Suzhou Silk and Silk Embroidery

Suzhou is not only a famous cultural city and a city of gardens, but also the silk capital of China.

During the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties, it was the silk producing centre; in the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties most of the high-grade silk produced for the royal families was made by Suzhou silk weavers.

Authentic Suzhou silk is produced from the cocoons of silkworms. Silkworms are actually not worms, but caterpillars. Silkworms feed on mulberry leaves until they are one mouth old. Then the worms build a cocoon to protect themselves until they change into a moth.

Once the cocoons are finished workers will collect the cocoons and place them in hot water. This kills the worms and melts the natural glue that holds the cocoons together. Once the natural glue has been melted each cocoon can yield over 2,000 feet of silk thread. Once the silk thread has been unspun, it is hung outside to dry in the sun and then woven on looms. It is an extremely labor intensive process, but only this will guarantee silk of the finest quality.

Suzhou artisans are also masters of silk embroidery. Beddings, clothes, wall art, and many other objects can carry stitched works of the local Suzhou style, one of China’s Four Traditional Embroidery Styles. Large wall arts, equivalent of laborious paintings can take years to complete, carefully choosing the perfect threads by color and thickness.

Through highly skilled motions and unparalleled dedication, artists create unbelievable realism. Suzhou specializes in double-sided embroidery, where one single piece of cloth can display different images on either side.

If you are interested in admiring these works, you can visit these places below:

Suzhou Silk Museum

Suzhou Silk Museum is multi-functional, and combines exhibits with demonstrations of silk weaving. Exhibits on display in its various exhibition halls reflect the origin, evolution and development of silk production, from primitive times to the Shang, Zhou, Han, Sui, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties right through to present day.

Address: No.2001 Renmin Road

Entrance Fee: 15RMB

Opening hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm

Suzhou Institute of Embroidery

The institute is a worldwide name, with over 100 professional technical personnel, including some masters of Chinese arts and crafts. The silk and brocade works of art produced by the institute won gold prizes at the international fairs and golden cup awards at the national quality competitions time and again.

Address: 272 Jingde Road

Entrance Fee: Free of charge

Opening hours: 8:30am-4:45pm

Suzhou No. 1 Silk Factory

For over 80 years, Suzhou No.1 Silk Factory has been a leader in local silk production. A complete silk manufacturing facility, the No. 1 Silk Factory handles every facet of production from raising silkworms and cocoon boiling to reeling and packing. Visits to the silk factory include a tour of the facility, a lecture about silk production, a workshop on making silk goods and a visit to the factory’s showroom.

Address: No.94 Nanmen Road

Entrance Fee: Free of charge

Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Chinese Embroidery Art Gallery

Chinese Embroidery Art Gallery is the largest professional embroidery exhibition gallery in China. The whole gallery was built with the classic garden concept in mind. The gallery shows various embroidery art works from all over the country. It is a multi-functional gallery with embroidery for sale, embroidery art research and development, embroidery art communication and so on.

Address: Zhenhu Street, New & High-tech District

Entrance Fee: 10RMB

Opening hours: 9:00am-4:00pm

Suzhou Performing Arts

Kunqu

Kunqu (昆曲, Kun Qu), also called Kun Opera, is one of the oldest forms of Chinese Operas, also considered to be one of its Four Great Characteristic Melodies.

Born in the Wu Kingdom, today’s Kunshan area of Suzhou, it grew and thrived. However, during the Cultural Revolution, opera performances were suppressed. Despite this and against all odds, Kunqu gained in popularity and significance, leading to its current position of importance and appreciation.

Another aspect of Kunqu that is still unknown to many is that it has influenced many other styles of Opera, especially its better known cousin, the Peking Opera. It is even said that the appearance of Kunqu was the key reason for the rise in popularity and success of Chinese theater and drama.

Where can you watch Kun Opera shows?

Suzhou Opera Museum

In the museum, you can discover the great achievements made by groups of artists since the liberation and their successful performances in and out of the country. Their journey will leave you with a deep respect for the art.

Address: 14 Zhangjia Lane in the middle of Pingjiang Road

Entrance Fee: Free of charge

Opening hours: 8:30am-4:30pm

Pingtan

Pingtan (评弹, Ping Tan) must also be noted as yet another exquisite performance art of Suzhou, after all, it is probably the most local form of performing art.

Essentially, Pingtan is a story telling art where together, two artists/storytellers, one male and one female, retell traditional tales. Stories can take hours, even days to be told and so, traditionally, these performances take place in peaceful teahouses.

The name Pingtan comes from the unison of two Suzhou words: pinghua and tanci, storytelling and ballad singing. And so, true to its origins, Pingtan uses Wu Kingdom Chinese or Suzhou dialect, in addition to traditional Chinese instruments. Normally, the woman plays the Pipa, while the man plays a three stringed instrument. Together the melodies are sweet and support the story being told.

Here is a list about where you can enjoy the show:

Plum and Bamboo Storytelling Garden

Address: No. 30 Taipingfang, Stone Road

Opening hours: 1:30pm-3:30pm

Price: 4 RMB per person (including tea)

Guangyu Storytelling Hall

Address: No. 8 Diyi Tianmen, Guanqian Street

Opening hours: 1:30pm-3:30Pm

Price: 4 RMB per person (including tea)

Pinfang Teahouse

Address: No. 24-25 Xijiaomen, Guanqian Street

Opening hours: 1:30pm-3:30pm

Price: 3.5 RMB per person (including tea)

Food & Drink

Bluish Green Spring

Bi Luo Chun (碧螺春) is a famous green tea originally grown in the Dongting Hill near the Tai Hu Lake. It is renowned for its delicate appearance, fruity taste, floral aroma, showy white hairs and early cropping.

Chinese tea experts regard it very highly. Zhen Jun (1857 – 1918), the author of famous tea encyclopedia Cha Shuo, ranked it first among Chinese green tea.

Bi Luo Chun from East Hill is considered the best. Every March and April is considered the right to pick the tea. Due to the different picking period and quality, Bi Luo Chun is divided into many grades and it is said the Supreme grade cost about 6000RMB per kilogram!

Yangcheng Lake Hairy Crab

Yangcheng Lake hairy crab (阳澄湖大闸蟹, Yang Cheng Hu Da Zha Xie) is a kind of Chinese Mitten Crab. White bottom, golden hairy and a pair of big pincers, those are distinguishing features of the crab. Every late autumn when every crab’s weight gains more than 150 gram, then it’s the time to enjoy the cate.

