All posts by Cassidy Tse

In history, only “Greater Shanghai” and “Greater Wuhan” have been labeled as “Greater” among all the Chinese cities. On the eve of the founding of the People Republic of China, Hankou was bigger than Peiping (old name for Beijing) at that time. “No matter how fast or slow you walk, you can’t walk out of Hankou in just one day.” This saying reflects the area of Hankou, which is only one of the three towns in Wuhan.

Historically speaking, Wuhan was originally formed by the merger of Hankou, Wuchang and Hanyang on May 16, 1949.

Today in Wuhan, there are 8 bridges on the Yangtze River, 6 bridges on the Han River and 74 parks in the urban area. The Third Ring Road in Wuhan is much larger than the Sixth Ring Road in many other cities. It will take more than three hours for a 300 km/h high-speed train to run around Wuhan.

Wuhan has China’s largest urban lake, Tangsun Lake, with a water area of 47.6 square kilometers. At the same time, East Lake, the second largest urban lake in China, with an area of 33.9 square kilometers, is also located in Wuhan. It covers six times the area of Hangzhou West Lake.

Area of Wuhan City = Area of 4 Shenzhen Cities (area of Shenzhen: 1996.8 sq. km)

Area of Wuhan City= Area of 8 Hong Kong (area of Hong Kong: 1104 sq. km)

Area of Wuhan City= Area of 80 Paris Cities (area of Paris: 105.4 sq. km)

Area of Wuhan City= Area of 14 Seoul Cities (area of Seoul: 605.77 sq. km)

Area of Wuhan City= Area of 12 Singapore (area of Singapore: 716.1 sq. km)

Area of Wuhan City= Area of 11 New York Cities (area of New York: 789 sq. km)

Area of Wuhan City= Area of 5 London Cities (area of London: 1577.3 sq. km)

Area of Wuhan City= Area of 4 Tokyo Cities (area of Tokyo: 2188 sq. km)

Wuhan, with an area of 8569.15 square kilometers, has a total population of more than 14 million by the end of 2019, including 9.08 million household registered population and 5.1 million mobile population.

One of Nanjing’s famous scenic spots, Linggu Temple, which claims to be ‘the best Buddhist temple in the world’, is situated to the east of Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum in the Purple Mountain Scenic Area. Over time, its name has changed several times.

The environment here is very pleasant. The Linggu Temple is surrounded by aged dark green trees. The sweet fragrance of flowers pervades, and the sound of the bell is melodious. The forest and springs around add vitality and wild pleasure to the temple. Linggu Temple is famous in Chinese history. It is said that in the Ming Dynasty, Linggu Temple flourished. Crowds filled the place to burn joss sticks. It is said that it could hold 1,000 monks at that time.

Linggu Temple contains the Xuanzang Memorial Hall, which was built in memory of a famous monk in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The picture of the route that Xuanzang walked and the sutra he translated are also stored here. There are also several other sights such as Non-beam Hall, Linggu Pagoda and Songfeng Pavilion.

The name of Non-beam Hall has interesting origins. Originally the temple was named Wuliang Hall as a memorial ceremony, for a Buddha named ‘Wu Liang’ was held there. Because it is constructed without any wood, it can also be called ‘Non-beam Hall’. However, ‘non-beam’ is also pronounced ‘Wu Liang’ in Chinese.

The vegetarian diet here is renowned for over 600 years. The ingredients of the dishes are chosen very carefully; the cooking is very meticulous; the appearance of the food is also very nice. Though the dishes are without meat, the taste is even better than the ones with meat. Shensong House, the famous vegetarian restaurant in Linggu Temple, lies to the east of Songlin Pavilion. Surrounded Shensong House, is a thick forest and blooming flowers. To the east of Shensong House, a spring runs under a bridge, and to the west, the sound of the bell emanates from the ancient temple. Dining here can bring you both the wonderful taste of the food and an enjoyment of natural beauty.

By China Expedition Tours, Source from Guangxi Health Commission

Released time: Feb 11, 2020

During the period from 0:00 to 24:00 on February 10, 5 new confirmed cases of pneumonia were found in Guangxi, including 4 in Nanning and 1 in Beihai.

At present, 215 confirmed cases and 30 discharged cases (12 new discharged cases on February 10 ) have been reported. There are 6 severe cases, 8 critical cases. The first death case in Guangxi occurred in Hechi.

In total, 41 cases were confirmed in Nanning, 22 in Liuzhou, 30 in Guilin, 5 in Wuzhou, 36 in Beihai, 17 in Fangchenggang, 8 in Qinzhou, 8 in Guigang , 9 in Yulin, 3 in Baise, 4 in Hezhou, 21 in Hechi and 11 in Laibin.

