China tour guide

Protected Sites:Machangyuan Site

2006-12-18T15:45:00.000+08:00

Machangyuan Site is located in Minhe County of Qinghai Province.

Machangyuan Site, lying in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, comprises the ruins of the Majiayao Culture of the late Neolithic Age. First discovered in the autumn of 1924, the site dates back to 2200-2000BC, according to archaeological studies.

Two tombs were unearthed during the 1924 excavation, including four pieces of colored pottery. One of the items, decorated with four big ring-shaped patterns, is an earthen jar with a small mouth, wide shoulders and two ears. Two others are double-eared pots adorned with vertical and horizontal lines. The remaining piece a bowl decorated with colored patterns in the shape of lightening bolts inside. The discovered tombs had been severely damaged.

Such wares were usually made of coarse pottery and have simple decorations, such as red and black stripes or red stripes with black edges -- most of them homochromous. Apart from striped patterns, decorations also include spiral or diamond patterns.

Protected Sites:City Site in the State of Loulan

2006-12-18T15:43:00.002+08:00

The Ancient City of Loulan is located on the west banks of the Lop Nur Lake in Ruoqiang County, Bayinguole in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The city occupied a very significant position on the Silk Road leading to the West during the Han Dynasty (206BC-AD220) and played an important role in promoting cultural exchanges between the East and the West. However, the city was later swallowed up by the desert. There are no historical documents recording the exact location of the ancient city, which has been buried for thousands of years. Reputed as the Pompeii in the desert, the city became a mystery of Chinese history.

In the spring of 1900, the Swedish explorer Sven Hedin accidentally discovered a huge Buddhist pagoda and the ruins of an ancient city that proved to be the Ancient City of Loulan. In 1979 and 1980, Xinjiang archaeologists carried out many excavations at the site.

The Ancient City of Loulan is located 89"55"-89"22" east longitude and 40"45"-40"55" north latitude. The city is an irregular square shape with the east wall stretching along 333 meters; the south wall, 329 meters; and the west and north walls, 327 meters each. There are gaps in the center of the south and north walls that were probably used as gates.

The tallest construction inside the city is a 10.4-meter-high Buddhist pagoda in the east of the city. The pagoda was built using adobe mixed with timber and has a square-shaped base about 19.5 meters long on each side. Five kilometers northwest of the ancient city is a 12-meter-high beacon tower made of clay and timber.

The most special construction site inside the city is the three-room site located in the middle. These three rooms are the only structures made from adobe. Sitting in the north and facing south, the rooms have wooden houses at their east and west ends. With traces of red paint, some of the timbers are 6.4 meters long. The rooms' location and the architectural style suggest they were the site of the Loulan government office.

The constructions in the residential area southwest of the city have long perished. There is an ancient tunnel, however, stretching from the east to the west through the compound which archeologists believe served as a water source for Loulan residents.

Ruins of Buddhist temples, a beacon fire and tombs were also unearthed around the city, including a large number of cultural relics, such as a 5-zhu coin (24 zhu=1 liang, or 0.05 kilograms) from the Han Dynasty, coins from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), remnants of bamboo slips with Han and Khatoshthi characters, silk and wool fabrics, lacquers, wooden wares, jade ware, bronze ware and fragments of glass ware. Many excavated items, which were not made in the Central Plain areas, provide important materials for the study of the transportation and cultural exchanges between the East and the West, as well as the historical relationship between border areas and China's inland.

Protected Sites: Liulihe Site

2006-12-18T15:43:00.001+08:00

Liulihe Site is located on the mesa on the banks of the Dashi River, 1.5 kilometers north of Liulihe Town in Fangshan District, Beijing.

As an important site of the early Western Zhou Dynasty (11th century-771 BC), Liulihe was first discovered by Chinese archaeologists in the 1940s. Excavations at the site were carried out in 1973.

The site covers an area of about 500 square meters, with remnants of the north wall topping 800 meters in length and the east and 300 meters along the west walls. The wall, built with solid tampered earth, is about 10 meters wide. Surrounded with an outside moat, the city has a large number of densely distributed foundations inside. A noble burial area stretches across the southeast of the city, covering an area of over 50,000 square meters. To date, over 200 tombs of nobles have been unearthed, including tombs containing bodies that were buried with the dead and pits with vehicles and horses. Also unearthed at the site are various cultural relics, including bonze, jade and bone ware. Most of the bronze ware display carved inscriptions.

The Liulihe Site, as the ruins of the capital of the Yan State in the early Western Zhou Dynasty, provides important material for the study of the early history of the Yan State.

Protected Sites:Fossil Site of Lama Ape Man

2006-12-18T15:42:00.001+08:00

The Fossil Site of the Lama Ape man is located on Miaoshan Mountain in Shihuiba Village, nine kilometers northeast of Lufeng County in Yunnan Province.

The site covers an area of over 20,000 square meters, with a fossil deposit about five meters thick. Many excavations were carried out at the site between 1975 and 1982 where over 1,000 Lama Ape man and Xiwa Ape man fossils were unearthed. Among the fossils are skulls, jawbones, limb bones and teeth, including a near-complete jawbone with 12 teeth (frontal teeth, canines and premolars). Also unearthed at the site are fossils of over 10 species of animals, such as three-toed horse, rhinoceros and antelope.

The first skull fossil of the Lama Ape man was discovered on April 9, 1980. The Lama Ape man was the transitional form in the evolution from ape to man, and possessed many features of early, primitive man. Dating back over 8 million years, the Lama Ape man was reputed as the ancestor of human beings. The discovery of the Lama Ape-man filled the gap in the evolutionary process between the Kaiyuan Ape man that existed 15 million years ago and the Yuanmou Man of 1.7 million years ago. The discovery provides important insight into the study of the Ape Man's position in the evolutionary cycle and the time and place of human origin.

Protected Sites:Juyan Site

2006-12-18T15:40:00.000+08:00

Juyan Site spreads across Jinta County of Gansu Province and the Erjina Banner of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Juyan is the site of the beacon towers and walls of the frontier fortress under Ju Yan and Jian Shui of the Zhangye prefecture during the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). The frontier fortress stretches from the northeast to the southwest, with a total length of about 250 kilometers. Built in 102BC, it was abandoned in the late Eastern Han (25-220). The frontier fortress acted as a strategic pathway to the West and a barrier along the Gansu Corridor. It also played an important role in severing the connection between the Huns and the Qiangs, and held a special position in the Han strategy towards the Huns.

During excavations in 1930, over 10,000 bamboo and wooden slips were unearthed from the Han Dynasty. Between 1972 and 1976, another 20,000 slips were unearthed at the Pochengzi Jiaqu Palace Site, the fourth beacon-fire tower ruins of the Jiaqu and Jianshui Jinguan Site. These three sites all have their own special features, providing important clues to forming a comprehensive understanding of the architectural style of beacon-fire towers of the Han Dynasty.

The Pochengzi Jiaqu Palace Site comprises constructions of the Zhang and Wu, both located in the northwest. Covering an area of 23.3 square meters, the small castle contains houses, kitchen ranges and sties. Unearthed cultural relics include bows, arrows, bronze arrowheads and armor, together with iron farm implements, tools and various daily articles.

The fourth beacon tower of Jiaqu is very large; it has a remnant 3.4 meters high. The cone-shaped tower is made of tampered earth on an eight-meter-long base on each side. In the southwest corner of the beacon tower is a kitchen range with a chimney where smoke was released into the sky in emergencies.

The Jianshui Jinguan Site is built on a mountain pass and contains a large number of cultural relics, such as knives, swords and arrowheads; fragments of clothing made of silk, gunny, hide and leather; and torches used for igniting the beacon fire. These findings reflect the military activities of the period.

Han slips found at the site provide a wide range of records that can be applied to many fields, including politics, military affairs, the economy, culture, science and technology, law, philosophy, religion and different ethnic groups. They not only recorded military activities in the Juyan area, but also kept official documents from the mid-Western Han to early Eastern Han periods, providing important materials for the study of Han history and culture.

Protected Sites:Juntai Jun Kiln Site

2006-12-18T15:39:00.000+08:00

The Juntai Jun Kiln Site is located in Yu County of Henan Province.

Jun Kiln was one of the famous Five Kilns of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). Discovered in 1951, the site underwent excavations in 1962 and 1973 that identified the area as a kiln site which made pottery for the imperial palace. The site flourished during the reign of Emperor Huizong of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127).

Jun Kiln spreads over a vast area topping 300,000 square meters with densely distributed kilns. It served as a workshop that was operated by the local government. To date, 11 stoves were unearthed, including workshop sites and ash pits. The stoves were arranged in a line with the workshop at the center, ensuring the whole working procedure ran smoothly. The structure of the stove and baking method facilitated heating control and enabled the temperature to reach 1,200 C.

Potteries from the site come in many varieties, such as Jun porcelain, Ru porcelain, Yingqing porcelain, Tianmu porcelain and others with white backgrounds and black patterns. The wares are bright and elegantly designed, with a smooth glaze.

The glaze color was also varied, including sky-blue, pea-green, pale-blue, mauve, dark-blue and off-white hues. Most of the wares have natural cracks on the surface. Flowerpots come in an array of shapes, including the sunflower, lotus flower, Chinese flowering crabapple, hexagon, square and rectangle. Other items include bowls, pots, stoves and earthen bowls.

Jun Kiln made its debut in the early Northern Song period and flourished in the late Northern Song. It is famous for its bronze-red glaze, which was an innovation of pottery making in ancient China. During the Jin (1115-1234)-Yuan (1271-1368) period, workshops around the country competed to perfect the wares made at the Jun Kiln. The kiln gradually declined after the Yuan Dynasty and stopped making pottery during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). It resumed production after the foundation of the new China.

Apart from the Juntai Jun Kiln Site, a number of Jun Kiln sites from the Song Dynasty were discovered in Henan Province, but they were on a much smaller scale and operated by locals.

Protected Sites:Jinniushan Site

2006-12-18T15:38:00.000+08:00

The Jinniushan Site is located on an isolated mountain eight kilometers south of Dashiqiao in Yingkou County, Liaoning Province.

Rising about 70 meters above the sea level, the site contains three deposits from the Fourth Age from west to east. During the four excavations carried out between 1974 and 1978, a large number of animal fossils were unearthed along with traces of fire pits, which included burnt bones, earth, charcoal scraps and some chipped stone implements.

In September 1984, some human fossils and fire-pit traces were discovered at the site. The more than 50 human fossils discovered include a nearly complete skull, vertebra, rib, ulna and carpale -- all belonging to a recently matured male. Stoneware unearthed at the Jinniushan Site was mainly made using hammering and smashing techniques. The wares, including scraping and sharp-pointed tools, have a processing technique and style resembling that of the Peking Man period.

An ash layer about 30 centimeters thick was also discovered at the site, containing two sites of round ash heaps on the surface. Inside the heaps was burnt clay and bones, including rabbits, mice and deer bones. Such animals were frequently hunted by primitive humans of that period. The Jinniushan Site is rich in animal fossils and human fossils and its geological age belongs to the mid-Pleistocene Period.

The fossils of primitive humans are not only in large supply, but they are also well preserved. Even the few existing damaged fossils can be restored to their former states, guaranteeing the veracity of the archaeological study. This was the first time that such complete human fossils were unearthed at a single site in China, as well as in the world.

The Jinniushan Man dates back about 280,000 years and is considered more advanced than the Peking Man (closer in intelligence to the Dali Man of the early Homo Sapiens). The findings have provided new evidence for the study of human physical development from primitive human to Homo Sapiens.

Protected Sites :Jiangnu Stone Site

2006-12-18T15:36:00.001+08:00

The Jiangnu Stone Site is located near Bohai Sea in Suizhong County, Liaoning Province.

Before 1982 Jiangnv Stone was known as a group of reefs protruding from the sea. The following year, upon its exploration, the site was identified as a series of ruins from the Qin (221-206BC)-Han (206BC-220AD) period. Full excavation procedures were carried out in April 1984. Of the Jiangnu Stone Coast and another six nearby sites, the Stone Tablet Site is the largest and built one year earlier than the others, which were erected no later than during the early Western Han Dynasty (206BC-8AD).

The Stone Tablet Site is over 500 meters long from south to north and over 260 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of about 150,000 square meters. Surrounded by walls, the site has a tampered-earth high platform with a set of steps built in the central south. The eight-meter-high platform sits in the north and faces the sea in the south, with a series of tampered-earth constructions built on both sides and behind it. The high platform and the densely distributed constructions face the Jiangnv Stone in the sea. The largest Jiangnu Stone -- black in color -- is 24 meters above sea level; 11 meters long from south to north; and eight meters wide from east to west.

Historical records suggest that the Jiangnu Stone was a stone tablet from the Qin-Han period. A number of eaves and tiles carved with Kui (a one-legged monster in Chinese folklore) patterns and huge, hollow bricks were unearthed at the Stone Tablet Site, including some grand buildings and foundations. Since such grand projects were beyond the capacity of ordinary prefectures and are therefore deemed to be imperial palaces. If the Jiangnu Stone was the stone tablet of the Qin-Han period, the site would have probably been where the First Qin Emperor stayed on his inspection tour to the east.

The Heishantou Site lies on a high and open land and comprises three groups of constructions with multiple steps. The constructions were probably the Viewing Sea Platforms where Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty stood when visiting the great stone.

Protected Sites:Site of Ding Kiln in Jianci Village

2006-12-18T15:34:00.004+08:00

The Ding Kiln Site is located in Jianci Village of Quyang County, Hebei Province.

Ding Kiln was a famous site of the Song Dynasty (960-1279). First discovered by the Imperial Palace Museum in 1951, large-scale excavations were conducted by a Hebei cultural relics team at the Ding Kiln Site between 1960 and 1960. The findings indicate that the kiln was built during the late Tang Dynasty (618-907), flourished in the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and declined in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368).

The Ding Kiln was famous for its white pottery wares, mainly shaped into bowls and plates. The ware has an exquisite base and a bright and smooth white glaze that reveals some blackish-yellow or grayish-yellow hues. Most of the wares were decorated with complicated, but clearly arranged prints or carvings depicting various flowers and animals. During the Northern Song Dynasty, the site became one of the important kilns in the north and produced a large number of exquisite wares for the imperial family and feudal officials. Wares made for the imperial family were mainly adorned with dragon-phoenix patterns that employed masterly crafts. Also unearthed at the site were a few black, dark reddish-brown and green-glazed shards.

As an important pottery kiln of the north, the Ding Kiln of Jianci Village greatly influenced the technical development around the country. Hebei, Shanxi as well as the provinces south of the Yangtze River all followed suit, thus forming the Ding Kiln Style. To date the unearthed pottery kilns belonging to the Ding Kiln Style include the Lincheng Kiln of Hebei Province, Longquanwu Kiln of Beijing, a number of kilns from Shanxi Province and Jingdezhen Kiln of Jiangxi Province.

Protected Sites:Site of the Yaozhou Kiln in Huangpu Town

2006-12-18T15:34:00.003+08:00

The Site of the Yaozhou Kiln is located in Huangpu Town of Tongchuan City, Shaanxi Province.

The Yaozhou Kiln was one of the Six Famous Kilns in ancient China and also the main celadon-producing area in the north. It was reputed as the Ten-li Kiln (1 li=1/2 km.) for its grand scale.

Between 1984 and 1986, 14 pottery workshops from the Tang (618-907), Five Dynasties (907-960), Song (960-1279), Jin (1115-1234) and Yuan (1271-1368) periods were unearthed at the site, including 18 stoves, thousands of intact pottery wares and over 30,000 shards. All pottery wares and shards have a solid base of a high pottery content. The wares were adorned with hundreds of patterns, such as landscapes, human figures and flowers. The Yaozhou Kiln wares were painted with a greenish-black glaze to appear bright and smooth, like jade.

Also unearthed at the site are workshops that produced Tang San Cai (tri-colored glazed pottery of the Tang Dynasty) and over 1,000 other wares. Such a large scale indicated that the Yaozhou Kiln was a main base for making Tang San Cai. The long-lost Tang San Cai tiles and dragon decorations were also first unearthed at the site.

The discovery of the Yaozhou Kiln Site provides plenty of materials for the study of the Chinese history of ancient pottery, as well as the political, economical and cultural development of that period. The kiln site is reputed as a natural museum of ancient pottery due to its high academic value.

Protected Sites:Site of the Yaozhou Kiln in Huangpu Town

2006-12-18T15:34:00.001+08:00

The Site of the Yaozhou Kiln is located in Huangpu Town of Tongchuan City, Shaanxi Province.

The Yaozhou Kiln was one of the Six Famous Kilns in ancient China and also the main celadon-producing area in the north. It was reputed as the Ten-li Kiln (1 li=1/2 km.) for its grand scale.

Protected Sites:Site of Hexian Ape Man

2006-12-18T15:33:00.001+08:00

The Site of Hexian ape man is located on the northern slope of Jiangjia Mountain in Taodian Town, Hexian County of Anhui Province.

The site was the deposit of the Cambrian limestone cave where two excavations were carried out in October 1980 and June 1981. Discoveries included a human fossil skull, a section of a mandible, a top bone, an upper frontal bone, 11 molars and a frontal tooth. It was concluded that the fossils belonged to at least three ape men and the skull belonged to a young male who exhibited many typical features of Homo Erectus. The skull of the Hexian Man is generally similar to that of the Peking Man, but a little more advanced. This suggests that Hexian Man lived in the period of late Peking Man.

Moreover, a large number of vertebrate fossils were also unearthed along with the human fossils. According to initial studies, the animal fossils amounted to over 50 species belonging to the Pleistocene Period.

The discovery of Hexian Man provides important materials for the study into the origin and development of human beings, as well as comparing the similarities and differences between primitive humans of the south and the north.

Protected Sites :Gaxian Cave Site

2006-12-18T15:32:00.000+08:00

The Gaxian Cave Site is located 10 kilometers northwest of Alihe Town in the Oroqen Banner of the Hulunbair League in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

The site lies at the eastern foot of the northern peak of the Great Hinggan Mountains. The cave is located on a 100-meter-high granite peak and towers at about 25 meters. The mouth of the cave is shaped like a triangle 12 meters high and 19 meters wide. The cave contains a wide space stretching 92 meters from south to north, 27 to 28 meters east to west and reaching over 20 meters at its highest peak. It covers an area of over 2,000 square meters, resembling a grand hall. To the northwest is an oblique cave nine meters wide, six to seven meters high and 22 meters long. About 11 meters up in the east wall of the grand hall is a five-meter-wide cave that is over 10 meters deep. In the middle of the grand hall lies an irregular natural stone board about 3.5 meters in length and three meters wide, with a 0.5-meter-high stone supporting it that resembles a stone table.

Located about 15 meters to the west wall is a line of stone inscriptions containing 19 rows and 201 characters, written in a style typical of the Northern Dynasties (386-581). The discovery of the Gaxian Cave provides precious archaeological materials for study into the cultural origin of such ethnic groups as the Serbi.

Protected Sites:Erlitou Site

2006-12-18T15:31:00.000+08:00

The Erlitou Site, which dates back about 3,500 to 3,600 years ago, is located along the banks of the Luo River in the south of Erlitou Village in Yanshi County, Henan Province.

Discovered in 1959, the Erlitou Site is rich in a culture typical of the period; Erlitou Culture was, in turn, named after the area.

The site is divided into four periods, each with an area of three square kilometers. Remains of two palaces, a residential area, pottery and bronze workshops, and kilns and tombs were excavated at the site.

One of the palaces, which experts believe provided the foundation for Chinese palace architecture, is square in shape and measures 108 meters from east to west, 100 meters from south to north and 0.8 meters in height. Its front yard covers an area of 5,000 square meters, and winding corridors can be found on all four sides of the site.

Cultural relics, such as bronze ware, jade, pottery, stone, bone and mussel wares were unearthed at Erlitou, including the Jue (an ancient wine vessel with three legs and a loop handle), which, so far, has been the earliest bronze vessel ever excavated in China. The exquisite beast-headed bronze plate embedded with turquoise stones reveals a mastery of the enchasing technique.

According to archaeological studies, the Erlitou Site, which existed during the same period as the Xia Dynasty (21st-16th century BC), provides important material for the study of the Xia culture.

There are two schools of thought regarding the relationship between the Erlitou Site and the Xia culture at present. One says that the first and second periods of the site are the deposits from the Xia culture, while the third and fourth periods are the deposit of Bo Capital of the Shang Dynasty (16th-11th century BC). According to the second theory, the Erlitou Site is the city site of the Late Xia Dynasty.

Protected Sites: Dayao Site

2006-12-18T15:30:00.000+08:00

Dayao Site is located near Dayao Village in the northeast of Hohehot Municipality, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

Lying in the highlands in front of Daqing Mountain, the site comprises two stoneware workshops -- one from the early Paleolithic Age and the other from the late Paleolithic Age. The Inner Mongolia Museum team carried out the first excavation at the site in 1976, and the second followed in October 1978.

Many large flint stones were unearthed in the early Paleolithic workshop, where pieces of chipped stone gallets, broken fragments and stone blocks were scattered around the site. There are some stone gallets typical of the age and a few well-shaped stone implements.

At the late Paleolithic site are many typical gallets and stone kernels, and a few stone implements, most of which are semi-manufactured or left over. The stone implements are simply designed and only a few varieties include chopping, sharp-pointed and scraping tools. Among the most common scraping tools, the tortoise-back-shaped ones are the most particular: they have a thick back shaped like that of a tortoise. These tools, typical of the age, can be used for skinning, slicing meat and processing leather.

The discovery of the Dayao Site provides important, concrete materials for the study of the stone-manufacturing process and crafts from the Paleolithic Age in China.

Protected Sites: Site of Celadon Kiln at Longquan

2006-12-18T15:29:00.000+08:00

The site of the Longquan Kiln spreads across the Lishui area and its surrounding counties, including Wuyi, Yongjia, Wencheng and Taishun in Zhejiang Province.

The Longquan Kiln is one of the most famous celadon kilns in southern ancient China. Kiln sites are densely distributed in Longquan County (over 300). Sites containing porcelain of better quality are concentrated in Dayao Village, which was regarded as the center of the Longquan kilns. Hence, the kilns of that area are generally known as the Longquan Kilns.

The Longquan Kiln is located in the upper reaches of the Ou River in south Zhejiang Province. The county is abundant in porcelain, clay and pinewood, which was used for baking porcelain.

The Longquan Kiln was implemented in the early Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) and reached its peak during late Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). During the Northern Song and Southern Song period, the kiln mainly produced daily commodities, such as plates, bowls and kettles. Such wares adopted high techniques: enchasing flowers supplemented with dots and waves and floating clouds. The glaze used on Longquan wares was thin and of a cyan hue mixed with yellow.

During mid-Southern Song period, stoves, bottles and statues appeared in various patterns. Most of the decorations consisted of carved flowers, and the insides of bowls were adorned with cloud carvings. With its thin, almost translucent glaze, the kiln's technique had its own characteristics. Some of the most famous representatives include the pale, blue-glazed and plum, green-glazed wares that were created during the late Southern Song period. Wares from this period were rich in variety, including the ones imitating jade or bronze wares.

Due to the popularity of large wares, it was during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) that the kiln's technique experienced a great breakthrough. Following the mid-Ming (1368-1644) period, a large number of technicians moved away from the Longquan Kiln due to the thriving porcelain industry around the country, especially with the development of the porcelain capital, Jingdezhen, which triggered the decline of the Longquan Kiln.

Protected Sites:Dadiwan Site

2006-12-18T15:28:00.000+08:00

The Dadiwan Site is located in the east of Nacun Village in Wuying Town, Qin'an County of Gansu Province.

Located about 45 kilometers from the county, the Dadiwan Site covers an area of over 360,000 square meters. The Gansu archaeological team carried out a six-year excavation project at the site from 1978 to the end of 1983, having unearthed over 200 house sites, 30 kilns and 8,000 pieces of cultural relics. According to the excavation data, Dadiwan is a site of the Neolithic Age that dates back 4,000 to 7,500 years ago.

Cultural relics found at the Dadiwan Site trace the development of manufacturing techniques as they evolved from the crude to the delicate. Early stone tools were simple, chipped implements, and only a select few were cut and polished. In the middle period, species and quantity increased along with technical development, resulting in cut and polished tools. In the late period, more complex and larger, more specialized and polished implements appeared, along with bone ware.

The technical development of pottery ware is more obvious. Among the unearthed pottery are red, gray and other ancient painted items made of clay pottery and sand pottery to form jars, pots, bottles, cups and wine vessels. Such items were painted with rope patterns and line shapes. Colored pottery includes such patterns as broad strips, arcs, triangles, stripes, fish, birds and geometric shapes composing dots, lines and arcs. Among the amaranth, black and white pieces, the round-bottomed pots with fish patterns and items embossed with three human figures are the most precious. The markings etched on a few wares provide new clues into the study of the origin of Chinese characters.

Most early house sites are half-pits that assume a round shape with a diameter of two to three meters, containing a small fireplace inside. Among the houses from the middle period are structures built on the ground besides half-pits with enlarged areas. In such houses the grounds were paved with small stones. During the late period, houses were mainly built on the ground and on a comparably large scale. The F405 House, for example, is about 14 meters in length and 11 meters wide, covering an area of about 150 square meters. It has a large room in the center and two small rooms on either side, with three doors open in each room. The remaining walls range from 0.1 to 0.9 meters in height. Over 100 wooden pillars were erected in the rooms, and 24 pillars stand near the walls for support. A huge kitchen ranging from 2.34 meters in diameter and 0.6 meters in height stands in the center of the hall. Its floor is smooth and solid with a thickness of 0.2 meters and paved with small stones mixed with earth. In another house, the floor contains charcoal drawings of human figures and animals.

The Dadiwan Site is rich in cultural relics and its layering of various cultures is clear and long-lasting. It is among the few Neolithic sites with a systemic chronicle sequence in east Gansu and the upper reaches of the Wei River, which plays a key role in archaeological study.

Protected Sites: Cishan Site

2006-12-18T15:27:00.000+08:00

The Cishan Site spreads across the mesa on the northern banks of the Luo River, southwest of Wu'an County in Hebei Province.

Discovered in 1973, Cishan is the earliest site of the Neolithic Age found in North China. Preceding the Yangshao Culture, the site dates back to 5400 to 5100 BC. It is of key importance to the study of Yangshao Culture, as well as the cultural deposit of the Neolithic period. Owning to its unique features, the Cishan Culture was named after the site. To date, over 10 Cishan Culture sites were discovered in the central southern areas of Henan Province.

Agriculture was the main form of production back then. Two half-pit foundations surrounded by over 460 kilns, 80 of which were stored with carbonized millet, were discovered at the site. The millet deposits in some kilns were piled up over two meters high. Production tools, such as stone axes, knives, sickles, shovels and millstones used for grain processing, were spread around the site. People of that period learned how to raise livestock, such as chicken, pigs and dogs. Moreover, economic activities like fishing and collecting food also held an important position in people's lives.

A crucial feature of the Cishan Culture is its pottery making. Mainly red potteries mingled with sand were found in great varieties, including cups, bowls, plates, earthen bowls, three-legged wares, double-ear pots and jars. These items were decorated using rope or by etching patterns into the surface. Such crude techniques, however, were inferior to those used by the Yangshao Culture.