Just steaming is the best way to cook the crab, dipped in the sauce just made from vinegar, sugar and tiny baby ginger slices so that you can taste the natural flavor.

Vocabulary

sī chóu

丝 绸                                       Silk                   n.

cán

蚕                                        Silkworm              n.

cì xiù

刺绣                                 Embroidery            n.

jiǎn

茧                                         Cocoon                n.

áo

螯                                          pincers               n.

]]> http://ilearn-culture.com/travel/attractions/discover-suzhou-silk-art-food/feed/ 1 http://ilearn-culture.com/travel/attractions/discover-suzhou-sightsee-shopping-recreation/ http://ilearn-culture.com/travel/attractions/discover-suzhou-sightsee-shopping-recreation/#comments Thu, 15 Apr 2010 09:03:54 +0000 Simon Zhang http://ilearn-culture.com/?p=4247 SIP (Suzhou Industry Park)

In Suzhou, it is impossible not to mention the SIP.

In the beginning, it was a cooperative project to build a modern industrial park in the east of Suzhou with Singapore’s experience and investment. The China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park (CS-SIP) was thus born on Feb. 26th 1994, after these years’ development the SIP is not only a world famous investment paradise but also the interpretation of modern life. Around Jinji Lake and Dushu Lake, a lot of people settle and are enjoying the modern live there.

Museums

If you want to know a city, then go to visit its museums to understand the city’s history & development, here is a list should be useful to you:

• New Suzhou Museum

The New Suzhou Museum is the final design of world-renowned designer, Mr. I. M. Pei in his glittering career. It is not only a symbol of public construction in Suzhou, but also an innovative monument, bridging traditional Chinese architecture with the future. Prompting the protection of Suzhou’s cultural heritage, the new museum also has turned a new page for Suzhou Museum.

Address: No.204 Dong Bei Street

Entrance Fee: Free of Charge

Opening hours: 8:15am-5:00pm

• Suzhou Arts and Crafts Museum

Here you can watch artists in action. They carve jade, cut latticework fans from thin sheets of sandalwood, and fashion traditional calligraphy brushes. Perhaps most amazing is the careful attention to detail of the women embroidering silk. The attached shop is a good place to pick up quality crafts

Address: No.58 Dong Bei Street

Entrance Fee: 15RMB

Opening hours: 8:30am-3:45pm

• Museum of Suzhou Folk Customs

The Museum of Suzhou Folk Customs, located in an ancient residence, is a regional folk custom museum. The building of the Museum, featuring the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), is listed as one of the major historical sites under the protection of Jiangsu Province.

Address: No.32 Panru Lane

Entrance Fee: Free of charge

Opening hours: 8:30am-3:45pm

• Suzhou Garden Museum

In order to commemorate the 2,500th anniversary of Suzhou, a Garden Museum was established inside Humble Administrator’s Garden. The exhibitions in this museum mainly introduce the history of Suzhou’s ancient gardens, plus their current conditions and the technology of building gardens. There are four exhibition halls.

Address: Inside Humble Administrator’s Garden

Entrance Fee: Free of charge

• Suzhou Inscriptions Museum

Address: No.613 Renmin Road

Entrance Fee: Free of charge

Opening hours: 8:30am-3:45pm

• Suzhou Art Museum

Address: No.4 Canglang Ting

Entrance Fee: Free of charge

Opening hours: 8:30am-3:45pm

• Art Museum of Suzhou Art Academy

Address: Xinghu Street (Southern Square E-103)
Open Hours: 9:00am- 5:00pm
Entrance Fee: Free

Shopping and Recreation

• Guanqian Street

Guanqian Street (观前街, Guan Qian Jie) is famous for shopping and recreation in Suzhou.

The history of the street can date back to Qing Dynasty, 100 years ago. It is named after the Xuanmiao Guan which is a Taoist temple, meaning of “the street in front of the Guan”. In the Guanqian block, you can shopping, dining, see a film, sing karaoke, watch festival performances and everything about recreation you can find here. What special in Guanqian is you also can find some old & famous shops and traditional craft.

• Shiquan Street

Shiquan Street (十全街, Shi Quan Jie) was once the old downtown of Suzhou, it is home to many hotels, including the famous Nanlin Restaurant, Suzhou Hotel, Nanlin Hotel as well as the classical Master-of-Nets Garden. Ming-and-Qing-Dynasty-style architectures can be found dotted along this famous street.

Shiquan Street is well known for its art and craft products, such as chinaware, silk, inscriptions, jade, rosewood, etc. Other general shopping items can also be found here.

• Shilu Shopping Street

Located in Jinchang District, it is said that the Shilu (石路, Stone Road) street was very prosperous in ancient times.

Reconstructed in 2003, and now one of the best shopping centers in Suzhou. Nearby Xinfeng Lane has been restored and is now a leisure area with cafes and pubs to accommodate any weary shoppers. The opening of the Shilu pedestrianised Shopping Street has also attracted shoppers, especially with the market at night in the Shilu commercial area. Business hours of the stores on Shilu (Stone Road) have been extended to 10 PM.

• Times Square

On the east shore of Jinji Lake, Times Square (时代广场) is the biggest shopping mall in Suzhou. You can find the latest fashion things here.

The Guinness World Record for the biggest commercial LED ceiling over the world is right smack in the middle of Time Square. It measures 500m in length, 32m in width and had more than 2,000,000 LED.

A number of other bigger & well known shopping area.

• Stage

Numbers of international brands, often discount

Address: No.9 Houdai Street, modern avenue, SIP

• INCITY PLAZA

Address: Donghuan Road, Modern Avenue

• Wanda CBD (万达广场, Wan Da Guang Chang)

Shopping Mall, CBD, Leisure District, HOPSCA

Address: No.3188 Renmin Road

• Suzhou Amusement Park

Suzhou Amusement Park (苏州乐园, Su Zhou Le Yuan) is the largest modern park with a special theme in East China. The park falls into two parts: Water World and Happy World. Water World is the largest aquatic amusement park in terms of size and advanced facilities in all of China. The Happy World is regarded as “Oriental Disney Land” with beautiful European and American architectural styles.

