a birthday cake with lit candles is in many countries, so that youngsters or seniors all will have a bowl of Long Life Noodle in the expectation of a healthy life. Since noodles do symbolize long life, it is considered very unlucky to cut up a strand.
Eggs hold a special symbolic significance in many cultures, and China is no exception. The Chinese believe eggs symbolize fertility. After a baby is born, parents may hold a "red egg and ginger party", where they serve round hard-boiled eggs to announce the birth. (In Central China, the number of eggs presented depends on the sex of the child: An even number, usually six or eight Red Boiled Eggs with a black point dotted on one end will be delivered for a boy and an odd number, usually five or seven without black point for a girl). Egg rolls or spring rolls resemble the shape of a gold bar, and thus are often served on the New Year as a symbol of wealth and prosperity in the coming year.
Fish also play a large role in festive celebrations. The Chinese word for fish "Yu" sounds like the homophonic words both for wish and abundance. As a result, on New Year's Eve it is customary to serve a fish for dinner, symbolizing the wish for accumulations of prosperity and wealth in the coming year. In addition, the fish is served whole, with head and tail attached, symbolizing a good beginning and ending for the coming year.
Ducks represent fidelity in Chinese culture. If you are ever invited to a Chinese wedding banquet, don't be surprised to spot a mouthwatering platter of Peking duck on the banquet table. Also, red dishes are featured at weddings as red is the color of happiness. (You may find them served at New Year's banquets for the same reason.)
Chicken forms part of the symbolism of the dragon and phoenix in Chinese culture. At a Chinese wedding, chicken's feet, referred to as phoenix feet, are often served with dragon foods such as lobster. Chicken is also popular at Chinese New Year, symbolizing a good marriage and the coming together of families, and serving the bird whole emphasizes family unity.
Seeds -- lotus seeds, watermelon seeds, etc -- represent bearing many children in Chinese culture. Visit an Asian bakery during the Chinese New Year, and you're likely to find a wide assortment of snacks with different types of seeds in them.
There are other foods, snacks and fruits which symbolize good wishes under special circumstances, including dried bean curd, black moss seaweed, peanuts, pomelos and oranges.
If you Tibet tour, you should learn food symbolism in Tibet and you tour guide will tell you.
Friday, November 30, 2012
A Movie Displaying Chinese History - Back to 1942
If you plan to have a China travel and are interested in China's movies and history at the same time, you should watch the following movie - Back to 1942
"It has been so many years and you want to write such a wretched thing. What do you want?" This is the last voice-over in Back to 1942, the latest film by domestic director Feng Xiaogang.
In the year 1942, the most serious and urgent issue for the 10 million people in China's Henan Province was how to feed themselves. Following a severe drought, a locust plague came. In less than a year, according to historical records, some 3 million people died from famine.
Yet, few people, amazingly even many victims who lived through it, still remember this tragedy.
Adapted from Liu Zhenyun's 1992 novel Wengu 1942, the film Back to 1942 reflects the widespread disaster mainly through the experiences of two families: the family of Fan, a former landlord; and the family of Xialu, Fan's tenant. Also, there are scenes depicting the reactions of the Chinese government and some foreigners.
On the way to Shaanxi Province, in an attempt to flee the famine, the two families find nothing but more famine. Moreover, they lose almost everything along the way.
Back to 1942 is a very different work for director Feng Xiaogang, who is more well-known for comedies like The Dream Factory (1997) and If You Are the One (2009).
Although Feng's 2010 work Aftershock, about a severe earthquake in Tangshan, Hebei Province in 1976, can also be labeled as a disaster film, Back to 1942 offers a better analysis on Chinese people's humanity.
In Aftershock, we see people lose members of their families and yet pull themselves up again. Audiences grieve with the characters and admire their courage. Aftershock was regarded as one of the most tear-provoking films of that year.
The movie can be seen in the most cities in China. If you have a Beijing tours, it will be meaningful for your journey.
"It has been so many years and you want to write such a wretched thing. What do you want?" This is the last voice-over in Back to 1942, the latest film by domestic director Feng Xiaogang.
In the year 1942, the most serious and urgent issue for the 10 million people in China's Henan Province was how to feed themselves. Following a severe drought, a locust plague came. In less than a year, according to historical records, some 3 million people died from famine.
Yet, few people, amazingly even many victims who lived through it, still remember this tragedy.
Adapted from Liu Zhenyun's 1992 novel Wengu 1942, the film Back to 1942 reflects the widespread disaster mainly through the experiences of two families: the family of Fan, a former landlord; and the family of Xialu, Fan's tenant. Also, there are scenes depicting the reactions of the Chinese government and some foreigners.
On the way to Shaanxi Province, in an attempt to flee the famine, the two families find nothing but more famine. Moreover, they lose almost everything along the way.
Back to 1942 is a very different work for director Feng Xiaogang, who is more well-known for comedies like The Dream Factory (1997) and If You Are the One (2009).
Although Feng's 2010 work Aftershock, about a severe earthquake in Tangshan, Hebei Province in 1976, can also be labeled as a disaster film, Back to 1942 offers a better analysis on Chinese people's humanity.
In Aftershock, we see people lose members of their families and yet pull themselves up again. Audiences grieve with the characters and admire their courage. Aftershock was regarded as one of the most tear-provoking films of that year.
The movie can be seen in the most cities in China. If you have a Beijing tours, it will be meaningful for your journey.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
What is Laba Rice Porridge Festival
If you travel to China before Jan.20 of 2013, you can taste Laba Rice Porridge.
Laba Rice Porridge Festival falls on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. People will have Laba Rice Porridge on this day.
Having Laba Rice Porridge has a history of over one thousand years in China. This tradition originated from Indian Buddhism. Legend has it that Sakyamuni became a Buddhist under a banyan on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Afterwards, people would have rice porridge on this day in memory of the Buddha's sufferings. Also, Laba Rice Porridge would be cooked on this day in temples in many places, with rice, nutlet, millet, etc. as the raw material. It would be sacrificed to the Buddha first and then given out to disciples and the poor. Since Laba Rice Porridge was believed to be blessed with good fortune and longevity, it was also called "Longevity Blessing Porridge" and "Virtue Blessing Porridge".
Since then Laba Rice Porridge was prepared on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month in courts, officials' mansions, temples and common people's homes. This custom became more prevalent in the Qing Dynasty. On this day, the emperor, empress and princes in the royal court would bestow Laba Rice Porridge to civil and military ministers as well as attendants and maids of honor. Also, they would give out rice, fruits and other materials to monks in temples. Meanwhile, every common family would cook Laba Rice Porridge and offer sacrifice to their ancestors. Then all family members would get together to have the porridge.
After being introduced to China, this custom was combined with quite a lot of Chinese traditional ones. For example, the cooked Laba Rice Porridge would be sacrificed to ancestors first. Also, having Laba Rice Porridge with part of it uneaten would be regarded as luckiness and wealthiness; well-off families would give out porridge to the poor for they believed such charitable move would help to accumulate their own virtue. It is also a custom in some regions to daub Laba Rice Porridge onto fruit trees in the hope of a good harvest and auspice in the coming year.
But now, few people make Laba Rice Porridge in China. Many tourists who take part in China travel deals are fond of traditional festival because some interestion allusions and folk story.
Laba Rice Porridge Festival falls on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. People will have Laba Rice Porridge on this day.
Having Laba Rice Porridge has a history of over one thousand years in China. This tradition originated from Indian Buddhism. Legend has it that Sakyamuni became a Buddhist under a banyan on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Afterwards, people would have rice porridge on this day in memory of the Buddha's sufferings. Also, Laba Rice Porridge would be cooked on this day in temples in many places, with rice, nutlet, millet, etc. as the raw material. It would be sacrificed to the Buddha first and then given out to disciples and the poor. Since Laba Rice Porridge was believed to be blessed with good fortune and longevity, it was also called "Longevity Blessing Porridge" and "Virtue Blessing Porridge".
Since then Laba Rice Porridge was prepared on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month in courts, officials' mansions, temples and common people's homes. This custom became more prevalent in the Qing Dynasty. On this day, the emperor, empress and princes in the royal court would bestow Laba Rice Porridge to civil and military ministers as well as attendants and maids of honor. Also, they would give out rice, fruits and other materials to monks in temples. Meanwhile, every common family would cook Laba Rice Porridge and offer sacrifice to their ancestors. Then all family members would get together to have the porridge.