Protected Sites: Chuandong Site

2006-12-18T15:26:00.000+08:00

The Chuandong Site is located on an isolated mountain, five kilometers west of Puding County, Guizhou Province.

The limestone cave was named Chuandong (through cave) due to its passage from the south end to the north end. Located 26 meters above ground, the cave was formed on the 87-meter-high mountainside and measures nine meters in height, 13 meters in width and 18 meters in length from the inside. First discovered in the autumn of 1978, the site was excavated by the Guizhou Museum team in May 1979. Over 100 relics were unearthed, including stone, bone and fossils. According to scientific studies, the site dates back over 10,000 years to the late Paleolithic Age.

In 1981 and 1983, the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Science and the Guizhou Museum jointly carried out excavations at the site and unearthed over 10,000 old stone implements, such as axes, hammers and knives, including over 1,000 polished bone implements. Also discovered at the site was a large number of fossils of over 10 mammal species, such as deer, porcupine, bear and tiger, including fire sites. Moreover, the excavation team unearthed about 100 human fossils, including a complete skull, mandibles, thighbones, and teeth, etc.

The most representative relics discovered at the Chuandong Site are the polished bone implements, such as needles, mallets and shovels. So many bone implements, made in such varieties and with such high craftsmanship, are seldom seen in China. The relics, therefore, provide precious raw materials for the study of the type, use and craft of bone implements used during the Chinese Paleolithic period.

Protected Sites: Tongguan Kiln Site in Changsha

2006-12-18T15:25:00.000+08:00

The Tongguan Kiln Site spreads over an area of about five kilometers from Tongguan Town to Shizhu Lake in Wangcheng County of Changsha City, Hunan Province.

The site is one of the important kiln sites of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) in China. The 13 remaining kilns at the site are mainly scattered throughout Lan'anzui, Wazhaping, and Lanjiapo. Two excavations were carried out in 1965 and 1978.

A large number of unearthed color-glazed ware proved that the technique was incorporated no later than the Tang Dynasty. The pottery comes in a large variety, and is both exquisitely shaped and practical. The pieces are decorated with green-colored patterns depicting human figures, animals, plants and natural landscapes and reflecting the masterly crafts of pottery making from the Tang period. Moreover, most of the items have inscribed poems or other scripts -- an important feature of the pieces unearthed at the Tongguan Kiln Site.

Although Tongguan Kiln porcelain was popular around the Jianghuai area, it was also discovered in Japan, Korea and Indonesia. Museums in Britain, the United States and Sweden also have such collections from the Tongguan Kiln. The discovery of the Tongguan Kiln is of great importance to the study of China's porcelain history.

Protected Sites: Beiting Ancient City Site

2006-12-18T15:24:00.001+08:00

The Beiting Ancient City is located in Hubaozi, about 12 kilometers north of Jimusaer County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The city, developed from Tingzhou City of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), was a town of military importance in North China until its desolation in the early Ming (1368-1644).

In 1820 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Chinese scholar Xu Song carried out the first site study and discovered some precious cultural relics, such as stone tablets from the Tang Dynasty. Between 1979 and 1980, the Archaeological Research Institute of the Chinese Social Science Academy discovered a large number of clay statues and exquisite frescos at a Buddhist temple site from the Gaochang Huihu period , about 700 meters north of the city.

The ancient city was built on a large scale, assuming an irregular oblong shape. The inner city is located in the northeast part of the central outer city. The outer city has a perimeter of 4,596 meters, while the inner one measures 3,003 meters. The 10-meter-high city walls were built with tampered earth about eight to 12 meters thick. The city is surrounded by military defense works, such as the city moat. Original constructions from within the city no longer exist, with the exception of three damaged city-wall bases and nine other dilapidated sites, two of which are temples.

According to analyses, the outer city was built during the Zhenguan reign of the Tang Dynasty (627-649), while the inner city was built during the Gaochang Huihu period, A large number of cultural relics from the Tang period were unearthed at the site, including flat and round tiles, square bricks with lotus-flower patterns, bronze official seals, bronze lions, stone lions, bronze mirrors, stone balls, pipes and porcelain wares.

Protected Sites: Beiting Ancient City Site

2006-12-18T15:24:00.000+08:00

The Beiting Ancient City is located in Hubaozi, about 12 kilometers north of Jimusaer County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The city, developed from Tingzhou City of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), was a town of military importance in North China until its desolation in the early Ming (1368-1644).

Protected Sites:Dongjing City Site of the Northern Song Dynasty

2006-12-18T15:21:00.000+08:00

The Dongjing City Site of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127) is located near Kaifeng City in Henan Province.

Dongjing City, also known as Bianjing or Bianliang, was the capital city during the Northern Song Dynasty. Recent archaeological excavations have revealed the overall arrangement of Bianjing Ancient City, which consisted of three parts: the outer city, inner city and palace.

Square in shape, the outer city is 7.5 meters long from south to north and 7 kilometers wide from east to west with 13 gates and seven floodgates. The city was surrounded by a famous moat named the Dragon Protection Moat over 30 meters wide.

The palace, also known as the imperial city, sits inside the inner city. According to historical records, the imperial city had a perimeter of five li (1 li=1/2 km). In the grand palace are pavilions, terraces and towers with carved beams and columns. The city gates were painted red and have gild nails; they are decorated with flying dragons, phoenixes and floating clouds. The palace can be divided into three sections: the south, middle and north. The central government was located in the south part and included over 3,000 houses. The middle section was designated for the emperor to meet with officials. And the northern section was the imperial harem. Such an arrangement with three rings of cities was imitated by architects of the Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1840) Dynasties, and had a great influence on city constructions of later generations.

Protected Sites: Ang'angxi Site

2006-12-18T15:04:00.000+08:00

Ang'angxi Site is located near Ang'angxi Town in Qiqihaer City, Heilongjiang Province.

There is a large dune area located at the site near Ang'angxi Town. To date cultural relics were unearthed in four dunes. Tombs were discovered at the excavations in 1928 and 1930. After the foundation of the new China, a large number of fine stoneware and pottery were discovered at the site along with some ash pits and more tomb sites. The site belongs to the Neolithic Age during both the early and late periods.

Stoneware unearthed at the site can be grouped into three categories: fine stone implements, large chipped-stoneware and polished ware. Of the stoneware, the fine stone implements were most abundant, including arrowheads, sharp-pointed ware, scraping ware, knife-shaped tools and trapezoid-shaped gallets. Stone arrowheads were made of chert and stone marrow. The trapezoid-shaped gallet was embedded in the knife handle. Polished ware included knives and plates.

Bone ware mainly consisted of spearheads and fish darts -- the longest measuring about 16.4 centimeters. Such fishing tools tied to the end of the spear are very common at the Ang'angxi Site. Also many animal bones were unearthed at the site, indicating that fishing played an important role in people's lives back then.

Pottery discovered at the site was made by hand in a simple style. The underdeveloped pottery craft probably resulted from the period's backward agriculture.

Protected Sites: Zhoukoudian Site

2006-12-18T15:00:00.000+08:00

The Zhoukoudian Site is located on Dragon Bone Hill at Zhoukoudian Village in Fangshan District of Beijing.
In 1918, a site of ancient animal fossils was discovered in Zhoukoudian by Antson, a Swedish geologist and archaeologist appointed as the consultant by the then Northern Warlords ruling government. In 1921, Antson and an Austrian paleontologist, guided by local people, discovered more fossil deposits on the north slope of the Dragon Bone Hill, known as the Zhoukoudian first site, where they found two fossil teeth of human being. In 1927, Swedish paleo-vertebrate zoologist B. Bulin and Chinese geologist Li Jie led a large-scale excavation in the first site. On December 2, 1929, Chinese renowned archaeologist Pei Wenzhong independently launched another excavation and discovered the first skull fossil of ape man which was named as the Peking Man. It was identified as being at least 600,000 years old. The news of finding the Peking Man shocked the academic circle around the world. In the following excavations, a number of relics of stone tools and sites where Peking Man used fire were discovered on the Dragon Bone Hill. The study on these findings indicates that Peking Man lived about 690,000 years ago and could walk erectly. They lived on hunting animals, could make and use coarse stone tools and learned how to use fire to cook food. Peking Man lived in the early Paleolithic period.

Before the discovery of Peking Man, Neanderthal Man and Boxgrove Man found in Germany as well as Java Man had not received recognition from the world's academic circle. Even evolutionists had not reached a unanimous conclusion on the origin of human beings and the role those fossils played in the evolution process. The discovery of Peking Man's skull fossil, stone tools and fire-using sites solved the controversy over the existence of erected man and basically determined the sequence of human evolution, providing strong evidence to the theory of from ape to man.

So far, bone segments from the bodies of about 40 humans have been excavated in the Zhoukoudian Site, with which the Peking Man's basic features can be restored. Besides, a total number of over 100, 000 stones tools and fossils of vertebrate have also been discovered in the site. Relic site of such richness is seldom seen in the world.

Fossils of primitive men living 18,000 years ago were excavated under the leadership of Mr. Pei Wenzhong in 1933 and were named Upper Cave Man fossils. The Upper Cave Man had primitive Mongoloid features, with well-developed intelligence. Bone needles and various ornaments were also excavated at the place together with the earliest burial ground in China. Study proves that the Upper Cave Man not only were experienced in hunting and fishing but also knew how to use bone needle to make up fell clothes and learned comparatively advanced technique to make ornaments. The rudiments of primitive religion came into being at this time. The Upper Cave Man entered into the late Paleolithic period.

When the Pacific War broke out in December 1941, a large number of fossils of Peking Man and Upper Cave Man and stone tools excavated in the Zhoukoudian Site were shipped away by Americans. These precious cultural relics have not been found since then, making it a big unsettled case that draws the world's attention.

Protected Sites: Zhengzhou Shang City Site

2006-12-18T14:58:00.000+08:00

The Shang City Site is located in Zhengzhou City and its suburbs, Henan Province.

As an ancient city with a history of over 3,000 years, Zhengzhou City is abundant in cultural relics. Among countless relics underground, the site of Zhengzhou Shang City is one of the important excavations in Chinese archaeological history. Discovered by Henan cultural work team in 1950, the site is of great significance to the cultural study of the Shang Dynasty (17^th- 11^th century BC). Excavated data proved that the existing period of the Shang City is earlier than that of Yin Ruin in Anyang, the site of the capital city of the late Shang Dynasty.

The site occupies an area of 25 square kilometers, with the grand-scale city in the center. Shaped in a near-perfect rectangle, the city was encircled with tall rampart on four sides. The city site has a perimeter of 7 kilometers and its remained wall is 5 meters at the highest with a base of 32 meters at the widest. A number of construction foundations, large or small, were discovered in the 400,000-square-meter open area at the northeast part of the city site, with the largest one over 2,000 square meters and smallest one about 100 square meters. Most of those foundations are in the shape of rectangle with orderly arranged holes and some have base stones. Here is probably a group of palaces, for ornaments such as bronze pipe, jade pipe and pieces of jade have been excavated near the foundations. In this palace site, an entrenchment, about 1.4 meters long and 0.9 meters deep, stretches from south to north. In the 15-long excavated entrenchment, over 100 skulls have been discovered, most of which were cut into half. On the hillock in the northeast palace area, 8 sacrificial pits for dogs have been excavated. Some of these pits have people and dogs buried together, which ought to be the sites of sacrificial rites.

Handicraft workshops, residential quarters, and burial ground are located outside the city. Handicraft workshops comprise copper-smelting works, pottery making area, and workshop for making bone objects. Outside the western wall and in the southeast city are two cellars are stored with a large number of bronze vessels for the imperial family. All of these bronze relics are elaborate works, such as the Duling Tripod of 1 meter high and 86.4 kilograms in weight, which is the largest piece of bronze ware relic of the early Shang found in the world.

Numerous cultural relics excavated in the vast Shang City Site, especially the discovery of city walls and palace area, proved that here is the capital city site of Shang. Some scholars believe that the city was the Ao Capital set up by King Zhong Ding of the mid Shang period, while others deem that it is the Bo Capital established by King Cheng Tang of the early Shang. Although the controversy has not been settled, the city site is anyhow an important basis for research into Shang culture and provides concrete data on the formation and development of the slave society of Shang and the Chinese ancient city as well.

Protected Sites:Zheng Han Ancient City

2006-12-18T14:57:00.000+08:00

The Zheng Han Ancient City is located at the joint of the Shuangji River and the Yellow River near the city gate of Xinzheng City in Henan Province.
The Zheng Han Ancient City is the site of the capital city of the Zheng State and the Han State. During the late Western Zhou period (11^th century - 771BC), the Zheng State established its capital here. After the Han state overthrew the Zheng State in 375BC, it moved its capital there. The capital city was abandoned when the Qin State conquered the Han State in 230BC. Once acting as the capital of Zheng and Han states for over 500 years, the site was named as Zheng Han Ancient City. Excavation conducted by Henan provincial museum in 1964 gave a rough picture of the city site.

The city is of no regular shape. The well-preserved city wall is 19 kilometers in perimeter, the average height of which is about 10 meters above the ground with the highest point at 18 meters. A wall inside divided the ancient city into eastern and western parts.

The western part is a palace, 2,400 meters wide from east to west and 4,300 meters long from north to south. A large foundation was discovered in the city together with a cellar that had 5 wells inside. Some scholars believe the basement is for food storage.

The eastern part is the outer city, with the north wall of 1800 meters long, the east wall of 5,100 meters and the south wall of 2,900 meters. The west wall acted as a partition, and the only city gate was found in the east wall. Various workshops were distributed inside the city, with copper-smelting workshops occupying an area of over 100,000 square meters, bone-making workshops of 7,000 square meters, and iron-casting of 40,000 square meters. More over, a number of iron wares and pottery models were unearthed inside the city, together with over 180 copper weapons, most of which were made under the governmental supervision.

In the south part of the palace and the southwest of the outer city was the buried ground of nobles living in the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC). In the autumn of 1923, about 100 objects were excavated in one of the tombs, including bell, tripod caldron, wine vessel, kettle, washing utensil, food vessel, plate, stove, and bronze equipments such as weapon, vehicle equipment and decoration on horse. Among these copper vessels were a set of nine Dalao Tripod Caldron, a set of seven Tripod Caldron, together with 8 copper food vessels, in accordance with the rite system stated in the Book of Rites. Judged from these objects, the owner of this tomb should be a high-ranking noble in the Zheng State. Differing from other vessels in the same tomb, the inscription, shape and patterns of the unearthed Wangziying Stove have distinct features as that of Chu vessels. According to recent researches, the stove was believed to be made under the order of Zichong, a high military official of the Chu State, and abandoned by Chu troops after they were defeated by Zheng troops in the Duling Battle fought in the 16^th year (575BC) of the Chenggong reign of Lu State.

The most famous one among the unearthed copper vessels is a Lotus-Crane Square Pot, with its bottom carved into the shape of two rushing beasts, layer upon layer of lotus petals carved on the lid, and a crane with spreading wings standing in the petals. The artistic sculpture broke the dignified and peculiar tradition adopted since Shang and Zhou dynasties and became the representative work of new style bronze vessels created in Spring and Autumn Period. Most excavated vessels are now collected and exhibited in Henan provincial museum.

Protected Sites:Ancient Handan City of Zhao State

2006-12-18T14:53:00.000+08:00

The Ancient Handan City of the Zhao State is located in Handan City, Hebei Province.

As the capital of the Zhao State in the Warring States Period (475-221BC), Handan City was one of the most prosperous cities of its time. The earliest record of Handan was in the Guliang Commentaries to Spring and Autumn Annals: the city was first the territory belonging to the Wei State, then to the Jin State, and finally to the Zhao State after the Jin was divided up by three states. The city remained the capital of Zhao after Duke Jing moved here in 386BC till Zhao was conquered by the Qin State, lasting 8 generations in 159 years. Historical stories, such as return the jade to the Zhao State , learn how Handan people walk, peace between the general and the prime minister, and besiege Wei to rescue Zhao, all happened during this period.

After careful survey in 1972, the overall arrangement of the city was clear. The city comprised the Duke Zhao City and Dabei City. The Duke Zhao City was the imperial palace, taking the shape of the carpenter's square. Divided into the east, north and west cities, the imperial palace covered an area of 5,120,000 square meters. Traces of the tempered-earth city walls still can be found nowadays, with the remains of 3-8 meters high. The wall base was 16 meters wide, with each of the four sides had 2-3 gates. Built inside the city were tempered-earth constructions arranged in a compact order. The palace, with a symmetrical layout, had primary and secondary constructions. The Longtai, built on the axis line, was the largest and also the main building in the Duke City. With a height of 19 meters, the Longtai was 265 meters wide from east to west, 285 meters long from south to north.

The Dabei City was located in the northeast of the palace. Most city constructions were destroyed and buried underground, and nearly nothing was left on the ground. Taking an irregular rectangular shape, the city was 6,100 meters long from south to north, and 4,000 meters wide from east to west. Workshops, markets and residences scattered in the city. The Dabei City gradually declined after the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD). To its northwest was the mausoleum of the Duke Zhao.

As the capital of the Zhao State, Handan City was then a city with highly developed politics, economy and culture. A number of culture relics and historic sites were kept in the city, such as the platform where Duke Zhao drilled his troops, the Shuzhuang (dress and make up) Building, and the Black Dragon Cave. Many poets and scholars through ages chose to stay here to meditate on the past.

Protected Sites: Yin Ruin in Anyang

2006-12-18T14:51:00.000+08:00

Yin Ruin is located at the west bank of the Yuan River in the northwest suburb of Anyang City in Henan Province.

Yin Ruin is the ruins of the capital city of the late Shang Dynasty (17^th - 11^th century BC). Since the king of Pan Geng moved the capital here in the late 14^th century BC, the Shang Dynasty had been under the reign of 12 kings belonging to 8 generations till the overthrown of King Zhou, lasting 273 years. After the Zhou Dynasty (11^th century - 256BC) conquered the Shang Dynasty, the city was abandoned. Originally known as North Meng or Yin, the desolated city was named as the Yin Ruin by later generations.

In the 25^th year (1899) of Emperor Guang Xu's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Wang Yirong first discovered the oracle bone inscriptions in Xiaotun Village, the center of the Yin Ruin. After examination and research by epigraphy scholars Luo Zhenyu and Wang Guowei, the bone inscriptions carried the posthumous titles of kings and high-rank officials of Shang Dynasty and thereby proved that the site was the Yin Ruin, the capital city's ruins of late Shang Dynasty recorded in historical books such as The Records of the Great Historian.

During the period from 1928 to 1937, 15 excavations were carried out by the Central Research Institute, and initially revealed relations of the Yangshao Culture, the Longshan Culture and the Shang Culture. A burial ground with 7 large tombs for kings was also unearthed, together with sacrificial objects and over 17,000 oracle bones. After the founding of new China, archaeological excavations had been carried on by the Archaeology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences till now, with plentiful and substantial fruits harvested in the past 50 years.

Archaeological excavations prove that the orderly-arranged Yin Ruin is the miniature of a highly developed slave society. The Yin Ruin has an area of 24 square kilometers. On the south bank of the Yuanhe River were large-scale palaces and temples, surrounded by workshops for casting copper, making bone objects and pottery wares, as well as residential area and burial ground for citizens. While on the north side of the river was a large area of burial ground for kings, surrounded by simple substandard housing. A total of 13 large tomes of nobles were unearthed in the burial ground, with each tome circled in compactly arranged pits for sacrificial victims who were buried alive with the dead. Altogether, over 1,400 pits were excavated.

The total area is 30 square kilometers. Yin Ruin is the key cultural relics site under the state protection. It is an important part of human's cultural and historical heritages.

Over 150,000 oracle inscriptions, including over 5,000 different characters have been excavated in the ruins. These characters are the oldest ever found in China. Unearthed relics also include a large number of oracle bone inscriptions, delicate bronze ware, jade and ivory articles, production tools and articles for daily use. The most famous among them is the Simuwu Tripod, the largest piece of bronze ware relic of that time ever found in the world, weighing 875 kg. It shows the high level of craftsmanship and economic and cultural development of the late Shang Dynasty.

The late Shang Dynasty, which made Yin Ruin as its capital, starts a new era of China's history. It has a sparse domain and well-developed economy, politics, military, technology and culture. All these make late Shang Dynasty become one of the splendid dynasties, which contribute to China's civilization. Yin Ruin enjoys a high reputation because of its unique styled and large-scale palace construction and its grandest mausoleums.

Cultural relics unearthed in Yin Ruin are respectively preserved in the National Museum of Chinese History, the Palace Museum, the Archeological Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Henan Provincial Museum and Taiwan National Palace Museum.

Protected Sites: Site of Yangshao Village

2006-12-18T14:49:00.000+08:00

The Site of Yangshao Village is located in Yangshao Village, 8 kilometers to the north of Mianchi County in Henan Province.
The Yangshao Site, one of the important sites of the Neolithic Age in China, was discovered in the south tableland of the ordinary Mianchi Village. Encircled by river on three sides and Shaoshan Mountain on the north side, the site covers an area of 300,000 square meters with its cultural layer being up to 4 meters deep. The Yangshao Site was discovered by a Swedish archaeologist in 1921, and has drawn great attention from historians. In 1931, Chinese archaeologist Liang Siyong discovered for the first time the laminated cultural layers of Shang Culture, Longshan Culture and Yangshao Culture at the back hillock in Anyang. The discovery has a significant meaning in determining the time line of the three cultures.

In 1951, the Archaeological Research Institute of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences conducted a large-scale excavation of the Yangshao ruins, and obtained rich scientific data. According to the measure by C14, the site dates back to 5,000-6,000 years ago. Unearthed relics include zax, stone shovel, stone hoe, spinning wheel, bone awl, bone needle and some wares for daily use, such as earthen bowl, basin, and pots. Most of these wares are decorated with colored drawings. Since this culture was first discovered in Yangshao Village, so it has been named as Yangshao Culture.

As the most influential culture in the Yellow River Valley, the Yangshao Culture was distributed in a vast area wider than any other Neolithic cultures of the same period in China. Over 1,000 Yangshao Culture sites with a long history have been discovered in an area centering in Henan, Shaanxi and southern Shanxi and stretching westward to the Gansu Corridor, eastward to western Shandong, northward to center Hebei and the Great Bend of the Yellow River in Inner Mongolia, and southward to the drainage basin of the Hanshui River.

The Yangshao Culture lasted 2,000 years from 7,000 years ago and 5,000 years ago. Such an influential primitive culture is seldom seen in the world's Neolithic culture history.

The Yangshao Culture site shows the social structure and cultural achievements of the Chinese Matriarchy clan society from its prosperity to the decline. The Yangshao people have broken away from the natural restraint and led a settled life, which can be proved by the excavation of the Jiangzhai clan site in Lintong of Shaanxi Province. Besides husbandry, fishing, hunting, collecting and livestock breeding also became their major pocketbook.

The craft technique level of the Yangshao Culture can be best represented by the pottery technique, which was quite mature then with wheel-technique being used in some areas. The pottery decorated with red, black and white patterns was the greatest artistic achievement then. Hence, the Yangshao Culture is also known as the ancient painted pottery culture.

Protected Sites: Site of Yan Xiadu

2006-12-18T14:47:00.002+08:00

The Site of Yan Xiadu is located between the north Yishui River and central Yishui River, 2.5 kilometers southeast to Yixian County in Hebei Province.
After Western Zhou conquered Shang, King Wu enfeoffed north Yan to Shao whose son set up a state during King Cheng's reign with the capital at Ji (today's Beijing), known as Yan Shangdu. Later, the Yan State moved its capital to the riverside of the Yishui River, known as Xiadu. In the mid Warring States Period (475-221BC), King Zhao of Yan renovated the capital, bringing a flourishing time to the city. After Yan was conquered by Qin in 222BC, the city was abandoned.

Under the leadership of renowned archaeologist Ma Heng, a research team excavated the site in 1930. A comprehensive excavation was carried out by Hebei provincial cultural relic research team in 1961 that removed the veil of the Site of Yan Xiadu.

Taking a rectangular shape, the city site was 8 kilometers from east to west, and 4 kilometers from south to north, comprised of the eastern and western cities with a wall in between as the division. The Xiadu was the largest city in the Warring States Period.

With rich cultural relics, the eastern part of Xiadu city had five districts, respectively for the palace, workshops, residential area, graveyards and rivers. The palace area, located in the northeast of the city, comprised of three groups of constructions. The main palace building, Wuyangtai, was situated in the center of the area. Built with tamped earth, the two-storeyed building was 140 meters long from east to west, 110 meters wide from south to north, and 11 meters high. Featuring in high tamped-earth foundation, the palace buildings reflected the large scale of city construction in the Warring States Period as well as the highly developed economy and culture. Workshops circled around the palace area, while the residential area scattered in the southwest and northeast parts of the city. In the northwest of the city was the burial ground, which was divided into Jiunütai and Xuliangzhong. Tombs of lords and nobilities were arranged in proper orders according to their positions. In an excavation in 1965, a large number of valuable cultural relics were unearthed in one of the tombs.

The eastern part of the city ruins is well preserved, with visible outline of the city walls. In resent years, many construction materials were unearthed in the city, such as beast-head pottery pipelines and tiles, which were made with craft. The western part was mainly for defensive purposes with fewer relics remained than that of the eastern part.

A number of historic sites scattered around the Yan Xiadu, such as the Golden Platform in Jintai Village of Yixian County. Legend has it that the Golden Platform was built by King Zhao of the Yan State to attract talent people over the state. Poets and scholars left numerous poems there. Dating back to 2200 years ago, Prince Dan of Yan saw Jing Ke off at the riverside of the Yishui River. Jing Ke, who undertook the heroic task of assassinating Qin Emperor Shihuang, sang a solemn tune that still lingering over the riverside. The lyric went like this, the wind is whistling while the Yishui River is cold, a hero will never return once he sets off. The solemn and stirring story of Jing Ke was passed on from generation to generation.

About 2.5 kilometers southwest to Yixian County is Jingshan Mountain where stands a 13-storeyed octagonal tower named Jing Ke Tower with a multi-eave roof. Around the mountain are some historic sites, including the Jing Ke Hall, Jing Ke Cenotaph, and stone tablet in Jing Ke's hometown.

Protected Sites:Ya'erhu Ancient City

2006-12-18T14:40:00.000+08:00

The Ya'erhu Ancient City is located in the Ya'er Lake Town, about 10 kilometers to the west of Turban City in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Cross-embraced by two ancient riverbeds, the city got its name of cross-river city. The city was a prefecture of the Gaochang State during the Sixteen States (304-439) and the Northern Dynasty (960-1279) periods, and a county of the Gaochang Prefecture after the 14^th year (640) of the Zhenguan reign in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and then declined. The present site of the city was built in the Tang Dynasty and the following dynasties.

Leaning on earth cliff, the city had a rectangular shape, without city walls. It was 1,000 meters long from south to north with the widest point about 300 meters from east to west. A gate was open in the east and south walls each. The most distinct feature of its construction style was that most constructions including the streets were built with the immature soil. Caves were dug out directly from the immature soil, while single-storeyed houses were built with immature soil walls and a wooden roof. Judged from pole holes left on the walls, some of the buildings were multi-storeyed houses. The lower floor was immature soil or arch-roof cave, while the upper floor walls were built with earth stamped between board frames to uphold the wooden structure. Most roofs were covered with mud and seldom with tiles.

