All posts by Cassidy Tse

West Street is the oldest street in Yangshuo, with a history of more than 1400 years. This street is located in the center of Yangshuo County. Since 1980s, it has become the window of eastern and Western culture and the largest “foreign language center” in China. It is the most prosperous area in Yangshuo. Every year, about 100000 foreigners come here to travel or study. West Street attracts tourists with its unique cultural combination.

West Street, 517 meters long and 8 meters wide, twists and turns along its length. Made entirely of marble, this is a typical example of a street in southern China. It is popular with foreigners for its simple style and courtyard like environment. There is a saying that “half is a village, the other half is a shop”.

Because sometimes the number of foreigners exceeds the number of Chinese, this street is also known as “foreigners Street”. Don’t be surprised if you hear the English words spoken by old Chinese women, because this street is called “global village”. In addition to Yangshuo’s local accent, English has become a daily language. West Street is modern and fashionable. Almost every shop has a bilingual shop sign. More than 20 shops have been opened by foreigners who have settled here.

Chinese people who travel there may think they are in a foreign country, while foreigners come here to look for ancient Chinese civilization. However, whether you are Chinese or foreign, this is a good place to rest, physically or mentally. West Street will drive away all your pressure and burden and give you a peaceful outlook on life. It presents different faces at different times: calm and peaceful in the morning, fashionable and modern in the evening. Traveling to that place is an experience with the scenery, with people, with soul, with yourself.

Visit West Street, you will be surrounded by a series of traditional folk customs and amazing international elements. Various shops, handicraft shops, calligraphy and painting shops, backpack shops, coffee shops and China Kungfu academy are competing to attract attention. You can see a lot from embroidered silk, batik and weaving to the small shoes worn by women before liberation in 1949. In addition, in other places on the street, you may find bars and cafes, some of which are operated by foreigners, decorated with bamboo rafts, fish baskets, batik tablecloths, etc.

West Street not only gives you visual satisfaction. You will be tempted by food from all over the world: Chinese New Year cake, Yangshuo rice noodles, authentic Italian coffee, banana cake, Western food and so on. So now, choose a coffee shop and ask for a cup of coffee. Let the beautiful scenery and music take you to a wonderful world.

Yulong River is the longest tributary of Li River in Yangshuo, with a total length of 43.5km and a drainage area of 158.47km2. The water quality of Yulong River is clear and the flow is slow all year round. There are 28 weirs and dams, more than 100 scenic spots. The whole Yulong River scenic spot has no so-called modern buildings, no traces of artificial carving, no urban noise. Everything is so primitive, natural, simple and pure, which is actually the largest pure natural landscape garden in Guilin. The part of the river that stretches from Yulong Bridge in Baisha Town, to Gongnong Bridge near Big Banyan Tree along the Ten-Mile Gallery, is known as the Yulong River Scenic Area, and includes some spectacular scenic views along each river bank.

The Chinese word ‘Yulong’ refers to ‘meeting a dragon’. According to local legend, a dragon from the East China Sea wanders on the Yulong River. Deeply moved by the charming scenery, he decides to stay there forever. The villagers living on the river bank have seen the Dragon several times, so the river is named dragon.

There are many tourist attractions in yulongjiang scenic area, among which cultural relics are interspersed. This lazy river is surrounded by primitive but pure natural landscape, plus green bamboo forest and rolling hills. Tourists will enjoy the picturesque scenery of rural life in this area: Bamboo waterwheels irrigate rice fields; girls in the village wash their hands outside the cottage with smoke curling up from the chimney; old people fish in the river; flocks of ducks swim in the pond. This kind of rural scenery will let tourists forget their troubles and experience a calm and relaxed feeling.

Other natural landscapes along the river are banyan, moon mountain, Wuzhi Mountain, lion mountain, Longtan, butterfly spring, Tianping green land, baxiandong, Rhinoceros Pool, Chaoyang village, etc. historical attractions include the three most famous ancient bridges in Yangshuo: Yulong bridge, Fuli bridge, Xianggui bridge (the oldest single arch bridge in Guangxi). The tombs of the Han Dynasty (206-220 BC), the site of Guiyi County, the largest Jianshan temple and pan manor in Guangxi are also worth visiting. In order to appreciate the simplicity and elegance, visitors should visit the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) style houses in Jiuxian county.

Once upon a time, Xingping town was the largest town on the Lijiang River, 63 km (39 miles) from Guilin, 25 km (15.5 miles) from Yangshuo, and located on the East Bank of the Lijiang River. This town is really a beautiful place with beautiful scenery. Mural mountain and huangbutan both belong to this scenic spot.

The surrounding mountains greatly enhance the charm of Xingping town. The town is at the foot of Wuzhishan. The mountain in the East is sengni mountain, which looks like a fight between a monk and a nun. It is said that chaoban mountain is like a plaque of an ancient court official, and Luohan mountain is like a smiling Luohan monk with his chest exposed in the sun. The mountains in the south are carp mountain and snail mountain. The mountains to the West are Bijia mountain and Maire peak. The mountain to the north is Camel Mountain, like a camel crossing a river.

