Shaanxi: Find the Eighteen Mausoleums

During the journey of finding the eighteen mausoleums, we have passed Qianxian County, Liquan County, Sanyuan County, Jingyang County and Fuping County and visited fourteen imperial mausoleums of Tang Dynasty, both well preserved or wrecked. The last four mausoleums are located in Pucheng County, Weinan City, namely the Mausoleum of Qiao, Tai, Jing and Guang respectively.

Among the four mausoleums, the momentum of Qiao makes the later generations admire a lot. The Qiao Mausoleum is situated in the Fengshan Mountain, 15 kilometers northwest of Pucheng County and covers an area of 20 square kilometers.

The owner of the Qiao Mausoleum is the fifth emperor of Tang Dynasty, Emperor Ruizong, Li Dan. When you look up the genealogy of Emperor Ruizong, you will find that his parents and son are all the prominent persons in history. His father is Emperor Gaozong, Li Zhi, and his mother is Wu Zetian, the first and the only female emperor in Chinese history, and the his son is Emperor Xuanzong, Li Longji, under whose reign the Flourishing Kaiyuan Reign Period appeared. It is no wonder that Qiao Mausoleum is the most magnificent among the four mausoleums.

Beijing: National Museum of China

The National Museum of China is located in the eastern side of Tian’anmen Square and the southern side of East Chang’an Street. It is a comprehensive museum of traditional Chinese culture and history which combines collection, research and exhibition together. Having a collection of over one million items, it is also one of the biggest museums in the world.

The building has a rectangular exterior and faces the Great Hall of the People. Twenty-four square pillars make up the magnificent west gate portico. With its classical color and imposing structure, the whole building is an important part of the panorama of Tian'anmen Square.

 In 2003, it is completed by the two museums: the Museum of Chinese History and the Museum of Chinese Revolution, which shared the same building complex. Now it is affiliated to the People's Republic of China Ministry of Culture. After the combination of the two museums, I had planed a Beijing Xian tour especially for China’s museums.

 The Museum of Chinese History displays three main periods of Chinese history. The most valuable items are the Simuwu Rectangle Ding (a kind of vessel) of the Shang Dynasty (cast over 3, 000 years ago and weighing 832. 84kg -- the heaviest ancient bronze ware in the world), the Shang Dynasty square bronze Zun (wine vessel) decorated with four sheep heads and the large inscribed Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century BC - 771BC) bronze Pan (water container).

After visiting the National Museum of China, I flied to my next Xian tour for the Shaanxi History Museum, which is also a good place for Chinese historical studies.

The Most Beautiful White Birches Forest in Beijing

Birch forest of Labagoumen is located in Sunzhazi Village, Labagoumen Manchu Town, Huairou District, the northmost of Beijing. Lying in 170 kilometers away of downtown Beijing, it is the only one natural scenic area of primeval forest. The dropping variance of the mountains is big in the scenic site, and the forestland covers an area of 110 square kilometers. With an elevation of over 1700 meters, the Nanhou ridge is the highest peak in Huairou District. The first time I saw the gorgeous scenery in a Beijing to Xian tour, I was lost in the land of fairy tale.

Picture one: the primeval forest in Labaogoumen Manchu Town is in an elevation between 700 and 1700 meters. The endless forest stretches along to the horizon and the air there is fresh and pure. The total area of Wulongtan, Phoenix Platform and glacier sightseeing zone are 4,500 hectares, with forest land accounting for 80%, and species of plants nearly 700 and animal species reaches over 300, which makes it a kingdom of biological diversity.

Picture three: There is the largest white birch and purple birch area in China, the largest alpine rose and larch forest and primeval secondary forest-oak forest. In addition, a great number of valuable tree species like tilia amurensis and Phellodendron amurense are mixed in the forest. In golden autumn days, the vegetations will present a tridimensional, colorful and gorgeous world to the tourists.

After the natural landscape tour in Beijing, the historical and cultural journey in the Xian tour gave me another big shock.