The city was divided into three sections. A wide street stretching from south to north cut the residential area into the east part and the west part. At the north end of the street was a large-scale temple, with which as the center to form the temple area. In the south of the east part was a large well-preserved two-storeyed building, with the lower floor built underground. A flight of stairs led to the underground floor. Outside the tall walls was a large square. According to the study of the site, this temple, built in the early Tang Dynasty, was the political center of the city. Sites of workshops scattered in the west part, together with several pottery kilns. Covering an area of 5,000 square meters, the rectangular temple area comprised constructions including gate, main hall, rooms for monks, court and well.

A group of pagodas were built in the north of the city, with a big stupa in the center. The Buddhist figures on the upper part of the stupa body are illegible. The four corners each have 25 small pagodas that were arranged in 5 rows with 5 pagodas each, bringing the total number to 101.

Along both sides of the center street are tall and thick walls, with no doors open in the walls. Alleyways connected to the center street divide the city into a number of small areas. Doors can only be found along these alleyways.

Various pieces of pottery scattered in the city, most of which are decorated with gray patterns. Some of the pottery wares were made of coarse-sand red pottery and decorated with colored pattern. Scattering outside of the city are tombs that belonged to Cheshi, Gaochang and the Tang periods.

Since the city site is located in a strategic passage, so most foreign explorers who visited Chinese Xinjiang all have visited the city since the 19^th century. Chinese renowned archaeologist Huang Wenbi has conducted several excavations at the site since 1928. After the founding of new China, archaeological institutions also carried out a series of excavations here. The city has an important historical value in studying the city construction in Xinjiang.

Protected Sites :Site of Taihe City

2006-12-18T14:39:00.000+08:00

The Site of Taihe City is located at the foot of Xicang Mountain in Taihe Village of Dali City, Yunnan Province.
Leaning on Xicang Mountain on the west side and close to the Erhai Lake, the city, strategically located and difficult to access, guarded the strategic passage from Xiaguan to Dali. The city was originally the inhabitation place of the Erhe tribe. In 25^th year (737) of the Kaiyuan reign in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the ruler of Mengshezhao, with the support of the Tang regime, defeated the Erhe people, united six zhaos (zhao is a minority group in ancient southwest China), and built the Nanzhao State with the city as its first capital.

The city was built on a large scale. As described in Tang Fanchuo's Man Book, roads in the Taihe City were built with stones and were more than one zhang (1 zhang = 3.3 m) high, stretching several li (1 li = 500 m). The only sites left were two tampered-earth walls. The north wall of 3,225 meters long stretched from the mountainside of the Fuding Peak northeastward to the shore of the Erhai Lake. The south wall of 3,350 meters long stretched from the foot of the Wuzhi Peak eastward to the village on the shore of the Erhai Lake. The remains of the city wall were 4-5 meters wide, and 2-4 meters high. The whole city covered an area of about 3 square kilometers. With surrounding area about 0.3 meters higher than inside ground, the Fuding Temple was built on the Fuding Peak. The base was a 4-meter-thick earth platform, covering an area of nearly 3,600 square meters. It is said that a summer resort and a solid city of the Nanzhao State were constructed here.

A Nanzhao stone tablet was unearthed in the Site of Taihe City, about 140 to the west of Taihe Village and on the west side of the ancient road linking Shangguan and Xiaguan. Erected in 766, the tablet is 3.97 meters high, 2.46 meters wide, and 0.6 meters thick. Taking a rectangular shape, the tablet has a mortise on its top. The top part of the tablet has already disappeared.

The inscription on the tablet was badly damaged. The original text inscribed on the tablet had over 3,800 words, with only 256 words left. The inscription mainly described a series of historical events that happened in the early days of Nanzhao regime, such as the unification of six zhaos by the Mengshe during the reigns of Kaiyuan and Tianbo in the Tang Dynasty, the three expeditions of the Tang regime against the Nanzhao, Nanzhao's surrender to the Tubo, the construction of the East City (today's Kunming City), and the official systems. 41 rows of inscription left on the back of the tablet provided information on official systems and participation of various minority groups in the Nanzhao regime.

It is said that the inscription was written by Zheng Hui, a Nanzhao official, and inscribed by Du Guangting, the censor of the Tang Dynasty. With stylish wording, the article was tactfully written and touching. Taking the feature of both the running script and the standard script, the style of the chirography is vigorous and powerful, resembling the style of Li Beihai. In the first year (766) of the Dali reign in the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the tablet was erected outside the Taihe City gate by the ruler of the Nanzhao regime. In the 53rd year (1788) of Emperor Qianlong's reign, the tablet was found by epigraphist Wang Chang. In the 3rd year (1798) of the Jiaqing reign, a pavilion was built by Li Heng to protect the tablet. The tablet provided valuable material for the study of the history of the Nanzhao regime and the relations between the Nanzhao and the Tang Dynasty.

Protected Sites:Ancient City of Lu State at Qufu

2006-12-18T14:37:00.000+08:00

The Ancient City of Lu State is located in Qufu City and its surrounding areas in Shandong Province.
As the capital of the Lu State of the Zhou Dynasty (11^th century - 256BC), the city served as a capital for the longest period among capitals of various states. During early Western Zhou, King Wu enfeoffed the Lu State to Duke Zhou, known as Duke Lu. The son of Duke Zhou set up a capital there during King Cheng's reign. The city remained the capital till the end of the Lu State, lasting 34 generations for 873 years.

The city remained the enfeoffment of the Lu State during the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) for over 300 years. The ancient city underwent 8 large-scale renovations through the Western Zhou to the Han, and later became the seat of a county government. After the seat of the government was moved to Shouqiu in the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the city was destroyed and abandoned. A Japanese team surveyed the site and carried out a small-scale excavation in 1940. Shandong provincial museum conducted comprehensive excavations at the site during 1977-1978, and revealed the arrangement of the city.

With a perimeter of 11.9 kilometers, the ancient city wall was 3.7 kilometers long from east to west, and 2.7 kilometers wide from south to north. Surrounded by a moat, the city had 3 gates open on the east, west and north walls each, and 2 gates open in the south wall. The gate was 7-15 meters wide. The present Qufu City is located in the southwest corner of the Ancient City of Lu State, occupying about 1/7 of the total area of the ancient city.

Built in the southwest corner of the ancient city, the inner city occupied 1/4 of the total area of the big city. In the center of the inner city was a highland where stood the palace and the royal ancestral temple. The Duke Zhou Temple, built in the Song Dynasty, still exists today. Official bureaus, markets and residences scattered around the highland.

Densely arranged workshops for smelting copper and iron and making bone and pottery wares were built in the north and west of the city. A burial ground was also discovered in the west part of the city. Over 100 tombs of the Zhou Dynasty were unearthed, together with wares made of bronze, pottery, bone, and mussel. These burial objects, with the common features of the Shang and Zhou cultures, proved that the Lu culture integrated with the two cultures.

Rich cultural relics were unearthed in the city site. Over 36 sites have been recognized as key protection areas that provide valuable data for the historical study of the Zhou Dynasty.

Protected Sites: Ancient City of Qi State in Linzi

2006-12-18T14:34:00.000+08:00

The Ancient City Site of the Qi State is located in the west and north parts of Linzi City, Shandong Province.
The city was the capital of the Qi State in the Spring and Autumn (770-476BC) and Warring States (475-221BC) periods. It was the most prosperous city among capitals of various states, and also an important political, economic, and cultural center in the east part of China. According to the record kept in Biography of the Duke of the Qi State, a chapter in The Records of the Great Historians, Duke Xian, the 7^th ruler of the Qi State, moved the capital to Linzi in 859BC. Since then, the city had been the capital of the Qi State till it was captured by the Qin State in 221BC.

The capital of Qi was very prosperous during the Warring States Period. As described by traveler Su Qin, who lived during that period, the city had 70,000 households. On the roads of Linzi City, wheels bumped into one another, and people jostled each other. Pieces of sleeves were like curtains, and drops of sweat were like rains. It was then a period for contention of a hundred schools of thought, and the Qi State had numerous talents, among whom the famous Jixia Scholars got their name for their meeting place Ji gate. In the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), the city remained the capital of the Qi State. A Japanese team began to survey the city site in 1926. After 1964, the Shandong provincial cultural relic administrative bureau joined with the archaeology department of the Peking University and carried out a comprehensive excavation at the site.

Built on the west bank of the Zihe River, the Ancient City of Qi comprised two cities, one big and one small. The big city had a perimeter of 14 kilometers, with a foundation of 30 meters wide. The remains of the city walls were unearthed at the site. Vertically and horizontally distributed streets divided the big city into more than 10 districts. Man-made drains, the city moat connected with rivers, forming a perfect water system as well as a city defense system. Government offices were built in the south of the city. In the northeast corner and north of the city were workshops for smelting copper and iron, making bone and pottery wares. Market places were also in this area.

The small city was the palace, built in the southwest corner of the big city. Taking a rectangular shape, the city was 1.4 kilometers from east to west, and 2.2 kilometers from south to north. The palace area was located in the north of the city. A 14-meter-high tampered-earth base was unearthed in the area. With a diameter of 86 meters, the base, known as Duke Huan's platform, was the highest point of the whole city. It is said that the platform was where Duke Huan of Qi met with the feudal princes and inspected his troops when he dominated other states. In the north of the city was an imperial garden, with splendid constructions built in it.

Over 20 large-scale tombs of nobles were unearthed in the big city. A pit of sacrificial horses was discovered near a huge tomb of the monarch of the Qi State. The pit was 210 meters long and 5 meters wide, with more than 600 horses buried in it. Arranged in two rows, the sacrificial horses lied on their side with their heads held high. The great spectacle represented the powerful and prosperous Qi State that had a reputation of state of a thousand horse carriages.

A museum was built at the city site, exhibiting hundreds of cultural relics unearthed through the years.

Protected Sites: Zhongjing City Site of Liao

2006-12-18T14:32:00.000+08:00

The Zhongjing City Site of Liao is located in the alluvial plain on the north bank of the Laoha River in Daming City of Ningcheng County in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
As one of the five capitals of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), Zhongjing City was built from the 21^st year (1003) to the 25^th year of the Tonghe reign. With a Dadingfu (a government office) set up in the city, it was a place where emperors of Liao received envoys from the Song Dynasty (960-1279). After the Liao Dynasty was conquered, the Jin Dynasty (1115-1234) changed the name of the city into Beijinglu Dadingfu, which was then changed into Daninglu in the Yuan Dynasty. A sentry post was established in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), and then dismantled and abandoned in the first year (1403) of the Yongle reign. Regional excavation team of Inner Mongolia carried out a series of archaeological excavations on the site during 1956-1960.

The city planning of Zhongjing City of Liao imitated that of Bianjing City of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127), with three rings of cities, namely the outer city, the inner city and the imperial palace. Taking a rectangular shape, the outer city was 4,200 meters long from east to west, and 3,500 meters wide from south to north. A gate was open in the center of the south wall, with a small defensive town built outside the gate that had a turret in each of the four corners. From the south gate of the outer city, the Zhuxia Gate, to the south gate of the inner city, the Yangde Gate, the whole distance was about 1,400 meters, with a 64-meter-wide street lying in the center. On both sides of the street, two drains covered with wooden boards led to the stone culverts cut at the foot of the city wall on both sides of the Zhuxia Gate. A saddle-shaped mount protruded in the center of the street, about 500 meters to the Zhuxia Gate. It is believed that this mount is the remnant of a building. Along both sides of the central street were symmetrically distributed streets, of which 6 stretching from south to north and 10 from east to west, all about 4-15 meters wide. These streets cut the city into lanes where lived the Han people.

To the north of the outer city were sites of temples, posthouses and official bureaus. On the hillside in the northwest of the city scattered a number of temple sites. A multi-eave brick pagoda was built in the northeast corner of the south city, near the south wall of the inner city. Legend has it that it was a dagoba built in the Gansheng Temple, now known as Daming Temple, inside the Zhongjing City during the reign years of Emperor Zhongzong of Liao. Built on a 6-meter-high base, the octangular pagoda was 74 meters high with 13 floors. Seen from outside of the first layer, the front four sides of the pagoda were carved with figures of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Hercules and Flying Apsaras while the back four sides were divided into double layers, with the upper layer carved with the name of this pagoda and the lower layer with the name of the Bodhisattva. It was built with a simple and vigorous style that made it a masterpiece among architectures of the Liao Dynasty. To its southwest was another pagoda of 24 meters high, which known as Small Pagoda. Also an octagonal pagoda with 13 floors, it was believed to be built during the late Liao Dynasty or Jin Dynasty.

The inner city was built in the center of the outer city, a little to the north side. Taking a rectangular shape, the city was 2,000 meters long from east to west, and 1,500 meters wide from south to north. Inside the city was mainly open land. A 40-meter-wide street stretched from the Yangde Gate open in the center of the south wall to the Changhe Gate, the south gate of the imperial palace. About 85 meters south to the Changhe Gate, the street connected with a 15-meter-wide street stretching from east to west whose two ends turned north into the imperial palace.

The palace was built in the center of the north part of the inner city. The palace had a square shape, with each side about 1000 meters long. Taking the north wall of the inner city as its north wall, the palace had its own east, south and west walls. Watchtowers built at the south ends of the east and west walls still exist, while the sites of the south wall and the Changhe Gate cannot be found anymore. Two 15-meter-wide openings, believed to be the sites of side gates, were discovered 180 meters to the east and west sides of the Changhe Gate. Each gate had an 8-meter-wide street linking with the palace. On the axis line to the north of the Changhe Gate was a large-scale palace site. Inside both side gates were two hall sites.

Protected Sites : Site of Shangjing City of Liao

2006-12-18T14:30:00.000+08:00

Shangjing City of Liao is located in the south of Lindong Town of Balin Banner in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
Shangjing City, one of the five capitals of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125), was first built in the 3^rd year (918) of the Shence reign after Emperor Taizu established the dynasty. With the initial name of Huangdu (imperial capital), the city expanded in the first year (926) of the Tianxian reign and changed its name to Shangjing in the 13^th year of the Tianxian reign. Regional excavation team of Inner Mongolia carried out preliminary survey and excavation at the site in 1962, and discovered the planning and construction style of the city.

Shangjing City of Liao was divided into an imperial city area and a Han city area. The city wall was made of tampered earth, with a perimeter of 6,400 metes. Built in the north part of the city, the imperial city was the residence place for Khitan nobles. Its construction strongly emphasized military defense. Outside the unearthed south, west and north gates were small towns built to defense the city. Lying in the center of the south part was a hummock where was built the imperial palace. Surrounded by low walls, the palace had its main hall built in the highest point in the center of the city where was originally a natural rock hill. In the back of the hall were orderly-arranged foundations of small buildings. Official bureaus, Buddhist temples, and workshops were constructed to the east and southeast of the imperial palace. The northwest of the imperial palace was mainly open land with a few sites of Buddhist temple and kiln in the west. It was believed that this part of the palace was used by Khitan nobles to pitch camps.

In the south of the palace was a wide street linking Hancheng, where lived the Han, Bohai and Huihu peoples. The west wall of the city was also the south wall of the palace. 4 gates have been unearthed. Besides a few official bureaus and temples, most buildings in the city were residential houses and workshops. Relics unearthed in Hancheng included wares made in the Central Plains and imitations as well as wares with national features, such as Baiding porcelain of the Central Plains, Fangding porcelain and coarse white porcelain of the Liao Kingdom, and tri-colored glazed pottery of the Liao Dynasty, cow-leg bottle and pottery with fine-line pattern.

The excavation of Shangjing City of the Liao Dynasty provided concrete materials for the systematic study of the construction of Liao cities.

Protected Sites: Site of the Capital of Jin State

2006-12-18T14:28:00.000+08:00

The Site of Houma City of the Jin State is located at the joint of the Fen River and the Huihe River in Houma City, Shanxi Province. In the early Western Zhou Dynasty (11^th century - 771BC), Emperor Cheng of Jin enfeoffed his younger brother Shu Yu, who changed the title of the dynasty into Jin. In the middle of the Spring and Autumn Period (770-476BC), Duke Jing of Jin moved the capital to Xintian (present Houma City). Till Jin was divided by three states in early Warring States Period, Xintian City had been its political, economic and cultural center.

Covering an area of 33 square kilometers, the Houma Site is the ruins of the capital city Xintian of late Jin State in the Autumn and Spring Period. The city has already been destroyed and abandoned, with only the palace's foundation left. During a large-scale excavation in 1956, two sets of the old city site were discovered, including Baidian City Site of the early period, and Pingwang, Niucun, Taishen, Mazhuang and Chengwang sites of the late period.

The Niucun Site is about 1,400 meters long from south to north, and 1,200 meters wide from east to west. To the south of the city were workshops for casting bronze and making pottery, stone and bone wares. The bronze ware site unearthed here covers an area of about 3,000 square meters, with rich cultural relics including 100 pieces of bronze ingot and bronze tools, as well as 30,000 potteries carved with delicate patterns such as one-leg monster, twisting dragon and snake, floating cloud, swimming fish, and running beast.

To the south of the Niucun Site was the Mingshi Site, which covers an area of about 3,800 square meters. Over 400 pits were discovered in the site, with sacrificial objects such as cow, horse, sheep and jade wares buried in it. In 41 pits, several thousand letters of alliance, known as the famous letters of alliance of Houma. These letters of high historical value recorded the fights among lords of Jin during the Spring and Autumn Period.

Two groups of tombs were unearthed on the south bank of the Huihe River, namely the Shangma site and the Liuquan Site. In the 13^th tomb of Shangma site, a number of relics were excavated, such as big bronze tripod caldron and square pot. Among the relics, a pair of tripod caldrons with same inscription provided important data for historical study of the Xu State.

Protected Sites: Luoyang City from Eastern Han to Northern Wei

2006-12-18T14:26:00.000+08:00

Luoyang City Site is located 15 kilometers east to Luoyang City in Henan Province.
Luoyang City was built in the Western Zhou Dynasty (11^th century - 771BC) under the command of the Duke of Zhou, hence its name City of Zhou. The city was known as Luoyang during the Warring States Period (475-221BC) for its location at the north bank of the Luo River. Liu Xiu, Emperor Guangwu of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), set the capital here in 25. Luoyang had since then become the capital of the Kingdom of Cao Wei, Western Jin and Northern Wei successively for over 430 years. Since the Eastern Han Dynasty and the Wei State lasted much longer than other dynasties, the city was historically known as Han Wei Luoyang City. It was destroyed and abandoned at the end of the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534). The Archaeology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Science conducted a comprehensive research and excavation at the site in 1962.

The ancient city was in a shape of irregular rectangle, with the remains of the eastern wall about 3,895 meters long and 14 meters wide, the western wall 4290 meters long and 20 meters wide, the northern wall 3,700 meters long and 25 to 30 meters wide, and the southern wall destroyed and submerged by the Luo River. The city has a perimeter of 14 kilometers, and its wall was 1-2 meters high with the highest point at 7 meters in the northern part. The city wall had 12 gates that connected to the streets inside the city. A total of 24 streets, 20-40 meters wide, were built in the city. According to historical record, each street was divided into three ways, of which the central one was for high officials and the side ways for ordinary citizens. The city was separated into the palace, yamuns, and gardens. Main palace buildings included the southern palace and the northern palace. Record has it that the Deyang Palace, the northern palace built in the Eastern Han Dynasty, had a capacity of over 10,000 and a flight of steps of 2 zhang (1 zhang =3.3 meters). With jade steps and golden columns, it was like the palace on the Moon with pearl shade hanging over its jade gate.

Outside the south gate were the famous Three Yong constructions built according to social etiquette, namely Mingtang, Biyong and Lingtai. This special style of ancient capital construction in China continued to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The Mingtang took a square shape, with each side of 240 meters long. Built in the center was a round foundation stone, which had a diameter of 62 meters. As the foundation for the main building, it was designed according to the traditional rule of square sky and round earth and acted as the place for the Son of Heaven to offer sacrifice to gods or ancestors. Important activities presented by the Son of Heaven were held here, including the announcement of political policies, meeting with high officials, sacrificial ceremony, celebrating and awarding ceremony, and official appointment.

Biyong building was for the Son of Heaven to proclaim moral standards. With water circling around the building like walls, Biyong gained the name for its structural style. The building has a shape of a square, with each side measuring 170 meters long. It is surrounded by walls, outside which are water ditches with bridges across them. A number of stone tablets were unearthed during excavations since the late Qing Dynasty, among which the Biyong tablets of the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316) were the most precious ones.

The Lingtai building site was about 80 meters east to the Mingtang. Lingtai, namely the observatory station, had a square shape with each side of about 200 meters. Surrounded by walls on four sides, the building had a high platform in the center, the remnant of which is 8 meters high. Built around the tampered-earth platform was a two-storey platform, with the lower storey constructed into a winding corridor and the upper storey having five buildings on each side. Astronomical observations were conducted up on the high platform while surrounding buildings were used for officials to keep records and carry out astronomical researches. Outstanding scientist Zhang Heng (78-139) of the Eastern Han Dynasty, who was twice appointed as Taishiling (one of the most senior official titles) for over 10 years, led the compilation of several important astronomical books including the Lingxian and invented the armillary sphere, a astronomical observation tool driven by waterpower, and the seismograph.

Outside the city site was the Taixue site, the highest seat of learning in the Eastern Han Dynasty to spread the Confucianism. First built in the 5^th year of the Jianwu reign in the Eastern Han, the institution was constructed to an unprecedented scale in Emperor Shundi's reign, with 240 buildings and over 30,000 students. In the 4^th reign year (175) of the Jiaping reign, 46 stone tablets were erected in front of the lecture room, on which engraved seven classics, namely Lu Poem, Shang Shu, Zhou Yi, Spring and Autumn Annals, Gongyang Zhuan, Rites, and Analects of Confucius. These tablets, also known as Jiaping Stone Tablets, were the earliest ones built under official order. In the 2^nd year of the Zhengshi reign of Cao Wei, another 28 tablets were erected, which were known as Zhengshi Stone Tablets. A number of remnants of these tablets were unearthed in the early years of the Republic of China.

In the northwest corner of the city was the site of Jinyong City built by Emperor Mingdi of Cao Wei. Archaeological excavation and study revealed that the city was actually three small cities connected together. Jinyong City, shaped like the Chinese character , was 1,048 meters long from south to north and 255 meters wide from east to west, covering an area of 260,000 square meters. Leaning on Mangshan Mountain on the north side and a large city on the south, the city had solid walls and was situated in a strategic place. The strongly fortified city acted as the defensive military fortress for Luoyang City. Most deposed emperors and empresses of the Wei and Jin dynasties lived here. During the Western Wei Dynasty (535-557), a large-scale construction work was carried out in the city, with numerous towering buildings scattered all over the city, which shoot up in the sky like clouds when viewed from the ground. Jinyong City gradually fell into disuse after the Zhenguan reign in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Protected Sites:Site of Capital Chang'an of Han

2006-12-18T14:24:00.000+08:00

The Chang'an Site is located 5 kilometers northwest to the Xi'an City of Shaanxi Province. During the 200 years of the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-8AD), Chang'an City was the capital all along, acting as the national political, economic and cultural center.

The construction of Chang'an was divided into three phases. In the 5^th year (202BC) of Emperor Gaozu's reign, Emperor Liu Bang renovated the Xingle Palace built in the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC), changed its name into the Changle Palace and moved the capital there. A Weiyang Palace was constructed in Chang'an in the 7^th year (200BC) of Emperor Gaozu' reign. Emperor Huidi ordered to construct the city walls right after he ascended to the throne. In the spring of the third year in his reign, Emperor Huidi ordered 140,000 young people in the 600-li city to construct the walls. In the 1^st year (104BC) of Emperor Wudi's reign in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD), a number of buildings were constructed in the city, including the Northern Palace, the Gui Palace, the Mingguang Palace, and the Jianzhang Palace, together with the Kunming Pool and the Shanglin Garden. Till then, the construction of various facilities in Chang'an City was complete after more than 90 years work.

From 1956 to 1959, the Archaeology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Science carried out a comprehensive excavation at the site, providing an initial picture of the overall city arrangement, the structure of the city walls and moats, and the location of the main constructions, including the streets, palace, temples and gardens.

All city walls, 12 meters high and 12 to 16 meters wide, were constructed with tampered yellow earth. A moat measuring 8 meters wide and 3 meters deep circled around the walls. Since the walls were built after the completion of the Changle Palace and the Weiyang Palace, so the walls followed the turns of two palaces and formed the shape of Big Dipper in the south and north parts, which gave the city the name of Dipper City. According to actual measurement, the eastern wall of the city was 6000 meters long; the western one 4,900 meters, the south one 7,600 meters, and the north one 7,200 meters, covering a total area of 36 square kilometers. There were three gates open on each side of the wall, with three gateways on each gate. Altogether there were 12 gates with 36 gateways, right in line with the structural style recorded in the historical writings.

Each gate was connected to the streets, ensuring a convenient traffic. The city had eight main avenues, with the longest one of 5,500 meters long and 45 meters wide. Each street was divided into three ways, with the middle one only used by the emperor himself and the side ones for ordinary citizens. Various kinds of trees, such as pagoda tree, elm, pine, and cypress, grew along both sides of the streets, which divided the city into regular-shaped residential and downtown areas. During its most flourishing period, Chang'an City had a population of 240,000 of 88,000 households. It was the first large-scale and densely populated city in Chinese history.

Palaces, residences for nobles, official residences, and temples were the main constructions inside the city. The Changle Palace was built in the southeast of the city, hence it was also known as the East Palace. In the early Han Dynasty, emperors used the palace to receive officials and Emperor Huidi changed it into the residential palace for the queen mother. Surrounded by walls with a perimeter of 10,000 meters, the palace took an irregular shape and covered an area of 6 square kilometers, occupying nearly 1/6 of the total city area. Inside the palace were a front hall, the Linhua Hall, the Changxin Hall, the Changqiu Hall, the Yongshou Hall, the Shenxian Hall, the Yongchang Hall, and the Bell Room.

Built in the southwest of the city, the Weiyang Palace was also known as the West Palace, where the emperor met with officials. Covering an area of 5 square kilometers, the palace had a square shape, with walls built on four sides, of which the east and the west walls were 2150 meters long each, and the south and the north ones 2250 long each. A gate was open on each of the four sides. The east and north gates each had a watchtower, and the east one was open for the feudal princes who wanted to meet with the emperor while the north one was for ordinary people. Inside the palace were over 40 halls and pavilions, including the front hall, Xuanshi Hall, Wenshi Hall, Qingliang Hall, Qilin Hall, Jinhua Hall, and Chengming Hall, etc. Once occupied by emperors of 7 dynasties, namely the Western Han, Western Jin, Former Zhao, pre-Qin, post-Qin, Western Wei, and Northern Zhou successively, the palace has become the most famous one in Chinese history. According to survey, the front hall, situated in the center of the palace, had a foundation site of 350 meters long from south to north, 200 meters wide from east to west, and 15 meters at the highest point which caused by the Dragon-Head Hill.

