Posts Tagged yangtze river
Longevity Garden
Posted by act2009 in Tourist Attractions on June 26th, 2009
The Longevity Pagoda in Longevity Garden
Longevity Garden is located at the Kwan-yin Water Rock from the Southern Song Dynasty in Jingjiang River Levee, Shashi, Jingzhou in Hubei Province. It is the state’s key protected cultural unit, combining the functions of cultural heritage sightseeing and Yangtze River’s flood prevention. The Longevity Pagoda inside the garden was built in 1552 during the Ming Dynasty for honoring and celebrating the birthday of Ming’s Jiajing Emperor. It is height about 40 meters with seven levels, 20 meters higher than the Jingjiang River Levee. During its 450 years’ history, the riverbed of the Jingjiang River has been elevating by 7 meters, the bank was also heightened, and therefore, the pagoda was immersed under the bank. The whole pagoda looks like a giant coming from the earth crust. By the side of the pagoda, it still has 87 Han jade Buddhist statues and 102 stone tablets. There are about 2,300 pieces of brick carved with bas-relief of animal and flower images, as well as characters in Han Chinese, Manchu, Tibetan, Mongolian and Hui languages.
Longevity Garden covers more than 16,000 square meters, and the overall architectural style is following that of Ming Dynasty. It consists of Reception Hall, Nine Dragons Wall, Long Corridor, Pavilion for Watching the River and Kwan-yin Kiosk and so on, with about 10,000 trees, including gingko, winter sweet, pomegranate and osmanthus etc.
Magnificent architecture from the Ming Dynasty
The Kwan-yin Water Rock is like a river dam in Jingjiang River. It prevent the flood water comes to the plain area in Jianghan (Hubei Province). Today, it left the historical height scores of Yangtze River’s water level in 1998 and the all time high in Jingjiang River in 1954. In memory of the serious flood of Yangtze River in 1998 and the braveness of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army in rescuing the masses, the Fighting Flood 1998 Pavilion is built near to The Kwan-yin Water Rock.
Baiheliang and Underwater Museum
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 25th, 2009
The old stone carving of three Chinese characters “Bai He Liang” (白鹤梁, literally “White Crane Tablet”) is located in the upper reaches of Yangtze River’s Three Gorges Dam in northeast Fuling city in Chongqing. It is the only state key cultural protection ancient hydrological station and UNESCO praised as the best-preserved ancient hydrological station in the world.
The giant tablet has a length of 1,600 meters and 15 meters width. It only appears above the water in dry season in Yangtze River, i.e., December to March. It is said that in the Tang Dynasty a man had diligently cultivated himself in religion and eventually attained spiritual enlightenment, he sat on a giant crane and flied to the heaven, therefore the stone got its name.
In addition to the three big Chinese characters, there are many articles about ancient hydrological facts and beautiful fish figures carved on Baiheliang, to which they documented the water level of ancient Yangtze River and old fine arts. In 1974, the Chinese delegation presented “Fuling Stone Fish Inscriptions” (涪陵石鱼题刻) to as they attended the International Hydrological Services Conference in Paris. The scientific value of the ancient relics has been recognized internationally. The beautiful stone inscriptions are copied to Fuling People’s Square that give people an opportunity to see the cultural heritage conveniently.
Opened on May 18, 2009, Baiheliang Underwater Museum is an important part of the protection of the old cultural and scientific heritage. It comprises four parts, Underwater Museum, Transportation Corridor, Mound for Anti-collision Underwater and Exhibition Hall on Land. Baiheliang Underwater Museum actually looks like a protective shell for the Baiheliang stone tablet. State-of-the-art lighting facilities are installed in the underwater crystal palace, in which you can walk and view the giant Baiheliang stone tablet by operation a video camera in different angles.
Fengdu – China Ghost City
Posted by act2009 in Tourist Attractions on June 23rd, 2009
Located on the northern bank of Yangtze River’s upper reaches in Chongqing Municipality, Fengdu (in Chinese called 酆都 before 1949 and now 丰都) is a city made famous by the ancient legends of sinister spirits and terrible ghosts that are the essential ingredients in traditional Chinese culture. Of course, human beings fabricated those ghost legends and the hellish atmosphere is man made too. Therefore, Fengdu is China’s ghost city.