Beijing: Shenglian Mountain

Located in Shijiaying Town, Fangshan District, about 90 kilometers southwest of downtown Beijing, Shenglian Mountain is a 5A level scenic spot and a Municipal Geopark which integrates historical and cultural heritage and human landscape together. Lying in range of the high mountains, it is a taoist mountain with an elevation of 930 meters above sea level which is hailed as “the first spectacular mountain in capital Beijing”. For those who are the taoist, Shenglian Mountain is strongly recommended in your Beijing Xian tour. 　

 The Shenglian Mountain takes route of Taihang Mountain and is called “Taishan Mountain” in ancient times. Due to the lotus-like shape, hence the name “Shenglian Mountain (‘lian’ means lotus)”. First built in Tang Dynasty(618 A.D.-907 A.D.) and taking its flourish in late Qing Dynasty(1644-1912), the temples are arranged in the edge of the cliffs and characterized with both Toism and Buddhism culture, which makes it a unique tourist attraction in Beijing. According to historical records, Shenglian Mountain is praised as “one of the eight scenic spots in capital city and its environs” in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), but is undergone a ruin in wartimes.

 In 2000, the historical and cultural relics were repaired to the original appearances. Meanwhile, Mongolian ger of various styles and starred hotels were built in the recreational area, with a total area of 48 kilometers. In 2004, it successfully held the 10th Fangshan Tourism Festival. Characterized by magnificent, dangerous, mysterious, beautiful, it has long enjoyed a reputation of “one of the Wuyue ( Wuyue is the collective name given to China's five most important mountains: Mt. Taishan in Shandong Province, Mt. Huashan in Shaanxi Province, Mt. Hengshan in Shanxi Province, Mt. Songshan in Henan Province and Mt. Hengshan in Hunan Province respectively.) in western Beijing”.

In my Xian tour last time, I went to a mountain of Qinling ranges which is very similar to Shenglian Mountain. There is a big reclining Buddha on the top of the mountain, which is about 13-meter long.

Beijng: Tours around Beijing in Autumn and Winter

As a famous cultural and historical city, Beijing also becomes more and more modern. Every day, there are new buildings standing up somewhere in the city and the air seems to be crowder too. Every streets are full of rushing people and zooming cars. When the weekend comes, many people want to go out of the city. Today, I will introduce two good places in suburbs of Beijing for choice.

1. Mentougou Scenic Spot

Why people like it: Beijing section of G109 national highway is a golden tourism gateway which runs through the whole part of Mentougou scenic spot in western Beijing. Zero road toll along the Beijing section and you can pass through several scenic sites in western Beijing. Beautiful landscapes varies with the height of the elevation. What I will introduce to you today is the Cuandixia Village.

The village is located beneath the Ming Dynasty’s “military pass of Cuanli’anko”, hence the name “Cuandixia Village (“dixia” means beneath)”. It is a village which well preserved the residence of Siheyuan in Ming and Qing Dynasty. Originally built in Yongle Reign（1403~1424）of Ming for immigrants from Shanxi Province, it is hailed as “the palais de potala in western Beijing”. If you join a Beijing to Xian tour, you can go there when you have time.

2. West Qing Tombs in southern Beijing

Originally built in the 8th year of Kangxi Reign (1730) in Qing Dynasty and completed in 1915, the West Qing Tombs covers a total area of more than 800 square kilometers. With 14 mausoleums in there, and among which 4 are the emperors’, 9 are empresses’, 57 are concubines’, 2 So far, it is the most well-preserved, the latest and most original Qing emperors’, 2 are royal highnesses’, 2 are princesses’ and 6 are princes’, totally account for 80 people. The beautiful natural landscapes also add it a little aura of nature.

In fact, last time when I travel in Xian, I also witnessed the beautiful suburbs like Fengyukou Gully and Louguantai Temple.

Beijing: Sihai Town

It has been a long time I didn’t travel in suburbs of Beijing. With numerous mountains and dense forest, Yangqing county is always my favorite place in Beijing. I had heard that Sihai Town is a town of flower before. So this time, we came to here to appreciate the colorful flower sea in the field. The species of the flower here vary a lot,and different flowers will be planted in different season. For me, I like lily best, but unfortunately, the season is not the flower phase of lily.