Between the Changle Palace and the Weiyang Palace was a site of arsenals. Taking the shape of a square, the site was surrounded by walls on four sides, with the east and west walls of 320 meters long each and the south and north ones 880 meters each. Inside the walls were 7 arsenals, each divided into 4 storerooms. Shelves, originally orderly arranged in the rooms, were rotten and gradually disappeared through the years.

Built in the Shanglin Garden, the Jianzhang Palace comprised a number of small palaces and was known to have one thousand gates and ten thousand rooms. Its front hall was higher than that of the Weiyang Palace. A watchtower of 20 zhang was built in the east of the palace, with its remains still extant now. In the north was a Taiye Pool, on which were several islands, including the Penglai Island, the Fangzhang Island, and the Leizhou Island. These islands, with pavilions strewn at random, formed a fascinating landscape like a fairyland. In the south of the palace were several buildings, including the Shenming Building and Jinggan Building. The whole Shanglin Garden had a perimeter of over 100 kilometers.

Residential areas were located in the north part of the city. The city streets divided the residential areas into 160 regularly measured communities. A few residences of nobles were built near the north gate of the Weiyang Palace and gained their name as north gate mansions. Located in the northwest of the city was the famous Nine Markets of Chang'an.

After Wang Mang usurped the power, he ordered a large-scale construction in the south suburb of Chang'an City. The construction of Biyong, Mingtang, Lingtai and nine temples was designed according to social etiquette. Archeological finds have proved that these buildings were designed in line with traditional Confucian etiquette and the theory of Yin & Yang and Five Elements, which was popular in the Han Dynasty. The construction style of these buildings reflects the then popular ideology.

Protected Sites;Capital of Guge Kingdom

2006-12-18T14:22:00.000+08:00

The ruins of the Guge Kingdom are located on the small hill of Zhabyran on the bank of the Xiangquan River in Zhada County of Ngari area in the Tibet Autonomous Region.

The Guge Kingdom, known as a mysterious kingdom in heaven, was set up by Dezogun, Gyide Nyimagun's third son, in first half of the 10^th century and conquered by Ladake people in the mid 17^th century, lasting 27 generations for 700 years. Lacking detailed historical record, the old abandoned city was forgotten and slept for over 300 years in the wild. After the founding of new China, the National Cultural Bureau sent several research groups to Tibet and unveiled the mysterious Guge Kingdom in 1985.

Covering an area of 200,000 square meters, the site is located on a hill about 300 meters high. Divided into 11 layers, the Guge Kingdom site is home to palaces, temples, houses, caves, and defense works, including 823 caves and 388 houses. With blockhouses built in each corner, this huge construction group is connected by underground tunnels and surrounded by stone walls.

Delicate frescos and colorful paintings on the walls and ceilings in the five well-preserved temples were engraved into 500 patterns, mainly geometry and animal figures. The frescos focused on Buddhist themes together with portrays of kings and princes of Tubo. These vivid figure paintings combined traditional painting of the Han nationality with Indian and Nepalese styles as well as cultural features of the western Asia.

Excavated in the site were also 2 caves with frescos, 3 barns, one cliff tomb, one burial ground and one weapon warehouse. A number of relics scattered around the site, including iron armor, armor on horse, shield and arrowhead. The ruins of the Guge Kingdom provide valuable materials for the research into the history of Tibet and its ancient architecture.

Protected Sites: Ancient Gaochang City

2006-12-18T14:20:00.000+08:00

The Ancient Gaochang City is located about 40 kilometers east to Turban City in the Xinjiang Autonomous Region.
The city was first built in the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) and then named Gaochangbi. Having passed through the Han, Wei, and Jin dynasties, the city experienced several phases, including Gaochang Prefecture, Gaochang Capital, Gaochang County, Gaochang Huihu State, till its desolation in the late Yuan and early Ming, lasting over 1,400 years.

The present remains of Gaochang City that was built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and rebuilt and enlarged in the Huihu period cover an area of over 2 million square meters. Most city wall remains were made of tampered earth. Taking a shape of an irregular square, the whole city was divided into three sections, namely the outer city, the inner city and the palace.

The outer city had a wall base of 12 meters thick, 11.5 meters high, with a perimeter of 5.4 kilometers. The outer side of the city wall was well preserved, with horse face figures protruding outward. Three gates were open in the south wall, while the other three walls each had 2 gates, of which the north gate open in the west wall was the best preserved one. Built outside the city gates were a number of small protective towns, equipped with defense facilities.

The inner city was built in the center of the outer city, with well-preserved west and south walls. Built earlier than the outer city, the inner city had a rectangular shape. The palace, built in the uttermost north of the outer city, took the north wall of the outer city as its north wall and the north wall of the inner city as its south wall.

After Gaochang City was abandoned, most of its constructions were destroyed, with few well-preserved sites left. A temple site was unearthed in the southwest corner of the outer city. Covering an area of about 10,000 square meters, the temple was composed of the gate, court, sermon hall, building for book collection, main hall, and rooms for monks. Analyzed from the construction style and joint-beads patterns on frescos, the temple was built in the mid Jushi period. Near the temple scattered some sites of workshops and markets.

In the southeast corner of the outer city was another temple site where stood a polygonal pagoda and a cave with well-preserved frescos. Analyzed from the style of frescos and the shape of the pagoda, it should be built in the Huihu period. In the center of the north inner city was a small square fortress, known as Khan Fortress. In the north of the fortress, a 15-meter-high tampered-earth construction, taking the shape of a pagoda, was built on a high platform. To its west was a double-layer construction, with one layer built underground. One can get into the underground floor by steps linking the south, west and north gates.

Before the founding of new China, a German archaeological team robbed a stone tablet in the southeast corner of the fortress, with an inscription of the 3^rd year of the Chengping reign of the Northern Liang Dynasty on it. Judged from the inscription, the fortress, an early palace, was built in the Northern Liang period. The remains of the palace base in the north of the outer city were made of tampered earth and about 3.5-4 meters high and 35-48 centimeters thick.

During late 19^th century to early 20^th century, grave robbers from Russia, Germany, Britain, and Japan plundered cultural relics at the Ancient Gaochang City. Renowned Chinese scholar Huang Wenbi twice surveyed the city in 1928 and 1930. After the founding of new China, cultural relic administrative bureau was set up to carry out further researches at the site and unearthed a number of valuable relics.

Protected Sites :Fenghao Site

2006-12-18T14:15:00.000+08:00

The Fenghao Site is located along both sides of the Feng River, 12 kilometers southwest to Xi'an City of Shaanxi Province.
Fenghao is a combination name for Fengyi and Haojing, set by Kings Wen and Wu of the Zhou Dynasty (11^th century - 256BC), respectively. With Fengyi located on the west bank of the Fengshui River and Haojing on the east bank, the site covers a total area of 10 square kilometers, spreading a large area including Kesheng Village, Mawang Village, Zhangjiapo, Xinwang Village, Fengcun Village, Luoshui Village, Pudu Village, Doumen Town and Kunmingchi. After an archaeological investigation in 1933, the Archaeology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Science has carried out a lasting excavation on the site since 1951.

Fenghao was then the political, economic and cultural center of the Western Zhou Dynasty. According to the record in Kaogong Notes, the city covered an area of nine kilometers, with three gates open on each side. Inside the city, nine streets lied vertically while another nine streets horizontally. With the palace built in the center, the ancestral temple on the left, the sacrificial site on the right, imperial court in the front, and downtown streets in the back, the city had presented a general reference rule for overall arrangement. It is obvious that rulers at that time had already got a planning mind to build up an orderly-arranged city.

An imperial palace site was unearthed near Manwang Village and Luoshui Village, together with a number of drainage parts, such as pipeline and tile. Besides, 20 residential sites, built in cave or half-pit houses, cellars and wells were also excavated in the site.

More than 400 hundred tombs and sacrificial pits for carriages, horses and cattle buried with the dead were unearthed. In a pit discovered in Kesheng Village on the west bank of the Fengshui River, the sacrificial carriages included a four-horse-drawn chariot and a two-horse-drawn covered wagon, both decorated with bronze ornaments of fine work. This is sacrificial pit belonging to a slave-owner.

Among unearthed sites were many cellars that used as secret storage places by slave-owners and lords of the late Zhou Dynasty to bury bronze sacrificial vessels when they escaped from the city. About 100 vessels were excavated in these cellars, including 53 vessels in Zhangjiapo, among which 32 had inscriptions, and 25 vessels in Mawang Village, 10 of which had inscriptions. Those inscriptions, which have high historical, artistic and academic values, recorded some important history events of the Western Zhou Dynasty and neighboring states.

Protected Sites :Dingcun Site

2006-12-18T14:13:00.000+08:00

The Dingcun Site is located along both sides of the Fen River in Xiangfen County, Shanxi Province.
The Dingcun Site, discovered in 1953, is an archaeological site of the Mid Paleolithic located in North China. It has become one of the key projects under excavation the next year. A total of 11 Paleolithic sites were excavated together with 3 sites of animal fossils, 3 human teeth, and 2005 stone tools. Altogether there are 28 kinds of mammal fossils, including rhinoceros, wild horse, Nama elephant, deer, field mouse, and primitive ox. A child's right upper skull fossil was unearthed in 1976, and the child was named as Dingcun Man according to modern archaeological nomination standard. With the fore-tooth taking the shape of shovel, the Dingcun Man belongs to a developing period between Peking Man and modern man, and is similar to Mongoloid and far different from white.

Stone tools excavated in the site were mostly made of hornfels, mausoleum stone and limestone. Shaped by direct strike, these stone tools were comparatively thick and sturdy, including chopping tools, scraping tools, sharp-pointed tools and stone balls. The most representative tool of the Dingcun Culture is the three-edge pointed tool, which was known as Dingcun pointed tool for its discovery site. The geological age of the Dingcun Man and its culture belongs to the late Pleistocene period, while their cultural age belongs to the Mid Paleolithic Age.

The Dingcun Culture is a major representative culture of the Mid Paleolithic Age in China.

Protected Sites: Daming Palace Site

2006-12-18T14:11:00.000+08:00

The Site of the Daming Palace is located on the Longshou Plateau in the north suburb of Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province.
Being a part of the Chang'an imperial city of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the Daming Palace, built in 8^th year (634) of the Zhenguan reign, was where emperors met with officials. When Empress Wu Zetian, the only female ruler, ascended to the throne, she changed the name of the palace into Penglai Palace and administered the state affairs there. The Daming Palace was repeatedly damaged in wars and got burnt down in the 3^rd year (896) of Emperor Zhaozong's reign. The Archaeology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Science carried out excavations at the site from 1957 to 1962, and focused excavations from 1980 to 1984. The archaeologists have taken the initial step to reveal and restore the Site of the Daming Palace.

With a perimeter of 7.6 kilometers, the Daming Palace had 11 gates. The main street, Danfengmen Street, was 176 meters wide. Over 40 sites of palaces and pavilions were unearthed at the site, mainly built around the Taiye Pool in the north of the palace. These sites included Hanyuan Hall, Linde Hall, Sanqing Hall, Qingsi Hall, Xuanzheng Hall and Zichen Hall.

The Hanyuan Hall was where emperors held ceremonies and met with officials. With a foundation of over 15 meters high, the hall was 75.9 meters long from east to west, and 41.3 meters wide from south to north. The hall, 11 rooms wide and 4 rooms deep, was the central hall of the Daming Palace, with each gate about 5.3 meters wide.

Built in the west of the Daming Palace was the Linde Hall where emperors met with foreign envoys. The hall covered an area of 12, 300 square meters. According to survey, the hall had three adjacent buildings constructed on a high base, with a pavilion built on each side of the middle one, and a building built on each side of the back one. Corridors surrounding the three buildings linked all sections together.

The Sanqing Hall was built in the northwest corner of the Daming Palace, with its base covering an area of 4000 square meters. On the base were originally pavilions. People in the Tang Dynasty worshiped Taoism and offered sacrifice to Laozi, and the Sanqing Hall was where members of imperial family made offerings to the Taoist figures.

The Qingsi Hall, built during the reign of Emperor Jingzong, was unearthed in the east part of the palace. The hall, with its base in a square shape, was 228 meters long from south to north, and 33 meters wide from east to west. About 300 meters right to the north of the Hanyuan Hall were sites of the Xuanzheng Hall and the Zichen Hall that were built on the same axis line as the Hanyuan Hall. The Xuanzheng Hall was the place where emperors met with the officials, and the Zichen Hall was the government office inside the imperial palace. That officials met with the emperor in the Zichen Hall was called entering the cabinet.

200 meters to the north of the Zichen Hall was the north brink of the Longshou Plateau, under which was the Taiye Pool (also known as the Penglai Pool). Taking an oval shape, the pool was 500 meters long from east to west, and 320 meters wide from south to north. An earth mound of 5 meters high protruded in the east of the pool and it was considered to be the site of the Penglai Hill. To the north of the Daming Palace was the imperial garden, where there were a number of buildings of various styles. These buildings were masterpieces of the garden constructions of the Tang Dynasty.

Protected Sites: Jinan City of Chu State

2006-12-18T14:07:00.000+08:00

The Jinan City of the Chu State is located 5 kilometers north to Jiangling County in Hubei Province.

The Jinan City was the capital of State of Chu of the Spring and Autumn (770-476BC) and Warring States (475-221BC) periods. It was called Yingdu then and was also known as Jiying for its location to the south of Jishan Mountain. It first gained its name of Jinan in the notes of Zuo Zhuan written by Du Yu, a scholar of the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316). The city was the capital of the Chu State from the first year (689BC) of King Wen's reign in the Chu State and remained so till the 21^st year (278BC) of King Qingxiang's reign when Bai Qi, a Qin captain, captured the city, lasting 20 generations in 411 years. During this period, the Chu State conquered about 50 small states and reched its peak. The territory of the Chu State stretched northward to the Yellow River, eastward to the seashore, westward to Yunnan, and southward to southern Hunan, while Jinan City became the political, cultural and economic center of the Chu State as well as the largest city in the south.

The large-scale Jinan City Site is 4.5 kilometers long from east to west and 3.5 kilometers wide from south to north, covering an area of 16 square kilometers. The city wall, made of tampered earth, has a perimeter of 15.5 kilometers, with remains of 6.7 meters high found in some sections. 7 gates were opened on the four sides. The unearthed north gate in the west wall has three gateways and buildings resembling gatehouses on both sides. Two floodgates were open at the exit of ancient river courses built in the south and the north walls.

Built inside the city were densely constructed tampered-earth foundations, high or low, with the highest one of 6 meters. Ancient wells and kilns were scattered inside the city site, together with a number of construction materials such as pantiles and flat tiles and cultural relics of the Eastern Zhou period. Houses of the East Zhou period that unearthed in the southeast part of the city have a wall base of 60 meters long and 14 meters wide. After the capital of Chu was moved to Chen (today's Huiyang City in Henan Province), Fenghuang Hill, located inside the city, became the burial ground during Qin and Han periods. The famous body of the Western Han Dynasty was excavated here, together with a number of bamboo slips and finely painted lacquers

Besides, three large burial grounds were discovered beyond the city site, with over 700 large- and medium-sized tombs for the royals and nobles of the Chu State. Jinan City was abandoned after Bai Qi captured it.

Protected Sites: Chengziya Site

2006-12-17T21:43:00.000+08:00

The Chengziya Site is located on the tableland along the bank of the Wuyuan River, east to Longshan Town of Zhangqiu County, Shandong Province (former Licheng County of Shandong Province).

The Chengziya Site was the first site discovered and excavated independently by Chinese archaeologists in the country. It was first discovered by archaeologist Wu Jinding in 1928, and the following excavations were carried out by the Central Research Institute during 1930-1931.

Covering an area of 15,648 square meters, the site was divided into two layers, with cultural relics of East Zhou period found in the upper one and Neolithic deposits featuring polished black pottery unearthed in the lower one. The site was initially named as the Black Pottery Culture, which was then changed to Longshan Culture. Now the site was officially referred as the Shandong Longshan Culture that dates back to 2,500-2,000 years ago. Black pottery wares unearthed in the site include cups, bowls, standing cups, plates, basins, pots, urns, and tripod caldrons, among which cup with hand, three-legged plate, long-handle standing cup, caldron shaped into bird head and legs, pitcher with three legs and cooking utensils were the most representative ones. Mover over, a kind of pottery, with a shining black color and a fine designed, was made as thin as eggshell, hence it gained the name of Eggshell Pottery. Fired with superb techniques to 1000 centigrade, it is regarded as the first-grade pottery. A rectangular tampered-earth wall site was discovered near the city site. With the wall base of 10 meters thick, the site, about 450 meters long from south to north and 390 meters wide from east to west, was believed to be the remains of city walls.

The excavation of the Changziya Site bears much significance in the Chinese archaeological history. The Longshan Culture discovered at the site helps to promote the study of the Neolithic culture in China.

Protected Sites: Shangjing Longquanfu of Bohai State

2006-12-17T21:05:00.000+08:00

The Shangjing Longquanfu of the Bohai State is located in Dongjing City of Ning'an County, Heilongjiang Province.

The Bohai State was a local regime set up by the Sumo clan of Mohe people in Chinese northeast area in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). It established five capitals successively, with the Shangjing Longquanfu as its main capital.

Surrounded by mountains on four sides, the city was embraced by the Mudan River on three sides. During the last year of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, King Wen of the Bohai State moved the capital here, and then to the Dongjing Longyuanfu in the first year of the Zhenyuan reign. In the 10^th year (794) of the Zhenyuan reign, King Cheng moved the capital back here, and the city remained the capital till the Bohai State was conquered by Emperor Taizu of the Liao Dynasty (916-1125) in the first year (926) of the Tianxian reign. The Archaeology Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Science conducted a large-scale excavation during 1963-1964, and revealed the planning and construction style of the city.

The construction style of Shangjing City imitated that of Chang'an City, which was divided into three sections, namely the inner city, the outer city and the palace area. Taking a shape of rectangle, the city had a perimeter of 17.5 kilometers. Surrounded by moats, the city walls, about 2.4 meters thick, were built with stones. 10 gates were opened on the four sides of the city, with the north and south sides having 3 gates each while the east and west 2 gates each, which were built symmetrically. Inside the city were 5 streets stretching from east to west, and 3 streets from the south to north, all went a straight line. The grid-pattern streets divided the whole city into a number of regular rectangular areas that were built into lanes with stone walls as the separation. Most of the lanes had two sides directly open into the streets.

With a perimeter of about 2.5 kilometers, the inner city was built in the middle of the north part of the outer city. The remains of the city walls were about 3 meters high.

The palace was located in the center of the inner city and took a rectangular shape. Surrounded by stone walls, it was 1,390 meters long from the south to the north, and 1,050 meters wide from the east to the west, with a gate open on each side. Inside the palace, foundations of 5 halls were constructed on the axis line stretching from south to north. The first two halls were used for ceremonies and meetings. Larger than the other ones, these two halls had thick stone foundations decorated with stone carving hornless dragon head. The floor was covered with quadrels with decorative patterns, and the column base was made of green glazed pottery. The roof was covered with gray tiles together with green glazed tiles. The roof ridge was decorated with green-glazed hawk tails and beast heads. Comparatively small in size, the other 3 halls were believed to be bedrooms, which were equipped with warming facilities, such as channels to transmit heat to heatable brick bed and chimneys.

Lying to the east of the palace was an imperial garden, with a 20,000-square-meter pond built to its south and 2 pavilions facing each other to its north. The pavilions only had pillar remains left. On the east and west sides of the pond were artificial hills and some pavilion remains.

The Site of the capital of the Bohai State has offered important material objects for the study of the history of the Bohai State as well as the history of city and architectural developments of the Tang Empire.

Protected Sites:Banpo Site

2006-12-17T20:57:00.000+08:00

The Banpo Site is located at Banpo Village on the eastern outskirts of Xi'an in Shaanxi Province, about 6 kilometers east of the city.
The Banpo Site is a large Neolithic site of the Yangshao Culture dating back about 6,000 years ago, with an area of about 50,000 square meters. Divided into three parts, namely residential quarters, pottery making area and burial ground, the site is abundant in cultural relics, including 45 houses, 2 fencing sites, 200 storage pits, 6 pottery kilns, and 250 adults' tombs and children's burial jars.

The residential quarters are enclosed by a moat with a purpose of protection and flood discharge. Houses were built in various sizes, most of which are half-pit house, including public storehouses and private family houses. Among these houses, the big one probably belonged to the clan chief and also acted as the conference hall for clan members to discuss public affairs. Tombs in the burial ground were concentrated at one place and arranged orderly according to consanguinity. The dead were buried either with limbs bended or in a lying pose while facing upward. Objects contained in the graves are mostly wares of everyday use, such as pointed-bottom bottles and earthen pots. Most of these objects are ancient painted pottery, mainly with a red background on which were painted such black patterns as geometry or animal and plant figures. These unearthed relics show that Banpo people have not only mastered the technique of making pottery but also developed their own artistic creativity. The illegible symbols painted on the potter are probably the embryonic form of early characters.

The Banpo Site proves that primitive people of that period had already entered into an agricultural society. At present, the site is the largest and most integrated commune village site typical of the Matriarchy clan society in the Yellow River Valley. It has a great scientific value for the research into the history of Chinese primitive society as well as the different periods of the Yangshao Culture.

In 1957, the first museum of Neolithic site was founded in China, displaying restored houses and various utensils and tools through which the visitors could draw a vivid picture of the life of Banpo people.

Protected Sites:Epang Palace Site

2006-12-17T20:48:00.000+08:00

The Epang Palace Site is located in Epang Village, 15 kilometers to the west suburb of Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province. As one of the famous constructions in Chinese history, the Epang Palace, built on a large scale and with a vigorous style, was the imperial palace of the first and second emperors of the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC).

According to historical record, after Qin united the six states, Emperor Shihuang forced over 700,000 people to build the Epang Palace on the south bank of the Weishui River in the his 35^th reign year (212BC). Only the front hall was completed during Emperor Shihuang's reign. As described in The Records of the Great Historian-The Biography of Qin Emperor Shihuang, the front hall of the Epang Palace was 500 steps from east to west and 50 zhang (1 zhang = 3.3 m) from south to north, with a capacity of 10,000 people. A road from the palace led straight to Zhongnan Mountain and a channel way was dug near the peak of the mountain. Crossing the Weishui River from the Epang Palace, one will arrive at lands belonging to Xianyang City.

After the death of Emperor Shihuang, the succeeding emperor continued to construct the palace, with a storied building built every 5 steps and a pavilion every 10 steps. Groups of buildings and pavilions stretched westward to Xianyang City and eastward to Lintong City, covering more than 300 li (1 li = 500 m) and towering high into the sky. Renowned poet Du Mu of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) described in details about the Epang Palace in his Epang Palace Fu (fu is one of the Chinese literary forms akin to poetry). During wars at the end of the Qin Dynasty, Xiang Yu captured Xianyang City and burned down the splendid Epang Palace.

Shaanxi cultural relic administrative committee and provincial archaeological institution successively carried out excavations at the site in 1956 and discovered a tampered-earth foundation in the south of Epang Village. Known as the Emperor Shihuang's Heaven Platform, the foundation has a perimeter of 310 meters and is 20 meters high. In the southwest of the village was a rectangular tableland known as Meiwu Mountain Ridge, covering an area of 260,000 square meters. These two sites are the most notable historical remains of the Epang Palace.

Taishan Mountain of Five Highs

2006-12-05T16:06:00.000+08:00

Taishan Mountain

The Eighteen Mountain Benda
Taishan Mountain lies in central Shandong Province, spanning the ranges of Tai'an and Jinan cities. It covers an area of 550 square meters. It was regarded as preeminent among China's Five Sacred Mountains. 72 Chinese emperors of various dynasties made pilgrimages to Taishan Mountain for sacrificial and other ceremonial purposes, including Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC), Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty (206BC-8AD), Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
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BlogSpot is GFW in China,Now

2006-10-28T10:12:00.000+08:00

Kao,Kao

The Terracotta Army Of Emperor Qin's Mausoleum(秦始皇兵马俑)

2006-10-21T11:01:00.000+08:00

　xi'an, once the capital of eleven chinese dynasties, is famous throughout the world for life-sized terra-cotta warriors and horses. they have won fame as one of the greatest archaeological finds of this century. back in 1974, while digging a well to fight drought, some farmers from lintong county, about thirty kilometers east of xi'an, unearthed some brown pottery fragments, which led to the great discovery of the executed terra-cotta legions as an exterior section of the mausoleum, of qin shi huang or first emperor of the qin dynasty (255-210b. c.)

　　details of qin shi huang's tomb can be traced in the historical records (compiled by sima qian) and legends about it have been widespread. however, for technical reasons, the major part of the tomb remains unexcavated today with its mound still standing 76 meters high against the slopes of mt. lishan and facing the huishui river.

　　after 20 years of careful excavation three underground vaults officially opened to the public in 1979, 1989, and 1994 respectively, displaying thousands of terra-cotta warriors, horses and chariots, all arranged in battle formations.

　　vault 1, built with earth and timber, measures 210 meters long, 60 meters wide and 4.6 to 6.5 meters high. in this area of 12, 600 square meters, six thousand life-sized warriors and horses of terra-cotta were found in rectangular battle formation. the troops were of a fairly uniform height of 1.8 meters. they wear helmets and armor and carry real bows and arrows, swords, lances, javelins and crossbows in their hands. each chariot, made of wood, is drawn by a team of four horses, 1. 5 meters in height. three rows of infantrymen make up the vanguard of the formation, and these are followed by the main body of the army, 38 rows of troops. there are also flank columns and rearguards. the array breathes the power of qin shi huang's army.

　　vault 2 is approximately one half vault i in size, housing nearly a thousand pottery warriors. compared with vault 1, these warriors are of a larger variety and arranged in more complex battle array. unlike vault 1, the war chariots and infantrymen are arranged separately in four square formations which are linked to one another in a polygon. again, however, the warriors carry real weapons. the projecting part of the polygon consists of archers, either standing or kneeling, with crossbows or handbows and quivers and so appears to be the vanguard of the phalanx.

　　the archers are followed by a unit of cavalrymen to the left and one of chariots to the right, forming the two wings of the phalanx. infantrymen and war chariots bring up the rear. each chariot drawn by four horses has1l driver and two assistants, one on either side. the charioteers are armored and carry spears, swords and crossbows, indicating that they could engage in long-range battles, short-range fighting and hand-to-hand combat. all the cavalrymen carry crossbows, a sign that shooting on horseback was a common practice in the army at that time.

　　from among the chariots a robust and unusually tall figure at 1. 95 meters has been unearthed. his armor is interlinked and overlapped with finer metal pieces than that of the common soldiers, and he is believed to be a high-ranking commander of the 1egion.

　　vault 3 is a modest building more resembling a gallery. it has 69 pottery warriors with defensive weapons and a wooden chariot pulled by four magnificent horses. the structure of the gallery and the line-up of the soldiers suggest that this was likely the headquarters of the troops of vault 1 and 2.

　　however, the commander is missing. many archaeologists believe that since the underground army represents the emperor's garrison under his direct command, no marshal was necessary.

　　altogether ten thousand pieces of actual weaponry have been unearthed from the three vaults, including arrow-heads, swords, spears and halberds. two long-handled swords dug out recently are still sharp and gleaming despite their burial for more than two thousand years. some bronze arrow-heads from vault 2 are 41 cm in length and 100 grams in weight. they are the biggest bronze weapons excavated in china. important to the study of qin technology was the discovery of bronze arrow-heads and swords treated with a preservative that has prevented erosion for 22 centuries. chemical analysis revealed the sword to have been cast of an alloy of copper, tin and various other elements, including nickel, magnesium, and cobalt. the arrow-heads which contain 7.71 percent lead are considered by archaeologists to be the world's most poisonous.

　　experts expect future discoveries to unearth even more amazing art treasures. but they warn that it may require the efforts of one or two generations to recover the entire tomb complex of emperor qin shi huang.

　　the three vaults are well preserved in three modern constructions, each with an arched dome and a corridor along the side of the vault so that visitors may overlook the restored figures of warriors, horses and chariots in their original formations. vault 2 is equipped with devices for regulating temperature, lighting and air humidity.