After being introduced to China, this custom was combined with quite a lot of Chinese traditional ones. For example, the cooked Laba Rice Porridge would be sacrificed to ancestors first. Also, having Laba Rice Porridge with part of it uneaten would be regarded as luckiness and wealthiness; well-off families would give out porridge to the poor for they believed such charitable move would help to accumulate their own virtue. It is also a custom in some regions to daub Laba Rice Porridge onto fruit trees in the hope of a good harvest and auspice in the coming year.
But now, few people make Laba Rice Porridge in China. Many tourists who take part in China travel deals are fond of traditional festival because some interestion allusions and folk story.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Christmas Gifts for Your Family and Friends
Ancient Chinese Bracelet and its love symbols
Chinese culture is an indispensable thing for your China travel. The following will introduce you one of the ancient ornaments bracelet which symolize love.
In ancient China, engagement was an important social rite where man and woman confirm marital ties, next only to official marriage in significance. Marital ties were made by following “parents' order and on the matchmaker's word”. However, maidens in the age of adolescence had the tradition of pledging in love with tokens of love. Under the pressure of the society, young men and women would deliver tokens of love in private. Others just could not tell.
The ancient tokens of love largely comprise bracelets, arm-wrapped gold, finger rings, earrings and perfume satchels. They might also be some small articles handed down from ancestors, or souvenirs meticulously chosen. No matter what they are and how valuable they might be, tokens of love always have some origins or become closely associated with the people. The spiritual implications of the tokens of love will surely not be weighed by their monetary values. Presenting tokens of love is just like submitting one’s aspirations, showing the persons they will be loyal for life.
The time-honored bracelets could be traced back to the period when the matrilineal society started to transit to the patrilineal society. Archaeologists have found pottery and stone bracelet-like rings, which ancient people applied to decorate their wrists, at the Banpo Site (a Neolithic site of the Yangshao Culture at Banpo Village on the eastern outskirts of Xi'an) about 6,000 years ago and at the Xixiahou Neolithic Age Site of Qufu, Shandong Province. As shown in the unearthed bracelets, they were made of animal bones, teeth, stones and potteries. The bracelets are in the forms of circular tubes, circular rings, or combined by two semi-rings.
In the Sui(AD581-618), Tang (AD618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, it was very popular for women to decorate their arms with bracelets, known as armlets. The images of women wearing armlets are found in Taizong Meeting Tibetan Emissaries of Yan Benli and Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair with Flowers of Zhou Fang, painters of the early Tang Dynasty. Such decorations went beyond royal families and aristocrats. Common people also crazed about them. As historical records showed, Cui Guangyuan, a Tang Dynasty general, led troops to suppress Duan Zizhang, a rebel. The soldiers of Cui robbed people everywhere and cut the arms of women for taking away armlets. It suggested there were many women wearing armlets at the time.
After the Tang and Song dynasties, bracelets were made of better materials and techniques. There emerged gold and silver bracelets, jade-embedded bracelets, and precious stone-embedded bracelets. They were processed into the shapes of circular rings, stringed beads, twisted threads, braids and bamboos. When it came to the Ming and Qing dynasties and the Republic of China period, gold bracelets embedded with precious stones turned most popular. They were improved significantly in modeling and processing techniques.
Although bracelets were decorations on arms, they were the earliest evidence of people’s indistinct yet inherent love of beauty. Many scientists argue that bracelets came forth not because of the love of beauty. Instead, they were associated with totem worship and witchery rituals. Some historians say that since men assumed absolute rule in economic life, they cultivated the barbarian customs to tie down women with finger rings and bracelets. Such a metaphor existed for quite a long time.
The ancient shaped bracelets can be bought in most tourists cities. If you have Shanghai tours, you can buy it in the traditional shopping streets or some boutiques.
In ancient China, engagement was an important social rite where man and woman confirm marital ties, next only to official marriage in significance. Marital ties were made by following “parents' order and on the matchmaker's word”. However, maidens in the age of adolescence had the tradition of pledging in love with tokens of love. Under the pressure of the society, young men and women would deliver tokens of love in private. Others just could not tell.
The ancient tokens of love largely comprise bracelets, arm-wrapped gold, finger rings, earrings and perfume satchels. They might also be some small articles handed down from ancestors, or souvenirs meticulously chosen. No matter what they are and how valuable they might be, tokens of love always have some origins or become closely associated with the people. The spiritual implications of the tokens of love will surely not be weighed by their monetary values. Presenting tokens of love is just like submitting one’s aspirations, showing the persons they will be loyal for life.
The time-honored bracelets could be traced back to the period when the matrilineal society started to transit to the patrilineal society. Archaeologists have found pottery and stone bracelet-like rings, which ancient people applied to decorate their wrists, at the Banpo Site (a Neolithic site of the Yangshao Culture at Banpo Village on the eastern outskirts of Xi'an) about 6,000 years ago and at the Xixiahou Neolithic Age Site of Qufu, Shandong Province. As shown in the unearthed bracelets, they were made of animal bones, teeth, stones and potteries. The bracelets are in the forms of circular tubes, circular rings, or combined by two semi-rings.
In the Sui(AD581-618), Tang (AD618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, it was very popular for women to decorate their arms with bracelets, known as armlets. The images of women wearing armlets are found in Taizong Meeting Tibetan Emissaries of Yan Benli and Court Ladies Adorning Their Hair with Flowers of Zhou Fang, painters of the early Tang Dynasty. Such decorations went beyond royal families and aristocrats. Common people also crazed about them. As historical records showed, Cui Guangyuan, a Tang Dynasty general, led troops to suppress Duan Zizhang, a rebel. The soldiers of Cui robbed people everywhere and cut the arms of women for taking away armlets. It suggested there were many women wearing armlets at the time.
After the Tang and Song dynasties, bracelets were made of better materials and techniques. There emerged gold and silver bracelets, jade-embedded bracelets, and precious stone-embedded bracelets. They were processed into the shapes of circular rings, stringed beads, twisted threads, braids and bamboos. When it came to the Ming and Qing dynasties and the Republic of China period, gold bracelets embedded with precious stones turned most popular. They were improved significantly in modeling and processing techniques.
Although bracelets were decorations on arms, they were the earliest evidence of people’s indistinct yet inherent love of beauty. Many scientists argue that bracelets came forth not because of the love of beauty. Instead, they were associated with totem worship and witchery rituals. Some historians say that since men assumed absolute rule in economic life, they cultivated the barbarian customs to tie down women with finger rings and bracelets. Such a metaphor existed for quite a long time.
The ancient shaped bracelets can be bought in most tourists cities. If you have Shanghai tours, you can buy it in the traditional shopping streets or some boutiques.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Facts of Chinese Dragon
Have you ever visited China ? If you have, you must see many Chinese-dragon-shaped sculpture. Here will give you some information about dragon in China.
The Chinese dragon has many faces, nine sons and multiple cosmic roles. It's everywhere - in the clouds and heavens, in the rivers, the oceans and in the underworld where it guards jewels and precious metals and creates volcanos when it bursts out to report to heaven.
One kind of dragon is carved on incense burners, one on sword hilts, one on bells. One learned dragon taught basic calligraphy to the Fuxi, the Chinese ancestor. One loves music and his image is carved on string instruments. One protects houses from fire and his image is carved on eaves and beams. One is warlike and his image is carved on weapons.
Here's a smattering of dragon trivia:
Many Types
Chinese scholars categorized the dragons according to their cosmic tasks:
The Celestial Dragon rules the dragons and protects the heavens. The Spirit Dragon controls the weather and must be appeased, lest there are drought and floods. The Earth Dragon controls rivers; it spends springtime in heaven and autumn in the sea. The Underworld Dragon guards precious metals and jewels. The Horned Dragon is considered the mightiest. The Winged Dragon is the only dragon with wings and was a powerful servant of the Yellow Emperor. He once helped a mortal to stop the Yellow River from flooding by digging channels with its tail. The Coiled Dragon lives in the sea. The Yellow Dragon known for scholarship taught the elements of writing to Fuxi, a Chinese ancestor. The Dragon King is actually four dragons who rule the oceans east, west, north and south. They were prayed to when there was no rain.
Cang long the blue dragon represents the emperor and has five toes.
Only the emperor was permitted to wear the image of the five-toed dragon. Dukes and princes were permitted to use dragons with four toes and senior officials were limited to dragons with three toes.
The Kangxi Emperor (1654–1722), one of the China's most powerful, planned to abdicate in favor of his son Yin Reng, but discovered that he secretly kept a five-claw dragon robe. The deal was off.