At present, 11870 close contacts have been traced and 4036 cases are still under medical observation.

The mountain is called Zijin Mountain or Purple Mountain. The whole mountain area covers an area of 3100 hectares with the highest peak of 448 meters above sea level. It is a green oasis of hills, trees, forests and hiking and cycling paths with many scattered temples, relics and mausoleums. Read More

By China Expedition Tours, Source from Guangxi Health Commission

Released time: Feb 10, 2020

During the period from 0:00 to 24:00 on February 9, 15 new confirmed cases of pneumonia were found in Guangxi, including 2 in Nanning, 2 in Liuzhou, 1 in Guilin, 2 in Beihai, 1 in Fangchenggang, 1 in Guigang, 2 in Hechi , and 4 in Laibin.

At present, 210 confirmed cases and 18 discharged cases have been reported. There are 5 severe cases, 9 critical cases. The first death case in Guangxi occurred in Hechi.

In total, 37 cases were confirmed in Nanning, 22 in Liuzhou, 30 in Guilin, 5 in Wuzhou, 35 in Beihai, 17 in Fangchenggang, 8 in Qinzhou, 8 in Guigang , 9 in Yulin, 3 in Baise, 4 in Hezhou, 21 in Hechi and 11 in Laibin.

At present, 11025 close contacts have been traced and 3911 cases are still under medical observation.

Xiaoling Mausoleum is one of the largest imperial tombs in China. It is located in the eastern suburb of Nanjing at the southern foot of the Purple mountain. Emperor Chengzu, Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming Dynasty and Queen Ma were buried there. Read More

By China Expedition Tours, Source from Guangxi Health Commission

Released time: Feb 9, 2020

During the period from 0:00 to 24:00 on February 8, 12 new confirmed cases of pneumonia were found in Guangxi, including 3 in Nanning, 1 in Beihai, 4 in Hechi , and 4 in Laibin.

At present, 195 confirmed cases and 18 discharged cases have been reported. There are 6 severe cases, 7 critical cases. The first death case in Guangxi occurred in Hechi, no medical staff infection cases.

In total, 35 cases were confirmed in Nanning, 20 in Liuzhou, 29 in Guilin, 5 in Wuzhou, 33 in Beihai, 16 in Fangchenggang, 8 in Qinzhou, 7 in Guigang , 9 in Yulin, 3 in Baise, 4 in Hezhou, 19 in Hechi and 7 in Laibin.

At present, 9701 close contacts have been traced and 3895 cases are still under medical observation.

Located in the Jiujiang City, Jiangxi Province, Poyang Lake is the largest fresh-water lake in China. Poyang Lake is a resplendent pearl on the vast Chinese territory. For thousands of years, it has been nurturing the people in Jiangxi Province and attracting visitors with her charm.

On days when the sun shines and the sky is a clear blue, the sky and the water seem to meet on the horizon. Sailboats on the lake dart back and forth, appearing to joust with the billowing clouds. Rafts float along one after another like a big moving dragon. In addition, many kinds of rare birds are attracted here, making it a popular destination for birdwatchers.

Dagu Hill is an island in Poyang Lake , which when seen from a distance, looks like a large shoe floating in the blue water. It is also known as Shoe Hill.

Actually Dagu Hill is only one peak with precipices on its three sides. Covered with tall, straight trees, the island rises steeply from the water, surrounded by water on all sides. Visitors who hike to the top of the hill are rewarded with a magnificent view of the vast Poyang Lake below. Along the way, you will see Heaven Flower Palace, with its majestic halls and splendid statues. In ancient times, the hill was a gathering place for scholars and businessmen. The buildings in which they met have been destroyed by wars and natural disasters, but you can still feel a strong sense of history on Dagu Hill.

Another well known hill in the lake is Nanshan Hill, near Duchang County, which rises from the water like a dignified man standing in the waves. According to the legend, during the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24) a wise man lived on Nanshan Hill. Emperor Wudi met the man during a tour of inspection in the southern region of his territory and offered him an official government position. However the wise man turned down the offer, saying that he was just a farmer and was not interested in fame or rank. Named for the humble wise man, ‘farmer rock’ is the main attraction of Nanshan Hill. There visitors enjoy the sight of clear, sweet spring water flowing from the rock all year round. Those who climb to the top of the hill enjoy a panoramic view of the lake and distant hills.

Lake-View Pavilion was originally constructed in the later years of the Eastern Han Dynasty (317-420) and the early part of the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280). The present exquisite pavilion was rebuilt by the local government in 1988. It has four floors and stands on a platform made of granite. The view from Lake-View Pavilion takes in the rivers, the lake, the fishing boats, and the birds that contribute to the beauty of Poyang Lake.