俑是我国传统雕塑艺术中特有的一个类型。秦始皇兵马俑是20 世纪70年代中期发现的。1974年3月，陕西省临潼县宴寨公社西场大队的社员们在骊山秦始皇陵东面约1.5公里的地方打井抗旱，忽然从井中挖出了大小与真人一样、形象逼真的陶俑。他们将此事报告了陕西省文物管理部门，陕西省文物管理局闻讯后立即派人赶赴现场，组织力量进行调查。经考古勘控发掘，竟然发现了一个面积超过1200平方米、埋藏有6000余个兵马俑的大坑，考古学家称为“1号俑坑”。坑中的6000余个兵马俑与真人、真马大小相仿。陶人高约 1.8米，陶马高约1.5米、长2米，形象栩栩如生，容貌各异，排列成以步兵为主，战车相间的长方形军隈。东端有三列横队，每队70人；西部各有一列向外的侧翼。坑中的俑全部是面向东方排列，间有四马一车的38路纵队。步兵簇拥着驷马战车，排列成军阵。看上去威武雄壮，浩浩如烟海荡荡。马俑的制作也相当精致，兵马、战车等制造结构复杂，工艺技术高超，令观者惊叹不已。此外，坑中出土的兵器，埋藏地下2000多年还不锈蚀，将上面的泥土擦拭后，仍然崭新锃亮。从兵马俑坑出土的文物来看，可以窥见秦朝军队素质之高、武器之良，具有很强的作战能力。随后，又在1号坑附近发现了2号坑和3号坑。2号坑从1994 年3月开始挖掘，经密集钻探和部分试掘，也已摸清地下内部基本情况。2号坑面积约6000平方米，分四个单元：由跪射式和立射式弩兵组成的方阵，驷马战车方阵，车、步兵、骑兵俑组成的混合方阵等。四个小阵有机结合，呈现出一幅古代军阵的生动图谱。根据试掘推算，2号坑内藏陶俑、陶马2300多件，战车80 多辆。据初步勘察，3个坑联系在一起，面积达20000多平方米，约有兵马俑8000个以上。在地下驻有一个师以上的军队，这在世界上是绝无仅有的。这一发现向全世界展示了我们中华民族的聪明才智，被世界学术界誉为“世界第八达奇迹”。法国一位前总理目睹了秦始皇兵马俑后惊叹道：“秦俑坑是世界上的奇迹，不看金字塔不算真正到过埃及，不看秦俑也不算真正到过中国。“国家为了更好的保护这些中国历史上的文化瑰宝，在这里建起了秦始皇兵马俑博物馆。

potala palace 布达拉宫

2006-10-19T10:34:00.000+08:00

in 641, after marrying princess wencheng, songtsen gampo decided to build a grand palace to accommodate her and let his descendants remember the event. however, the original palace was destroyed due to a lightening strike and succeeding warfare during landama's reign. in seventeenth century under the reign of the fifth dalai lama, potala was rebuilt. the thirteenth dalai lama expanded it to today's scale. the monastery-like palace, reclining against and capping red hill, was the religious and political center of old tibet and the winter palace of dalai lamas. the palace is more than 117 meters (384 feet) in height and 360 (1180 feet) in width, occupying a building space of 90 thousand square meters. potala is composed of white palace and red palace. the former is for secular use while the later is for religious.

　　the white palace consists of offices, dormitories, a buddhist official seminary and a printing house. from the east entrance of the palace, painted with images of four heavenly kings, a broad corridor upwards leads to deyang shar courtyard, which used to be where dalai lamas watched operas. around the large and open courtyard, there used to be a seminary and dormitories. west of the courtyard is the white palace. there are three ladder stairs reaching inside of it, however, the central one was reserved for only dalai lamas and central government magistrates dispatched to tibet. in the first hallway, there are huge murals describing the construction of potala palace and jokhang temple and the procession of princess wencheng reaching tibet. on the south wall, visitors will see an edict signed with the great fifth's handprint. the white palace mainly serves as the political headquarter and dalai lamas' living quarters. the west chamber of sunshine and the east chamber of sunshine lie as the roof of the white palace. they belonged to the thirteenth dalai lama and the fourteenth dalai lama respectively. beneath the east chamber of sunshine is the largest hall in the white palace, where dalai lamas ascended throne and ruled tibet.

　　the red palace was constructed after the death of the fifth dalai lama. the center of the complicated red palace is the great west hall, which records the great fifth dalai lama's life by its fine murals. the scene of his visit to emperor shunzhi in beijing in 1652 is extraordinarily vivid. it also has finely carved columns and brackets. the hall has four additional chapels. the west chapel houses three gold stupas of the fifth, tenth and twelfth dalai lamas'. their mummified and perfumed bodies are well kept in those stupas. among the three, the fifth dalai lama's stupa is the biggest, which is made of sandalwood, wrapped in gold foil and decorated with thousands of diamonds, pearls, agates and others gems. the stupa, with a height of 14.86 meters (49 feet), spends more than 3,700 kilograms of gold. the north chapel contains statues of sakyamuni, dalai lamas and medicine buddha, and stupas of the eighth, ninth and eleventh dalai lamas. against the wall is tanjur (beijing edition), a most important tibetan buddhist sutra sent to the seventh dalai lama by emperor yongzheng. in the east chapel a two meters (6.5 feet) high statue of tsong khapa, the founder of gelugpa which is dalai lama's lineage, is enshrined and worshipped. in addition, about 70 famous adepts in tibetan buddhism surround him. the south chapel is where a silver statue of padmasambhava and 8 bronze statues of his reincarnations are enshrined. on the floor above, there is a gallery which has a collection of 698 murals, portraying buddhas, bodhisattvas, dalai lamas and great adepts and narrating jataka stories and significant tibetan historic events. west of the great west hall locates the thirteenth dalai lama's stupa hall. since he was regarded as great as the great fifth, people started to build his stupa after his death in the fall of 1933. taking three years, the stupa is comparable with the great fifth's stupa. it is 14 meters (46 feet) in height, coated with a ton (2200 pounds) of gold foils. in front of it is a mandala made of more than 200,000 pearls and other gems. murals in the hall tell important events in his life, including his visit with emperor guangxu. the highest hall of potala was built in 1690. it used to be the holy shrine of chinese emperors. dalai lamas would come here with his officials and high lamas to show their respects to the central government annually before.

　　dharma cave and the saint's chapel are the only structures left which were built in seventh century. they both lie central of the red palace. dharma cave is said to be the place where king songtsen gampo proceeded his religious cultivation. inside the cave, statues of songtsen gampo, princess wencheng, princess tritsun and his chief ministers are enshrined. in the saint's chapel above dharma cave, chenrezi, tsong khapa, padmasambhava, the fifth, seventh, eighth and ninth dalai lamas are enshrined and worshipped. visitors may find a stone with a footprint that was believed left by the infant twelfth dalai lama.

　　notes:

　　1. potala palace 布达拉宫

　　2. princess wencheng 文成公主

　　3. songtsen gampo 松赞干布

　　4. white palace 白宫

　　5. red palace 红宫
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布达拉宫是一座融宫堡和寺院于一体的古建筑群，始建于公元七世纪四十年代松蕃王朝松赞干布时期，距今已有一千三百多年历史。它座落在西藏自治区首府拉萨市中心、古城西北约2公里的玛布山（红山）上，最高处海拔3767.19米，是世界上海拔最高的古代宫殿。

1961年国务院将布达拉宫列为全国重点文物保护单位。19XX年，布达拉宫被确认为世界文化遗产。

布达拉宫是西藏自治区内最完整最宏伟的一座古建筑。“布达拉”是普陀罗（普陀）的译音，意即菩萨住的宫殿，相传公元七世纪时，吐蕃赞普松赞干布与唐联姻，为迎娶文成公主而建成此宫，今尚存法王修法洞和观音佛堂两处早期建筑。现有建筑群为17世纪中叶五世达赖受清朝册封后开始兴建，并经过历代达赖不断扩建而成。1959年前，布达拉宫是五世达赖之后历代达赖喇嘛生活起居和从事政治活动的场所，是旧西藏政教合一的统治权力中心，从七世纪起，先后共有九个赞普（藏王）和十位达赖在这里居住过。

布达拉宫由红山南麓奠基，缘山而上，依势迭砌，从平地直达山顶，几乎占了整座玛布山（红山）。布达拉宫高117米，东西长360米，外观13层，实为9层，面积约12万平方米，殿宇巍峨，金顶辉煌，共有佛堂、经堂、灵塔殿、习经室 15000多间（按西藏建筑计算办法以柱计算）。整个建筑系石木结构。用块块方石垒砌，高大宽敞的殿堂墙上绘有各种色彩鲜艳的壁画，室内陈设有几十万个用金、银、铜、玉和檀香木等雕铸的大小佛像，造型生动。集中体现了藏族人民高度的建筑成就和独特的艺术风格。

宫城占地41公顷，包括四大部分：红山之上的红宫、白宫、山后的龙王潭和山脚下的“雪”。其中红宫为历代达赖的灵塔殿和各类佛堂，位于整个建筑的中心和顶点，也是须弥佛土和宇宙中心的象征；白宫合抱于红宫外侧，是历代达赖的宫殿、大经堂、噶厦政府机构和僧官学校等，达赖的寝宫位于白宫最高处，又称日光殿；龙王潭为布达拉宫后园，方圆3公里，中为湖，湖中小岛上建有龙王宫和大象房等；“雪”在布达拉宫脚下，其中安置有噶厦政府的监狱、印经所、作坊、马厩，周围是宫墙和碉堡。站在红山脚下，可以看到布达拉宫的整体布局，由下到上分别是“雪”、白宫和红宫，充分体现了藏传佛教中“欲界”、“色界”、“无色界”的“三界说”，通过建筑布局艺术的对比、夸张和渲染，表现了佛法的神威，令人在千年之下，仍望之而生对天国佛境的凛遵之感……

布达拉宫是全国重点文物保护单位之一，红宫白宫内珍藏无数。一年四季开放。开放时间和当地企事业机关办公时间相同。每当藏历新年前一天会有跳神活动。

Guilin(桂林山水) - Amazing Landscape

2006-10-10T08:33:00.000+08:00

Taking a trip into the hully karst landscape of Guilin at sunset is one of the most breath-taking site in China. Guilin by the banks of the Li River in southern China is justifiably considered to be one of the most beautiful in China. Today, Guilin attracts innumerable tourists because of its unique landscape. Until the end of the 1970s, it was a quiet, sleepy area. Since then, Guilin and the settlements along the Li River have undergone an incredible development through tourism. This town with over 400,000 inhabitants acquired its name from the Cassia trees, whose blooms carry their sweet scent through the whole town in autumn. Guilin literally means "Cassia Tree Forest". Guilin is said to be founded in 214 BC. At that time, the Lingqu Canal was built under the regency of the first Chinese emperor, Qin Sin Huangdi. It still connects the central Asian plain with southern China, and South-East Asia, via the Yangzi, the Lijiang and the Pearl river. Guilin and its surroundings are still mostly agricultural, but this is limited by the numerous mountains which pose a problem in the whole of Guangxi region. The landscape is characterised by terraced rice paddies, water buffalos, and bamboo groves, and peasants with turn up trousers and cone-shaped straw hats. Guilin is famous for it spicy Guilinjiang, a type of pepper sauce. From the Mountain of Coloured Layers, a 223 metre high mountain on the north, visitors can get a wonderful view of Guilin and Lijiang. The most beautiful tourist spot is the Crystal Palace of Dragon King, in the Reed Flute Cave at north west of the city centre and a subterranean water landscape, which resembles the landscape around Guilin and the Li River.
A boat trip on the peaceful Li River is the absolute high point of any visit to Guilin. A cruise from Guilin to Yangshuo, visitors will experience the winding and twisting Li River, goes past the many bizarre mountains whose shapes have inspired and fired the Chinese imagination, the Elephant Trunk Mountain, Old Man Mountain, Pagoda Mountain and Hole Mountain. Cormorant fishermen in narrow bamboo boats, bathing children, water buffaloes, small settlement and women doing their washing on the banks of the river can be seen along the way. Yangshuo, at the end of the boat journey is today a developed village that thrives mainly on tourism and seems to have nothing but tourist shops.

North-east of Guilin is Sanjiang, a settlement of the Song people. Changyong Bridge is an architecturally unique sight. South-west of Guilin, in the centre of the Autonomous region of Guangxi is Linzhou with 600,000 inhabitants, is an expanding industrial town, pricturesque and typically southern Chinese. The main attraction is the Dule Rock with its numerous karst caves. Another area with a beautiful landscape is the settlement of Guiping. The capital of the Autonomous Region of Guangxi is Nanning. It is located deep in the south and is only 160 km from the Vietnamese border. South-west of Nanning, near the Vietnamese border by the river Zuojiang, is a landscape as fantastic as that in Guilin. In Ningmeng county, visitors can see a 1,700 year old mysterious rock painting along a steep rock face by taking a boat on Zuojiang river.

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地理位置

1、地理位置：桂林是世界著名的风景旅游城市和历史文化名城，地处南岭山系西南部，广西壮族自治区东北部，109°45''-104°40''，北纬24°18''-25°41''。
　　2、行政区划：辖秀峰，象山，七星，叠彩，雁山5城区和灵川，兴安，全州，临桂，阳朔，平乐，荔浦，龙胜，永福，恭城，资源，灌阳12个县，行政区域总面积27809平方公里。其中市区面积565平方公里。

　　城市历史

　　桂林历史悠久。根据市区宝积岩和甑皮岩洞穴发现的遗物，经考证，甑皮岩人已进入母系氏族社会阶段，距今约一万年。
　　夏商周时期，这里是“百越”人的居住地。秦始皇置桂林，象，南海三郡，这是“桂林”名称的最早起源，但郡治不在今天的桂林市。汉元鼎六年（公元前111年），在这里设始安县，隶属荆州零陵郡。东汉时改属始安侯国。三国时先属蜀，后归吴。甘露元年（265年），置始安郡始安县，郡县治所都在今之桂林。隋唐时属岭南桂州总管府。唐武德四年（621年），李靖修城于独秀峰南。贞观八年（634年）改名临桂县，属桂州始安郡。光化三年（900年）始，属静江节度。五代十国时先后属楚和南汉的桂州。宋时，前属广南西路桂州，后属静江府。元时属广西行中书省静江路。明清时均属广西省桂林府。民国时属广西省。1914年改名桂林县，1940年始设桂林市。1944年11月至1945年7月28日，为日寇占领。光复后仍为广西省辖市。历史上长期为广西省会。　　1949年11月22日桂林解放，为广西省辖市，1958年改称广西壮族自治区桂林市，辖桂林城区和郊区。
　　1981年7月、1983年10月阳朔、临桂划归桂林市管辖。
　　1996年12月26日桂林市委，市人民政府按国务院，自治区批复的方案，实行区划调整，将郊区更名为雁山区。
　　1998年9月8日经国务院批准，桂林市和桂林地区合并，组建新的桂林市。More

The History of The Great Wall(长城)

2006-10-09T12:15:00.000+08:00

The Great Wall is well-known because of its magnificent majestic appearance.Now,in the call of "Loving our China, repairing our Great Wall", many places of The Great Wall have be repaired, which make it more boundless. The Great Wall has become the head key point of interest in China. more and more foreign people was attracted by it. The people who visited it are all acclaim as the peak of perfection.
　The Great Wall convolves on the ridges of mountains and desert.It's maked up of city gates,circumvallations, enemy towers,signal beacon towers and so on, it was the martial recovery engineering system of the different place and nations in China Long time ago.It was built through several thousands years by Chinese people, it's the embodiment of the Great power and strong purpose of Chinese people. It has become the irradiant treasure of our Chinese archaic civilization. Many move one to praises and tears stories have taken place between the people bide inside and outside of The Great Wall in the long time traffics, it has been attracting many bookmen indited or paint for it, which added so many cantos and paints to our artistic thesaurus.
　B.c. Eleven Century, Xi-Zhou, Our country had the recordation that is "The city wall set down in the north". From B.c. Seven Century to B.c. Three Century that is called the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, The princes of many little states began to fight and swallow up each other. They all built the long city wall for self-defence, for instance, Chu state built its wall in the Nanyang district firstly, Qi state built its wall in the Shandong province, Zhongshan state, Wei state, Han state, Yan state, Zhao state, Qin state and so on all began to build their city wall. The total of the city wall's length was more than five thousand kilometre, but they were distracted from each other.
　B.c. 221 Year, QinShiHuang consolidated all six states, He pulled down the wall between the states one side, the other side he built the new city wall in the north to defense the Hun. He command MengTian general and thousands upon thousands people to build the new city wall, it stretch more than five thousand kilometre in an unbroken chain, which is the oldest Great Wall.
　During the West Han state period, The Hun in the north bacame more and more stronger, So the Han state had to build new city wall, and strengthen the old Qin Great Wall. From the eastern parts of Liaoning province to the YuMen gate, The Great Wall is longer then ten thousand kilometre. Its scale had beyond the Qin Great Wall's by far. During the East Han state period, people built new wall inside of the West Han Great Wall to defense the Serbi and the Qiang nationality, The length of it is more then five kilomitres also. The Great Wall which was built in the two Han period, is the biggest project in our history.
　After this, the nations in the north began to come into the north of China, city gate and backland. They built the new North Dynasty kaiserdom, standed face to the North Dynasty kaiserdom. The West Wei state, East Wei state, West Qi state,West Zhou state in the North Dynasty kaiserdom, all built the mulriple Great Wall in the northern parts of Yellow River. The Shui Dynasty unified the whole nation, then built the new city wall from the middle-head reaches of the Yellow River to the western parts of Ganshu province, its length is three kilomitres, and it forms a new system with the eastern Great Wall.
　During the Tang Dynasty, the power of country is so strong that the all nantion in the north have to submit to the authority of Tang, So the archon haven't built any new Great Wall, only built three city to accept surrenders.Here, the eastern Gaoli built more the one thousand kilomitres Great wall from the northeast of China to the Datong River estuary to defense Tang.
　In the Zhu,Liao,Jin Dynasty Period, the north parts of Chian was occupied by the Khitan, the west parts of the Yellow River was occupied by West Xia, The North Song Dynasty only repaired the Yan Gate. Since this, Liao and Jin state became more and mire stronger, and occupied the whole parts in the north of the Yellow River, so the South Song has no ability to build any new Great Wall.But the Liao-Jin kaiserdom built the new Great Wall in the northeastern parts of Neimenggu province to fight against the other nantion in the northern parts. People often call it as "Genghis khan City Wall".
　After the Ming Dynasty was founded, the archons began to build new Great Wall in the northern parts of China to defense the Yuan state come back and Dadan, Waci, Nvzhen etc.And they also built many Great Wall in southeast of China near to the sea to oppugn the foreign enemy. The count of the Ming Great Wall is the best large in our history. The main part of it begins from the the Yalu River to the JiaYu Gate, its length is more than seven thousand kilomitres. Thereinto, The part which from ShanHai Gate to the JiaYu Gate is kept most well.
　At the beginning of Qing Dynasty, in the Liaoning,Jilin Province people built the ShengJing city wall, it extends 2600 kilomitres. And the people also repaired the ShanHai, JuYong, YanMen, JiaYu Gate etc. But from the metaphase of Qing Dynasty, the Great have not been repaired more.
　Now, Under the years run out and the man-made destroy, Many parts of The Great Wall have become very slipshod, even includes the Ming Great Wall. But The Great Wall whose length is more than a hundred thousand kilomitres is the huge Chinese dragon, is the best greatness and grandest work in the history of the whole human being. It also materializes the architectural skill. Now the people who bide inside and outside of The Great Wall, through the long time traffics, have unified one big family. The Great Wall is the symbolize of our China and is our pride. It will also contribute to promotion the friendship between people who come from the different countries.
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万里蜿蜒于中华大地的长城，以其无比宏伟的雄姿久闻于世。今天在“爱我中华、修我长城”的号召下，许多地方已修缮一新，更加气势磅礴，成为我国名胜之首。它吸引着国内外成千上万的游人，以一览长城为平生快事。凡到过长城的人，莫不叹为观止。

　　像巨龙般腾越在崇山峻岭、沙漠戈壁的长城，是由城关、城墙、敌台、烽火台等构成的，是我国古代各地和各民族统治集团间的军事防御工程体系。它是两三千年来，由各族人民反复多次修筑而成的，体现着中华民族的伟大力量和坚强意志，成为我国古代文明中的一项光辉灿烂的瑰宝。长城内外各族人民在无数次斗争和长期交往中，发生过许多可歌可泣的动人故事，吸引着历代文人墨客为它们赋诗作画，在我国文学艺术宝库中，增添了许多优美动人的篇章与画卷。

　　远在公元前十一世纪，我国西周就有“城彼朔方”的记载。公元前七到三世纪的春秋战国时期，各诸侯国互相吞并，形成群雄并立不断混战的局面，他们在自己的边境，先后筑起长城以自卫。如楚率先在南阳地区筑方城数百里；齐则在山东从平阴到东海边琅琊台筑长城，又沿黄河故道筑堤为城；中山、魏、韩、燕、赵、秦等国，各修筑长城数百里至数千里。当时长城总长已上万里，不过是分散各自独立而已。

公元前221年，秦始皇统一六国后，一方面拆毁诸国间的长城，另一方面为防北边匈奴，又调动军民上百万人，命大将蒙恬督筑长城，西起洮河沿黄河向东，再按原秦、赵、燕长城走向一直到辽东，绵亘万余里，成为我国最早的万里长城。

　　西汉时，北部的匈奴族更强盛，屡向南犯，汉朝除采取通好、和亲及出击等手段外，并着手大规模兴筑长城以固边陲。除修缮秦长城外，西面更增筑河西、玉门关、居延泽等长城。北出雁门，五原阴山，东循燕秦长城，从辽东到最西的玉门关，长达两万余里。并列亭西至楼兰，北至胪朐(乌兰巴托东北地区)，规模远逾秦代。东汉初北防鲜卑、西防羌戎，又在西汉长城以内，大兴障塞堠坞，总长也达万里以上。两汉时期一北一南所筑长城，是历代规模最大的。

　　此后，北方各族逐渐进入华北、关中，直至中原，建立起北朝政权，形成南北朝对峙的局面。北朝的北魏、东魏、北齐、北周先后在黄河套以北东至辽西地区，修筑了多重的长城，纵横交错，总长也上万里。隋统一全国后，在黄河中上游由云中经五原、榆林、宁夏至陇西，筑长城四五千里，与北朝在东部的长城正好构成又一体系。

　　唐代国势强盛，长城以北以西的各部族都归附通好，因此未筑长城，仅在阴山内建“受降城”三座，东西互距四百里，并连以城障；在甘肃西部复筑瓜州故城。这时，东部的高丽为了防唐，在我国东北由扶余、开原、新宾至朝鲜大同江口筑长城二千余里。

　　朱、辽、金时期，华北的燕云十六州尽归契丹、河西已属西夏、北宋只修治了雁门险阻。以后辽金相继强盛，深入淮汉、以至江北，造成南宋偏安局面，再无力去修筑长城。北方辽金政权却因与蒙古和其他各族间的斗争与矛盾，在今东北内蒙等地兴筑濠堑长城，总长也上万里，称明昌长城，俗称成吉思汗边墙。

　　明朝建立后，为防范元朝复辟及达旦、瓦刺、女真、吐蕃等族骚扰，在北方不断修筑长城，并且为抗击外国入侵，在东南沿海要地也零星筑了一些长城。明长城之多，是历代之最。主要长城从鸭绿江边的九连城到甘肃的嘉峪关，全长一万五千余里。在北京和山西偏关间，分成南北两道长城。在许多地段上长城除主城墙大边外，还有二边、三边、外边、内边、护边等多道的城墙，如雁门关外有大石墙三道、小石墙二十三道。其中从山海关到嘉峪关间的一万二千七百里的主长城保存较完善，特别是山海关到北京周围，经戚继光重新督筑过的长城最为壮观。

　　清朝初，在辽宁、吉林间筑了有名的盛京边墙(柳条边)，新旧边墙总长2600余里。对古长城也局部修缮了山海、居庸、雁门、嘉峪等关隘和长城的某些段落。中期以后就未再修缮了。

　　经历了长久的岁月和人为的破坏之后，许多古长城已到了十分零落的程度。就是明长城也遭到许多损毁。但是，总长十几万里的中华巨龙，仍然是人类古代最巨大壮观的工程。并且它在不同时代、不同地点、因险制塞、呈现着千姿百态、无一类同的奇丽景观，体现了建筑上的艺术才思。长城内外我国各族人民，经过长期交往，终于突破人为的分割阻碍，已凝结成统一团结和睦友爱的中华民族大家庭。长城作为我们中华伟大文明古国的象征，既是我们民族感到自豪、也为世界各地人民所向往，它将为增进各国人民的友谊作出重大的贡献

Tian'anmen(天安门)-the Gate of China, Beijing

2006-10-07T10:40:00.001+08:00

With a total area of 440,000 square meters, Tiananmen Square is the largest square in the center of Beijing. For over a hundred years, many ceremony and demonstrations have been held here. The grandeur of Tiananmen Gate (Heavenly Peace Gate) is a national symbol, with the Great Hall of the People on the western side and the Museum of the Chinese Revolution and the Museum of Chinese History to its east and west. The Monument to the People's Heroes - the 36 meters obelisk, made of Qingdao granite, dominates the center of the square. The Chairman Mao Memorial Hall and the Qianmen gate, sit in the south.

Tian'anmen Gate

Tian'anmen Gate (Gate of Heavenly Peace) was built in the 15th Century and restored in the 17th Century. From imperial days, the yellow glaze-tiled double-eaves tower functioned as a rostrum for proclamations to the assembled masses. October 1, 1949, Chairman Mao Zedong proclaimed the founding of the new China. The tower has five doors and in front of it are seven bridges spanning a stream. Only the emperor could use the central door and bridge. On the top of the central door is a gigantic portrait of Chairman Mao with slogans on each side stating 'Long Live the People's Republic of China' and 'Long Live the Unity of the Peoples of the World'. Walking through the gate, you can enter the imperial city - Forbidden City with free charge while a panoramic view from the tower costs 15RMB for Foreigners.