All dragons have 117 scales, 81 are positive yang (hot energy) and 36 are negative yin (cold energy). This accounts for the dragon's destructive and aggressive side - floods, terrible storms and droughts.
The pearl beneath a dragon's chin is the pearl of wisdom, representing the dragon's wisdom and allowing it to ascend to heaven.
It takes millennia for a dragon to develop - a millennium to hatch, a millennium to develop as a fish, a millennium to acquire dragon features. Then it takes 1,000 years to be considered long, a proper dragon, then 500 years to become a horned dragon, then 1,000 years to become a winged dragon.
In the famous story "Journey to the West," the Monkey King steals a weapon - a golden cudgel - that was a pillar supporting the Dragon King's Palace of the East Sea. The monkey stole the pillar by turning it into a tiny embroidery needle and hiding it in his ear.
Nine dragon sons
The dragon had nine sons. The first son Qiu Niu is mild, gentle and loves music; his image is often carved on string instruments. Second son Ya Zi is the god of war and his image is found on weapons, like sword hilts, to scare away evil. Third son Chao Feng is very gossipy, nosy and likes to gaze into the distance. His image is often carved on pinnacles and roofs. Fourth son Pu Lao lives by the sea but is afraid of whales and when he sees them he roars like thunder; his image is carved on bells and gongs and the stick used to strike the gong is carved in the shape of a whale. Fifth son Suan Ni looks like a lion and loves firecrackers and smoke, but he is very mild. His image is carved on incense burners. Sixth son Bi Xi looks like a turtle; he has great strength and likes to carry heavy loads, even mountains. His image is found on the foot of stone monuments. Seventh son Bi'an is crime fighter who sits in judgment of criminals. His image can be found on the gates of prisons and front doors of court houses. Eighth son Fu Xi loves calligraphy and literature, the only "literati" dragon. He is carved on inkstones. Ninth son Chi Wen has a dragon's head, a bird's beak and a fish's body. He blesses buildings and can spray water to put out fires. His image is carved on roof eaves and beams.
If you have joined Beijing tour package and visit Forbidden City, you can find many architectures about dragon.
The Chinese dragon has many faces, nine sons and multiple cosmic roles. It's everywhere - in the clouds and heavens, in the rivers, the oceans and in the underworld where it guards jewels and precious metals and creates volcanos when it bursts out to report to heaven.
One kind of dragon is carved on incense burners, one on sword hilts, one on bells. One learned dragon taught basic calligraphy to the Fuxi, the Chinese ancestor. One loves music and his image is carved on string instruments. One protects houses from fire and his image is carved on eaves and beams. One is warlike and his image is carved on weapons.
Here's a smattering of dragon trivia:
Many Types
Chinese scholars categorized the dragons according to their cosmic tasks:
The Celestial Dragon rules the dragons and protects the heavens. The Spirit Dragon controls the weather and must be appeased, lest there are drought and floods. The Earth Dragon controls rivers; it spends springtime in heaven and autumn in the sea. The Underworld Dragon guards precious metals and jewels. The Horned Dragon is considered the mightiest. The Winged Dragon is the only dragon with wings and was a powerful servant of the Yellow Emperor. He once helped a mortal to stop the Yellow River from flooding by digging channels with its tail. The Coiled Dragon lives in the sea. The Yellow Dragon known for scholarship taught the elements of writing to Fuxi, a Chinese ancestor. The Dragon King is actually four dragons who rule the oceans east, west, north and south. They were prayed to when there was no rain.
Cang long the blue dragon represents the emperor and has five toes.
Only the emperor was permitted to wear the image of the five-toed dragon. Dukes and princes were permitted to use dragons with four toes and senior officials were limited to dragons with three toes.
The Kangxi Emperor (1654–1722), one of the China's most powerful, planned to abdicate in favor of his son Yin Reng, but discovered that he secretly kept a five-claw dragon robe. The deal was off.
All dragons have 117 scales, 81 are positive yang (hot energy) and 36 are negative yin (cold energy). This accounts for the dragon's destructive and aggressive side - floods, terrible storms and droughts.
The pearl beneath a dragon's chin is the pearl of wisdom, representing the dragon's wisdom and allowing it to ascend to heaven.
It takes millennia for a dragon to develop - a millennium to hatch, a millennium to develop as a fish, a millennium to acquire dragon features. Then it takes 1,000 years to be considered long, a proper dragon, then 500 years to become a horned dragon, then 1,000 years to become a winged dragon.
In the famous story "Journey to the West," the Monkey King steals a weapon - a golden cudgel - that was a pillar supporting the Dragon King's Palace of the East Sea. The monkey stole the pillar by turning it into a tiny embroidery needle and hiding it in his ear.
Nine dragon sons
The dragon had nine sons. The first son Qiu Niu is mild, gentle and loves music; his image is often carved on string instruments. Second son Ya Zi is the god of war and his image is found on weapons, like sword hilts, to scare away evil. Third son Chao Feng is very gossipy, nosy and likes to gaze into the distance. His image is often carved on pinnacles and roofs. Fourth son Pu Lao lives by the sea but is afraid of whales and when he sees them he roars like thunder; his image is carved on bells and gongs and the stick used to strike the gong is carved in the shape of a whale. Fifth son Suan Ni looks like a lion and loves firecrackers and smoke, but he is very mild. His image is carved on incense burners. Sixth son Bi Xi looks like a turtle; he has great strength and likes to carry heavy loads, even mountains. His image is found on the foot of stone monuments. Seventh son Bi'an is crime fighter who sits in judgment of criminals. His image can be found on the gates of prisons and front doors of court houses. Eighth son Fu Xi loves calligraphy and literature, the only "literati" dragon. He is carved on inkstones. Ninth son Chi Wen has a dragon's head, a bird's beak and a fish's body. He blesses buildings and can spray water to put out fires. His image is carved on roof eaves and beams.
If you have joined Beijing tour package and visit Forbidden City, you can find many architectures about dragon.
Xian Set Meal for foodies
If you have a Xian tour, you should not miss Xian set meal, Ling Pi, Rou Jia Mo and Ice Peak which always are eaten jointly.
Liang Pi
Liang pi or Liangpi (凉皮) is a noodle-like Chinese dish made from wheat or rice flour. It is a specialty dish originating from the Chinese Province of Shaanxi[1], but has now spread to many other places in China, in particular the northern and central regions.
New York Times' Julia Moskin describes Liangpi as "a dish of cold noodles in a sauce that hits every possible flavor category (sweet, tangy, savory, herbal, nutty and dozens of others)."
Chinese hamburger
Rou jia mo, sometimes spelled roujiamo (Chinese: 肉夹馍; pinyin: ròu jīa mó), meaning "meat burger or meat sandwich," is a street food originating from Shaanxi Province and now widely consumed all over China. The meat is most commonly pork, stewed for hours in a soup consisting of over 20 kinds of spices and seasonings. Although it is possible to use only a few spices (which many vendors do), the resulting meat is less flavourful. There are many alternative fillings available, for example in Muslim areas in Xi'an, the meat is usually beef (prepared Kabob style and seasoned with cumin and pepper), and in Gansu it is often lamb.
Ice Peak
Ice Peak orange soda, known as bīng fēng (冰峰) in Chinese, has been a staple of Xi’an for 57 years. Ice Peak is brewed and bottled in Xi’an and shipped all over the city as well as to many other cities in Shaanxi province. Nearly every small hole-in-the-wall restaurant or sidewalk BBQ will have at least a few cases of Ice Peak and for only ￥1.5 you can have your own. The ubiquity, delicious taste, and inexpensiveness of Ice Peak really peaked my curiosity in this local product, which is why the Xianease team opted to go and check out the operation for ourselves.
By comparison with snacks and food for Hong Kong tours, Xian food and snacks feature spiciness.
Liang Pi
Liang pi or Liangpi (凉皮) is a noodle-like Chinese dish made from wheat or rice flour. It is a specialty dish originating from the Chinese Province of Shaanxi[1], but has now spread to many other places in China, in particular the northern and central regions.
New York Times' Julia Moskin describes Liangpi as "a dish of cold noodles in a sauce that hits every possible flavor category (sweet, tangy, savory, herbal, nutty and dozens of others)."
Chinese hamburger
Rou jia mo, sometimes spelled roujiamo (Chinese: 肉夹馍; pinyin: ròu jīa mó), meaning "meat burger or meat sandwich," is a street food originating from Shaanxi Province and now widely consumed all over China. The meat is most commonly pork, stewed for hours in a soup consisting of over 20 kinds of spices and seasonings. Although it is possible to use only a few spices (which many vendors do), the resulting meat is less flavourful. There are many alternative fillings available, for example in Muslim areas in Xi'an, the meat is usually beef (prepared Kabob style and seasoned with cumin and pepper), and in Gansu it is often lamb.