Address: Changjiang Road

Entrance Fee: 60RMB for Happy World ; 40RMB for Water World

Opening hours: 9:00am-5:00pm Happy World ; 9:00am-9:00pm Water World

• Suzhou Ferris Wheel Park

As a land-mark project, Suzhou Ferris Wheel (摩天轮乐园, Mo Tian Lun Le Yuan) is the most eye-catching facility in Suzhou Industry Park. It is in the new amusement Park, which is one part of Jinji Lake Area.

Looking at the giant wheel located on the east bank of Jinji Lake, visitors are always impressed, and excited, about taking a trip on the wheel. In addition, there are many other amusement facilities around the park, such as the 28-seater 4D cinema, a roller coaster with a track in the shape of butterfly, and more. Hours of fun can be had here, for both the young and the young-at-heart!

Address: East of the Jinji Lake in Suzhou Industrial Park

Entrance Fee: 80RMB

Opening hours: 9:00am-5:00pm

Other fun & exciting places for fun & entertainment are:

• Suzhou Ocean Aquarium (苏州海洋馆, Su Zhou Hai Yang Guan)

Address: No.28 Taihu Lake Avenue, Taihu Scenic Zone

Entrance Fee:   adult 130RMB ; children(1-1.4m) 90RMB

Opening hours: 9:00am-5:00pm

• Night clubs

Shiquan Street – a European-style bar street paradise

On the 300-meter-long stretch between Anli Bridge and the crossing of Phoenix Street, there are more than 20 bars. Each of which offers a different style of music, drinks, and food. Rock, blues, and pop music; pool tables, darts, and sports channels guarantee you find the fun you want. Here you can also enjoy cheaper drink prices, warm service, good food, and games.

Japanese Bar Street – a pure Japanese world

To make businessmen, travelers, and expatriates coming from Japan feel more at home, a Japanese Bar Street was set up in the Suzhou New Area. Walking this 1000-meter-long commercial street, you can find over 80 Japanese restaurants and bars, all with Japanese signs and menus and Japanese speaking waiters. Here, you can really enjoy Japanese-style nights, with authentic customs and flavors.

Li Gong Di – Modern Leisure Life Palace

Li Gong Di (李公堤) is the only causeway in Jinji Lake of Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP). It is a water-side leisure area that represents the most modern face of Suzhou. High-level night clubs and spas are spread around the area and can provide you a luxurious evening. Most clubs here take on a European style. While walking along the Li Gong Di, you can enjoy graceful views of Jinji Lake and relax.

Vocabulary

yú lè

娱乐                                 Recreation           n.

jì niàn bēi

纪 念    碑                        Monument          n.

tán xiāng mù

檀   香     木                    Sandalwood       n.

bēi wén

碑   文                             Inscriptions        n.

• Tiger Hill

A famous Song Dynasty poet, Su Shi said, “It is a lifelong pity if having visited Suzhou you did not visit Tiger Hill.”

Tiger Hill (虎丘, Hu Qiu), known also as Surging Sea Hill, is a large hillock covering some 14,100 square metres and is 36 metres in height. The Tiger Hill Pagoda is deemed to be the leaning Tower of China. Climbing the hill, you will find a number of historical sites some of which can be traced back over 2500 years to the founding of Suzhou, although the hill is relatively small it has rich history. And there are still some mysteries about the hill even in today.

These are some of the highlights you should not miss:

• The Tomb of King He Lu
• Tiger Hill Pagoda
• Sword Testing Stone and Sword Pool
• Thousand People Rock
• Lu Yu Well

Address: Tiger Hill Scenic Area, northwest of the ancient Suzhou city

Opening hours: 7:30am – 6:00pm

Entrance Fee:

Low season    Oct.31th – Apr.15th    40RMB

High season    Apr.16th – Oct.30th    60RMB

• Panmen Scenic Zone

At the southwestern end of the ancient city of Suzhou, the Panmen (盘门, Pan Men) Scenic Zone is famed for three tourist attractions: water and land city gates, Ruiguang Pagoda and Wumen Bridge.

The Panmen Gate is composed of two water crossings, two land gates, a citadel outside a city gate, a city tower and city walls on both sides, being the only such city gate in China. In some special festivals, there are several traditional activities to let people enjoy the old Suzhou atmosphere.

Address: No.1 Dongdajie

Opening hours:  8:00am – 4:45pm

Entrance Fee:  25RMB

• Pingjiang Historical Neighborhood

Pingjiang is a road filled with historical buildings. The people still follow the traditional way of life. There are cafes and hostels where you can take a seat next to the window and observe; if you want to explore the Pingjiang living style further, you can stay in a hostel. The north end of the road is link to the Humble Administrator’s Garden and Suzhou Museum.

Address: On the eastern side of the entrance of Guanqian Street, Pingjiang District

• Shantang Historical Street

Shantang Street(山塘街, Shan Tang Jie), popular for it has a long history of more than 1700 years; Baijuyi was the founder of Shantang.

Many people in different dynasties have lived here, so there are many ancient houses and historical legacies in this street. Now, in our century, 1700 years of history and culture have accumulated in Shantang. The Shantang Street in Suzhou attracts many tourists from home and abroad. Most of them travel along the canal, enjoying beautiful scenery. The whole street is about 3,500 metres long, the west end is link to Tiger Hill Scenic Area.

Entrance Fee:

Free for Visiting Street.

Ticket set 45 RMB including Yuhang hall, Quanzhou hall, Shaoxing Hall, Ancient stage, Shantang hall etc.

Boat: 25RMB (45mins)

Opening hours: 8:30am – 6:00pm

• Hanshan Temple

Have you ever heard of the poem A Night Mooring near Maple Bridge? Written by Zhang Ji, a poet of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), this poem describes the midnight bell ringing of the Hanshan Temple (寒山寺, Han Shan Si, Cold Mountain Temple).

Since then, the temple has become famous, especially for its gongs and Buddhism culture. Being one of the most famous temples in Chinese history, Hanshan Temple often boasts about its bell ringing. However, the best known bell described in Zhang Ji’s poem disappeared a long time ago.

The bell in the tower now was modeled on the previous one in 1904. Every year on New Year’s Eve in China’s lunar calendar, the bell is tolled to pray for the happiness and safety of the coming New Year. This festival attracts thousands of tourists both at home and abroad.