Huabiao

Right beside a pair of marble lions in front of the Tian'anmen Gate stand obelisk of marble engraved with entwisting dragons and clouds - an ornamental architecture called Huabiao. Its history can be traced back to the Yao and Shun, legendary kings in remote antiquity. To solicit public criticism, it is said that wooden crosses were erected at marketplaces for people to write down complaints. Later during the Han (206 B.C. -- 220 A.D.) wooden posts were replaced by stone pillars, which gradually became the sumptuous columns to palace gates. Huabiao can be usually found in imperial gardens and mausoleums.

On the top is a plate-shape flat called Chenglupan (dew-collecting) on which squats an animal called kong (a legendary animal for watch-keeping) facing to the south. They were called "Wangjungui" or "looking forward to the emperor's return," who watched over the emperor's excursions and called him back. The couple inside the gate facing north, called Wangjunchu or "looking forward to the emperor's progress," were considered to supervise the emperor's behavior in the court when he neglect court affairs.

Great Hall of the People

This is the venue of the legislature, the National People's Congress. Summit meetings are often held in the 10,000-seat auditorium with the familiar red star embedded in a galaxy of lights in the ceiling. Also you can visit the 5000 seat banquet room where US president Richard Nixon dined in 1972. The admission costs £¤ 15.

Monument to the People's Heroes (Renmin Yingxiong Jinianbei)

Built in 1958 on the southern side of Tian'anmen Square, this 36-meter obelisk bears brass-relief carvings of key revolutionary events such as the Chinese destroying opium in the 19th century.

Mao Zedong Memorial Hall (Mao Zhuxi Jiniantang)

Behind the Monument to the People's Heroes is the hall where the embalmed body of Chairman Mao is kept and many Chinese show deep respect when confronted with the physical presence of Mao. more

Opening: 9:00 - 16:30

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位于北京城的中轴线上的天安门，始建于明永乐十五年（14l7年）。原名承天门，以示皇帝“承天启运，受命于天”。清顺治八年（1651年）重建后，改称天安门．既包含了皇帝是替天行使权力。理应万世至尊的意旨；又寓有“外安内和，长治久安”的含义。明、清时，天安门是皇城的正门，城门五阙，重楼九楹，高为33.87米；1970年翻建后高达34． 7米。它造型典雅，是我国传统建筑艺术的代表作。

天安门的主体建筑分为上下两层。上层是重檐歇山式，黄琉璃瓦顶的巍峨城楼，东西面阔九楹，南北进深五间，取“九五”之数，象征皇帝的尊严。正面有36扇菱花格式的门窗。城搂基座周围有汉白玉栏杆、栏板，雕刻着莲花宝瓶图案。城楼内所用木材大部分是楠木，60根红漆巨柱排列整齐，柱顶上有藻井与梁枋，绘着金龙吉祥彩画和团龙图案。地面铺的全是金砖，面积约2000平方米。屋顶的正脊与垂脊上装饰着螭吻、仙人、走兽。下层是高13米的朱红色城台，四周环绕琉璃瓦封顶的矮墙，下部是1．59米高的雕刻精美的汉白玉须弥座台基。城台的总面积达4800平方米，东西两侧各有一条长达百级供上下城楼用的梯道，俗称马道。还有5个拱形门洞，中间的门洞最大，高8．82米，宽5．25米，唯有皇帝可以进出。城楼前有外金水河，河上飞架7座汉白玉雕栏石桥，中间一座最宽阔的称“御路桥”。专为皇帝而设；御路桥两旁有宗室亲王过往的“王公桥”；王公桥左右的“品级桥”是供三品以上的官员行走的；四品以下的官员和兵弁、夫役只能走“公生桥”。公生桥架在太庙（劳动人民文化宫）和社稷坛（中山公园）门前。5座内金水桥除有类似严格的等级规定外，还表示“万方来朝”之意。金水河两岸有两对威风凛凛的石狮及两座连同须弥座高为9．57米的华表。石狮系明代永乐年间原物，距今已有500多年。石狮后面两边设有红色观礼台，台前东西各筑花坛，游人们常在这里驻足观景。华表上满刻着盘龙与云朵，巨柱顶端加上了云板、承露盘并蹲坐着石兽，此兽有注视皇帝出入之意，因而人们把前华表上两只背北面南的石兽叫“望君归”；把后华表上两只背南面北的石兽称“望君出”。

天安门在明、清两朝是皇帝颁发诏令之地。遇有新皇帝登基、大婚等重大庆典活动和皇帝父母进宫，都要启用天安门。皇帝平时一般不走天安门。只有每年去祭天、祭地、祭五谷时，才由此门出入。另外，皇帝御驾亲征或大将出征，都得在天安门前祭路、祭旗，以求马到成功，凯旋归来，同时显示威风。天安门还是“金殿传胪”的场所。每逢殿试后的两天，皇帝召见、传呼新中进士们的姓名，这叫“传胪”。考中前三名的状元、榜眼、探花插上金花，身披红绸，骑马游街，以谢皇恩。天安门唯独皇帝可以出入，而且只能出入喜事，绝对禁止出入丧事。

天安门是中华人民共和国举行开国大典的主会场，也是国徽图案的重要组成部分。它是我们伟大祖国的象征，已成为人们喜爱的观瞻胜地。more

The Forbidden City(故宫),Beijing

2006-10-07T01:02:00.001+08:00

　　The Forbidden City (Imperial Palace) in the heart of Beijing is the largest and most complete imperial palace and ancient building complex in China, and the world at large. Its construction began in 1406 and was completed 14 years later, having a history so far of some 580 years. Twenty-four emperors from the Ming and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties lived and ruled China from there. Most of the buildings in the Forbidden City were rebuilt many times, although they maintained the original architectural style.
　　
　　The Forbidden City, extending 753 meters from east to west, and 961 meters from north to south, makes a rectangular shape and covers a total area of 720,000 square meters. It consists of several dozen compounds of varying sizes and some 9,900 bays of rooms, with a total floor area of 150,000 square meters. Most of the buildings were built with wood, roofed with yellow glazed tiles and built on blue-and-white stone foundations, looking solemn and brilliant. City walls were 10 meters high, and a 52 meter-wide moat surround the Forbidden City. Three-storied towers are placed at each corner of the wall.
　　
　　The building arrangement within the Forbidden City is symmetrical. The Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Central Harmony and the Hall of Preserving Harmony, which comprise the outer palace, and the Hall of Heavenly Purity, the Hall of Union and the Hall of Earthly Tranquility, comprising the inner palace, stand in a line from south to north on the central axis. The 8 km central axis runs through the entire old Beijing city to Yongdingmen in the south and Zhonggulou in the north. The throne symbolizing imperial power is> positioned at the center of this central axis.
　　
　　The buildings of the Forbidden City fully embody the artistic features and style of ancient Chinese palace architecture, and can be called a masterpiece in Chinese, even world, arch itectural history. Today, as the largest museum of cultural relics in China, the Forbidden City, also called the Palace Museum, collected and displayed some one million precious hist orical relics from the Shang Dynasty (16th century -771 BC) through to the Qing Dynasty. It was made part of the world cultural heritage list in 1987. more

Office of the Palace Museum Tel: 86-10-85117049
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故宫又称“紫禁城”，是明清两代的皇宫，也是世界上最大的宫殿，占地72万平方米（长 960米，宽750米），建筑面积15万平方米，始建于公元1406，1420年建成，是明朝第皇帝朱棣始建，设计者蒯祥（1397—1481年，字廷瑞，苏州人），占地面积78万平方米，用30万民工，共建了14年，有房屋9999间半，主要建筑是太和殿、中和殿和保和殿，保和殿也是科举考试举行殿试的地方，科举考试的一至三名分别称状元、榜眼、探花。

　　故宫严格地按《周礼·考工记》中“前朝后市，左祖右社”的帝都营建原则建造，其前半部分为外廷，是皇帝朝政场所。建筑庄严、宏伟，特别是太和殿、中和殿和保和殿三大殿，建筑在8米高的三层汉白玉石阶上，以显示封建帝王至高无上的威严，太和殿座落在紫禁城对角线的中心，故宫的设计者认为，不这样不足以显示皇帝的威严，不足以震摄天下。

　　现在我们参观时都为故宫的宏大而叹服，这一点在参观三大殿时感觉最明显，故宫是目前世界上最大的宫殿。

　　午门是紫禁城的正门。东西北三面以12米高的城台相连，环抱一个方形广场。当中的正门平时只有皇帝才可以出入，皇帝大婚时皇后可以进一次，殿试考中状元、榜眼、探花的三人可以从此门走出一次。文武大臣按文东武西由两侧门出入。

　　故宫参观的重点（必看）：
　　1、故宫中路外庭的三大殿(太和殿、中和殿、保和殿)、内庭三大殿（总长近一公里，走下来1个半小时）；
　　2、故宫西路(主要是养心殿，位于西路南端，从雍正开始清代8个皇帝在此居住，参观半小时)；
　　3、珍宝馆（在外东路，收藏有大量的故宫珍宝，票价10元，下午3点半停止售票，细看要3小时）more

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2006-10-06T22:53:00.000+08:00

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HuangShan(黄山) Anhui

2006-10-06T19:26:00.000+08:00

Huangshan Mountain in east China's Anhui province is one of Chinas ten best-known scenic spots, It is characterized by the four wonders, namely, odd-shaped pines, grotesque rock formation, seas of clouds and crystal-clear hot springs. Mount Huangshan is celebrated for having all the features of mountain scenery. Known as the No. 1 Mountain Under heaven, it features numerous imposing peaks(77 exceed an altitude of 1,000m), forests of stone pillars and evergreen sturdy pines; other features include grotesquely-shaped rocks (many of which are individually named, such as "pig-headed monk eating water melon"), waterfalls, pools and hot springs. Because of its mists and clouds, natural scenery in the area changes beyond prediction. Xu Xiake, a noted Chinese geologist and traveler in Ming Dynasty, praised Huangshan Mountain as the best of all mountains.

Mount Huangshan was listed as one of the World Natural and Cultural Heritages in 1990.

Mount Huangshan extends 40 kilometers from south to north and 30 kilometers from east to west, covering an area of 1200 square kilometers, the highlights of which occupy 154 square kilometers.
Huangshan Mountain is a marvel: within an area of 154 square kilometers there is a crowd of peaks, 72 of which have names indicating the shapes they resemble. Lotus, Brightness Top and Celestial Capital are the three major ones, all rising above 1,800 meters above sea level. The mountains are a body of granite, often with vertical joints. Erosion and fracture contributed to shape the rocks into huge columns, giving rise to lofty peaks and deep ravines. When it is cloudy the pinnacles loom in mists as if they were illusionary, while the sun is shining they unfold in all their majesty and splendor. Huangshan Mountain change its color and appearance with the alternation of seasons. In spring blooming flowers decorate the slopes in a riot of color and fill the valleys with fragrance; in summer you see verdure peaks rising one upon another and hear springs gurgling merrily. Autumn dresses the mountains in red and purple as maples and some other trees are blazing-red; winter turns them into a world of frost and ice with silver boughs and rocks everywhere. Here in Huangshan, pines and rocks are intimately involved with each other, almost every rock has a pine tree growing out of the crevice, and every tree has tortuous and gnarled roots and branches.The still sea of snow-white cloud can suddenly begin to roll and toss, rise or fall, gather or disperse while the peaks emerge and disappear in the clouds like isles in the ocean. So from ancient times it has been frequented by tourists seeking their mystery and admiring their frequented by tourists seeking their mystery and admiring their scenery. They come to the conclusion that the fantastic pines, the grotesque rocks, the sea of clouds and the hot springs are the four major attractions of the Yellow Mountains. As a matter of fact there are marvels almost everywhere, especially in the following scenic areas: Wenquan (Hot Spring), Yupinglou (Jade Screen Tower), Xihai ( West Sea), Beihai (North Sea), Yungusi (Cloud Valley Temple) and Songgu'an (Pine Valley Nunnery).

There is plentiful rainfall in Huangshan Mountain. Therefore there are thick forests.Owing to the peculiar terrain, the Huangshan Mountain's climate is marked by a vertical change, and the vertical distribution of vegetation is also distinctive: plants on the summit, on the middle levels and at the foot belong to the frigid, temperate and subtropical zones respectively. There are more than 1500 species of plants, of which trees comprise one third. So the Huangshan Mountain occupy an important place in China's botanical research. Here you will find century-old pines, firs, ginkgoes, actinidia, Chinese torreyas and camphor woods, remnants of the glacial era. A number of trees are celebrated on account of their age, grotesque shape, or precipitously perched position. Mount Huangshan abound in flowering plants; many of them are rare ones, such as Huangshan Rhododendron, magnolia as well as azalea, camellia, plum, lily, orchid, and so on. It has a rich store of medicinal herbs; more than 300 kinds are found here; the notable ones being glossy ganoderma ginseng, Chinese gold thread rhizome and Chinese cinnamon. Maofeng tea of Huangshan is well known at home and abroad.

Huangshan Mountains also provide the natural habitat for a wide variety of fauna. Among the animals there are monkeys, goats, deer, pangolin and squirrels. There are rare birds such as the red-billed leiothrix, the silver pheasant, the octave-tone bird and the oriole, all good singers. The red-billed leiothrix (called "love birds" in Chinese) are so lovely that they have become favorites of foreign tourists and are exported by pairs. Besides, chukkar(stone frog) from the streams is good to make delicious dishes with.

Mt. Huangshan's climate is mild and humid, neither too hot in summer nor too cold in winter, the temperature is agreeable all the year round .
It is cool in summer, averaging 70 °F at the North Sea Area ( 1 ,630 meters above sea) and 80 °F at Hot Spring Area (630 meters above sea) in July (the hottest month). As clouds often shut out the sun, hot weather never stays long, and this makes Yellow Mountains an ideal summer resort.
Mt.Huangshan lies in subtropical zones, so it's not quiet cold in winter, at least, not so cold as some people expected. The temperature ranges from 25 °F to 40 °F, but it's enough to result in a fantastic snow scenery and a silver world with pines and precipitous peaks covered with snow and decorated with icicles

Today Mt. Huangshan has become a world-famous tourist attraction. With its convenient facilities: three cable lines, four three-star hotels on the top, all the paths paved with flat stones, it lures millions of visitors both from home and abroad. Seeing is believing. Welcome to Mount Huangshan. More

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黄山雄距于风景秀丽的皖南山区，它以“三奇四绝”的奇异风采名冠于世。1982年黄山被国务院列为首批国家级重点风景名胜区，1986年经评选列入中国十大风景名胜区，1990年被联合国教科文组织列入“世界遗产”名录。此后，黄山又相继被评选为国家级“卫生山”、“安全山”，1998年被建设部、国家旅游局等部门确定为全国首批十个文明景区之首。

　　黄山，古称黟山，唐天宝六年（公元747年）依轩辕黄帝曾在黄山炼丹羽化升天的传说，唐明皇敕改黟山为黄山。它地跨市内歙县、休宁、黟县和黄山区、徽州区，面积1200平方公里，现划入黄山风景区的154平方公里，是号称“五百里黄山”的精华部分。

　　黄山是以自然景观为特色的山岳旅游风景区，奇松、怪石、云海、温泉素称黄山“四绝”，令海内外游人叹为观止。黄山有名可数的72峰，或崔嵬雄浑，或峻峭秀丽，布局错落有致，天然巧成。天都峰、莲花峰、光明顶是黄山的三大主峰，海拔高度皆在一千八百米以上，并以三大主峰为中心向四周铺展，跌落为深壑幽谷，隆起成峰峦峭壁，呈现出典型的峰林地貌。

　　登上一千八百多米的高处纵览，山中奇峰汇聚，峭壁千仞，拔地擎天，峥嵘崔嵬。青松在悬崖上争奇，怪石在奇峰上斗艳，烟云在峰壑中弥漫，霞彩在岩壁上流光，自然的美在这里汇聚，在这里升华，赋予它超凡脱俗的品质，塑造出它威武雄壮的气概。在黄山的面前，时空变得狭小，沧桑变得平淡，它是大自然的骄子，独领天下奇山的风骚。故而当之无愧地赢得“登黄山天下无山，观止矣”（徐霞客语）的崇高赞誉。More

Jiuzhaigou(九寨沟)

2006-10-05T23:04:00.000+08:00

Known as the "Fairyland on Earth" . Jiuzhaigou sits on 103° 46' –I04° 4 ' E and32° 15 ' -33° 19' N, within the boundary of Jiuzhuigou County , Aba Prefecture , Sichuan . It lies between the southwest margin of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and at the north foolt of Duo'ema Mountain Range, with an average , altitude between 2, 000 and 3,000 meters, and a distance of about 435 kilometers from Chengdu , the capital city of Sichuan Province .

To its east, Jiuzhaigou neighbors both the Baihe River Nature Reserve and the Wanglang Nature Reserve , and to its south is the Huanglong Place of Scenic Interest . Jiuzhaigou covers a total area of 720 square kilometers, with a periphery zone of 600 sq. m. and a buffer zone of 110sq. m.

Jiuzhaigou, also called "Yangtong" in ancient times, cur- rently has other names like "Heyao Jiuzhai", and the " Jade Sea ". Jiuzhaigou, literally the Nine Village Valley , is hence known for the nine Tibetan villages within its boundary, that is, Panxin, Rize. Yacuo , Panya, Zechawa , Heijiao, Shuzheng, Heye and Zharu. The area of Jiuzhaigou as well as the upper reaches of the Jialing River and Minjiang River are called the land of Shiqiang (Qiang ethnic minority ) in aocient times, where human activities have been recorded dating back as early as to o the Yin-Shang Period (16th- 11th Century B. C.). Ac- cording lo The Records afSongpan (vol. I - Rivers and Mountains), the "Jade Sea is 50-odd kilometers to the northeast county, within the territory of Zhongyang Tongfan Tribe. Its valleys are as long as several kilometers with green water and jade-like ripples." This evidences that the Jade Sea beauty was well known as far back in ancient times.

Jiuzhaigou covers the Shuzheng Valley . Rize Valley and Zechawa Valley that take a "Y" shape, in the Minshan Mountain Range. Inhabited by Tibetans, the nine vil- lages and alpine lakes, affectionately called "Ham", are like reflecting mirrors or crystal jade blocks inlaid in snow mountains and forests. At the end of Zechawa Valley is the Chang (Long) Lake and the end of Rize Valley are virgin forests. From .south to north, both val- leys stretch and meet al Nuorilang. The drop between the two valleys and Shuzheng Valley is over 1,000 meters, with 1 14 lakes lying downward in an echelon manner, on which arc 17 waterfalls, 11 rip currents and 5 travertine beaches, formulating alpine lake clusters and travertine spots that are rarely seen in China and even in the world. A fairyland on earth. Jiuzhaigou col- lects the primitive, natural beauties best demonstrated in its lakes, waterfalls, beaches, water currents, snow peaks, virgin forests and Tibetan customs. more

Magic Mirror Cliff
It's a gigantic cliff rising 800 metres from the level ground. Its surface is as smooth and slippery as a mirror. Capped with pines and China firs, the cliff top resembles a human head with cropped short hair and curly beard, which in local mythology, was left over by Zhayiga, the Ancester of mountains to keep the evil spirit under control.

Penjinghai Lake (Miniature Landscape Lake)
On the Lake's shallows, a few dozens of miniature-potted-landscape-like bushes of azalea, poplar, metasequoia etc. scatter about. They assume various forms: some in the shape of a fierce spread eagle, and some, of a galloping steed.

Luweihai (Reed Marshes)
It is 1375 metre long and over-grown with reeds. A clear brook zigzags its way through the marshes, where waterfowls are seen hovering overhead. When the season turns, the green meandering brook presents a striking contrast with the yellow spread of reeds.

Huohahai (sparkling Lake)
The west hill commands a spectacular view of the sparkling reflections of bright sunlight upon the Lake's deep blue surface. Lying Dragon Lake: In the middle of the lake, submerges a dimly visible yellowish "Lying Dragon" in some 20 metre deep water. When a gentle wind from the mountain whips up ripples on the Lake's clear surface, it looks as if the "Dragon" were stretching herself, and once the wind increases intensity, the "Dragon" begins to shake her head and wag her tail, as if poising for a take off.

Shuzheng Group of Lakes
It consists of some 40 large and small inter-connected lakes stretching as long as ten Li. The waters overflow the inter-lake banks of calcic soil over-grown with willows, pines and cypresses and become a succession of waterfalls. The nearby Shuzheng stockaded village still preserves two primitive stone mills and one wooden bridge, They are simple and rough, but very charming.

Nuorilang waterfalls
A massive water current washing over a cliff top over-grown with willows, drops some 30 metre down and form spectacular waterfalls of various size and shape. Some waters fall straight down to the ground. Some dash against protruding rocks midway and explode into millions of colorful tiny beads.

Pearl Shoal
A stream rushes down a 20 degree slope into the Shoal splashing water about like millions of bouncing silver pearls and then goes on down to form fantastic waterfalls of various shape with thunderous roars echoed by the deep valley.

Wuhua Hai (Five Flower Lake)
Due to different water depths and silts on the bottom, the Lake's waters assume a variety of colors, such as light yellow, dark green, deep blue, jadeite, under the sun light, they are as colorful and beautiful as a peacock's feathers.

Panda Lake Waterfall
It consists of 3 waterfalls with sizes of 5x19m., 2x24 m., and 14x19 m., respectively. Three separate streams rush down a precipice and form waterfalls with multiple sections of 65 m, in total height.

Swan Lake
It's 2250 m. long and 125 m. wide (at maximum) encompassing an area of 142.8 mu . The surface is domed with weeds and wild flowers. It's a tranquil and secluded place frenquented by swans and wild ducks.

Hanging Dagger Spring
Overlooking the Swan Lake is a solitary Lofty peak, 500 metre high and resembling a dagger piercing through the sky. From the halfway down the peak, voluminous waters gash out and drop some thousand feet like a white chain hanging in the air.

Five Color Pool
Filled with crystal-clear waters the pool looks colorful, radiant and fascinating.

Long Lake
It's the largest lake in Jiuzhaigou Valley, covering an area of 7.5 km, long and 0.375 km. wide. It is 3103 metres above sea level, with a maximum depth of 103 metres. The melted snow from the South Peak and the waters of surrounding mountain streams and brooks all find their way into the Lade which has no exit. The excess water either vapours or seeps into the earth. The waters never spill over the banks in spite of downpours in summer and autumn. The Lake won't dry up either in spring and winter, even there's a long dry spell. In spring, Jiuzhaigou Valley is radiant and enchanting. The air is filled with fragrance of wild blossoms. In summer, the beautiful trees are luxuriantly green. In autumn, the breeze is intoxicating, while tree leaves turn crimson. In winter, the mountains and valleys are wrapped in snow and ice.

九寨沟风景名胜区位于四川省阿坝藏族羌族自治州南坪县境内，距离成都市400多公里，是一条纵深40余公里的山沟谷地，因周围有9 个藏族村寨而得名，总面积约620平方公里，大约有52％的面积被茂密的原始森林所覆盖。林中夹生的箭竹和各种奇花异草，使举世闻名的大熊猫、金丝猴、白唇鹿等珍稀动物乐于栖息在此。自然景色兼有湖泊、瀑布、雪山、森林之美。沟中地僻人稀，景物特异，富于原始自然风貌，有“童话世界”之誉。有长海、剑岩、诺日朗、树正、扎如、黑海六大景区，以翠海、叠瀑、彩林、雪峰、藏情这五绝而驰名中外。

　　九寨沟处于四川盆地向青藏高原过渡的边缘地带，属松潘、甘孜地槽区，恰好位于我国第二级地貌阶梯的坎前部分，在地貌形态变化最大的裂点线上，地势南高北低，有高山、峡谷、湖泊、瀑布、溪流、山间平原等多种形态。其地貌属高山狭谷类型。山岭的海拔高度大都为 3500-4500米，最高峰嘎尔纳峰海拔4764米，最低点羊峒海拔2000米。整个景区内沟壑纵横，山峦叠嶂，好似大自然撰写的一部壮丽史诗，记录着地壳的沧桑变迁和生命的进化历程。

　　在传说中九寨沟是仙女的宝镜幻化而成，优美的故事带给人梦幻般的想象。但从科学的角度看，九寨沟翠海叠瀑的形成，则是由于地壳变化、冰川运动、岩溶地貌和钙华加积等多种因素造就的。

　　九寨沟地处四川盆地向青藏高原延伸的过渡带，为多种自然要素交汇地区。山地切割较深，高差悬殊，植物垂直带谱明显，植被类型多样，植物区系成分十分丰富。区内有高等植物2576种，其中国家保护植物24种；低等植物400余种，其中藻类植物212种，且40余种属四川首次发现，为九寨沟独有。许多古老的孑遗植物保存良好，波士曼博士称“九寨沟是个丰富多彩的博物馆，是实力雄厚的基因库。”

　　九寨沟海拔高差大，地形地貌复杂，植被类型丰富，保留有大面积的原始生态环境，为不同类型的动物提供了适宜的栖息环境。湖面，野鸭水鸟起落；林中飞禽走兽云集。据有关部门粗略统计，生活在这里的野生动物，已知的就有近300种。其中被列为国家重点保护的珍稀动物27种，如大熊猫、金丝猴、牛羚、白唇鹿、黑颈鹤、天鹅、鸳鸯、红腹角雉、雪豹、林麝、水獭等，九寨沟堪称动物王国。

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2006-10-05T01:10:00.001+08:00

Hehe,the Help Page:
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Putuoshan(普陀山)

2006-10-02T01:40:00.000+08:00

Located on the Lianhua Ocean of Zhoushan Archipelagoto the east of Hangzhou GuIf,Mount Putuo covers an area of only 12.5 square kilometers. There are many wonderful scenic sites on the island,including" Temples and Nunneries”，“Golden Sands"," Exotic Rocks","Tide Sounds and "Mirage" which are callad Five Putuo Beautie,and" Lotus Pool's Night","Pantuo Evening GIow"," Duanyin Sacred Site" etc.which are caIled Ten Famous' Sites. So it is known as " the Buddahist Kingdom amidst the Sea and Sky" Mount Putuo.It is one of China's four Buddhist Sacred Mountains has a long history in 916 A.D. it began toenshrine Guanyin ,and in1214,it was designated to perfom Buddhist rites especially enshrining Guanyin.The main scenic spots are three large temples named PujiFayu and HuijiPurple Bamboo Forost Da Cheng Monastry Guanyins Footstep and mount Luojia. There are Over 50O monks and nuns In the mountain.and pilgrims over one million evey year. On Guanyins Three Festivals(19th of Februarv, June and September In Chinese lunar calendar),pilgrims gather here like tide
more @ putuoshan.gov.cn & putuoshan.net

Addressing Chinese

2006-10-02T01:34:00.001+08:00

Chinese family name comes first and then a given name. Generational and given names can be separated by a space or a hyphen, but are frequently written as one word. For example, in the case of Teng Peinian, Teng is the family name and Peinian is the given name. Therefore, it is always a good idea to ask a native speaker which name is the family name. The first names of those born during the cultural revolution era usually carries political meaning showing support toward Chairman Mao and his wife, Jiang Qing.