By human’s imagination, the Chinese built the Hell Emperor Hall, the Gate of Hell, the Realms of Life and Death, the Eighteen Levels of Hell and so on according to some earthly laws that punish people who have done evils. In the hellish scenes, the gestures and expressions of the ghost figures are very strange, fierce and even horrible. Also, the tools for hell punishment are so terrible. One has the feeling of fear in seeing these stuffs. This is the hell scenery of Fengdu city. When you enter the city through the great gate, you will see the Bridge of Life and Death, which is the must-go passage that people will return to earth from hell. Arriving at the lower mountainside, seeing an ancient house, with three giant Chinese characters – “鬼门关” (The Gate of Hell) in bloody-red-like color background of a plaque. Tianzi Temple on mountaintop is the largest temple there.
Moreover, the Palace of the Ghostly Nation and the Hellish Street in the downtown are all concerning the old stories of ghosts. Traditionally, Chinese think that after people passing away, their souls must visit Fengdu. They are to be judged by the Hell Emperor whether they are good or evil and he will decide where will be the proper place of transmigration for them. If people have done evil during their lifetime, after their death, they will be tortured in hell, and then their appearances will become so terrible. The sinister spirits will come out at night and they will scare the people who did wrong in the daytime.
Don’t be afraid. Apart from the sinister scenes in Fengdu County, it still has beautiful scenery, good-listening sound of flowing streams, brilliantly colored flowers at mountainside and birds’ flying. From Third to Fifteenth Days of the Third Month of Lunar Calendar every year, a temple fair is held. It is rich in ethnic cultural characters and beneficial to local businesses. The fair also adds joyful atmosphere to sinister face!
The Hometown of Wang Zhaojun
Posted by act2009 in Tourist Attractions on June 22nd, 2009
The statue of national heroine, Wang Zhaojun
There are two steles from the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911) in Zigui County, Yichang, one is for Quyuan (屈原), and the other is Wang Zhaojun (王昭君). Actually, Wang Zhaojun’s hometown is located in Xingshan County. There are many sites such as Zhaojun House, dressers and so on. There are 16 steps on the way to dressers. It means Wang Zhaojun had been lived in her hometown for 16 years.
Wang Zhaojun was born in 52 BC and one of the ancient 4 great beauties in China (alongside with Xi Shi, Diao Chan and Yang Gui Fei the concubine). She knew much about playing musical instruments, playing chess, traditional calligraphy and painting when she was very young. She contributed herself to the barbaric and invading Hun for peace and China’s national development. The Hun emperor selected her to be the maid of honor by for her beauty and versatility. It is said that the emperor used to select beauty among those young girls in the royal court by looking of the paintings; hence at that time the imperial painters were bribed by those girls except such an honest lady servant, Wang Zhaojun, and then one of painters, Mao Yanshou, deliberately uglified her and caused her to lose favoritism. In 33 BC, emperor of Hun wanted to marry a girl from the Han Dynasty, and Wang Zhaojun volunteered to be that bride. Before Wang Zhaojun left the capital, the emperor found she was so beautiful and he wanted to change his mind, but he had made decision. The emperor was so angry and he killed the painter. In fact, Wang Zhaojun has been regarded the national heroine in Chinese history.
Baidi Town
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 21st, 2009
Baidi Town architecture
Baidi is a famous small town located near the mouth of Qutang Gorge in Fengjie County, Chongqing Municipality. In the county, boats sailing on the upper reaches of Yangtze River go downstream smoothly. There are ancient Chinese style houses among the dense, green forest, which is on the high hill located on the northern bank of the river. This is Baidi Town in the Three Gorges area.