Address: 24 Hanshansi Lane

Opening hours: 7:30am – 5:30pm

Entrance Fee: 20RMB

• West Hill Scenic Zone

West Hill (西山风景区), a bright pearl on Taihu Lake, is known as Dongting West Hill, with a total area of 79.8 square kilometers, being the largest island on Taihu Lake, as well as the largest one on China’s freshwater lakes. Main tourist attractions in the scenic zone include Shigong Hill, Linwu Cave, Plum Garden, Bright Moon Bay Village,

Baoshan Buddhist Temple, Taihu Lake Bridge, Phoenix Terrace  etc.

Entrance Fee:

30RMB for Linwu Cave;

28 RMB for Shigong Hill

• East Hill Scenic Zone

East Hill, also known as Dongting East Hill (东山风景区), is actually a peninsula in Taihu Lake.

The Tang and Song dynasties left a large number of cultural relics in the hill and in the Ming and Qing dynasties, this culture was re-discovered. Main tourist attractions in East Hill include Diaohua Tower, Zijin Nunnery, Mingshan Hall, Xuanyuan Palace, Ancient Luxiang Village, Qiyuan Garden, Future Agriculture and Forestry World, most of which can be reached along the round-the-hill road.

Entrance Fee:

35RMB for Diaohua Tower;

20 RMB for Qiyuan Garden,

20 RMB for Zijin Nunnery

• Tianping Mountain

With a square and flat mountaintop, the Tianping Mountain (天平山) is famed for oddly shaped rocks, clear springs and red maple leaves.

A scenic wonder, “10,000 Hu (Hu refers to upright features, especially the stones, but also the bamboo, trees, rocks, etc.) Facing the Skies” in the mountain is unique and appealing. Visitors can find some historical sites here also, such as a memorial archway with an inscription by Emperor Qianlong and Lord Fan Wenzheng Temple.

Address: In the western suburbs of New Area

Opening hours: 9:00am — 4:00pm

Entrance Fee: 10RMB, 18RMB during the Red Maple Leave Festival

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Being among the nation’s oldest cities, Suzhou is well known in China and abroad. One of its many treasures is its canals and water ways also known as Ancient Towns.

These are both inspiration to all for their grandeur and excellence, and testament to a colorful and rich history, having served as cradle for much of Suzhou’s heritage and livelihood. Suzhou’s success owes itself to the plentitude of this resource, and in modern Suzhou, water ways continue to flow gloriously.

Some ancient towns consisting of beautiful canals & bridge definitely worth visiting

• Zhouzhuang Ancient Town

In contrast to the huge buildings in the city, the water townships of Suzhou are designed in the typical style of southern China, renowned for their charming watery view and ancient residential houses.

Zhouzhuang (周庄, Zhou Zhuang), inheriting the splendid culture of Wu, is the best example of water country in China. There, you can enjoy a view like a Chinese landscape painting, just like that described by Ma Zhiyuan(a poet of Yuan Dynasty) in his lyric – a household on a creek flowing under a stone-bridge nearby.

On the southwestern corner of Kunshan City, Zhouzhuang is surrounded by Chenghu Lake, Changbaidang, Dianshan Lake, White Ant Lake and South Lake. It has eight streets and several dozens of stone bridges built in the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. In 2003, Zhouzhuang was among the first group of “famous historical and cultural towns” in China.

The main attractions in Zhouzhuang include Double Bridges, Shen’s Residence, Zhang’s Residence, Milou Restaurant, and so on.

Opening hours: 8:00am — 5:00pm

Entrance Fee: 100RMB

Transportation: Tourist bus from Suzhou Railway Station or take a shuttle bus from Suzhou North Bus Station and Wuzhong District Bus stations to go to Zhouzhuang.

• Tongli Ancient Town

Tongli is a historic town located in Wujiang city, a short drive from Suzhou. Tongli (同里, Tong Li) is over 1000 years old and has only recently become known in tourist circles. The town is characterized by stone bridges and well preserved ancient architecture including private gardens, temples and houses.

Opening hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm

Entrance fee: 80RMB

• Luzhi Water Town

Luzhi (甪直, Lu Zhi) is one of the most authentic water towns on the Yangtze River Delta. It has nine main streets, paved with cobbles and granites. All the streets stand by the river and are lined by shops of various sizes, and all the civilian residences have whitewashed walls, black bricks and tiles, wooden doors and windows, and high ridges. The traditional costumes of Luzhi rural women show the typical features of the land of water in South China.

Opening hours: 8:00am — 4:30pm

Entrance Fee: 45RMB (including five historical sites, Baosheng Temple, Wansheng Rice Shop, the Shen’s Residence, the Xiao’s Residence and Wang Tao’s Memorial Hall)

• Mudu Ancient Water Town

Mudu (木渎, Mu Du) is a southern ancient waterside town in Suzhou and has unique structures separating it from other old waterside towns. Mudu is the only ancient garden town in southern China. There were more than 30 private gardens or parks in the Ming and Qing dynasties. The deep culture accumulation, the elegant garden environment and famous historic legends make this a firm favorite.

Entrance Fee: 60RMB

Opening hours: 7:30am — 4:30pm

Vocabulary

shī cí

诗  词                                    poem                               n.

cháo dài

朝     代                              dynasty                              n.

pái fāng

牌   坊                              memorial archway                  n.

fēng yè

枫    叶                                maple leaves                  n.

sī jiā yuán lín

私 家  园     林                     private garden           n.

Mount Sanqing is located in northeast of Shangrao City, Jiangxi Province. The highest peak of the mountain range is the Yujing Peak standing at 1,816.9 metres above sea level.

This peaceful mountain acclaimed as “The Land of Peach Blossoms” is famous for its three peaks: Yujing Peak, Yuhua Peak, and Yuxu Peak, which resemble the three gods worshipped in Taoism (Sanqing means “Three Pure Ones” in Chinese).

Unique geologic structure and suitable geographic environment makes Sanqing Mountain famous. The various shapes of hills also have high aesthetic and tourism development value. About 80% of Mount Sanqing is covered by primeval forest. More than 2,500 kinds of plants can be found there, most of which can be used to make traditional Chinese medicine. Luxuriant vegetation, abundant food and a gentle sub-tropical climate make Mount Sanqing a wonderful home for rare animals.

Enchanting Beauty

The region where the Sanqing Mountain is located saw frequent movements in geological history, which explains why the mountain can reach the clouds. The long periods of erosion and the effect of gravity collapse has also contributed to the wonderful view of towering cliffs and deep, secluded valleys.