Ice Peak
Ice Peak orange soda, known as bīng fēng (冰峰) in Chinese, has been a staple of Xi’an for 57 years. Ice Peak is brewed and bottled in Xi’an and shipped all over the city as well as to many other cities in Shaanxi province. Nearly every small hole-in-the-wall restaurant or sidewalk BBQ will have at least a few cases of Ice Peak and for only ￥1.5 you can have your own. The ubiquity, delicious taste, and inexpensiveness of Ice Peak really peaked my curiosity in this local product, which is why the Xianease team opted to go and check out the operation for ourselves.
By comparison with snacks and food for Hong Kong tours, Xian food and snacks feature spiciness.
A Beautiful Island in Guangxi - Weizhou Island
When I first heard of Weizhou Island, I thought it may be an island of Thailand. After look up online, I found it is an island in China. By comparison other hot destinations in China, Weizhou Island is unfamiliar for many tourists. Here lists you the information about Weizhou Island for your China travel.
Weizhou Island (wéi zhōu dǎo 涠洲岛) is the biggest as well as the youngest volcanic island. It is located in the southeast of Beihai City (běi hǎi shì 北海市), Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (guǎng xī zhuàng zú zì zhì qū 广西壮族自治区). Covering an area of 24.74 square kilometers, it is 6.5 kilometers from south to north and 6 kilometers from east to west. It is ranked by the China National Geography Magazine as One of the Top Ten Most Beautiful Islands in China, and regarded as “the Penglai Fairy Land of the South China Sea”.
English is not widespread on Weizhou. As English is a school subject younger local people and children will be pleased to have a little English chat with foreign visitors. The dialect on Weizhou differs greatly from northern China's Mandarin. However, there are quite a lot of people who speak Mandarin, too.
Ferries to Weizhou depart daily from Beihai scheduled at 8:30AM, 11:15AM, 4:00PM and 5:30PM. First class ¥180/trip (advisable if you don't want to sit too close to your vomiting co-travellers). Second class ¥120/trip. In tourist season there may be more ferries, and during heavy sea, none.
The island has an impressive fleet of motor tricycles (¥5-20 per trip). The tricycle drivers rarely speak English. For exploring the island on one's own, motor scooters (¥120/day), e-bikes (¥80/day) and bicyles (from ¥20/day for city bikes up to ¥60/day for mountain bikes) can be rented as well. The deposit for renting is between ¥200 and ¥300. The renting prices may rise during Chinese national holidays.
Be aware that you need to own a Chinese driver's license to drive motor scooters on your own.
If you want to know more info about this island, you can contact with China tour agents.
Weizhou Island (wéi zhōu dǎo 涠洲岛) is the biggest as well as the youngest volcanic island. It is located in the southeast of Beihai City (běi hǎi shì 北海市), Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (guǎng xī zhuàng zú zì zhì qū 广西壮族自治区). Covering an area of 24.74 square kilometers, it is 6.5 kilometers from south to north and 6 kilometers from east to west. It is ranked by the China National Geography Magazine as One of the Top Ten Most Beautiful Islands in China, and regarded as “the Penglai Fairy Land of the South China Sea”.
English is not widespread on Weizhou. As English is a school subject younger local people and children will be pleased to have a little English chat with foreign visitors. The dialect on Weizhou differs greatly from northern China's Mandarin. However, there are quite a lot of people who speak Mandarin, too.
Ferries to Weizhou depart daily from Beihai scheduled at 8:30AM, 11:15AM, 4:00PM and 5:30PM. First class ¥180/trip (advisable if you don't want to sit too close to your vomiting co-travellers). Second class ¥120/trip. In tourist season there may be more ferries, and during heavy sea, none.
The island has an impressive fleet of motor tricycles (¥5-20 per trip). The tricycle drivers rarely speak English. For exploring the island on one's own, motor scooters (¥120/day), e-bikes (¥80/day) and bicyles (from ¥20/day for city bikes up to ¥60/day for mountain bikes) can be rented as well. The deposit for renting is between ¥200 and ¥300. The renting prices may rise during Chinese national holidays.
Be aware that you need to own a Chinese driver's license to drive motor scooters on your own.
If you want to know more info about this island, you can contact with China tour agents.
Monday, November 26, 2012
A Special Food in Xijing - Nang
If you have a Silk Road adventure in Xinjiang, you have a chance to taste Nang, a special kind of pancake in Xinjiang.
Anytime and anywhere in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, tasty Nang is available in a variety of sizes. The flour-based food is the traditional staple for people of the Chinese Uighur minority, as well as residents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tatar. Nowadays, this ancient treat is increasingly popular among Han Chinese.
A piece of nang made during the Tang dynasty was excavated in Tulufan, and displayed at the Museum of Xinjiang. It is round, like the nang made today, and proves that the dish could be found on dinner tables in Xinjiang as far back as 1,000 years ago.
The main ingredient of nang is flour, and sometimes cornmeal. Nang is baked in a round shape, in different sizes, "Aimaneke", the largest kind, is thin and crisp in the center with a thick soft crust, and is often as big as 40-50 centimeters in dismeter. Each aimenke nand requires one kilogram of flour, prompting its nickname as the "king ofnang". The thinnest nang, "tuokexi", just one centimeter thick, is really a culinary work of art. Whereas the thickest nang, "jierde nang", can be 5 to 6 centimeters thick and more than then centimeters indiameter. Because of the tiny holes poked in the center, the people of Han ethnic group called it "wowo", which means, "hole". You can find the delicious golden-brown jierde nang in Kashgar. All these varieties of nang are usually made of leavened flour. There is also a kind of oily nang made of unleavened flour mixed with oil or suet. Because of its taste, brittleness and crispness, it is often served on holidays and other special occasions. Salty water can be added during the baking; sometimes it is replaced by syrup. The crystal syrup gives the baked "sweet nang" a shiny appearance and a unique flavor.
Many ingredients can be used to make nang: flour, sesame, onion, eggs, oil, milk, salt and sugar are used for the "vegetarian" kind. Meat-eaters may prefer nang made with fresh minced mutton, oil, salt and onion.
The process of baking nang is also one-of-a-kind. Almost every Uighur family has a nang baking pit - sometimes several families use a single one -and the size of each pit depends on the number of people in each family. A nang pit looks like an ordinary hearth, with a height ranging from less than a meter to two meters. It is square outside, and round and hollow inside, like a drum. As soon as the pit is red and ready, the nang dough is rolled into balls which are flattened into pancakes by the cook with a small roller. The cook then places the pancake in a mold, and tops it off with salt and sesame dressing. With a flip of his hand, the cook can toss a nang cake onto the wall of the pit. The common firewood for nang baking is pine or cypress, but connoisseurs may prefer the flavor of "suosuo", a shrub. Nang baking pits can also be used to cook mutton or gigot.
It can also be found in othe places like Beijing, Shanghai and some other north cities in China. But you may not find Nang if you have Guilin tours.
Anytime and anywhere in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, tasty Nang is available in a variety of sizes. The flour-based food is the traditional staple for people of the Chinese Uighur minority, as well as residents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tatar. Nowadays, this ancient treat is increasingly popular among Han Chinese.
A piece of nang made during the Tang dynasty was excavated in Tulufan, and displayed at the Museum of Xinjiang. It is round, like the nang made today, and proves that the dish could be found on dinner tables in Xinjiang as far back as 1,000 years ago.
The main ingredient of nang is flour, and sometimes cornmeal. Nang is baked in a round shape, in different sizes, "Aimaneke", the largest kind, is thin and crisp in the center with a thick soft crust, and is often as big as 40-50 centimeters in dismeter. Each aimenke nand requires one kilogram of flour, prompting its nickname as the "king ofnang". The thinnest nang, "tuokexi", just one centimeter thick, is really a culinary work of art. Whereas the thickest nang, "jierde nang", can be 5 to 6 centimeters thick and more than then centimeters indiameter. Because of the tiny holes poked in the center, the people of Han ethnic group called it "wowo", which means, "hole". You can find the delicious golden-brown jierde nang in Kashgar. All these varieties of nang are usually made of leavened flour. There is also a kind of oily nang made of unleavened flour mixed with oil or suet. Because of its taste, brittleness and crispness, it is often served on holidays and other special occasions. Salty water can be added during the baking; sometimes it is replaced by syrup. The crystal syrup gives the baked "sweet nang" a shiny appearance and a unique flavor.