The east of the town faces the Kuimen Gate (夔门), the west the Eight Battle Formation Diagram and Baidi Town is like a peninsular in Yangtze River. It had also been a place of strategically importance. A legend goes that Gongsun Shu established this small town in late Han Dynasty for storing grains. He wanted to be a king for a long time, so he ordered his servants distributed such an information that there was always white gas emitted from a downtown well, which looked like a white flying dragon (in general, in ancient China the appearance of dragon was an auspicious prediction). Thereafter Gongsun Shu became the King in 25 AD and called himself Baidi (”bai” = white and “di” = emperor) Emperor, so this town was named after him. In 37AD, Liu Xiu, the Founding Emperor of the East Han Dynasty attacked Shu State and Gongsun Shu failed and died. When Gongsun reigned as an emperor, he developed agricultural and water conservancy works, which were benefit to his people. Later, the local established a temple to commemorate him, and this was Baidi Temple.
The Baidi Temple
In 222 AD, Liu Bei failed in the battle against Eastern Wu State in Three-Kingdom period. Since then, Liu Bei was ill until his death. He made up his will and requested his Prime Minister Zhuge Liang to bring up his son. Therefore, Baidi Temple honored Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang with their golden-gilt statues. However, it is quite strange to see without the Baidi emperor, because his statue has been removed during the Ming Dynasty.
The temple also displays cultural relics discovered from the Hanging Coffins in Qutang Gorge, 73 stone tablets of ancient calligraphy and about 1,000 pieces of heritage from different dynasties.
After the completion of the Three Gorges Dam Project, Baidi Town will become an island in Yangtze River due to the increasing level of water. The island will be looked like a heavenly fairyland.
Chibi, Yangtze River tours
Posted by act2009 in Tourist Attractions on June 19th, 2009
The Red Cliff
Chibi (赤壁, literally the Red Cliff) is located in the southeast of Hubei Province and on the south bank of Yangtze River, 36 kilometers to northwest of Chibi city. Chibi is the famous ancient battlefield, where the historic Chibi Battle happened. Between summer and winter of 208 AD, the cooperation of Liu Bei (刘备) on behalf of Shu Kingdom and Sun Quan (孙权) of Wu Kingdom, defeated the northern power, Cao Cao (曹操) of Wei State, with less army than Cao Cao used. The handsome, young and versatile General Zhou Yu (周瑜), born in Lujiang County, Anhui Province, was a historic character in China’s history. He was good at music, tactics, kongfu and writing when he had been the youngest first-rank general in Wu Kingdom with high reputation and respect from government and public, and his wife, Xiao Qiao, was also the most beautiful woman at that time of Wu Kingdom, conducted this great and significant battle and stabilized the basic structure of Three-Kingdom condition.
Chibi is comprised of three hills – Chibi, Nanping (南屏山) and Jinluan Hills (金鸾山). The greenery on the hills and the towers, pavilions and kiosk surrounded by trees give Chibi magnificent beauty. Nowadays, there is a Zhou Yu’s large marble sculpture, and two Chinese characters “Chibi” in red color on the steep cliff were still predominate and they are the best attractions in this site. It is said that Zhou Yu wrote it excitedly and happily when he saw his army burnt the warships of northern power were and the reddish light of fire emitted. It may not be dependable, but we indeed could feel the grandeur and magnificence from these two regular red characters.
Chibi scenery during a Yangtze cruise
Chibi Hill’s southwest is facing the Yangtze River, its slanted cliff is height about 300 meters, with odd and rugged stones, to which the pounding waves of the river hit with thundering sounds. Alongside the two giant Chinese characters “赤壁”, there are the rock-carving figures of Zhuge Liang (诸葛亮, the most mysterious man with endless wisdom, he was able to predict the future, and could chat directly with god), Liu Bei, Guan Yu and Zhang Fei. You may see some stone tablets of Chinese calligraphy as well. On the top of the Chibi Hill, sees the Yijiang Kiosk (Wings over the River). It is said the during the Chibi Battle, Zhuge Liang and Zhou Yu watched the Cao Cao’s forces on the opposite side of Yangtze River on the hill. However, the kiosk we see today was built in later times.
There is the Baifeng Kiosk on the Nanping Hill. It is said that legendary Zhuge Liang “borrowed” the east-wind from the heaven on Seven-star Platform in this hill. A Buddhist convent was on the mountainside of Jinluan Hill but the one we see today is a rebuilt version in 1846. The architectural style gives the atmosphere of grandeur and solemn. It was the former residence of Pang Tong (庞统), who was one of the brains that serves Liu Bei of Shu Kingdom.