The highest peak of the mountain range is the Yujing Peak standing at 1,816.9 metres above sea level. To the north of the Yujing Peak are two peaks standing parallel – the Yuxu Peak with an altitude of 1,776 metres above sea level and and the 1,752-metre-high Yuhua Peak. The three peaks tower into the sky like three immortals sitting in a line with hovering clouds around their shoulders.

The mountain is also known for its ancient pine trees. The plants there belong to 157 families, 500 genera, and 1,088 species. The marvelous spectacle of the sea of clouds provokes an image of a wonderland. With beautiful clouds, mist and strange-shaped pine trees, Sanqing Mountain is a fairyland far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

The mountain is shrouded in mist for about 200 days each year. On misty days, dense fog envelops the mountain completely and makes you think you are wandering in the clouds. Once in a while, wind blows away the mist, and a stiff, imposing peak suddenly appears right in front of you. Sometimes you can even see the fog creep up on you, gently penetrating the pine trees on the cliff.

Because it has plenty of clouds, the mountain is an excellent place to watch the sun rise and set. Huge clouds become splendidly red, as if half the sky were on fire.

Pine trees on Sanqing Mountain are as beautiful as those on Huangshan Mountain in Anhui Province, where they are regarded as the most beautiful in China. Many pine trees on the mountain are more than 100 years old. Many years of exposure to wind, sunshine and rain have twisted their branches and wrinkled their trunks and bark, which has given them strength and charm like old men’s wisdom.

Like most mountains, the most beautiful view is from the summit of Sanqing Mountain, though the 1,800-meter-high mountain peak has remained inaccessible to ordinary tourists until recently because it is very rugged and steep.

In 1995, a cable car was built to take tourists up to about 1,600 meters high. From 1,600 meters to the peak, a concrete path was built along the sheer rock face. Walking on the path — said to be the highest tourist trail in the world — is an exciting experience.

Taoist Culture

Ever since Ge Hong, a former senior official of Jin Dynasty (265-420), left his office and came to the Sanqing Mountain to make pills of immortality as a Taoist practice, the mountain gradually became a holy place for those of past dynasties that believed in Taoism.

Especially in the Tang (618-907) and Song dynasties (960-1279), when Taoism was revered as a state religion, the construction of Taoist buildings on the Sanqing Mountain entered an unprecedented period of growth.

During the past 1,600 years, a large number of ancient Taoist buildings and cultural relics have been well preserved on the mountain. The ancient building complex has a carefully planned pattern.

In addition to its natural landscape and Taoist buildings, the Sanqing Mountain also boasts a high-altitude plank road over 4,000 metres long.

Mount Sanqing is sure to take your breath away with its breathtaking scenic views you get to see while being on top of the world, with the world at your feet.

Vocabulary

sān qīng shān
三      清    山                      Mount Sanqing        n.

yuán shēng  lín
原          生      林                      Primeval forest     n.

mào shèng de  zhí wù
茂        盛       的  植   物       Luxuriant vegetation

sōng shù
松        树                                           Pine trees           n.

xī  xī   rǎng rǎng
熙  熙   攘     攘       Hustle and bustle     adj.

Dali City is a county-level city in Dali, Yunnan province, China. Dali is located on a fertile plateau between Mount Cangshan to the west and Erhai Lake to the east. It has traditionally been settled by the Bai and Yi minorities. It is also the capital of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture.

Dali is also famous for producing the many types of marble, which are used primarily in construction and for decorative objects. In fact, Dali is so famous for the stone that the name of marble in Chinese is literally “Dali Stone”.

Dali is one of Yunnan’s most popular tourist destinations, both for its historic sites and the “Foreigners’ Street” that features western-style food, music, and English-speaking business owners, making it popular among both western and Chinese tourists.

History

About the year 738 AD, it became the seat of the Kingdom of Nanzhou. The Nanzhou Kingdom had control of important trade routes to Southeast and South Asia. Its location enabled Dali to prosper as merchandise from China was carried southwards, and as goods from as far as India was carried northwards. It was a major trading centre. The rulers of the Nanzhou became Buddhists, and Bali became a centre for the spread of Buddhism from Southeast and South Asia to the rest of China and East Asia.

After 200 years, The Nanzhou Kingdom was conquered by the Duan Clan. Two hundred years after this, in 1253, the Mongols conquered the city and ended the Dali Kingdom. Under Mongolian Emperor Kublai Khan, Dali became an important military outpost for the Mongolians. The Mongolians in turn were defeated, and the Ming dynasty was established.

The Dali Three Pagodas

Three pagodas, about 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) northwest of the ancient city of Dali, occupying a scenic location at the foot of Mount Cangshan facing Erhai Lake, has a history of over 1,800 years. It is a symbol of the history of Dali City, and a record of the development of Buddhism in the area.

As its name implies, Three Pagodas are made of three ancient independent pagodas forming a symmetrical triangle. This is unique in China. A visit to The Three Pagodas should not be missed by any visitor to Dali City.

The middle pagoda, Qianxun Pagoda, 69.13 meters (227 feet) high, is one of the highest pagodas of the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907), while the other lower two stand to the north and south sides of it. Qianxun Pagoda, now empty, previously could be climbed by ladder from the inside. However the ladder is now broken, and travelers now have no opportunity to climb up.

Many sculptures of Buddha made of gold, silver, wood or crystal, Buddhist readings, and more than 600 various medicinal ingredients were found in Qianxun Pagoda, playing an important role in explaining the ancient history of Dali City. Study of Three Pagodas and the cultural relics that have been excavated at the site provide significant data for exploring the history, religion, and art of the area.

Today, travelers can visit Three Pagodas at night, when it is illuminated providing a fantastic scene. Nearby on the ‘marble street’ there are many folk-craft workshops and stands specializing in marble and brick-painting.

Erhai Lake

Erhai Lake is the largest highland lake and one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China. The lake covers an area of 250 square kilometers and is located about two kilometers east of Dali.

“Er” in Chinese means a human ear and “Hai” means a sea, hence its name Erhai. It is one of the seven biggest fresh water lakes in China and the largest highland lake next to Dianchi Lake (in Kunming). The total storage capacity is 3 billion cubic metres and its elevation 1,972 metres.