We came here for marigold this time. As soon as I heard from one of my friend that there are thousand of acres marigold blossoming, I become delighted. But after arrival, I only to know that the so-called thousand of acres marigold is actually scattered around Sihai town. It was a pity, but when the first time I saw the marigold blossom all over the mountain, I still feel excited.

The flower of marigold is not so special. The a person who like pastel colors, I think the marigold is too bright. But it is still worthy visiting if you are planning a Beijing to Xian tour. If you are a flower obsessor, your Xian tour will also make your dream come true. The beautiful Sakura and lavender farms are waiting for there.

Beijing: Peonies in Jingshan Park

Covering a total area of over 200,000 square meters and located in the north gate of Forbidden City, Jingshan Park is home to more than 2,000 stunning peony plants from 300 varieties. Standing in the Pavillion of Everlasting Spring, on the top of the manmade hill, you will have the best view of Beijing City. Every year from late April to early May, an extensive land of peonies are in full bloom, providing you a stunning feast for your eyes.

 In Chinese history, peonies have been highly valued because of their large blossoms and noble appearance. They are embodied with the wishes of nobleness and auspiciousness. Except the peony garden, there are other plants brought in from the ancient capital of Luoyang, which is famous for its peonies, as well as Shandong and Shaanxi provinces which is famous for the Terra-Cotta Warriors, a must-see attraction if you have a Xian tour.

On May 1 in this year, I joined a Beijing Xian tour, I was so lucky to see the spring peony festival in Jingshan park. It was really spectacular! If you are a flower lover, Jiangshan Park is a place which is very worthy visiting.

Beijing: Summer Evening of Houhai Lake

Time went silently, as it always does. The more and more cold weather indicates that winter arrives earlier this year. Compared to the chilly winter, I prefer the hot summer more. In summer evening, soft breeze brings a slight coolness and softs my restless mood, making me feel comfortable. Today, when I flicked through the previous photos, I saw a series of photo taken in Houhai two months ago occasionally, which reminded me of my memory about Beijing Xian tour days.

In September, I went to Houhai with my brother. I was curious about the name “Houhai(“Hou” means “back ”in Chinese)”, so I jocked: “ Since there is a Houhai, then is there a place called ‘Qianhai(“Qian” means “Front”)’?” When I was back home, I searched the question on Baidu, the largest Chinese-language search engine, there was a word saying that: “ Standing on Yinding Bridge, the lake on your left hand is Qianhai, and the the lake on your right hand is Houhai.

Although Houhai is located in downtown area, it is never influenced by the towering buildings around. Boats are floating on the medium-sized lake, with weeping willow swaying slightly, it provides you a good place to relax yourself, while the pubs along the bank are full of noises, which reminds me of the bar street of Amsterdam. After that, my brother and I continue our Xian tour to see the Terracotta Warriors and Horses.

A Leisurely Trip in Manchuria

Many years ago, Manchuria was called “Helejin Prague” by Mongolian, which means “exuberant spring” in Chinese. This ancient name reminds me a gorgeous picture in my imagination: deep in the Prairie, there are freshening springs, carefree cows and sheep; looking upon the sky, you can even listen to the whisper of white clouds. However, after the change towards modern in hundreds of years, those picturesque sceneries have disappeared, instead is modern buildings, quiet but busy, gorgeous but also pristine.

If you travel to the city, you will find that Manchuria is a delicate and cabinet city. Out of the city, there are boundless grass and flowers; inside the city, bright streets present in front of you. In Manchuria, you can not only come across many Russians, but also appreciate the buildings of ancient Greece and Roman. During the hundreds of years, the footprints in this city have witnessed the cultural and economic cooperation. The stores here are very special for the door is crowded with Chinese characters, Russian language and Mongolian language, but the Russian language occupies most of the position. Placed yourself in such a city, you will feel that you have entered an exotic, faraway place when you are used to thousand cities with same face. One word, the little city-Manchuria, will bring you a totally different surprise.