Three Gorges Tour – Goddess Peak
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 18th, 2009
Goddess Peak, in Three Gorges, Yangtze River
Goddess Peak (神女峰) is located in the north of Yangtze River, 15 kilometers from east of Wushan County (巫山县). Goddess Peak is actually a giant stone, standing in clouds and fog, so seen from water it seems like a fairy goddess. It has the typical features of ancient beauties in China, hence many poets or essayers wrote a lot of articles to speak highly of her charm and prettiness.
As for the anecdotes or fairy story of Goddess Peak, there are diversified. One is the story, created by Song Yu in his famous article – Ode to Goddess, the pretty goddess had a date with Chuxiangwang (the emperor of ancient Chu State), the other one is that Goddess Yao Ji (瑶姬) intentionally got down from the heaven to the earthly world in order to help Da Yu (大禹) with flood control.
Yao Ji was a fairy princess living in the heaven, but she was very tired of heavenly life, so she traveled the earthly world with her sisters. During their trip, they found 12 evil dragons doing harm by casting devilish spells to the earthly people. So she helped Da Yu to fight the flood, besides, she also managed to present Da Yu a book written about flood control, but she was caught by the sacred soldiers from the heaven before she told how to use this book. Later, she returned to the earthly world with the deadline set by queen. She helped Da Yu succeeded in dredging the rivers between the mountains and gorges. She also fell in love with the three gorges and forgot the deadline. Therefore, she stayed in the earthly world to lead the boats in trouble and did good things to the local, as time went she became a peak forever. Nowadays, travelers visiting Yangtze River’s Three Gorges can always see her prettiness on the peak.
The magnificent scene of Goddess Peak, looking from afar
Sanyou Cave Scenery
Posted by act2009 in Three Gorges on June 17th, 2009
- Sanyou Cave
Sanyou Cave (三游洞) is located 7 kilometers to the northwest of Yichang City. Sanyou is a huge cave on the cliff of the northern peak in Xiling Mountain. It backs on the Three Gorges of Yangtze River and mouth of Xiling Gorge. It is a famous place of interest and important site of protection and preservation. Since Tang and Song Dynasties, many famous Chinese writers and poets visited here Bai Junyi, Yuan Zheng, Ouyang Xiu, Su Xun, Su Shi, and Su Che, to name a few. The well-preserved works contain more than a hundred wall inscriptions and stele carvings other than nearly 60 calligraphy works. They are highly worthy of artistic appreciation and historic value. It is also a revolutionary site. Before 1949, the Taoists in the temple near to the Sanyou Cave were the information tellers of Communist Party of China.
- Chinese inscriptions in the cave
The landscape in Sanyou Cave area is quite dangerous and it concaves, but it is mild in winter and cool in summer. The irregular rectangle cave is about 30 meters deep, 23 meters wide and 9 meters high. It was formed through long history of corrosion by underground water. The stony surface of a certain part in the area had later been collapsed. The geological age is from 500 millions to 600 millions years before present. Inside the cave, the rock surfaces are rugged or cracked, with many eye-catching patterns as well as interesting stuff, such as three stalactite columns, which seem with round cross sections but actually, they are not. They divided the spacious cave into front and back areas. The front is big with inscriptions of old poem on the wall and seemingly well illuminated, while the back is deep, cool and having a small passage that goes to outside. There is a rock bell hanging on the ceiling of the back space, you can hear the actual bronze bell sound if hitting by stone. In this location, you will also hear the drumming sound if you drop a rock onto the ground! Very interesting indeed.
Ticket: 48 RMB.
Transportation: Take bus No. 10 at Yichang’s Yuanjiang Avenue (沿江大道) Bus Station or take a mini bus there, you can get directly to Sanyou Cave area.