The beautiful scenery and limpid waters of Erhai Lake are charming and attractive. The picturesque scenery makes you feel relaxed and happy. During a clear night, the moon is mirrored in the lake and people call it the “Erhai Moon” which is one of the four best sights of Dali. It would be a great pity if people travelling to Dali do not go for a boat ride in the lake, just like people travelling to Kunming without having a glance at the scenery of Xishan (the Western Hills).

The surrounding islands, temples and villages are worth visiting too. Golden Shuttle Island (Jinsuo Dao), and the nearby fishing community of Bai Minority do really deserve a visit with its attractive Bai culture and lifestyle, and because of the rare beauty of the lake and its surrounding scenery.

Mount Cangshan

Cangshan Mountain is a high mountain rising above the city of Dali in the southern province of Yunnan that borders Vietnam. It is a scenic spot and a good hiking area where hikers may bring tents. There are 18 peaks on this mountain that are all over 3,500 meters in altitude, and the highest summit named Malong is 4,122 meters high. The mountain is noted for its very rich and diverse flora.

There is cable car up the mountain, and a road connects various sites of interests. The mountain is a highlight of the Dali area, with numerous springs, ponds and waterfalls, beautiful scenery, hiking trails, a range of ecological zones with thousands of plant species, and scenic views of lakes and the city of Dali.

Yangren Street (Foreigner Street)

Not only Chinese people, but also foreign tourists are attracted by Dali in Yunnan province. They are so absorbed in the ancient customs and the historic culture that they even aspire to live in Dali for a long time. Gradually, there is a road which is full of western tourists inside of Dali City named “Yangren Street (Foreigner Street)”.

If you like shopping, Huguo Road is your best choice. This place gathers a variety of crafts and textiles made by local Bai people. Many antique shops will give you some extra surprises.

What to buy

• Dali Snow Pear

Owing to the climate and the soil condition of Dali, the pears which grow here are much sweeter in flavor, and have thinner skins and more tender flesh. The main growing area for Dali snow pears is on the eastern side of Erhai Lake. Every August and September in the harvest season, people come from all around to Erhai Lake to pick pears and celebrate the harvest.

• Engraved Green Plum

A traditional food of the Bai people is made from dried green plums. These are engraved with various patterns and designs. The fruit can be eaten after months spent soaking in pickling juice made from salt, brown sugar and honey. Having the dual effects of promoting the production of bodily fluids and relieving thirst, as well as displaying artistry, the engraved green plum fruit is both a popular food and a delicate work of art.

• The Compressed Tea (Tuo Cha) of Xia Guan

Due to its resemblance to the shape of a fungus, the compressed tea of Xia Guan is called ‘Tuo Cha’. It enjoys an excellent reputation for its fragrance and cleansing effects. Xiaguan can promote health by refreshing both body and mind and is also an excellent method used for weight-loss.

• Tie-dye

The tie-dye of the Bai Minority is usually made by stitching patterns on cotton cloth and impregnating them in plant dye. Traditional dyed fabrics have white patterns on a background of indigo and are used for tablecloths, door curtains, hats, clothes, and scarves as well as other items. In Zhoucheng Village, there are many family workshops which make dyed fabrics. Visitors can take minibuses and carriages to the village.

As we know, ethnic minorities are always hospitable and good at dancing and singing, so tourists often have many chances to see their performance. If you like, you can join them and dance with them. As for many western tourists, they are accustomed to choose a better place to drink some beers and chat with friends comfortably, and the cafes and bars on Foreign Street is a perfect place to do so.

Vocabulary:

dà lǐ
大 理           Dali         n.

ěr hǎi
洱  海           Erhai        n.

yáng rén jiē
洋        人  街    Yangren Street     n.

dà lǐ shí
大 理 石        Marble      n.

dà lǐ sān tǎ
大 理 三  塔   Dali Three Pagoda    n.

cāng shān
苍        山       Mount cangshan     n.

dà lǐ xuě lí
大 理 雪  梨    Dali snow pear     n.

cuì méi
脆   梅         Engrave green plum    n.

zhā  rǎn
扎    染        Tie-dye    n.

xià guān tuó chá
下    关        沱  茶     Xiaguan’s compressed tea       n.

Organisers are hoping that Beijing’s World Chocolate Wonderland, on the Olympic Green near the Bird’s Nest Stadium, will boost the chocolate market in China, where the candy is not as popular as it is in Western countries.

Tourists who are interested in the craft of chocolate making will be taught by expert chocolatiers. The Chocolate Wonderland is built to allow visitors to “see, touch, taste and smell the delicacy on their own”.

The 20 000m² venue consisted of five indoor halls, including the World’s Chocolate Hall, World’s Candy Hall, Wonderland Theme Hall, Sweet Experience Hall and Sweet Gift Hall, and the outdoor activity areas of Sweet Stages and Sweet Shopping Street.

In the theme park, tourists will be able to see the lifelike chocolate-made miniature of many famous China attractions, such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Terra Cotta Warriors, chocolate Mogao Caves, and the world’s first chocolate replica of the painting Along the River During the Qingming Festival.

The BMW, located in the same hall, attracted huge attention. According to a report in the official China Daily newspaper, 10 craftsmen needed four tonnes of chocolate and six months to make the car.

In the World’s Chocolate Hall, filed past exhibits detailing chocolate traditions in countries such as France, Switzerland and Belgium. At last, you can see a huge array of chocolate fountains sent 1.5 tonnes of the smooth, dark liquid spilling in various directions – recalling Roald Dahl’s beloved book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. “The break sound of the deluxe chocolate is clear and crisp.

In the World’s Candy Hall, it’s colourful. There are all kinds of beautiful, delicious candies, such as candy Jungle, candy animals. It’s a Fairy-tale candy house.

In the Sweet Experience Hall and Sweet Gift Hall, you can buy many cute gifts, which are not able to easily buy in shopping malls or supermarkets! You also can make gifts by yourself or with your family, friends, it’s all unique!

In the Outdoor activity areas of Sweet Stages, techno music blared out as clowns performed tricks with audience members on a stage, a bouncy castle stood – empty – and people dressed in chocolate-coloured costumes milled around.

Six dolls of the World Chocolate Wonderland Theme park.

Top row: Qiao Qiao, Ke Ke. Middle row: Lili, Meng Meng. Bottom row: Gongzi, Yuanyuan.

The exhibit that attracted most people was the building devoted to candy, which housed interactive games and displays allowing customers to experience different sweet flavours from around the world.