Historic sites can be found in Xingping old street and fishing village, about 2 km (1.3 miles) from Xingping town. This old street is a one kilometer long stone street, flanked by old brick houses and conference halls like many different provinces. This old banyan tree needs eight people to stretch out their arms to surround it. The Guandi temple built in the Qing Dynasty tells about the long history of Xingping town.

The fishing village has a history of nearly 500 years. It typically represents the architectural style of Northern Guangxi in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The houses in the village are the same as those in Xingping town. They have horsehead walls, cornices, painted rafters and carved windows. When former U.S. President Bill Clinton and his wife visited the village, they highly praised it and were deeply attracted by its residents. The villagers live on cormorants. Maybe you can go fishing on a raft instead of a boat. It’s exciting. Not far from the village is Dishui village, where there is a waterfall. Water is often used to make wine.

Three kilometers (1.9 miles) northeast of Xingping Town, there is a newly opened lotus cave. The cave is more than 600 meters long and the widest part is 2 meters wide. Different shapes of stalactites can be seen in the cave. For example, the main scenic spots are “upside down lotus petals”, “two dragons climbing out of the cave” and 108 “Lotus pods”, large and small. The diameter of the lotus seed pod ranges from 20cm to 1.5m (4.9ft), and the small stones inside look like real seeds. It’s amazing! In spring and autumn, under a layer of mist, the scenery is really lifelike. There is a stalactite that makes a pleasant sound when it is struck. Do you want to try it?

Yangdi village is located on the West Bank of Lijiang River, about 50 km (31 miles) from Guilin, 40 km (25 miles) north of Yangshuo County. Behind the village is a small mountain composed of two peaks, which looks like two sheep hoofs hanging upside down.

The scenery on the way from Yangdi to Xingping town is the highlight of Lijiang River Cruise. You will see the wave stone landscape, Xialong village, mural mountain and huangbutan. It can be said that if Lijiang River is a long poem, Guilin’s trip to Niucun is at best a prelude. Yangdi village as the starting point of tourism is the theme part, beautiful scenery, typical karst landscape. Therefore, if time is limited, we suggest that you limit the trip of Lijiang River to this section.

There are many attractive spots around Yangdi village. You will meet Yuanyang beach on the way from the upstream ferry to the village. To the west of the coast stood two stalactites, which looked like a pair of mandarin ducks nestling together. There is a small hill near Yangdi village. On the top of the hill stands a big stone, like a grindstone. Next to it is a three yard long ramp stone, which is like a stone mill pushed by a man, so it is called “stone mill pushed by a man”.

From Yangdi village, about 1 km (0.6 miles) down, you can see the spectacular wave stone landscape. The white waves beat the stones in the river, which is different from the peaceful river you can see along the Lijiang River.

Downstream you will meet another boy who attracts him to worship Buddha. A mountain like a Buddha sits quietly, in front of which stands a small mountain like a boy kneeling to worship Buddha. That’s fantastic, isn’t it? But what’s more incredible is that nature gives these mountains all kinds of shapes.

Beautiful mountains, winding waterways, beautiful coast, striking waterfalls, lush green bamboo and scattered villages constitute a beautiful landscape painting. Yangdi village is an ideal place to enjoy the Lijiang River in the misty rain. It seems to be a peaceful, peaceful and mysterious fairyland. From November to march is the dry season of Lijiang River. Yangdi village sometimes becomes the starting point of Lijiang River Cruise. At this time, water resources are extremely scarce. It is suggested that tourists visit the Lijiang River during the period from April to October when the water level is deep and green.

The bird island of Qinghai Lake is named after the hundreds of thousands of migratory birds inhabiting the island. It lies northwest of Qinghai Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in China, is connected to the bank on one side whilst the others are surrounded by water.

It is similar to the pet of almost all people who love nature. Maybe you are fascinated by their sweet singing in the dense forest. Or when you see birds flying freely in the sky, a feeling of worship will fill your heart? So what do you feel when you see groups of wild birds flying on the wide lake? Here, on the bird island, which is famous for bird kingdom and heaven, you can enjoy the wonderful world yourself.

Bird island includes two islands, one is haixipi in the East, the other is haixishan in the west, which is four times smaller than the former Island, but it is the place where most birds gather in the lake. When spring and summer come, many birds come here from distant mountains and deserts to breed. In the most noisy April and may, the number of them can reach 10000, 80% to 90% of which stop in Haixi mountain to lay eggs. The eggs of Haixi mountain are all over the island, also known as “egg island”.

Why does the island attract so many birds? Because of its flat landform, mild climate, close to the water surface, it can produce rich floating grass and fish. The environment here is also very quiet. It is a natural space for birds to breed and inhabit.

Bird island has charming natural scenery and many beautiful wild birds. It is the only place for many tourists to travel in Qinghai. It has been listed as a National Nature Reserve, which mainly protects birds and provides a great place for tourists to visit.