Shibao Stockade Village
Posted by act2009 in Tourist Attractions on June 17th, 2009
Magnificent architecture
Shibao Stockade Village (石宝寨) is one of China AAAA scenic areas and one of the state’s cultural protection units, located in Yuyin Mountain of northern bank of Yangtze River in Zhong County (忠县), 278 kilometers apart from downtown Chongqing. It stands out as a high hill that looks like a blunt sword extending up on the flat ground. It is said that in ancient times Nv Wa (女娲), who was the creator of human beings, resided here to make colorful stones by casting fairy spells to repair the broken sky. She left a piece of rock. Locals regarded this was the treasure stone, so Shibao meant treasure stone.
It has a tower with 12 floors, of which the top three levels were added in 1956. The tower is made of wood with a height of 56 meters. Its architectural style and surroundings make it looks like a heavenly building. Hence, it is taken as one of world’s eight architectural miracles.
The village was built in the Ming Dynasty about 400 years ago. Tan Hong’s Uprising (谭宏起义) in late Ming Dynasty took this as their base. Therefore, the name of Shibao came from this. Shibao tower is one of several high wooden buildings left in China nowadays; also, a typical and symbolic building characterizes China’s southern folk architectural techniques. In 1979, the village was opened to tourists for sightseeing purposes. Climb to the top of the Shibao tower and command the panoramic view of the majestic Yangtze River will be an overwhelming travel experience.
Great view of the majestic Yangtze River
During the climbing, you will see stone carvings, painted images and poem inscriptions, all about ancient Buddhist religion. On the top, 1,200 square meters of area and 230 meters above sea level, you may feel like you are in a paradise. Just see the clear sky above and you will forget what you are.
The ancient temple carved the images of Nv Wa repairing the sky story. In the backyard of the temple, a large piece of stone with a hole which size looks like a common cup. It is said that after building the Buddhist temple, the stone hole would flow out some amount of rice, which was for daily meals of monks resided in the temple. It was also called the stone of treasure. However, some greedy monks made the hole bigger by digging. The Buddha punished them and the hole was no longer to provide rice. Therefore, greedy is an evil.
The Dazu Rock Carvings
Posted by act2009 in Tourist Attractions on June 16th, 2009
The Dazu Rock Carvings
The Dazu Rock Carvings (大足石刻, Da Zu Shi Ke in Chinese), mostly about ancient Buddhist stories, were first built in 650 AD in the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907) and to the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644) and the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1911). They are the best examples in traditional Chinese rock carvings. Located in Beishan Mountain (北山, literally the North Hill), 1.5 kilometers to the north of Dazu County in Chongqing Municipality, the mountain has a 300 meters long line of stone carving images. It is the main part of the Dazu Rock Carvings – listed in UNESCO’s World Heritage and one of China’s key cultural protection units. Today, we can find over 4,600 Buddhist stone statues, among which there are 264 in Buddhist grottos, 1 mural and 8 sutra buildings. Dazu Rock Carvings is as famous as the Dunhuang Mogao Grotto in northwest China.
The Six Realms of Reincarnations in Buddhism
The rock carvings, Chinese characters of inscriptions and epigraphs collection in Beishan, Baodingshan, Nanshan, Shimenshan and Shizhuanshan here in Dazu County are of the highest artistic attainment and demonstrate the most exquisite skills. Taoist and the Confucian stone figures can also be seen. Therefore, the Dazu has been reputed as the “county of rock carving” and it covers a history of 1,230 years since it came into existence in 758 AD during the Tang Dynasty.
Admission: A joint ticket is 120 RMB, 80 RMB and 60 RMB for Baodingshan and Beishan areas respectively, and 5 RMB for either Nanshan or Shimenshan. Free for students during May Day and National Day holidays, half price for any other time of the year.
Buddhist image
Transportation: From Chongqing, you can take bus that as far as Dazu County, fare about 40 RMB. It is cost much higher when you start at Chengdu (about 100 RMB). When you arrive at Dazu County you can walk or take a taxi to Beishan Rock Carvings. In Dazu County, mini-bus is available in downtown Dazu County that as far as Baodingshan, for just 3 RMB.
Food: Pork Pieces with Eggplants and Sichuan Style Stew Pork are best dishes for travelers to taste local cuisine. Strong, spicy flavor may not be suitable for everyone, but you can try a little bit. You just have to spend 2 or 3 RMB only to sample some spicy snacks.
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