For business purposes, it is traditionally acceptable to call a Chinese person by the surname, together with a title, such as "Director Wang" or "Chairman Li." Avoid using someone's given name unless you have known him or her for a long period of time. If a person does not have a professional title, address a person using his or her family name only, such as Mr. Chen or Ms. Hsu. Formality is a sign of respect, and it is advisable to clarify how you will address someone very early in a relationship, generally during your first meeting.

Do not try to become too friendly too soon, and do not insist that your Chinese counterparts address you by your given name. The American pattern of quick informality should be resisted.

A married Chinese woman usually retains her maiden name; she will use her husband's last name on occasions for formal addressing only.

Address people using official titles such as "General" "Committee Member",or "Bureau Chief" whenever possible. It is customary to address the deputies by skipping the word 'deputy,' such as, 'Chief' for 'Deputy Chief,' 'Chairman' for 'Vice Chairman' 'General Manager' for 'Assistant General Manager'.

Unless you're a Communist, never refer to someone as “Comrade”, which means guy.

Gift-Giving

2006-10-02T01:33:00.001+08:00

General Guidelines

With few exceptions, good business relationships are built upon strong personal relationships. Selecting an appropriate and proper gift requires knowledge and sensitivity. The art of gift giving is a tradition that has been around for a long time. There exists an excellent suggestion is avoiding giving something people already have.

It is appropriate to bring a gift, particularly something representative of your town or region, to a business meeting or social event. A gift should always be wrapped, but avoid plain black or white paper because these are the colors of mourning.

Present the gift with both hands as a sign of courtesy and always mention that this is only a small token of appreciation. Do not expect your gift to be opened in your presence. This indicates that it is the thought that counts more than the material value. Lucky numbers are 6 and 8 (especially in a series, such as 66 or 888).

Prepare a list of items that represent your local culture, region, country, company. Keep a detailed list of gifts that you have presented, and the names of recipients. Duplicating gifts shows lack of thoughtfulness. Keep a detailed list of gifts you have received. This is very helpful when preparing thank you letters, and it is an excellent way to evaluate relationships.

The Chinese will refuse a gift at first before finally accepting according to Chinese culture. You will have to continue to insist. Once the gift is accepted, express gratitude. You will be expected to go through the same routine if you are offered a gift.

In the presence of other people, never present a valuable gift to one person. This gesture will cause only embarrassment, and possibly even problems for the recipient, given the strict rules against bribery in Chinese business culture. Do not take any photograph of any gift giving unless it is a symbolic gift presented to the organization as a whole.

Giving a gift to the entire company, rather than an individual, can be acceptable in Chinese business culture. Make sure that all business negotiations be concluded before gifts are exchanged.

Specify that the gift is from the company you represent. If you can, explain the meaning of the gift to the receiver. Present the gift to the leader of the Chinese negotiating team. Do not get anything that is obviously expensive, so that the company will not feel obliged to reciprocate.

Valuable gifts should be given to an individual only in private and strictly as a gesture of friendship. Make sure that the gifts given to people of the same level of importance are equitable or of similar grade. Somehow, they may find out later, and the difference may lead to strains in your relationship.

Do not wrap a gift before arriving in China, as it may be unwrapped in Customs. If possible, have your gifts wrapped in red paper, which is considered a lucky colour. Plain red paper is one of the few “safe” choices since a variety of meanings, many of which are negative, are attributed to colours in Chinese culture.

Pink and gold and silver are also acceptable colours for gift wrap. Wrapping in yellow paper with black writing is a gift given only to the dead. Also, do check the variations from region to region about colours. Provide cultural training for employees who are responsible for making gift selections, and/or, work with cultural experts that can make suggestions, or review your corporate gift giving programs.

Appreciated Gifts

a good cognac, or other fine liqueur
a fine pen [not a pen with red ink--writing in red ink symbolizes severing ties
solar calculators
kitchen gadgets
stamps, if the recipient is interested in them [stamp collecting is very popular here]
a cigarette lighter, assuming the recipient is a smoker

Often, gifts are not opened in the presence of the giver.

Acceptable gifts for a company include items from your country or city, such as handicrafts, or an illustrated book. Be sure to bring a supply of these items with you, so that you can reciprocate if it happens that you are presented with a gift.

A banquet is usually a welcome gift; since it's likely you will be invited to one, you will have to follow Chinese business protocol and reciprocate. In some parts of China, although senior local officials host the welcoming party, you might be expected to pay for the cost of the banquet. Check this out and be prepared.

Gifts of food are acceptable, but not at dinner parties or other occasions where appetizers and meals will be served. Candy and fruit baskets, however, are acceptable as thank-you gifts sent after these events.

Eight is considered one of the luckiest numbers in Chinese culture. If you receive eight of any item, consider it a gesture of good will. Six is considered a blessing for smoothness and problem free advances. Four is a taboo because it means 'death'. Other numbers such as '73' meaning 'the funeral' and '84' meaning 'having accidents' are to be avoided.

Gifts to Avoid

Never give sharp objects such as knives or scissors as they would signify the cutting of a relationship. As a gesture of friendship, if you do want to give these items as a gift, ask your friend to give you a very small amount of money, such as 10 cents or One RMB in return for this gift. By doing so, you would have 'sold' it to him rather than given it to him.

The following items are to be avoided as they are associated with funerals:

Straw sandals
chrysanthemums
clocks
handkerchiefs
umbrella or white flowers
four of any item [the Cantonese word for “four” sounds similar, in the same language, to “death”]
gifts or wrapping paper in white, black, or blue

Public Behaviour

2006-10-02T01:30:00.000+08:00

Handshakes are popular in China, however, wait for your Chinese counterpart to initiate the gesture. The Chinese will sometimes nod as an initial greeting. Bowing is seldom used except in ceremonies. Visit to school, theater, or other workplace is likely to be greeted with applause as a sign of welcome. In turn, you should respond by applauding back.

You should avoid making expansive gestures and using unusual facial expressions. The Chinese do not use their hands when speaking, and will only become annoyed with a speaker who does, so make an effort not to use your hands to illustrate your speech (talking with your hands). However, some hand gestures are necessary. For example, to summon attention, you can turn your palm down, waving your fingers toward yourself and use your whole hand rather than your index finger to point.

Do not touch your Chinese colleague, do not even pat him on the shoulder. The Chinese, especially those who are older and in positions of authority, dislike being touched by strangers.

Acknowledge the most senior person in a group first. Try as well to refrain from looking straight into the eyes of your Chinese colleague: this is particularly offensive during a meeting and will offend your Chinese colleagues' feelings. An offense or insult is a proven formula for failure of the meeting.

Smiling is not as noticeable in China, since there is a heavy emphasis on repressing emotion. Members of the same sex may hold hands in public in order to show friendliness. Public displays of affection between the sexes are frowned upon.

Do not put your hands in your mouth, as it is considered vulgar. Consequently, when in public, avoid biting your nails, removing food from your teeth, and similar practices.

Pushing and cutting ahead is common in lineups among Chinese, but they do not appreciate being cut in front of themselves. Spitting in public is no longer acceptable. It is subject to a heavy fine now. Blowing your nose with a handkerchief is also acceptable, but it is advisable to turn away from people while doing so.

Business in China (search by Google)

2006-10-02T01:25:00.000+08:00

Well,the results come from google.
Business-China.com - China Web Directory and Search Engine - [ 翻译此页 BETA ]Internet's only China web search engine and directory in multiple languages.
www.business-china.com/

Chinese Business World - Your China Business and Information Link - [ 翻译此页 BETA ]Chinese Business World, your one stop information source for business, travel, entertainment,shopping, education and beyond,chineseemarketplace,chinacantonfair.
www.cbw.com/business.html

Business, investment, sourcing and manufacturing in China - [ 翻译此页 BETA ]Business-in-asia.com is for business, manufacturing, sourcing, logistic, strategy, consulting, site selection, company registration, moving factory and contacts in China.
www.business-in-asia.com/china.htm

Doing Business in China - [ 翻译此页 BETA ]Summary of Country Services for China Page from The Internationalist. This page contains information pertaining to accountants, banks, consultants, financial services, government links, insurance agencies, law firms and real estate ...
www.internationalist.com/business/China.php

People's Daily Online -- Business News - [ 翻译此页 BETA ]A website by the People's Daily newspaper; China, business, world, science, education, sports news and commentaries. ... China-US Business Forum will be held at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, on Feb. 14-15, 2006. ...
english.peopledaily.com.cn/business.html

China Daily Website - Connecting China Connecting the World - [ 翻译此页 BETA ]Chinadaily.com.cn is the largest English portal in China, providing news, business information, BBS, learning materials. The Website has channels as China, BizChina, World, Opinion, Sports/Olympics, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Culture, ...
www.chinadaily.com.cn/

China Business, China wholesalers, chinese wholesalers, china ... - [ 翻译此页 BETA ]China Business, China wholesalers, chinese wholesalers, china factories, computer wholesalers, suzhou industrial park, china mobile, golden week economic, China market, electronics wholesalers, beijing real estate, wholesalers in India, ...
english.china.com/zh_cn/business/

Business China 商机中国商机中国. 百度中文搜索引擎. ©2005 Business China. 2006年中国海关报关实用手册.
www.bc.org.cn/

China Vista -- the world's premier online gateway into China ... - [ 翻译此页 BETA ]As a bridge connecting Chinese and international businesses, this section features a large daily updated database providing a comprehensive listing of business and trade information and opportunities. Explore trade offers, or promote ...
www.chinavista.com/home.html

FUDAN University

2006-10-02T00:12:00.000+08:00

As one of the national topmost institutions of advanced learning and higher education, Fudan has achieved worldwide fame throughout its venerable past. The University was established by Ma Xiang-bo in 1905. "Fudan" found its lexical origin in the quotation "Heavenly light shines day after day" taken from "Annotations of Yu and Xia" (Yu Xia Zhuan) of Scholia of The Collection of Archaic Texts (Shang Shu Da Zhuan).

In 1917, Fudan Public School began to offer undergraduate programs and officially renamed itself "Fudan University". Li Deng-hui was the president from then on to 1937. After being expanded to a full-fledged university, the University had an increasing enrollment. It had three schools: Arts, Sciences and Business, a prep school, and a section of secondary education.

In 1929, Fudan University altered its educational system and opened four new departments: journalism, civil administration, law, and education. It consisted of seventeen departments, which comprised the four schools: Arts, Sciences, Law, and Business.

By 1937 Fudan had established four schools (Arts, Sciences, Law, and Business), which were made up of sixteen departments, a secondary school, an experimental secondary school, and two elementary schools for compulsory education. It became one of the most important institutions of academic research and higher education in southeast China.

The First Session of the 5th Congress of the Executive Yuan (Coucil) of the Repulic of China voted on 25th, November, 1941 to nationalize the Chongqiong Community of Private Fudan University. Wu Nan-xuan was appointed president of the University.

Fudan became one of the national elite universities after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. At the request of Chen Wang-dao, the first post-liberation president of Fudan, Chairman Mao Tse-tung of the CPC handwrote the name of the University. Since the beginning of New China, Fudan has seized three golden opportunities for further development, thanks to the CPC and the People's Government.

The first one came in 1952 when colleges and universities all over the country underwent a thorough readjustment and reshuffling. Fudan lost its departments of applied disciplines for those of arts and sciences from other ten-plus universities in East China. This year saw the University's core disciplines greatly enhanced and its faculty re-energized with new arrivals: it was in this period that eminent professors like Su Bu-qing, Chen Jian-gong, Tan Jia-zhen and Lu He-fu came to join Fudan.

The first twenty years of the Reform and Opening-up Policy brought the second grand opportunity to Fudan, whose development received the Central Government's serious attention during the 7th, 8th and 9th National Construction Plans for the Next Five Years. The University became more intellectually comprehensive by covering a wider range of academic disciplines: the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, technology, and management. It was to exert a more positive and profound influence on the world.

The latest is the official merger with Shanghai Medical University on 27th, April, 2000, from which a brave new Fudan was born. For the first time has the University had its own college for medical sciences. Better equipped and more robust, Fudan is one step further today toward its ambitious aim of becoming a leading university in the world. more

Mid－ Autumn Festival (中秋节)The 15th day of the 8th lunar month

2006-10-01T23:55:00.000+08:00

The joyous Mid-Autumn Festival was celebrated on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon, around the time of the autumn equinox（秋分）. Many referred to it simply as the "Fifteenth of the Eighth Moon".

This day was also considered as a harvest festival since fruits, vegetables and grain had been harvested by this time and food was abundant. Food offerings were placed on an altar set up in the courtyard. Apples, pears, peaches, grapes, pomegranates（石榴）, melons, oranges and pomelos（柚子） might be seen. Special foods for the festival included moon cakes, cooked taro（芋头）and water caltrope（菱角）, a type of water chestnut resembling black buffalo horns. Some people insisted that cooked taro be included because at the time of creation, taro was the first food discovered at night in the moonlight. Of all these foods, it could not be omitted from the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The round moon cakes, measuring about three inches in diameter and one and a half inches in thickness, resembled Western fruitcakes in taste and consistency. These cakes were made with melon seeds（西瓜子）, lotus seeds（莲籽）, almonds（杏仁）, minced meats, bean paste, orange peels and lard（猪油）. A golden yolk（蛋黄） from a salted duck egg was placed at the center of each cake, and the golden brown crust was decorated with symbols of the festival. Traditionally, thirteen moon cakes were piled in a pyramid to symbolize the thirteen moons of a "complete year," that is, twelve moons plus one intercalary（闰月的） moon.

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a traditional festivity for both the Han and minority nationalities. The custom of worshipping the moon can be traced back as far as the ancient Xia and Shang Dynasties (2000 B.C.-1066 B.C.). In the Zhou Dynasty(1066 B.C.-221 B.C.), people hold ceremonies to greet winter and worship the moon whenever the Mid-Autumn Festival sets in. It becomes very prevalent in the Tang Dynasty(618-907 A.D.) that people enjoy and worship the full moon. In the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279 A.D.), however, people send round moon cakes to their relatives as gifts in expression of their best wishes of family reunion. When it becomes dark, they look up at the full silver moon or go sightseeing on lakes to celebrate the festival. Since the Ming (1368-1644 A.D. ) and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911A.D.), the custom of Mid-Autumn Festival celebration becomes unprecedented popular. Together with the celebration there appear some special customs in different parts of the country, such as burning incense（熏香）, planting Mid-Autumn trees, lighting lanterns on towers and fire dragon dances. However, the custom of playing under the moon is not so popular as it used to be nowadays, but it is not less popular to enjoy the bright silver moon. Whenever the festival sets in, people will look up at the full silver moon, drinking wine to celebrate their happy life or thinking of their relatives and friends far from home, and extending all of their best wishes to them.

Moon Cakes

There is this story about the moon-cake. during the Yuan dynasty (A.D. 1280-1368) China was ruled by the Mongolian people. Leaders from the preceding Sung dynasty (A.D. 960-1280) were unhappy at submitting to the foreign rule, and set how to coordinate the rebellion without being discovered. The leaders of the rebellion, knowing that the Moon Festival was drawing near, ordered the making of special cakes. Backed into each moon cake was a message with the outline of the attack. On the night of the Moon Festival, the rebels successfully attached and overthrew the government. Today, moon cakes are eaten to commemorate this legend and was called the Moon Cake.

For generations, moon cakes have been made with sweet fillings of nuts, mashed red beans, lotus-seed paste or Chinese dates（枣子）, wrapped in a pastry. Sometimes a cooked egg yolk can be found in the middle of the rich tasting dessert. People compare moon cakes to the plum pudding and fruit cakes which are served in the English holiday seasons.

Nowadays, there are hundreds varieties of moon cakes on sale a month before the arrival of Moon Festival.

full screen
Chinese:
Autumn 秋天, 也可以用Fall
Mid- Autumn Festival 中秋节, 也可以用Moon Festival
The eighth full moon 第八个满月
Lunar calendar 农历
Moon cake 月饼
Family reunion 全家团圆
Dessert 甜点
Traditional 传统的
Holiday 节日
对话(Dialogue)
A. Nice weather ,isn't it?
今天天气真好.
It sure was hot last week.
上星期好热呀!
B. I'm glad it is getting cooler as we are into autumn now.
真高兴现在是秋天, 凉快一点儿了.

Today is Mid-Autumn Festival.
今天是中秋节?
A. What's that?
什么是中秋节?
B. It is a traditional Chinese holiday. It falls on the 15th day of the eighth moon according to the lunar calendar.
是一个传统中国节日, 农历的八月十五日.
A. What do you do on Moon Festival ?
中秋节做什么呢?
B. It's a time for family reunion.
是全家团圆的日子.
A. Any traditional food ?(Any special food?)
有没有什么传统的(或特别的) 食物?
B. Yes, we eat moon cake for dessert.
有,　我们吃月饼当甜点.

Google Earth/World wind,God's eyes

2006-10-01T23:43:00.000+08:00

Google Earth is a well-known 3D geography browser from Google, available for Macintosh, Windows, and (in beta) Linux. World Wind is an open-source 3D geography browser from NASA, available for Windows only (though a cross-platform version based on .NET and Java is planned for late 2006).

Both are sophisticated programs with amazing feature sets, and both have features that the other lacks but would benefit from. However, as similar as they are (or seem to be), Google Earth and World Wind are not entirely comparable because of significantly different focuses, development histories, and development philosophies. Many of us use both programs, depending on what we wish to accomplish. Each program has distinct advantages over the other, and so we will leave it to you to decide which you prefer (if you absolutely must have a favorite).

Google Earth comparison @ World Wind Wiki

The Banquet (Ye Yan) - 2006

2006-10-01T23:37:00.000+08:00

Also Known As:
The Banquet (International: English title)
Runtime: 131 min
Country: China
Language: Mandarin
Color: Color
Certification: Singapore:NC-16 / Hong Kong:IIB
Trivia: Gong Li was originally supposed to play Zhang Ziyi's part. Due to scheduling conflicts, the role was passed onto Zhang Ziyi and she gladly accepted because she thought the character was so interesting.
The Banquet has been described as a loose adaptation of "Hamlet"; it is a tale of fate and revenge set in 10th century China. A new Emperor has usurped the throne through murder. Zhang Ziyi plays the widowed Empress, who marries the new Emperor (Ge You) only to protect herself, but also secretly plots his death with the help of the Crown Prince (Daniel Wu) and the Chief Minister (Ma Jingwu). Yet the Prince and Minister each have their own plans for the throne, and, of course, so does the Emperor. All these intrigues are brought to a climax when the Emperor calls for a lavish banquet, where the murderous plans are set in motion. According to director Feng Xiaogang: "If Hamlet is about a prince who must make a choice involving life and death, then The Banquet is about how each character must face a choice of life or death... All are motivated by desire, but as soon as they have begun their plans must grow more extreme, and they move step-by-step towards the abyss... They do not intend evil, but turn to it out
of self-preservation and ever-growing ambition." more

Tang Jiali nude photos,beautiful women?

2006-10-01T23:17:00.000+08:00

At the same time that the the Department of Culture is banning mildy pornographic network games, search engine Baidu reveals that actress, dancer and minor celebrity Tang Jiali (汤加丽) is currently the top search request on its list of "beautiful women".

The number of searches for Tang can probably be explained by her penchant for publishing books of nude photographs of herself. She also has a website, where you can find a gallery of images that would probably make the old farts at the Department of Culture blush.

There is some information and commentary on Tang and her books on Netease, here.

ADDITIONAL LINKS:
City Weekend: Profile of Tang Jiali (English)
Beijing Youth Daily Tang's copyright dispute with her photographer (English)
People's Daily: Tang Jiali profile and nude photos (!) (Chinese)
Wikipedia entry

UPDATE: Spelunker writes:

Recently the Tangjiali.com link has somehow changed into Tiyu.net. I wonder if those "old farts" at the Ministry of Culture are also big fans of Danwei.org as it seems Miss Tang's disappearance from the net coincides with her appearance on your site.

UPDATE:me

Her homepage URL:http://www.tangjiali.com/

And her blog's URL:http://blog.sina.com.cn/m/tangjiali

Asia University Ranking list by AsiaWeek

2006-10-01T23:03:00.000+08:00

Kyoto University
Tohoku University (Japan)
University of Hong Kong
Seoul National University
National University of Singapore
Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong University of Science and Tech.
Australian National University
University of Melbourne
University of New South Wales (Australia)
Nagoya University (Japan)
Taiwan University
University of Sydney
Korea University
Kyushu University (Japan)
Cheng Kung University (Taiwan)
Yonsei University (South Korea)
Tsing Hua University (Taiwan)
Hokkaido University (Japan)
Sun Yat-sen University (Taiwan)
University of Auckland
Keio University (Japan)
University of Western Australia
Central University (Taiwan)
University of Queensland (Australia)
University of Adelaide (Australia)
City University of Hong Kong
Chiao Tung University (Taiwan)
Waseda University (Japan)
Monash University (Australia)
Why?How? Where's Tsing Hua University and Peking University?

Lijiang Yunan(丽江-云南-中国)

2006-10-01T16:14:00.000+08:00

Location: located between 9923' - 10131' east longitude and 2559' - 2756' north latitude, and northwest of Yunnan province, middle reaches of Jinsha River
位置：位于西经9923' - 10131'北纬2559' - 2756'，云南省西北方。

Neighboring Areas: Sichuan province and Guizhou province; Tibet Autonomous Region and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Physical Features: lies in the joint area of Qingzang Altiplano and Yungui Altiplano

Nationalities: Han, Lisu, Pumi, Nuosu, Tibetan and Naxi

Geographic Feature: an intimate mountain town of stone and tile, laced with swift canals; a gathering place of rugged mountain people from various ethnic groups of Naxi Lisu, Pumi, Nuosu Yi, Tibetan

Climatic Features: distinctly vertical temperature difference, sufficient rainfall and clear division between dry seasons and humid seasons

Average Temperature: 12.6C -19.8C
Rainfall: annual average rainfall adds up to 1000mm

Mountains: Mt. Laojun, Jade Dragon Snow Mountain
Rivers: Jinsha River, Lancang River

Local Highlights: The Life of Naxi Women, Naxi Ancient Music, Old Town
丽江古城形成于宋末元初，明清以来一直是滇西北商贸中心和连接滇、川、藏的茶马古道重镇，已有800多年历史，面积3.8平方千米。古城北靠金虹山，西倚狮子山，东南向着千顷沃野，气候舒适宜人。玉河水在玉龙桥下一分为三，入城后分成更多的支流走街过巷、穿墙进院流遍全城，富有小桥流水人家的审美情趣。街道和房屋布局以水为脉随势自然，与内地城市方正严整的布局迥然不同，五花石路面色彩斑斓，融汉、白、藏等民族建筑文化的纳西民居古朴厚重保存完好，天井铺地、门窗隔扇等古风犹存，具有较高的欣赏和研究价值。overview

west lake of Hangzhou

2006-10-01T14:52:00.000+08:00

Misty Trees by Nine Streams

Guozhuang Park

Autumn Moon on the Calm Lake

Bai Dyke
I visited it at 2001 for the first time.
the West Lake has all along been extolled as a sparkling pearl. Legend has it that the lake used to be an auspicious pearl hewn into its sparkling shape by the Jade Dragon and the Golden Phoenix but it was later stolen by the Mother Queen of the West. When Jade Dragon and Golden Phoenix scrambled with the Mother Queen, this pearl accidentally fell onto a land that was known as Hangzhou.

overview

China's economy expected to up 10.5% in 2006

2006-10-01T10:32:00.000+08:00

This is a good news, but I was still only 3,000RMB(less than 400USD) per month.

BEIJING, Oct. 1 -- China's economy is expected to grow by 10.5 percent and the consumer price index by 1.5 percent in 2006, according to the latest report published by a research group under the People's Bank of China, the central bank.

The report also projects the country's gross domestic product (GDP) to grow by 9.5 percent in the first half of 2007, with the CPI up 1.8 percent.

China's economy will continue to maintain a steady and fast growth, though the growth rate might slow down, the report said.

The country's consumption will keep a fast growth in the future; the growth rate of domestic investment will slow down but is still on the fast track; the growth rate of export will gradually fall and net export will decrease for reasons of slowing global economy and rising trade frictions, analyzed the report.

China's economy grew at 10.2 percent last year and the growth rate was 10.9 percent in the first half of this year. Since the second half of last year, the government has strived to cool the economy before it is overheated.

The growth rate of fixed assets investment, a major indicator of economic growth, dropped 5.9 percentage points from July to 21.5 percent in August, as reported by China's National Bureau of Statistics.(xihua,China Daily)

Before 10.1,Tian'anmen Square prior to National Day

2006-10-01T10:17:00.000+08:00

A themed parterre is seen on the Tian'anmen Square on Friday. [China Daily]

A themed parterre is seen on the Tian'anmen Square on Friday. [newsphoto]

Grand reception marks 57th National Day

2006-10-01T10:04:00.000+08:00

Premier Wen Jiabao proposes a toast at a reception marking the 57th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing September 30, 2006. China is celebrating the anniversary on October 1.
(@China Daily) View
China is an oriental country with a long history.I'm proud I am Chinese.国庆节快乐。

Peking University: An Overview

2006-10-01T01:24:00.001+08:00

Peking University is a comprehensive and National key university. The campus, known as "Yan Yuan"-- the gardens of Yan, is situated at the northeast of the Haidian District at the western suburbs of Beijing. It stands near the Yuan Ming Gardens and the Summer Palace.

The University consists of 30 colleges and 12 departments, with 93 specialties for undergraduates,2 specialties for the second Bachelor's degree, 199 specialties for Master candidates and 173 specialties for Doctoral candidates. While still laying stress on basic sciences, the university has paid special attention to the development of applied sciences.

At present, Peking university has 216 research institutes and research centres, and there are 2 national engineering research centres, 81 key national disciplines, 12 national key laboratories.

The university has made an effective combination of the research on important scientific issues with the training of personnel with high level specialized knowledge and professional skill as demanded by the country's socialist modernization. It strives not only for the simultaneous improvements in teaching and research work, but also for the promotion of interaction and mutual promotion among various subjects.

Thus Peking University has become a center for teaching and research and a university of the new type, consisting of diverse branches of learning such as pure and applied sciences, social sciences and the humanities, and sciences of management and education. Its aim is to rank among the world's best universities at the beginning of the next century.

View more info @ http://www.pku.edu.cn/

About Tsinghua

2006-10-01T01:22:00.000+08:00

Situated on several former royal gardens of the Qing Dynasty, surrounded by a few historical sites in northwest Beijing, is the campus of Tsinghua University. The garden-like landscape, with the Wanquan River meandering through, has inspired and motivated generations of students.

Tsinghua University was established in 1911 originally as "Tsinghua Xuetang," a preparatory school for students who would be sent by the government to study in universities in the United States. The school was renamed "Tsinghua School" in 1912. The university section was instituted in 1925 and undergraduate students were then enrolled. The name "National Tsinghua University" was adopted in 1928, and in 1929 the Research Institute was set up.