At the entrance where tickets cost 80 yuan, and 60 yuan (for students or kids).

Visitors will be able to create personalized chocolate memorabilia and candy in the park while also enjoying performances, large scale stage performances, and tasting delicacies, specialty chocolates, and candy. Organisers hope to attract one million visitors to the park before it closes in April, when the weather will begin to get too warm. It will then reopen next January, with all-new displays.

Opening hours:

Weekdays: 9 am to 5:30 pm

Weekends: 9 am to 7:30 pm

It’s real? No! It’s chocolate.

Vocabulary

清明上河图   qīng míng shàng hé tú          Along the River During the Qingming Festival

紫禁城   zǐ jìn chéng        the Forbidden City

秦始皇陵兵马俑   qín shǐ huáng líng bīng mǎ yǒng         Terra Cotta Warriors

莫高窟  mò gāo kū              Mogao Caves

The word “nadaam” means game or competition in Mongolian. Competitions take place days on the first two and merry-making is reserved for the third. The Naadam festival has been held for centuries as a form of memorial celebration, as an annual sacrificial ritual honoring various mountain gods or to celebrate a community endeavor.

The festivities kick off with a colorful parade of athletes, monks, soldiers marching in perfect uniformity, musicians performing powerful military tunes, and Mongolians dressed in Chinggis-style warrior uniforms. It is the most widely watched festival in the country, and is believed to have existed for centuries in one fashion or another.

Some colourful pictures of this event for your viewing!

Sulde, symbolizes Mongolian pride. It is Genghis Khan’s weapon in warring history. To worship the sulde, to memorial the Mongolian spirit.

Matouqin, Mongolian musical instrument be named as its has a horse head on top.

Naadam is the most widely watched festival in Inner mongolia, and is believed to have existed for centuries in one fashion or another. Naadam has its origin in the activities, such as military parades and sporting competitions such as archery, horse riding and wrestling, that followed the celebration of various occasions.

Wrestling

Wrestlers compete on the green field of the State Central Stadium where 512 wrestlers meet in a single-elimination tournament that lasts nine or ten rounds. In this competition, there is no time limit, no weight category. Wrestler lose if they touch the ground.

Wrestlers wear two-piece costumes consisting of a tight shoulder vest (zodog) and shorts (shuudag). Only men are allowed to play. Each wrestler has an “encourager” called a zasuul, whose task is to take minute care of every detail during a tournament. The zasuul sings a song of praise for the winning wrestler after rounds 3, 5, and 7.

Winners of the 7th, 8th and 9th stage earn the title of zann which means elephants.  The winner of the 9th or 10th stage, is called arslan, “lion”. In the final competition, all the “zasuuls” drop in the wake of each wrestler as they take steps toward each other. Two time arslans are called the champions, or the “avrag”.

Horse
It’s impossible to imagine the Mongolians without their horses as they have a high regard for horses since, for centuries, they have relied on them for transport, sustenance, and companionship.

There are 6 different categories of Mongol national horse racing depending on the age of horses. The riders, both boys and girls are aged between 5-12 and the distance of the race ranges from 15-30 km. Horses race on natural track and natural barriers. The training of horses takes several months. A key to endurance are an empty stomach and the capacity to dissipate heat. For the first, horses are kept on a sophisticated diet while for the latter they have to gallop miles up-hill covered with woolen blankets etc.

After the races, the top five horses in each class earn the title of “airgiyn tav” and the top three are given gold, silver, and bronze medals. In addition, the losing two-year-old horse is is given a top-five award, in the belief that that horse will do better in the next race and is allotted special attention by being serenaded with a song. Music is very important before the race too, as the audience sings traditional songs and the the jockeys sing a pre-race song called a gingo.

A day at the races is very much a feast. If it is a Naadam in the countryside, people will usually enjoy quantities of fresh white cheese, tea with milk and salt, sometimes accompanied by various kinds of doughnuts. The winning horses get their share, too. They are decorated and sprinkled with koumyss, a kind of fermented mare’s milk, while the very last horse gets to hear a song wishing more luck in the following year.

Archery
There’s no need to argue on that the Mongolians are the best archers in the world.

Archery, originating from time immemorial, is the oldest sport of the Mongols. Traditionally, this was only men’s sport but nowadays both men and women compete in separate divisions. Male archers shoot on a 75m range while female archers shoot on a 60 m range.

The sport of archery originated around the 11th century, during the time of Khanate warfare. Contestants dress in traditional costumes and use a bent bow constructed of horn, bark, and wood. The arrows, made from willow branches and vulture feathers are shot at round, leather targets with grey, yellow or red rings. Bows and arrows have remained much the same over centuries, are made of natural materials and do not have any of the technical features now popular among marksmen in western countries.

The winners of the contest are granted the titles of “National marksman” and “National markswoman”. Age counts positively since it is not force but experience and eyesight that make winners. It is no wonder, then, that many participants are men in their 40s and 50s.

The Naadam Festival is the major Mongolian holiday and a wonderful time to experience the culture and people of this amazing land. The festival has its roots in the nomad wedding assemblies and hunting extravaganzas of the Mongol Army.

The opening ceremony features marches and music from soldiers, monks and athletes before the real fun begins! In the Naadam Stadium the three sporting passions of Mongolians, horse racing, wrestling and archery, are played out over 2 days. But if you don’t want to watch sport all the time, there’s plenty to see and do outside – food, music, crafts or just people watching.

Once you have had your fill of the sports, people watching and local food and culture, you can go to the Gobi desert to visit sand dunes and the land of dinosaurs with some of the most spectacular sunsets you will ever see. This is the best time to see the Mongolian people and soak up the party atmosphere!

Travel to Mongolia and see Great Naadam festival of Mongolia!

Water is regarded as a symbol of holiness, goodness and brightness by the Dai  people. The water splashing onto each other symbolizes good wishes.

The Water Splashing Festival falls during the New Year of the Dai Calendar. It is the most important festival observed by the Dai ethnic group in Xishuangbanna in southwestern China’s Yunnan Province. The festival is similar to Thailand’s Songkran, three days of festive activities in which everybody gets doused with water.

The festival usually lasts for three days. In the first two days, Dai people hold dragon boat race to ring out the old year and usher in the new year. The third day is for water splashing and is the climax of the festival. On that day, Dai people put on their new ethnic clothes and assemble at a local Buddhist temple, where they listen to the chanting of Buddhist scripture.

