China is full of iconic scenery that has been backdrop to many films such as the Three Natural Bridges, Hongcun Village, and the water town of Xitang. The area around Shijiazhuang, capital of Hebei Province, includes such scenery and outstanding … Continued
The Great Wall of China spanned more than 5,000 miles consisting of spurs and other features including gates, fortresses, and one bridge (more about that in the next post). During the Ming dynasty, people entered China from the northeast through … Continued
Beijing Sights Old Foreign Legation Quarter After I visited the Beijing Ancient Observatory, Southeast Corner Tower, and Ming Dynasty Wall Park, I walked through the old Foreign Legation Quarter. I particularly wanted to see a couple of historic churches in … Continued
Xiannongtan or the Altar of Agriculture is one of Beijing’s ancient imperial altars where the emperor would perform sacrificial rites and ceremonies. As I wrote about before, this altar lies at the southern end of the Dragon Line on the … Continued
Beijing, as a capital city of some kind for more than 1,000 years, has been a locus for people from all over China and all walks of life to descend upon. As part of this influence, religious peoples too have … Continued
Confucius said many things that have been passed down for thousands of years and continue to influence daily life in China. In Beijing, the Confucius Temple reminds visitors of his significant impact on Chinese culture and philosophy. It is the … Continued
My brother recently visited me on a quick visit to Beijing, and by quick, I mean less than a week. It was great fun though. I got to share with him some of my favorite places in Beijing and experience … Continued
In case you weren’t aware, I enjoy visiting aquariums and zoos. So, when it was absolutely freezing recently, like -20 degrees Celsius cold, I decided to visit the Beijing Aquarium not too far from my apartment at the zoo for … Continued
Continued from Dazu Grottoes – Beishan and Nanshan Baodingshan Arguably the best grotto in the Dazu area, this one has some of the most spectacular grotto art I’ve seen. It also has a rich collection of story-telling panels as opposed … Continued
The Orient has been calling for three years, and I’m finally picking up the phone. I don’t know where I’ll be yet, but the plan is to return this autumn. I am exploring a couple of options right now. In … Continued