Although Western culture was pervasive in the early history of the university, Chinese culture were also cherished and widely studied. The faculty greatly valued the interaction between the Chinese and Western cultures, the sciences and humanities, the ancient and modern. Tsinghua scholars Wang Guowei, Liang Qichao, Chen Yinque and Zhao Yuanren, renowned as the "Four Tutors" in the Institute of Chinese Classics, advocated this belief and had a profound impact on Tsinghua's later development.

The Resistance War against the Japanese Invasion in 1937 shattered the campus' serenity and forced Tsinghua to move to Kunming and join with Peking University and Nankai University to form the "Southwest Associated University." Despite the tumult, hardships and material scarcity brought on by the war, the teachers and students persisted with their work and studies, achieving outstanding academic performance even under such difficult conditions. After the war, in 1946, the university was moved back to its original location in Beijing.

The Tsinghua faculty and students have left a lasting imprint on the history of modern China. They actively resisted the Japanese invasion, participated in the influential "December 9th Movement of Patriotism and Democracy" and the movement of the "Struggle against Starvation, Civil War and Persecution," and devoted themselves to the pursuit and spread of the truth that would give new birth to the nation in the midst of her struggle for independence.

After the founding of the People's Republic of China, the university was molded into a polytechnic institution focusing on engineering in the nationwide restructuring of universities and colleges undertaken in 1952. In November 1952, Jiang Nanxiang became the president of the university. He sought to best way to promote Chinese higher education and made significant contributions in redirecting Tsinghua to become the national center for training engineers and scientists with both professional proficiency and personal integrity.

Tsinghua has flourished since 1978, with the re-establishment of the departments in sciences, economics and management, and the humanities. The Tsinghua graduate school has been recognized nationally, ranking first in the National Evaluation of Graduate Schools. The School of Continuing Education makes the best use of modern information technologies, as well as the advanced educational resources at Tsinghua. Currently, the university consists of 44 departments distributed in 11 schools, including the schools of sciences, architecture, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, information science and technology, humanities and social sciences, economics and management, law, arts and design, public policy and management, and applied technology. A medical school is currently being established. Tsinghua is developing into a comprehensive university at a breathtaking pace.

With a splendid legacy accumulated over the past 90 years, Tsinghua has retained its character and charm while promoting rigorous scholarship research, ensuring academic and educational prestige in China and abroad. The university currently has over 7,100 faculty and staff, with over 900 full professors and 1,200 associate professors, including 24 members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and 24 members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

The educational philosophy of Tsinghua is to "train students with integrity." Among the over 100,000 students who have graduated from Tsinghua since its founding are many outstanding scholars, eminent entrepreneurs and great statesmen remembered and respected by their fellow Chinese citizens. Hence, to study at Tsinghua is the dream of many Chinese youth. Presently, Tsinghua has over 20,000 students, including 12,000 undergraduates, 6,200 master's degrees candidates and 2,800 doctoral candidates.

With strong support from the nation and in the face of unprecedented opportunities, Tsinghua University is poised to become a world-class university in the 21st century. With the inspiring motto "Self-discipline and Social Commitment," Tsinghua is dedicated to the well being of Chinese society.

View more info @ http://www.tsinghua.edu.cn/

Introduction to the People's Bank of China

2006-10-01T01:18:00.000+08:00

The People's Bank of China (PBC) was established on December 1, 1948 based on the consolidation of the Huabei Bank, the Beihai Bank and the Xibei Farmer Bank. In September 1983, the State Council decided to have the PBC function as a central bank. The Law of the People's Republic of China on the People's Bank of China adopted on March 18, 1995 by the 3rd Plenum of the 8th National People's Congress has since legally confirmed the PBC's central bank status.
With the improvement of the socialist market economic system, the PBC, as a central bank, will play an even more important role in China's macroeconomic management. The amended Law of the People's Republic of China on the People's Bank of China, adopted by the 6th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress on December 27, 2003, provides that the PBC performs the following major functions:
(1) Drafting and enforcing relevant laws, rules and regulations that are related to fulfilling its functions;
(2) Formulating and implementing monetary policy in accordance with law;
(3) Issuing the Renminbi and administering its circulation;
(4) Regulating financial markets, including the inter-bank lending market, the inter-bank bond market, foreign exchange market and gold market;
(5) Preventing and mitigating systemic financial risks to safeguard financial stability;
(6) Maintaining the Renminbi exchange rate at adaptive and equilibrium level; Holding and managing the state foreign exchange and gold reserves;
(7) Managing the State treasury as fiscal agent;
(8) Making payment and settlement rules in collaboration with relevant departments and ensuring normal operation of the payment and settlement systems;
(9) Providing guidance to anti-money laundering work in the financial sector and monitoring money-laundering related suspicious fund movement;
(10) Developing statistics system for the financial industry and responsible for the consolidation of financial statistics as well as the conduct of economic analysis and forecast
(11) Administering credit reporting industry in China and promoting the building up of credit information system;
(12) Participating in international financial activities at the capacity of the central bank;
(13) Engaging in financial business operations in line with relevant rules;
(14) Performing other functions prescribed by the State Council.
View More Infomation @ http://www.pbc.gov.cn/english/

CCTV-9

2006-10-01T01:05:00.000+08:00

CCTV International (CCTV-9) is the English-language 24-hour news channel of China Central Television, China´s largest national TV network. Launched on September 25, 2000, CCTV International is dedicated to reporting news and information to its global audience, with a special focus on China. With a team of experienced and committed journalists, CCTV International is China´s contribution to greater diversity and more perspective in the global information flow.

With its new lineup starting May 3rd, 2004, CCTV International increased coverage of world events, in addition to its focus on China. CCTV International emphasizes a Chinese perspective while striving to give a more balanced picture of the world.

CCTV International covers the globe via six satellites. Its programs can now be seen by 45 million subscribers outside China. 24 hours a day, seven days a week, CCTV International provides viewers with a host of news and feature programs.

China aims to become world's leading tourist destination

2006-10-01T00:46:00.001+08:00

China, already the world'sfifth most popular tourist destination, plans to be the global leader by 2020.

Sun Gang, deputy-director of the China National Tourism Administration, made the remarks here to Asian tourism industry professionals in the Boao Forum for Asia -- Tourism Conference, which just concluded in this scenic tourist spot in southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

"China's current ranking in world tourism demonstrates its status as a major tourism destination," Sun said. "The developmentof China's tourism industry constitutes an important part in the country's process of building a well-off society."

According to information from China's State Administration of Statistics, overseas tourist arrivals in 2001 totaled 89.01 million, a rise of 6.7 percent over the previous year. Travelers staying longer than one night reached 33.16 million, the fifth largest number in the world.

The overseas tourists brought 17.79 billion US dollars to the region, a yearly increase of 9.7 percent, making China the fifth largest earner of foreign currency from tourism for the first time.

In the first nine months of this year, China received 28.12 million travelers, up 14.8 percent from the same period last year.

Chinese tourism professionals believed these results are both the start-up points and a solid foundation for China to build itself as a world-class tourism destination.

China's tourist infrastructure construction development and management have seen all-round improvement during the past 20 years. The latest statistics show that by the end of 2001, China had put 780 billion yuan into tourism fixed assets investment and had 288,000 tourism enterprises, 274,000 hotels and inns, and morethan 10,000 travel services.

China has issued 17 sets of tourism industry standards, achieving fruitful results in tourism standardization.

All these efforts put China's tourism on an international level. 　　

Tourism has become a new niche of growth for the Chinese economy. The total tourism related income brings an average annual growth of 12 percent, or five percentage points higher than the GDP growth of the same period. China's tourism earns 499.5 billion yuan, or 5.2 percent of China's GDP. The foreign currency earning is expected to hit 20 billion US dollars. China is expected to earn 30 billion US dollars from tourism in five years.

The holiday economy, initiated by China, has become a booster of China's tourism industry. Last year in the three "seven-day vacations" for the Chinese New Year, May Day and National Day, China's domestic travelers reached 200 million. The tourist incomeduring these periods was 73.6 billion yuan. The holiday tourism gave an injection into the accommodation, transportation, shopping and catering industries, generating shopping sprees and driving the domestic demand.

"Out-bound traveling has become a must for the Chinese people in their well-to-do life," Sun said.

The industry also played an active role in promoting the sustained economic, social and environmental development, job creation and poverty alleviation.

"China is one of the first countries in the world to eradicate poverty through tourism development," said Wu Bihu, a doctor with the Beijing University Tourism Development and Planning Research Center. "Thanks to the development of tourism and related industries, a great number of people in such poverty-stricken areas as Yunnan and Guangxi finally solved the problem of feeding and clothing themselves."

Experts estimate that the labor-intensive tourism industry has created 35 million direct or indirect job opportunities in the past 10 years in China.

More importantly, China's tourism has become an integral part of world tourism. According to the estimation of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), China will become the world's largest host country and the fourth largest to send tourists abroad by 2020.

In this year alone, according to the WTO, about 10 million Chinese will spend 18 billion US dollars traveling to other Asian destinations. In the year 2020, Chinese outbound travelers are expected to reach 100 million, a figure equal to the outbound travelers of all other Asian destinations combined.

China still lags behind the current world-class tourist destinations, such as Britain, France and the United States, Sun said, adding that the development of its rich tourism resources, the management of tourism enterprises and promotion still remain low.

"There is still a long period of time before 2020, and I believe the current gap will be gradually narrowed," he said. Enditem

The ABC's of Tourism in China

2006-10-01T00:45:00.002+08:00

Sightseeing

China has many tourist attractions thanks to its vast territory, beautiful landscapes, long history, and splendid culture. There are 99 state-class historical and cultural cities, 750 national-class cultural relics and places of historical interest under key government protection, and 119 major scenic spots, 19 of which are listed as world Natural and Cultural Heritages.

The long history and brilliant culture of China can be retraced in the ancient ruins and relics. Beijing, Xi’an, Nanjing, Luoyang, Kaifeng, Hangzhou, and Anyang are the seven ancient capitals, and people can follow the traces of Confucius, Qin Shihuang, and Genghis Khan to admire the extensive and profound Chinese culture.

China has long been known for its beautiful landscapes. Some of the most famous are the Lijiang River in Guilin, the Five Mountains, the Three Gorges along the Changjiang River, and the water scenes in southern China. There noted tourist attractions include Mount Huangshan in Anhui Province, Mount Emei in Sichuan Province, the Huanggoushu Waterfall and Limestone Caves in Guizhou Province, the Stone Forest in Yunnan Province, the Grasslands in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and the frost-covered trees in Jilin Province in winter.

China’s folklore is especially attractive. There are more than 40 yearly festivals. And every ethnic minority group have its own festivals. China is also famous for its special arts such as Beijing Opera, acrobatics, songs and dances, and calligraphy and painting.

With a long coastline, China’s many fine ports and coastal areas are choice destinations for vacationers. China has established a number of national holiday resorts, thus offering more choices for vacationers.

China has seen a rapid development in tourism and a great improvement in tourist facilities such as accommodations, food, shopping, and recreation. You will enjoy the best service during your stay in China.

Transportation

The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) is an organization for civil air transport in China. Today, the Chinese aviation has opened 750 domestic airlines, 100 international airlines, and 21 regional airlines, linking 58 cities in 39 countries. The domestic airlines serve 136 municipalities in China. Chinese airlines have reached world standards. Constant improvements are being made to the main airports and their facilities. Air China has become one of the safest airlines in the world.

1.Railway
Railways in China have developed rapidly, and many new domestic and international lines have been opened. The domestic lines include quasi-express trains, express trains, tourist trains, special expresses, and through expresses.

2. Highways
The highways in China have a total mileage of 1.18 million kilometers. These include 70 national highways and1,600 provincial highways. Great efforts are being made to construct more expressways and class I and Class II highways for motor traffic. The following expressways and Class |and Class || motor highways are convenient for tourists: Shenyang-Dalian, Beijing-Tanggu, Nanjing-Shanghai, Shanghai-Hangzhou, Hangzhou-Ningbo, Xi’an-Lintong, Xi’an-Baoji, Guiyang-Huangshi, Jinan-Qingdao, Guangzhou Shenzhen, Guangzhou-Foshan, Chengdu-Chongqing, Fuzhou-Xiamen,Hainan Island Ring Road, Guilin-Liuzhou, Guangzhou-Shantou, and Luoyang-Kaifeng.

Water Transportation

China has a vast sea area with the Bohai Sea, the Yellow Sea, and the South China Sea in the south. China's long coastline has ports in Shanghai, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Yantai, Qing dao, Qinhuangdao, Dalian, Beihai, and Hong Kong. These ports are vast and deep with beautiful surroundings, making them
another choice for sightseeing in China.

International Lines on the Sea
A regular weekly line of the Sino-Japanese International ferry company runs between Shanghai and the Japanese cities of Kobe, Osaka, and Yokohama, A one-way trip takes 45 hours.

Domestic Sea Lines
Domestic sea lines link all Chinese port cities. The main lines include Shanghai-Dalian, Dalian-Tianjin,Dalian-Yantai, Shanghai-Qingdao, Shanghai-Guangzhou, Beihai-Guangzhou, Shenzhen-Zhuhai,and Zhuhai-Hong Kong.

Routes on inland Rivers
China’s mainland is crisscrossed by 226,800 kilometers of rivers, of which 136,000 kilometers are navigated.

Hotels

Hotels have proliferated in China to accommodate a growing number of visitors from every nook and corner of the world. China has 3,700 hotels for foreign guests, half of which are star-star, 600 three-star, 930 two- star, and 300 one-star. All star-rated hotels are equipped with the best facilities and offer world-class service.

Major Travel Services

Travel agencies in china are divided into two groups: international and domestic. The international travel agencies specialize in the inbound and outbound international travel and can also arrange domestic travel.

There are 1.000 travel agencies operating in various provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities of China. All of China’s leading travel services-such as China international Travel Service (CITS), China Travel Service (CTS), China Youth Travel Service (CYTS), and china comfort Travel (CCT)-have branches in various localities and at major scenic spots.

The business scope of the international travel agencies includes the following:
1. Organizing and arranging tourist activities for inbound and outbound individual travelers and tourist groups;
2. Providing a complete guide service in foreign languages and local Chinese dialects;
3. Reserving airplane, ship, and train tickets, and handling passports, visas, and various notarizations.

Entertainment

The splendid Chinese culture and the hospitable Chinese people offer foreign tourists rich cultural and recreational activities including operas such as Beijing Opera, Shanghai Opera, and Henan Opera; acrobatic performances; and folk singing and dancing. Foreign Guests can know China better by joining in
the celebrations of traditional festivals of China’s 56 ethnic groups.

Chinese Cuisine

Chinese cuisine has a long history, and is one of the Chinese cultural treasures . It is as famous all over the world as French cuisine. Chinese cookery has developed and matured over the centuries, forming a rich cultural content It is characterized by fine selection of ingredients, precise processing, particular care to the amount of fire, and substantial nourishment. Local flavors and snacks, and special dishes have formed
according to regions, local products, climate, historical factors, and eating habits.

1.Local Cuisine
Each local cuisine has its own characteristics, but Chinese cuisine as a whole is divided into four major schools--Shading, Sichuan, Huaiyang, and Guangdong (Cantonese). To these can be added four more: Hunan, Fujian, Anhui, and Zheijiang. Sometimes Beijing and Shanghai cuisine are also counted.

2.Special Cuisine:
Palace, vegetarian, and medicinal dishes are categorized as special cuisine. Palace cuisine originated from the imperial kitchens, where dishes for emperors and empresses were cooked. Palace dishes are made from carefully selected ingredients and cooked with great care. Different dishes are made for different seasons. Cutting methods are exquisite, Diners eat according to traditional procedures.

3.Local Flavors and Snacks
China has many local flavors and snacks. The southerners prefer rice, while the northerners refer noodles. Beijing flavor is famous for sweetness, Guangdong snacks are more Western, and Suzhou snacks have pleasant colors and beautiful shapes. The most famous Chinese local flavors and snacks include bean curd jelly in Beijing;Goubuli steamed dumplings in Tianjin, small steamed soup dumplings with the ovaries and digestive organs of crabs in Zhenjiang, small steamed pork dumplings served in the steamer tray in
Shanghai, dumplings stuffed with crab meat in Guangzhou, and noodles with sesame paste and pea sprouts.

Shopping in China

China has a wonderful variety of raw materials due to its vast territory and various climates. The tumultuous history of Chinese civilization has left behind a rich cultural heritage, which can be found in traditional arts and crafts. Shopping is a major activity for tourists who come to China. High up on their shopping lists are silk products, embroidery, Chinese calligraphy and paintings, Chinese medicine, cloisonne enamel, ceramics, carvings, woven arts and crafts, lacquer ware, Chinese fans, the four treasures of the study, tea, liquor, folk arts and crafts, and local products.

1.Silk. China is known as the home of Silk. Silkworms are raised in many places, such as Jiangsu, Guangdong, Hunan, and Sichuan. Hangzhou is the most famous city in China for silk products in great variety, including silk, satin, damask, and brocades.

2.Embroidery. The four most famous types of embroidery in China are embroideries from Jiangsu, Hunan, Guangdong, and Sichuan provinces. The most famous styles of brocade are yunjin from Nanjing, songjin from Suzhou, and shujin from Sichuan. There are other well known styles of brocade made by minority peoples, such as Zhuang, Dai Li, Dong, and Tujia.

3.Chinese calligraphy and paintings. Chinese calligraphy and paintings form a cross-section of the traditional Chinese culture. High-grade calligraphy and paintings are the best souvenirs for foreign travelers. Most works are done on a kind of paper known as xuan. There are also other forms of art, such as shell paintings from Dalian, Qingdao, Beihai, Guangdong, and Fujian; bark paste-ups from Jilin; soft-wood paintings from Fuzhou; paintings on bamboo curtains from Sichuan; straw patchwork from Guangdong and Heilongjiang and feather paste-ups from Shenyang and Shandong.

4.Ceramics. Ceramics is one of the many traditional Chinese handicrafts. The best pottery-making sites in China are Yixing in Jiangsu Province, Shiwan in Guangdong Province, and Luoyang in Henan Province. Luoyang's tri-colored glazed pottery is world famous. It uses red, green and white colors to imitate the tri-colored glazed pottery popular in the Tang Dynasty. Yixing mainly produces pottery for daily use. Pottery from Shiwan is simple and unsophisticated, often used to make containers in the shape of human figures.

Other choices for souvenirs areTraditional Chinese medicine, Cloisonne enamel,Four treasures of the study,Lacquer ware,Chinese fans,Tea,Liquor,Carvings, rugs silk umbrellas, New Year's paintings papercuts, kites, traditional and ethnic clothes, and traditional toys. Famous local products include candied fruits from Beijing, raisins from Xinjiang, cashmere and camel hair products from inner Mongolia, caracul from Qinghai, sheepskin from Ningxia, and fur from Jilin.

To help tourists buy what they want, many local travel agencies have accredited high-quality shopping centers or department stores as "fixed" or "reliable." All shopping centers or department stores recommended in this brochure have been approved by the appropriate government agencies. The tourist can also change money in medium and large-sized stores, which also offer other services such as mail-order, consignment, and customs applications for customers. These centers will offer the best services and goods at fair prices.

Brief Introduction to China

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Location The People Republic of China is situated in eastern Asia on the western shore of the Pacific Ocean, with an area of 9.6 million square kilometers. China's continental coastline extends for about 18,000 kilometers, and its vast sea surface is studded with more than 5,000 islands, of which Taiwan and Hainan are the largest.

Land Formation and Rivers China's land drops off in escarpments eastward to the ocean, letting in humid air current and leading many rivers eastward. Among the rivers totaling 220,000 kilometers in length in China, the Changjiang (Yangtze) and the Huanghe (Yellow) are world known.

China has beautiful scenery, with mountains and ranges, highlands, plains, basins, and hills. The highlands and hill regions account for 65 percent of the country's total land mass, and there are more than 2,000 lakes. The highest mountain peak is Qomolangma (Everest), the highest in the world, 8,848 meters above sea level; the lowest point is the Turpan Basin, 154 meters below sea level.

Climate

China is characterized by a continental climate. The latitude spans nearly 50 degrees. The greater part of the Chinese territory is situated in the Temperate Zone, its southern part in the tropical and subtropical zones, and its northern part near the Frigid Zone. Temperatures differ therefore rather strikingly across the country. The northern part of Heilongjiang Province has long winters but no summers; while the Hainan Island has long summers but no winters. The Huaihe River valley is marked by distinctive seasonal changes, but it is spring all year round in the south of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. In the northwest hinterland, the temperature changes dramatically. China high tundra zone is situated in the Qinghai-Tibet, where the temperature is low in all four seasons. Some desert areas are dry all year round.

Resources

China abounds in natural resources. It leads the world in many proven mineral deposits; No country in the world boasts more wildlife than China, many of which are native to China, such as giant panda, snub-nosed golden monkey, and Chinese alligator; China's dawn redwood and Cathaya argyrophylla are known as the living fossils of ancient plants.

To protect the nation's native animals and plants, especially the endangered species, China has established more than 700 nature reserves. History China, with a recorded history of 5,000 years, is one of the world's earliest civilizations.

In the 21st century B.C., China entered slave society with the founding of the Xia Dynasty, thereby writing a finale to long years of primitive society. The Xia was followed by the Shang and Western Zhou Dynasty, Which encompassed the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods.

In 221 B.C., Qin Shihuang established China's first centralized autocracy, the Qin Dynasty, thereby ushering Chinese history into feudal-ism, which endured in a succession of dynasties, such as the Han, Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, until the Opium War of 1840.

The economy and science and technology were relatively well developed in ancient China. During the Shang Dynasty some 3,000 years ago, the Chinese had mastered the art of bronze metallurgy, and invented iron implements; Many distinguished thinkers, scientists, artists and writers came into being. The contributions to world civilization of ancient China's four inventions: papermaking, printing, powder, and the compass, as well as remarkable achievements in mathematics, medical science, astronomy, agriculture, and architecture, are universally recognized.

The Bourgeois Democratic Revolution of 1991 led by Sun Yat-sen toppled the rule of the Qing Dynasty, put an end to more than 2.000 years of feudal monarchical system and culminated in the establishment of the provisional government of the Republic of China.

The People's Republic of China was founded on October 1,1949. Today, China is implementing reform and opening-up policies, and has established socialist market economy, thereby charting the course for socialist modernization with Chinese characteristics. Population China, as the word's most populous country, has a population exceeding 1.2 billion, which makes up 22 percent of the world total. To bring population growth under control, the country has followed a family planning policy since the 1970s.

The minority people of China

Ethnic Groups China is a multiracial country with 56 ethnic groups, including Achang, Bai, Bonan, Blang, Bouyei, Korean, Daur, Dai, De'ang, Dongxiang, Derung, Oroqen, Russian, Ewenki, Gaoshan, Gelao, Hani, Kazak, Han, Hezhen, Hui, Jino, Gin, ingpo, Kirgiz, Lahu, Li, Lisu, Lhoba, Manchu, Maonan, Mongolian, Monba, Miao, Mulam, Naxi, Nu, Primi, Qiang, Salar, She, Sui, Tajik, Tatar, Tu, Tujia, Va, Uygur, Uzbek, Xibe, Yi, Yuigur, Yao, Tibetan, and Zhuang. The Han people account for 92 percent of the population. No matter how big or small the population is, all peoples share equal rights.

Religion China is a multi-religious country. Taoism, Buddhism, lslamism, Protestantism and Catholicism have all developed quite a following in this country. Freedom of belief is a government policy, and normal religious activities are protected by the constitution.

Language and Character Chinese is commonly used in modern China. It is one of the five working languages designated by the United Nations. The majority of the 55 ethnic groups have their own languages. As a written language, Chinese has been used for 6,000 years.

Family Names Chinese family names came into being some 5,000 years ago. There are more than 5,000 family names, of which 200 or 300 are popular. The order of Chinese names if family name first. For instance, the family name of a person called Zhang Side is Zhang. Administrative Units China is divided into 23 provinces, five autonomous regions, four municipalities under the direct jurisdiction of the Central Government, and one special administrative region. The 23 provinces are Hebei, Shaanxi, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Shaanxi,Guangdong, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, and Hainan; The five autonomous regions are Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Xinjiang, Guangxi, and Tibet; The four municipalities are Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, and Chongqing; Hong Kong is the special administrative region.

The Capital

Beijing is the capital of the People's Republic of China. It is not only the nation's political centre, but also its cultural, scientific and educational heart and a key transportation hub. Beijing has served as a capital for more than 800 years. The city had many places of historic interest and scenic beauty, including the imperial Palace (also known as the Forbidden City), the largest and best-preserved ancient architectural complex in the world; the Temple of Heaven, where Ming and Qing emperors performed solemn rituals for bountiful harvests; the Summer Palace, the emperors' magnificent garden retreat; the Ming tombs, the stately and majestic mausoleums of 13 Ming Dynasty emperors; and the world-renowned and genuinely inspiring Badaling section of the Great Wall. Large-scale construction since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 has brought great changes to Beijing. Today's Beijing still retains the alluring fascination of an ancient capital, but has added a small forest of skyscrapers and a complete range of municipal facilities, transforming itself into an attractively modern metropolis redolent of history.

The National Flag, National Emblem and National Anthem
The national flag of the People's Republic of China is red in color, rectangular in shape, with five stars. The proportion between the length and height of the flag is three to two. The five five-pointed yellow stars are located in the upper left corner. One of them, which is bigger, appears on the left, while the other four hem it in on the right.

The red color of the flag symbolizes revolution; the stars take on the yellow color in order to bring out their brightness on the red ground. The larger star represents the CPC, while the four smaller ones, the Chinese people. The relationship between the stars means the great unity of the Chinese people under
the leadership of the CPC.

The national emblem of the People's Republic of China is Tiananmen in the center illuminated by five stars and encircled by ears of grain and a cogwheel. The ears of grain, stars, Tiananmen and cogwheel are painted golden, and the inner part of the circle and hanging ribbons are painted red because these two colors are traditional Chinese colors representing auspiciousness and happiness. Tiananmen symbolizes the unyielding national spirit of the Chinese people in their fight against imperialism and feudalism; the ears of grain and cogwheel represent the working class and the peasantry; and the five stars stand for the
great unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the CPC. The national anthem was created in 1935, the lyrics by Tian Han, a famous poet, and the music by Nie Er, a famous composer. The lyrics are as follows:
Arise, ye who refuse to be slaves;
With our very flesh and blood
Let us build our new Great Wall!
The peoples of China are in the most critical time,
Everybody must roar his defiance.
Arise! Arise! Arise!
Millions of hearts with one mind,
Brave the enemy's gunfire,
March on!
Brave the enemy's gunfire,
March on! March on! March on, on!

This song, originally named March of the Volunteers, is the theme song of the film, Young Heroes and Heroines in Stormy Years. The film describes the people who went to the front to fight against the invaders in the 1930s when Japan invaded northeast China and the fate of the Chinese nation was hanging in the balance.

March of the Volunteers, inspiring and forceful, expresses the determination of the Chinese people to sacrifice themselves for national liberation, and their fine tradition of bravery, firmness and unity in their fight against aggression. It was for this reason that the CPPCC on September 27, 1949 decided to adopt the song as the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, and the National People's Congress on December 4, 1982 officially decided to adopt the song as the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.