Afterward, a Buddhist statue is coaxed out to the temple yard with pomp and ceremony, where it is splashed. The ritual is called bathing the Buddha. People then go to the streets, joyfully joining in a battle of water splashing onto each other.

About Xishuangbanna
Xishuangbanna takes on the look and atmosphere of a typical South Asian region, characterized by a diverse folklore, lush tropical rain forests, and many species of rare plants and wildlife. Xishuangbanna is also home to the Dai minority people, whose interesting and colorful traditions are well represented through their lifestyle and native modes of dressing.

Is is an ancient and mysterious, beautiful and colorful land displays its charisma to you like a green peacock displaying its fine tail feathers. You will be intoxicated by its sight and nationality customs when you visit.

Yunnan Province, due to its beautiful landscapes, mild climate and colorful ethnic minorities, is one of China’s major tourist destinations.

The desert covers 49,000 sq. kilometers spanning Inner Mongolia as well as the provinces of Gansu and Ningxia in China.

This desert is home to the tallest stationary dunes on Earth. Some of the dunes reach a height of 500 meters. The dunes are kept in place in the arid, windy region by an underground water source. Analysis of the ground water indicates that it is snow melt that flows through fractured rock from mountains hundreds of kilometers away.

The desert also features over 100 spring-fed lakes that lie between the dunes, some of which are fresh while others are extremely saline. These lakes give the desert its name which is Mongolian for “mysterious lakes”.

Camel: desert master or ship of the desert

Sand view in spring

Sand mountain

When cars in desert seem very small and tottery like fishes in ocean

Lake in sandsea

There are many lakes in desert like green pearls spilled out

Desert is home, also the dream of people and animals and culture

Buddhist temple

Before rain, the weather accumulates verity of mood.

In Badain Jaran Desert, the fierce wind not only bestows people the terror, but many desert rarities, like the Hu poplar, the Mandela rock painting, the Alxa bizarre stone and the Heicheng town, no matter original or mysterious, Mongolian desert culture shows a strong decisive and staunch belief and spirit.

Tourists view sunrise in Badain Jaran Desert located in Araxan League of north China's Inner Mongolia

]]> http://ilearn-culture.com/travel/attractions/the-badain-jaran-desert/feed/ 0 http://ilearn-culture.com/travel/attractions/about-inner-mongolia/ http://ilearn-culture.com/travel/attractions/about-inner-mongolia/#comments Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:45:16 +0000 Violet Wei http://ilearn-culture.com/?p=720

Inner Mongolia is the third-largest subdivision of China spanning five longitudes and population is more than 25 million.

It has two countries, Mongolia and Russia, as well as eight provinces as its neighbor. There are many different minorities and Han-Chinese living together.

From 1947, Inner Mongolia starts its integrated development, from now, following the policy of “China Western Development”, Inner Mongolia soars into the economic sky like a grassland eagle, and becomes the bellwether in the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth in China. Now, Inner Mongolia is the most beamingest green pearl in China’s five autonomous regions.

Where would modern Inner Mongolia attract our attention? Maybe following list would give you some simple recognitions.

In Inner Mongolia, there are 3 leagues and 9 cities here and different cities have some funny and supernational culture and human civilization.

Inner Mongolia major policy is Regional Autonomy, and  keep their Mongolian name with characteristic meaning. The capital city is Hohhot, and the major cities are Baotou, Chifeng, Ulanqab, Wuhai, Hulunbuir, Tongliao, Ordos and others.

The climate is arid, and strong winds, especially in spring. Winter temperatures generally go as low as -20 Celsius while summer temperatures can sometimes rise above 30 degrees Celsius in July and August. Popular tours are during the summer months because of the nearby many vast grasslands. And would taste the grassland style roast whole lamb, mongolian cheese and chaffy dish.

• The ZhaoJun Tomb: It is famous for every plants went to yellow and rotten after the fall beyond Great Wall except ZhaoJun Tomb flourishing in Hohhot.

• The Five pagoda Temple: One of the most delicate buddhist construction in China with 1500 figures of the Buddha in Hohhot.

• Xilinguole Grassland: The regius pasture in 13th in XIlinguole league.

• Qinwangfu: This is the biggest prince mansion for mongolian ancient prince and would enjoy the classical music play and taste mongolian palace feast in Chifeng city.

• Genghis Khan Mausoleum: Mongol spirit leader and  would have an intimate contact the Mongolian culture and lifestyle in Ordos.

• Hongshan National Forest Park in Chifeng city and would view and admire the strange stone.

• Xiangshanwan Desert: Heard the music sand sing in Ordos

• Mongol Dinosaur Park: More than 100 footmarks of dinosaur 130,000,000 years ago discovery in Ordos.

• Dongfeng Space program Basic: Launched Shenzhou here successful in Alxa.

• Huyang Cultural Festival:Desert hero for 3,000 years life. “If alive, would not be dead for 1,000 years; if dead, would not fall down for 1,000 years and if fall down, would not be immortal for 1,000 years either.” in Alxa.

• Arxan Mountain: Would admire the hot spring, snow skiing, volcano museum in Xinan League.

The blue sky, the white cloud, the vast green grassland and the crowds of houses and sheep are the first impression for everyone come to Inner Mongolia. Here, riding the horse and breathing the fresh air can help people lose their pressure form modern cosmopolitan. We could search back a new and remote passion here.

The yurt, the sulde and the horse and camel signs on the flags under the blue sky symbol the proud of Mongolians. This kind of ethnic living style reveals Mongolian’s uniqueness.

Mongolians are very hospitable  indeed. Would you refuse a invitation with a sincere smile, and beautiful songs and many auspicious greeting?

Sit back and enjoy the upcoming write up articles on the places of interests and the attractions of this wonderful place, Inner Mongolia.

Vocabulary

nèi méng gǔ

内 蒙    古    Inner Mongolia                         n.

shǎo shù mín zú

少   数   民  族     minority                          n.

hàn zú

汉族                Han-Chinese                       n.

xī bù dà kāi fā

西 部 大 开 发      China Western Development         n.

qū yù zì zhì

区  域 自治          Regional Autonomy                n.

hū hé hào tè

呼  和 浩 特          Hohhot

Zhāo jūn mù

昭    君  墓          zhaoJunTomb                     n.

Wǔ tǎ shì

五 塔  市              The Five pagoda Temple         n.