The Yangling Mausoleum of the Han Dynasty, in short Han Yang Ling, is located at Zhangjiawan Village, about 20 kilometers north of Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. It is a joint tomb of Liu Qi, a notable emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, and his empress Wang. It was built in the year 153 AD and covers an area of 20 square kilometers. It is a magnificent and abundant cultural relic, comprising the emperor’s tomb, empress’ tomb, the south and north burial pits, ceremonial site, human sacrifice graveyard and criminals’ cemetery.

Neatly arranged and centered with the emperor’s tomb, Han Yang Ling Mausoleum reveals the strict hierarchical social structure. The Outside Pits Exhibition Hall was opened in 2006 and is the first underground museum in China.

Liu Qi, the fourth emperor of the Western Han Dynasty, and his father, Liu Heng, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, jointly created the first rule of the Chinese monarchy, the rule of Wenjing. In the third year of the later Yuan Dynasty (141 BC), it collapsed in Weiyang palace of Chang’an City and was buried in Yangling [5]. Yang Mausoleum was built in the fourth year of the Yuan Dynasty (153 BC), from the beginning of emperor Jingdi of Han Dynasty to the burial of the queen. The construction of Yang Mausoleum lasted for 28 years.

The archaeological research achievements of Hanyang mausoleum have attracted worldwide attention. Its drilling, excavation and research achievements have laid a solid foundation for the study of the burial and burial system of the Western Han Dynasty imperial mausoleum, provided a large number of detailed material materials for the study of the political, economic and cultural life of the Western Han society, and played a leading and reference role in the archaeological research of the Western Han tombs. The Yangling archaeological exhibition hall The opening to the outside world of “wenjingzhi” shows the whole world the grand occasion of “the rule of wenjingzhi”.

Located in the north of West Street in the center of the city, the district covers several blocks and is inhabited by more than 20000 Muslims. There are about ten mosques in the Muslim Street area, of which the Great Mosque in Huajue lane is the most famous and popular. The Muslim food and souvenir market is another feature of the region. Beiyuanmen Muslim market, located in the north of Gulou, is the best choice after sightseeing in the city center. It’s about 500 meters (547 yards) long from the south to the north. You can get to the street through the arch under the drum tower. The street is covered with dark stones and trees in summer; the buildings on both sides of the street follow the style of Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Some buildings are restaurants, while others are shops. But there is one thing in common: all are Muslims.

Mutton stewed unleavened bread is a special snack in Xi’an, very delicious. Stir fried rice with pickled vegetables and chili peppers is very delicious. It’s a real pleasure for you to eat it in the hot summer. Roast beef, lamb or lamb is another snack that makes your mouth water. Roast the meat on the charcoal fire, add some seasoning to the meat, and you can eat it. The most famous snack in this street is Jiashan baozi. The main raw material of steamed bun here is beef and mutton soup.

There is also a fruit pie made of persimmons, which is considered to be a unique snack in Xi’an. These pies are made of Persimmon in Lintong District, Xi’an City, Shaanxi Province. When making pies, first remove the persimmon skin, mash it into meat filling, mix it with flour, then put osmanthus and sugar in it to make filling, and then fry it in oil. When you eat them, you will feel delicious, sweet and soft.

There are many other snacks in the street, such as bacon, casserole, noodles and so on. They are waiting for you to enjoy.

Being the world’s largest hydropower project, Three Gorges Dam Project has created many “Firsts” such as the most efficient dam in flood control, the most difficult construction work and the largest migration project in the world.

Three Gorges Dam is a project has been completed of great weight to China. What are the advantages of the Three Gorges Dam? So far, the project has begun to bring benefits to Chinese people in mainly five aspects: flood control, power generation, navigation, drought resisting and tourism.

Flood control is a vital Three Gorges Dam benefit. Since ancient time, Yangtze River floods have been disasters to people, especially in the section of Hubei province and Dongting Lake area. Three Gorges Dam can efficiently store the water from upper stream and reduce the flood during the flood season. Three Gorges Dam is world’s largest hydropower station with a total capacity of 22.5 million kilowatts and the annual power generation is 100 billion kilowatt hours, which greatly meets the electricity demands in middle and eastern China. Located in the middle of China, this hydropower station supplies power to the middle, eastern and southern China, that within 400 to 1,000 km economic transmission distance of the load, including the provincial regions of Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Chongqing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Guangdong.

Located in the middle reach of Yangtze River, the Three Gorges Dam raises the water level in its upper stream and greatly improve the waterway conditions from Chongqing to Yichang, totaling 660 kilometers (410 miles). In dry season, the water in its lower reaches can get ample supply to ensure regular water transport. The ships of ten thousand tons can sail directly between Chongqing and Wuhan even further and Shanghai. Besides, due to the improvement of the navigable waterways, the ship size and fleet size are accelerated standardization and become larger, and the transport costs can be expected to reduce.