Many ingredients can be used to make nang: flour, sesame, onion, eggs, oil, milk, salt and sugar are used for the "vegetarian" kind. Meat-eaters may prefer nang made with fresh minced mutton, oil, salt and onion.
The process of baking nang is also one-of-a-kind. Almost every Uighur family has a nang baking pit - sometimes several families use a single one -and the size of each pit depends on the number of people in each family. A nang pit looks like an ordinary hearth, with a height ranging from less than a meter to two meters. It is square outside, and round and hollow inside, like a drum. As soon as the pit is red and ready, the nang dough is rolled into balls which are flattened into pancakes by the cook with a small roller. The cook then places the pancake in a mold, and tops it off with salt and sesame dressing. With a flip of his hand, the cook can toss a nang cake onto the wall of the pit. The common firewood for nang baking is pine or cypress, but connoisseurs may prefer the flavor of "suosuo", a shrub. Nang baking pits can also be used to cook mutton or gigot.
It can also be found in othe places like Beijing, Shanghai and some other north cities in China. But you may not find Nang if you have Guilin tours.
The facts of Beijing Hutongs
For most of the tourists from abroad or China who wish to visit Beijing, there are some spots they can't miss ; all of them deserve a visit and the future tourists already know all of them : the Great wall, the Forbidden City, the Summer Palace, the Temple of Heaven, and of course the famous hutong, a peculiar place in Beijing. Well, let's go there ! These hutong, whose name in Chinese characters 胡同 does not have in itself any precise meaning, is reportedly coming from the Mongolian word "hottog", meaning water well, of which Chinese language made a phonetic transcription. Supposed or real, even no sense at all, is not what matters here, but rather their Mongolian origin, because it is indeed from the period of the Mongolian Dynasty of Yuan, who ruled China from 1278 to 1368 that the origin of these famous lanes can be traced back, when Beijing was called then Dadu (大都, the Large Capital). The Hutong which can still be seen today date from this dynasty and the two following ones, the Ming (1368-1644) and the Qing (1644-1911). But unlike the 2010 visitor can imagine, there were once Hutong almost everywhere in the capital, often bearing names as picturesque as Mutton Meat Lane (羊肉胡同), Golden Fish Lane (金鱼胡同) or Beneficial Rain Lane (甘雨胡同) and Fried Noodles Lane (炒面胡同). Most of them have been destroyed, to the great displeasure of the Western tourists who can hardly imagine how hard were the living conditions in these districts. But the local inhabitants very often left without much regret these dwellings where the picturesque often competed with discomfort and dilapidation. Between history and modernity, the Beijingers have chosen. But don't be afraid, there is still enough of these Hutong, now well protected, to satisfy your eager for Pekinese authenticity.
The most famous hutong are those located in the Northern part of the city. I should say they deserve well their celebrity, because it is quite obvious that the landscape around is really splendid. Our visit will start in the district of Shichahai, in front of the Northern entry of the Beihai Park. You can't miss the place, because there is a lake there, a lake you can see from the street. Well, actually not only one lake, but rather three. Qianhai (前海), then the most famous of them, Houhai (后海), because you will find around it a whole string of bars, popular among the night birds from Beijing and abroad alike, and Xihai (西海).
This place was once the commercial port of Beijing, connected to the Great Canal, which ran from Hangzhou, in the South, towards Beijing. This vocation has long disappeared, and today these lakes are mostly a good place for the amateurs of canoeing in spring and summer, and of ice-skating during the winter, when the lakes are deeply frozen. It is very easy to lose one's way in this maze of lanes, and besides lose one's way does have its own charms. If you are not so courageous, you can still get a guide, or take a bicycle rickshaw, which swarm in the neighbourhoods of Houhai. Try them, at least once…
With a little chance, you may have the chance to visit one of the mythical places of the hutong, these famous quadrangle houses, the Siheyuan (四合院). Few of them are well preserved and have kept their original appearance now, mostly because of demographic pressure, and as a result you may be possibly feel disappointed in front of the incredible mess you will find in the courtyards of most of them. But if you can fall on a well preserved siheyuan (there is still some, don't be afraid), you will understand then that everything, or almost, is a symbol in itself there. So please come in…
If you have a chance to have a China tour in Beijing, hutong area should not be missed.
The most famous hutong are those located in the Northern part of the city. I should say they deserve well their celebrity, because it is quite obvious that the landscape around is really splendid. Our visit will start in the district of Shichahai, in front of the Northern entry of the Beihai Park. You can't miss the place, because there is a lake there, a lake you can see from the street. Well, actually not only one lake, but rather three. Qianhai (前海), then the most famous of them, Houhai (后海), because you will find around it a whole string of bars, popular among the night birds from Beijing and abroad alike, and Xihai (西海).
This place was once the commercial port of Beijing, connected to the Great Canal, which ran from Hangzhou, in the South, towards Beijing. This vocation has long disappeared, and today these lakes are mostly a good place for the amateurs of canoeing in spring and summer, and of ice-skating during the winter, when the lakes are deeply frozen. It is very easy to lose one's way in this maze of lanes, and besides lose one's way does have its own charms. If you are not so courageous, you can still get a guide, or take a bicycle rickshaw, which swarm in the neighbourhoods of Houhai. Try them, at least once…
With a little chance, you may have the chance to visit one of the mythical places of the hutong, these famous quadrangle houses, the Siheyuan (四合院). Few of them are well preserved and have kept their original appearance now, mostly because of demographic pressure, and as a result you may be possibly feel disappointed in front of the incredible mess you will find in the courtyards of most of them. But if you can fall on a well preserved siheyuan (there is still some, don't be afraid), you will understand then that everything, or almost, is a symbol in itself there. So please come in…
If you have a chance to have a China tour in Beijing, hutong area should not be missed.
Friday, November 23, 2012
The Beautiful View in Zhagana in China
Zhagana in Tibetan language means "stone box". Zhagana village (Diebu County, Gansu Province) is a Chinese traditional settlement. It has a totle different view by comparison with that of Shanghai tours.
The first westerner who explored Gannan, collected creature specimens and drew maps there firstly, lived there for long time, and he published photos and articles in National Geographic, which provided excellent materials to the creation of James Hilton’s Lost Horizon. The great explorer is Joseph Locke who firstly found Zhagana and introduced it to the world, and he also described Zhagana like this “It is so marvelous, I am feeling kind of guilty if I don’t take pictures of this wonderful place." "I’ve never seen such a beautiful landscape before. If the Lord of Genesis saw the beautiful sceneries of Diebu, he will create Adam and Eve here undoubtedly. Diebu really impresses me, the wide forests is just like a botany museum, absolutely like a virgin. It's a paradise for the naturalist."
Although this idyllic land was deemed as the birthplace of Adam and Eve by Locke, it is still like a virgin place until now. Zhagana is lengendarily regarded as the alter of the mountain spirits, actually, it is the homeland of indigenousTibetan people. In the north of the Stone Town, the mountains are surrounded by luxuriantly green pines and verdant cypresses, enclosing four cottages inside, which presents to the world a pastoral scenery combined with pure nature and manpower. There are rivers, fields, hot springs, natural pavilions, and woody terraces.
It is a huge carved rock museum. The patterns of the Zhagana’s carved rocks are plenty. The primitive jungles sit on many rocks. When human wants to enter, there're only some stone climbers.
It is close to Shaanxi Province. If you have a Xian tour and are interested in Zhagana, you can visit here by the way.
The first westerner who explored Gannan, collected creature specimens and drew maps there firstly, lived there for long time, and he published photos and articles in National Geographic, which provided excellent materials to the creation of James Hilton’s Lost Horizon. The great explorer is Joseph Locke who firstly found Zhagana and introduced it to the world, and he also described Zhagana like this “It is so marvelous, I am feeling kind of guilty if I don’t take pictures of this wonderful place." "I’ve never seen such a beautiful landscape before. If the Lord of Genesis saw the beautiful sceneries of Diebu, he will create Adam and Eve here undoubtedly. Diebu really impresses me, the wide forests is just like a botany museum, absolutely like a virgin. It's a paradise for the naturalist."
Although this idyllic land was deemed as the birthplace of Adam and Eve by Locke, it is still like a virgin place until now. Zhagana is lengendarily regarded as the alter of the mountain spirits, actually, it is the homeland of indigenousTibetan people. In the north of the Stone Town, the mountains are surrounded by luxuriantly green pines and verdant cypresses, enclosing four cottages inside, which presents to the world a pastoral scenery combined with pure nature and manpower. There are rivers, fields, hot springs, natural pavilions, and woody terraces.