This area is a sanctuary for many rare species of birds. Measuring 224 square kilometers (about 86 square miles) in area, it offers a mild climate and a habitat rich in aquatic plants and fish with no industrial pollution. In winter, Poyang Lake is home to the world’s largest population of birds.

Every November, thousands of birds fly in from Siberia, Mongolia, Japan, North Korea, and the northeastern and northwestern regions of China. These migratory birds spend the long winter in Poyang Lake together with the native widgeons, egrets, and mandarin ducks, leaving gradually as the weather starts to warm in March. Poyang Lake is considered by many to be the largest bird sanctuary in the world. Every winter it plays host to 95% of the world’s white cranes, a fact that gives it two of its popular names: ‘World of White Cranes’ and ‘Kingdom of Rare Birds’.

By China Expedition Tours, Source from Guangxi Health Commission

Released time: Feb 8, 2020

During the period from 0:00 to 24:00 on February 7, 11 new confirmed cases of pneumonia were found in Guangxi, including 1 in Nanning, 1 in Guilin, 1 in Beihai, 1 in Fangchenggang, 4 in Hechi , 1 in Yulin, 1 in Qinzhou and 1 in Laibin.

At present, 183 confirmed cases and 17 discharged cases have been reported. There are 7 severe cases, 8 critical cases, no death cases, no medical staff infection cases.

In total, 32 cases were confirmed in Nanning, 20 in Liuzhou, 29 in Guilin, 5 in Wuzhou, 32 in Beihai, 16 in Fangchenggang, 8 in Qinzhou, 7 in Guigang , 9 in Yulin, 3 in Baise, 4 in Hezhou, 15 in Hechi and 3 in Laibin.

At present, 8877 close contacts have been traced and 4072 cases are still under medical observation.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), symptoms of the pneumonia are mainly fever, with a number of patients having difficulty breathing, and chest radiographs showing invasive lesions of both lungs.

Experts remind that during the period of the epidemic, people should reduce or stop the gathering as much as possible, because the gathering of relatives and friends provides favorable conditions for the epidemic of the disease in the process of preparation and eating. In the process of preparation and gathering, people are close contacts with each other. The droplets produced by coughing and sneezing can be directly transmitted to the whole gathering population, which is very easy to cause disease Disease transmission. Wash your hands frequently, using running water and soap or hand sanitizer. When you have to go out, seek medical treatment or take public transportation, you should wear a mask correctly.

Chongshan Temple was initially built in the early period of the Tang Dynasty. Its original name is Baima Temple, and then changed into Yanshou Temple. In accordance to the plaque of the causes of the establishment of the temple, Chongshan Temple was built by Jin Emperor, the third son of Emperor Zhuyuanzhang (1328-1398), first emperor of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), for memorizing his mother.

The existing architecture in Chongshan Temple is a group of architecture those main body is Dabei Temple. The area of the existing Chongshan Temple is 80% of its original one. However, the structure of it is precise, dignified and majestic. The existing main architectures of Chongshan Temple are mountain door, bell tower, the eastern and western wing-room and Dabei Temple. Dabei Temple sits on the broad basis, forming a sense of grandeur and solemnity. The hall is equipped with heavy eaves, currently; it is the most well-preserved wooden architecture of the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) in China. The ancient drum pavilions and bell pavilions are standing along both sides of Dabei Temple. In the east of the mountain door, there is a big bell on the bell tower which was built in the 1st year of Zhengde period of the Ming Dynasty (1505). With a weight of 9,999.5 jin, the pattern of the big bell is classic. The bell toll can be heard across the whole city.

Besides, this temple also keeps numerous precious cultural relics, such as sculptures, paintings and sutras and others. The three sculptures in the hall of Dabei Temple are Kwan-yin, Wenshu Bodhisattva and PuXian Bodhisattva. The sculpture of Kwan-yin in the middle is the most precise one. It is 8.5 meters in height and gold. She wraps a green piece of cloth around her shoulder, looking calm and mellow. Her face is round, pretty and vivid.  The existing Chongshansi Temple includes the temple gate, Bell Tower, the East and West Building and Dabei Hall. Inside the Dabei Hall, Avalokitesvara with 11 faces, the Bodhisattvas Manjusri and Samantabhadra are enshrined and worshiped, all accurately proportioned and well clothed, with a total height of 8.5 meter. The Halls and statues are relics of Ming Dynasty; there are also Tibetan Scriptures of Song, Yuan and Ming Dynasty in the temple, most of which have exact date.

Chongshan temple has become a key cultural relic under the protection of Shanxi Province and home to the Buddhist Association of Shanxi Province. The precious sutra and Taoist scriptures are not only examples of Chinese woodblock printing history, but of ancient Chinese calligraphy and carving arts luring accomplished monks, scholars and tourists.