It is a huge carved rock museum. The patterns of the Zhagana’s carved rocks are plenty. The primitive jungles sit on many rocks. When human wants to enter, there're only some stone climbers.
It is close to Shaanxi Province. If you have a Xian tour and are interested in Zhagana, you can visit here by the way.
A Holy Tibetan Buddhist Temple - Labuleng Monastery
Many tourists think that only tours in Tibet can make them feel the Tibetan ambience. But many tourists are not suitable to travel in Tibetan Highland. In this case, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture can help you recognise your dream. The following will give you the introduction of Labuleng Monastery.
The south of China's Gansu Province, known as the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is considered as the holy land with Tibetan Buddhist ambience. The Labuleng Buddist Monastery is representive. The Labuleng Buddhist Monastery is located 1 kilometer away from the west of Xiahe County, Gansu Province.
Constructed in 1710 by Jia Muyang, the first living Buddha, the monaster is the largest cultural center of the Tibetan Buddhism in Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan.
The architecture is a mixture of Tibetan architecture and ancient Chinese palaces, with golden iron tiles, cupreous goats, Buddhist wheels, flags for rites, and precious bottles on the top, as well as all kinds of vivid Buddhist
sculptures.
Labuleng Buddhist Monastery became well-known to Chinese people mostly because of veteran director Feng Xiaogang's 2005 year movie, "A World without Thieves." However, its sanctified status has been deep in the hearts of Gannan locals for thousands of years.
Every year, pilgrims from across China and around the world come to Labuleng Buddhist Monastery. The grand religious ceremonies are respectively held on January 4th-17th, and June 29th to July 15th on the Lunar calendar.
Gansu is also located on the route of Silk Road adventure which will give you a different experience.
The south of China's Gansu Province, known as the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, is considered as the holy land with Tibetan Buddhist ambience. The Labuleng Buddist Monastery is representive. The Labuleng Buddhist Monastery is located 1 kilometer away from the west of Xiahe County, Gansu Province. Constructed in 1710 by Jia Muyang, the first living Buddha, the monaster is the largest cultural center of the Tibetan Buddhism in Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan.
The architecture is a mixture of Tibetan architecture and ancient Chinese palaces, with golden iron tiles, cupreous goats, Buddhist wheels, flags for rites, and precious bottles on the top, as well as all kinds of vivid Buddhist sculptures.
Labuleng Buddhist Monastery became well-known to Chinese people mostly because of veteran director Feng Xiaogang's 2005 year movie, "A World without Thieves." However, its sanctified status has been deep in the hearts of Gannan locals for thousands of years.Every year, pilgrims from across China and around the world come to Labuleng Buddhist Monastery. The grand religious ceremonies are respectively held on January 4th-17th, and June 29th to July 15th on the Lunar calendar.Gansu is also located on the route of Silk Road adventure which will give you a different experience.
Thursday, November 22, 2012
What should you pay attention to for Hong Kong travel
If you have a Hong Kong tour, what should you pay more attention to?
If you want to save some money, you’ll need to arm yourself with some basic knowledge before you go. I can’t stress that enough. And the first thing you’ll need know is how much things cost. Anecdotally, prices in Hong Kong are 10-15% cheaper than back in the US (this excludes local sales tax in the US, so if you factor that in, you’re saving even more). Make a shopping list of all the items you want with a corresponding list of prices from back home.
It’s important to note that there’s NO sales tax in Hong Kong. So stores with signs saying ‘tax free’ are false advertising. Bargain hard and don’t get suckered into buying ‘extras’ for your devices. You may be getting that Digital SLR cheap but you may be paying high mark-ups for the memory card and a camera case for example.
If you do want the peripherals, make sure you know what the asking prices are back home. Also note that quality varies on these items. Some memory cards, for example, are better specced than others.
Apart from cameras and computers, stuff that can be cheaper in Hong Kong includes little peripherals for your computers and laptops (accessory cables, laptop cases, keyboards, RAM etc). Aftermarket brands for Apple such as Moshi are often much cheaper in Hong Kong than they are in the US.
Here are some other things to keep in mind:
Does it convert? When buying electronics, make sure that it works on 110V for back home if you’re in the US or Japan. You might also need to get a converter plug in order for it to work on your wall socket back home. Converter plugs can be found cheaply across Asia – $US2-3 is on average.
Check warranties. Note that cheap electronics mean that you might not get international warranty support back home. However, I’ve never had a camera break on me within warranty period, so it’s your call.
Check that the product works at home. Yes, that iPhone 4 may be cheap in Hong Kong, but make sure it’s not locked to any network so you can still use your SIM card back home. Also, turn it on at the store to make sure the language is set to English (some phones sold in Hong Kong default to Chinese language). Also note that if you’re on a CDMA network back home, that iPhone 4 sold in Hong Kong won’t work. CDMA networks don’t use the same SIM-card system as regular GSM networks.
The above-mentioned information can help you customize China tour in Hong Kong.
If you want to save some money, you’ll need to arm yourself with some basic knowledge before you go. I can’t stress that enough. And the first thing you’ll need know is how much things cost. Anecdotally, prices in Hong Kong are 10-15% cheaper than back in the US (this excludes local sales tax in the US, so if you factor that in, you’re saving even more). Make a shopping list of all the items you want with a corresponding list of prices from back home.
It’s important to note that there’s NO sales tax in Hong Kong. So stores with signs saying ‘tax free’ are false advertising. Bargain hard and don’t get suckered into buying ‘extras’ for your devices. You may be getting that Digital SLR cheap but you may be paying high mark-ups for the memory card and a camera case for example.
If you do want the peripherals, make sure you know what the asking prices are back home. Also note that quality varies on these items. Some memory cards, for example, are better specced than others.
Apart from cameras and computers, stuff that can be cheaper in Hong Kong includes little peripherals for your computers and laptops (accessory cables, laptop cases, keyboards, RAM etc). Aftermarket brands for Apple such as Moshi are often much cheaper in Hong Kong than they are in the US.
Here are some other things to keep in mind:
Does it convert? When buying electronics, make sure that it works on 110V for back home if you’re in the US or Japan. You might also need to get a converter plug in order for it to work on your wall socket back home. Converter plugs can be found cheaply across Asia – $US2-3 is on average.
Check warranties. Note that cheap electronics mean that you might not get international warranty support back home. However, I’ve never had a camera break on me within warranty period, so it’s your call.
Check that the product works at home. Yes, that iPhone 4 may be cheap in Hong Kong, but make sure it’s not locked to any network so you can still use your SIM card back home. Also, turn it on at the store to make sure the language is set to English (some phones sold in Hong Kong default to Chinese language). Also note that if you’re on a CDMA network back home, that iPhone 4 sold in Hong Kong won’t work. CDMA networks don’t use the same SIM-card system as regular GSM networks.
The above-mentioned information can help you customize China tour in Hong Kong.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
A World for Photography
There are many places in China which can be regarded as the paradise on earth. Xindu Bridge in Sichuan is one of them. But it is a paradise for photography. Isolated from the city noise, Xinduqiao is a town which attracts so many photographers for its tranquil stream with cypresses and poplars, the mountains, and extensive grassland. But many China travel service don't include this spot. I am a travel-lover but I just know some thing about it recent days.
Xindu Bridge, located at the arterial roads of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was the courier station on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. But with the continuous improvement of traffic conditions, the clatter of a horse’s hoofs is no longer heard for thousands of years and the horse caravan traveling across mountains have been forgotten. But repute of Xindu Bridge remains untarnished. The beauty of Xindu Bridge is not focused on the Xindu Bridge Town but scatters around the roads in all directions towards the Xindu Bridge Town. From Zheduo Mountain, Bamei, Yajiang River and Jiulong, regardless of which direction you come from, there are spectacular sceneries waiting for you to discover, capture, taste, and to remember. Even the occasional roadside scenety is also picturesque. This is the charm of Xindu Bridge.
Route: Kangding – Xindu Bridge (76km, 1.5 hours driving)
The best location and theme for Photography: The way along the zheduo Mountain – Xindu Bridge, curved streams of Xindu Bridge, the vigorous Aspen Road, rolling mountains, the Tibetan villages scattering among the mountains, etc.
If you have a plan to visit this place and wanna know more information about it, you can contact with China travel agents.
Xindu Bridge, located at the arterial roads of Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, was the courier station on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road. But with the continuous improvement of traffic conditions, the clatter of a horse’s hoofs is no longer heard for thousands of years and the horse caravan traveling across mountains have been forgotten. But repute of Xindu Bridge remains untarnished. The beauty of Xindu Bridge is not focused on the Xindu Bridge Town but scatters around the roads in all directions towards the Xindu Bridge Town. From Zheduo Mountain, Bamei, Yajiang River and Jiulong, regardless of which direction you come from, there are spectacular sceneries waiting for you to discover, capture, taste, and to remember. Even the occasional roadside scenety is also picturesque. This is the charm of Xindu Bridge.
Route: Kangding – Xindu Bridge (76km, 1.5 hours driving)
The best location and theme for Photography: The way along the zheduo Mountain – Xindu Bridge, curved streams of Xindu Bridge, the vigorous Aspen Road, rolling mountains, the Tibetan villages scattering among the mountains, etc.
If you have a plan to visit this place and wanna know more information about it, you can contact with China travel agents.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Jiangsu cuisine with sweet flavor
If you have a China travel deals in Jiangsu, you can taste the special local food. Foreign tourists may like it because of its sweet flavor.
Jiangsu cuisine, also known as Su Cai, consists of the local flavors of Huaiyang, Jinling, Suxi and Xuhai. Its influence reaches the broader area of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and it enjoys a great reputation both at home and abroad. The features of Jiangsu cuisine include: extensive variety in raw ingredients which are mainly foods from rivers, lakes and the sea; exquisite cutting techniques and varied cooking methods, of which the stewing, braising, simmering and warming are the best, preserving original flavors, maintaining clarity, freshness and mildness along with versatility. Dish styles are exquisite and elegant with a fine appearance and they are of good quality.
Jiangsu is a land of bounty with abundant produce and culinary resources. The area’s famous aquatic produce include the three fresh delicacies of the Yangtze River (sturgeon, the long-tailed anchovy and catfish), Taihu Lake silver fish, Yangcheng Lake fresh water crab, Longchi Lake crucian from Nanjing and other varieties of sea foods.
The exquisite and elegant styles of Jinagsu cuisine are apparent through the exquisite cutting techniques and their variety. Cold dishes are those of arts and crafts, and hot dishes are those of designs and colors. The carvings of melons and fruit are exquisitely made, in core removing or overall carving or openwork carving, serving as a demonstration of the superior cutting techniques. Maintenance of clarity, freshness and mildness as well as the preservation of the original flavors and versatility are the basis of Jiangsu cuisine. Chefs prize the presentation of the “delicate flavor” of an ingredient’s original taste, when they cook food coming from rivers and lakes as well as being poultry and seasonal vegetables.
Jiangsu cuisine is famous for the emphasis being placed upon cooking times and exquisite cutting techniques. Stewing, braising, simmering and warming are the best of its techniques. Famous representative dishes include the “three heads of Zhenyang” ( simmered pig head and large meatballs boiled in a clear soup with crab meat and braised chub head), “three chickens of Jiangsu” (beggars’ chicken, young chicken with watermelon and stewed chicken with Zaohong orange) and the “three roast foods of Jinling” (roasted duck, roasted mandarin fish and roasted suckling pig).
Combinations within Jiangsu cuisine are also one of its characteristics. The pairing of dishes is important in daily diets as well as various banquets and feasts. In addition, there are the distinctive “three banquets”. One is the banquet held on a ship which can be seen on the Taihu Lake, the Slender West Lake and the Qinhuai River; another one is a vegetarian dish banquet which may be seen in the abstinence halls of Jinshan Mountain and Jiaoshan Mountain of Zhenjiang, Lingyan abstinence hall in Suzhou and Daming Temple’s abstinence hall in Yangzhou etc. The other style of banquet is the full banquet, for example there are full banquets of fishes, full banquets of ducks, full banquets of eels and full banquets of crabs etc.
The flavor styles of Jiangsu cuisine can be classified into four schools including Huaiyang flavor, Jinling flavor, Suxi flavor and Xuhai flavor.
The Huaiyang flavor dishes are centered in Yangzhou and Huai’an, of which the light dishes are the best. Jinling flavor dishes are characterized by good taste and mildness, purity and palatable qualities. Jinling dishes adopt the merits of different styles and complement different tastes.
Hong Kong are also fond of sweet food. But the food in Jiangfu is different from that of Hong Kong. If you have had a Hong Kong tour and taste the local food, you will know the difference between them.
Jiangsu cuisine, also known as Su Cai, consists of the local flavors of Huaiyang, Jinling, Suxi and Xuhai. Its influence reaches the broader area of the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and it enjoys a great reputation both at home and abroad. The features of Jiangsu cuisine include: extensive variety in raw ingredients which are mainly foods from rivers, lakes and the sea; exquisite cutting techniques and varied cooking methods, of which the stewing, braising, simmering and warming are the best, preserving original flavors, maintaining clarity, freshness and mildness along with versatility. Dish styles are exquisite and elegant with a fine appearance and they are of good quality.
Jiangsu is a land of bounty with abundant produce and culinary resources. The area’s famous aquatic produce include the three fresh delicacies of the Yangtze River (sturgeon, the long-tailed anchovy and catfish), Taihu Lake silver fish, Yangcheng Lake fresh water crab, Longchi Lake crucian from Nanjing and other varieties of sea foods.
The exquisite and elegant styles of Jinagsu cuisine are apparent through the exquisite cutting techniques and their variety. Cold dishes are those of arts and crafts, and hot dishes are those of designs and colors. The carvings of melons and fruit are exquisitely made, in core removing or overall carving or openwork carving, serving as a demonstration of the superior cutting techniques. Maintenance of clarity, freshness and mildness as well as the preservation of the original flavors and versatility are the basis of Jiangsu cuisine. Chefs prize the presentation of the “delicate flavor” of an ingredient’s original taste, when they cook food coming from rivers and lakes as well as being poultry and seasonal vegetables.
Jiangsu cuisine is famous for the emphasis being placed upon cooking times and exquisite cutting techniques. Stewing, braising, simmering and warming are the best of its techniques. Famous representative dishes include the “three heads of Zhenyang” ( simmered pig head and large meatballs boiled in a clear soup with crab meat and braised chub head), “three chickens of Jiangsu” (beggars’ chicken, young chicken with watermelon and stewed chicken with Zaohong orange) and the “three roast foods of Jinling” (roasted duck, roasted mandarin fish and roasted suckling pig).
Combinations within Jiangsu cuisine are also one of its characteristics. The pairing of dishes is important in daily diets as well as various banquets and feasts. In addition, there are the distinctive “three banquets”. One is the banquet held on a ship which can be seen on the Taihu Lake, the Slender West Lake and the Qinhuai River; another one is a vegetarian dish banquet which may be seen in the abstinence halls of Jinshan Mountain and Jiaoshan Mountain of Zhenjiang, Lingyan abstinence hall in Suzhou and Daming Temple’s abstinence hall in Yangzhou etc. The other style of banquet is the full banquet, for example there are full banquets of fishes, full banquets of ducks, full banquets of eels and full banquets of crabs etc.
The flavor styles of Jiangsu cuisine can be classified into four schools including Huaiyang flavor, Jinling flavor, Suxi flavor and Xuhai flavor.
The Huaiyang flavor dishes are centered in Yangzhou and Huai’an, of which the light dishes are the best. Jinling flavor dishes are characterized by good taste and mildness, purity and palatable qualities. Jinling dishes adopt the merits of different styles and complement different tastes.
Hong Kong are also fond of sweet food. But the food in Jiangfu is different from that of Hong Kong. If you have had a Hong Kong tour and taste the local food, you will know the difference between them.
Beautiful and Special Inside Painted Snuff Bottle
Inside Painted Snuff Bottle is the best souvenir to family members and friends for tourists of Beijing tour. The following will introduce you the facts of it.
Legend has it that in the Qing Dynasty an official stopped and sought rest at a small temple. He took out his crystal snuff bottle to take a sniff and found it was empty. He scraped off some of the powder that was stuck on the inside walls of the bottle using a slender, sharp bamboo stick, thus leaving lines on the inside of the bottle. When he left he left behind his bottle which was found by a young monk. The monk saw that the marks inside the bottle produced a pattern and thus the "inside painted" snuff bottle was born.
The "painting brush" of the snuff bottle artist today is not very different from what the official in the story used. It is a slender bamboo stick, not much thicker, but much longer than a matchstick, with the tip shaped like a fine pointed hook. Dipped in colored ink and thrust inside the bottle, the hooked tip is used to paint on the interior surface of the bottle, following the will of the artist.
It is believed that the founder of modern colorful inside painting was "Gan Huan" whose real name was "Gan Xuanwen". His earliest piece appears to have been painted in 1816. "Gan Huan" along with "Zeng Tianzhi" and "Jiang Zhilin" make up what is commonly referred to as the "Early Period" of inside painted snuff bottles.
Today there are three main studios producing high quality inside painted snuff bottles. These are the "Xisan Art Academy of Inside Painting" located in the city of Hengshui, Hebei province, with "Wang Xisan" as the master artist, the Beijing Studio in Beijing with "Liu Shouben" as the master artist and the Shandong school located in Boshan with "Li Kechang" as the master artist.
In modern times, Liu Shouben, a celebrated master in this field, succeeded in painting all of the 108 heroes and heroines of the classical novel Water Margin, each with his or her characteristic experession, inside a single bottle. Snuff bottles are no more than 6 to 7 cm high and 4 to 5 cm wide with limited internal surface area, making such a feat outstanding.
Many people has a business to Beijing and has little time to stroll in Beijing. If you can spare some time to have China business tours in Beijing, you can buy inside painted snuff bottle to your friends and family.
Legend has it that in the Qing Dynasty an official stopped and sought rest at a small temple. He took out his crystal snuff bottle to take a sniff and found it was empty. He scraped off some of the powder that was stuck on the inside walls of the bottle using a slender, sharp bamboo stick, thus leaving lines on the inside of the bottle. When he left he left behind his bottle which was found by a young monk. The monk saw that the marks inside the bottle produced a pattern and thus the "inside painted" snuff bottle was born.
The "painting brush" of the snuff bottle artist today is not very different from what the official in the story used. It is a slender bamboo stick, not much thicker, but much longer than a matchstick, with the tip shaped like a fine pointed hook. Dipped in colored ink and thrust inside the bottle, the hooked tip is used to paint on the interior surface of the bottle, following the will of the artist.
It is believed that the founder of modern colorful inside painting was "Gan Huan" whose real name was "Gan Xuanwen". His earliest piece appears to have been painted in 1816. "Gan Huan" along with "Zeng Tianzhi" and "Jiang Zhilin" make up what is commonly referred to as the "Early Period" of inside painted snuff bottles.
Today there are three main studios producing high quality inside painted snuff bottles. These are the "Xisan Art Academy of Inside Painting" located in the city of Hengshui, Hebei province, with "Wang Xisan" as the master artist, the Beijing Studio in Beijing with "Liu Shouben" as the master artist and the Shandong school located in Boshan with "Li Kechang" as the master artist.
In modern times, Liu Shouben, a celebrated master in this field, succeeded in painting all of the 108 heroes and heroines of the classical novel Water Margin, each with his or her characteristic experession, inside a single bottle. Snuff bottles are no more than 6 to 7 cm high and 4 to 5 cm wide with limited internal surface area, making such a feat outstanding.
Many people has a business to Beijing and has little time to stroll in Beijing. If you can spare some time to have China business tours in Beijing, you can buy inside painted snuff bottle to your friends and family.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Guide of Beijing Temple Fairs
Temple fairs have been a part of daily life in Beijing for hundreds of years becoming especially popular during the Qing dynasty. If you are interested in the temple fairs and want a Beijing tour, you should know the following information.
Scattered all over the city so residents could easily make their way to the nearest, some fairs were held as regularly as every fortnight. Between stalls perhaps hawking the kind of tat we all find so difficult to resist (especially during the holiday season) were opera and acrobatic troupes, puppet shows and cross-talk (the Qing equivalent of a stand-up comedy act).
The Spring Festival fairs were, of course, a much bigger deal. Back in the day, it was the Changdian fair that raked in the crowds, with long sticks of sweetened hawthorn fruits and visiting opera stars guaranteed. To get a real taste of the Chinese New Year or just to get outside, we've picked out a whole range of outdoor festivities for today's fair-goer.
Dongyue Miao (东岳庙)
Housing the Beijing Folk Customs Museum, this temple (originally built in 1319) is host to one of Beijing's most traditional Spring Festival fairs. The most recent version of its temple fair kicked off in 1999.
Themed this year 'soaring golden dragon', like any good old fair it will feature drum troops, Chinese opera, acrobatics and cross-talk shows will provide plenty of noise and entertainment.
The fair will also feature an exhibition of antique Chinese boxes. Not necessarily one for thrill-seekers out there, this should be pretty fascinating with genuine pieces dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties. 'But why an exhibition on boxes?' You may well ask. Since the Chinese word for box (he) sounds like the word for harmony, the exhibition is all part of the plan to ring in an auspicious New Year. There will also be an exhibition of the Chinese zodiac beasties in various guises, with no prizes for guessing which animal will be taking top spot.
Wooden puppets, block puzzles and a whole bunch of old-time games will keep the little ones busy and you'll also be able to choose from a host of Chinese snacks such as lvdagun (a kind of bean flour roll) and wandouhuang (yellow pea flour cakes).
The temple will be giving out couplets written on the spot by local calligraphers and holding talks on traditional Chinese etiquette.
Dongyue Temple, 8.30am-midday on Monday 16 and 8.30am-4.30pm from Monday 23 to Saturday 28.
Chaoyang International Fengqing festival (朝阳国际风情节)
Principally catering to the laowai crowd, the fair is celebrating it's tenth anniversary this year. Not actually held in a temple, you'll find it inside Chaoyang park. The entertainers will also be of international stock, including dance troupes from Holland, the UK, France, Greece and Russia. Look out for Grecian trikala dance and the Russian tryn-trava.
Various embassy representatives will also introduce some of their country's customs, with plenty of international dishes available. If that's not enough, you can even get in on some karaoke while you're there.
Chaoyang Park, 9.00am-5.00pm from Monday 23 to Saturday 28.
Beijing is always contained in the itineraries of popular China tours. Beijing temple fair will give you a different experience.
Scattered all over the city so residents could easily make their way to the nearest, some fairs were held as regularly as every fortnight. Between stalls perhaps hawking the kind of tat we all find so difficult to resist (especially during the holiday season) were opera and acrobatic troupes, puppet shows and cross-talk (the Qing equivalent of a stand-up comedy act).
The Spring Festival fairs were, of course, a much bigger deal. Back in the day, it was the Changdian fair that raked in the crowds, with long sticks of sweetened hawthorn fruits and visiting opera stars guaranteed. To get a real taste of the Chinese New Year or just to get outside, we've picked out a whole range of outdoor festivities for today's fair-goer.
Dongyue Miao (东岳庙)
Housing the Beijing Folk Customs Museum, this temple (originally built in 1319) is host to one of Beijing's most traditional Spring Festival fairs. The most recent version of its temple fair kicked off in 1999.
Themed this year 'soaring golden dragon', like any good old fair it will feature drum troops, Chinese opera, acrobatics and cross-talk shows will provide plenty of noise and entertainment.
The fair will also feature an exhibition of antique Chinese boxes. Not necessarily one for thrill-seekers out there, this should be pretty fascinating with genuine pieces dating from the Ming and Qing dynasties. 'But why an exhibition on boxes?' You may well ask. Since the Chinese word for box (he) sounds like the word for harmony, the exhibition is all part of the plan to ring in an auspicious New Year. There will also be an exhibition of the Chinese zodiac beasties in various guises, with no prizes for guessing which animal will be taking top spot.
Wooden puppets, block puzzles and a whole bunch of old-time games will keep the little ones busy and you'll also be able to choose from a host of Chinese snacks such as lvdagun (a kind of bean flour roll) and wandouhuang (yellow pea flour cakes).
The temple will be giving out couplets written on the spot by local calligraphers and holding talks on traditional Chinese etiquette.
Dongyue Temple, 8.30am-midday on Monday 16 and 8.30am-4.30pm from Monday 23 to Saturday 28.
Chaoyang International Fengqing festival (朝阳国际风情节)
Principally catering to the laowai crowd, the fair is celebrating it's tenth anniversary this year. Not actually held in a temple, you'll find it inside Chaoyang park. The entertainers will also be of international stock, including dance troupes from Holland, the UK, France, Greece and Russia. Look out for Grecian trikala dance and the Russian tryn-trava.
Various embassy representatives will also introduce some of their country's customs, with plenty of international dishes available. If that's not enough, you can even get in on some karaoke while you're there.
Chaoyang Park, 9.00am-5.00pm from Monday 23 to Saturday 28.
Beijing is always contained in the itineraries of popular China tours. Beijing temple fair will give you a different experience.
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