Yunnan Province 云南省(Centrally administered municipality)
Area:
Area: 390,000 sqkm / Population: 32.tt million / Capital: Kunming
Yunnan Province in Southwest China is bordered by Guizhou and Guangxi
in the east, Vietnam and Laos in the south, Burma in the west and Tibet
and Sichuan in the north. The population of Yunnan is two-thirds Han Chinese
and one-third minorities, including, as the largest minority groups, the
Yi, Bai, Naxi, Hani and Dai. About half of the more than 50 nationalities
in China live in Yunnan.
History
Yunnan was originally populated solely by non-Han Chinese nationalities.
Power was in the hands of the tribal chieftains. Although they acknowledged
the supremacy of the Chinese empire, the region remained largely outside of
the Han Chinese sphere of influence. During the Tang Dynasty, the Nanzhao
Empire (738-902) of the Bai arose. It was succeeded by the state of Dali
(937-1253) in the 10th century. Yunnan's situation changed abruptly at the
beginning of the Yuan Dynasty: the Mongols not only overran the Chinese
heartland, but also advanced into present-day Yunnan and destroyed the state
of Dali in 1253. They founded Yunnan Province and annexed it to the empire.
Moslems from Northwest China moved into the regions that had been depopulated
as a result of the battles. During the following dynasty (Ming), the central
government supported the immigration of Han Chinese from the Changjiang Plain
to Yunnan to strengthen its control over the province. The administration of
the separate regions was in the hands of local leaders responsible to high
Chinese officials. Separatism, frequently coupled with ethnic and religious
differences, resulted in much strife in Yunnan - most noteworthy is the great
Moslem uprising (1857-1872). At the beginning of the 20th century, Yunnan
became the victim of French and British power politics. The French, operating
out of Vietnam, tried to bring Yunnan completely under their control. They
built the railway line from Hanoi to Kunming in order to exploit the copper
reserves. The British acted out of Burma. The period of the Japanese invasion
brought Yunnan unexpected progress. Entire factories, universites and government
offices were moved from the coastal provinces to the safer province Yunnan. For
the first time, governmental efforts were made to build up industry and tap
the mineral resources. However, these attempts were hindered by the lack of
an infrastructure.
Since 1949, the People's Government has promoted the development and expansion
of industry on a large scale, and the southwest is among the priority regions.
The new policy, which also tries to take a well-balanced position towards the
minorities question, has brought political unity and stability to Yunnan.
Yunnan's topography is marked by mountain chains and plateaus that continue
the Tibetan massif and fan out towards the southeast. The Ailaoshan mountains
in the middle of the province divide the area into two great eastern and
western regions. High mountain ranges separated by deep river valleys extend
through the west. In the northwest, the mountains attain heights up to 6,000 m,
torrential rivers flow through the valleys and are only navigable for canoes.
In the southern part of this region, the mountains are considerably lower
- up to only 2,000 m. Plateaus and broad valleys make intensive farming
possible here.
In the east, a broad plateau stretches out, reaching an altitude of about
2,300 m on its western end and 1,500 m on the border to Guizhou. Depression
lakes such as Dianchi near Kunming are characteristic of the region.
The climate is mild on the eastern plateau. The summers are cool owing due
to the protective northern mountain ranges. The growing period lasts at least
10 months. The average temperature is 22℃ in July and 9℃ in January. In the
western part of Yunnan, the summers are hot and humid in the deep valleys.
Yunnan lies in the monsoon area and thus receives a lot of precipitation. More
than 1,000 mm fall annually, most of it between May and October.
Yunnan's climate and elevation have made it into a botanic garden. There are
huge forests in the west and even jungles with typical tropical flora in the
southwest. Rice is raised above all else on the plateaus and in the broad
valleys. Other important crops are corn, wheat, sweet potatoes, soybeans and
tea and, in the southwest, tropical plants such as coffee, sugar cane, tobacco
and bananas. Mining is extremely important in Yunnan because of its plentiful
mineral resources. The tin deposits of the province is also rich in copper
and, in addition, there are substantial coal, iron and phosphorous deposits.
The ambitious industrialization program, whcih has already been partly put
into effect in Yunnan, has resulted in the expansion of the highway and
railroad networks. Not only is Kunming linked to Sichuan and Guizhou by rail,
but a star-shaped highway network leads from Kunming to all parts of the
province and to the neighboring regions.
Sichuan Province 四川省(Centrally administered municipality)
Area:
570,000 sqkm / Population: 99.7 million / Capital: Chengdu
Sichuan is located in the southwestern region of China. It is bordered by Hubei and Hunan in the east, Guizhou and Yunnan in the south, Xizang (Tibet) in the west and Qinghai, Gansu and Shaanxi in the north. The name 'Sichuan' means 'four streams', and it refers to the four most important tributaries to the Changjiang: Minjiang, Tuojiang, Fujiang and Jialing Jiang which flow through the province from north to south. Thanks to the favorable climatic conditions, intensive farming and numerous mineral resources, Sichuan is one of the richest provinces in China.
History
The area of present-day Sichuan was not originally settled by Han Chinese, who did not come to Sichuan until 4th century BC. During the Zhou Dynasty, the region was named Shu Ba; during the period of the Three Kingdoms (220-280), it became the Kingdom of Shu Han. Up into the 10th century, the region's name, administrative status and also its affiliation were changed many times. Sometimes it was an independent kingdom, at other times it was a regular part of the empire. Its remoteness and secure military position favored seperationist movements and called forth a strong feeling of regional identity. The region has been called Sichuan since the Song era. Provincial status was achieved during the Qing period. After the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty, Sichuan became the plaything of individual military rulers, and it was difficult for the national government to maintain control. During the period in which the military rulers were in power, the province was torn apart into separate regions - for a time as
many as 17. As the national government weakened, preceding the Japanese invasion in 1938, it withdrew to Sichuan, and the province was suddenly pushed into the spotlight of events. To a certain extent, the region profited from this development, as people and capital suddenly streamed from the coastal regions into remote Sichuan. The national government remained in Sichuan until 1946, and the Japanese never succeeded in conquering the region. Since the founding of the People's Republic, Sichuan has once more been brought under the firm control of the central government.
The province can be divided into an eastern and a western half. Numerous mountain chains divide the western region. The highest elevation in Sichuan, Gongga Shan mountain at 7,590m, is located in this area, about 70km from Ya'an. In contrast to the eastern half, the western half is sparsely populated. Most of the inhabitants have Tibetan-Burmese ancestry and live in the mountains. They make their livings by raising cattle and pasturing, faming or hunting. The Red Basin is located in the east, surrounded by mountain ranges. Several hundred million years ago, an inland sea was located here, and its red deposits led to the basin's name. The basin's surface is hilly and severely eroded. Effective farming became possible only by introducing terrace farming. Today, the basin is also called Land of Millions of Terraces. It is one of the most densely populated areas of China and is inhabited primarily by Han Chinese. The Han make up about 96% of Sichuan's population. Thanks to the long growing period of around
350 days, it is possible to grow two crops a year almost everywhere in the region. In the summer, almost a third of the entire land area is devoted to growing rice; corn, sorghum and sweet potatoes are planted in the rugged areas where it is difficult to irrigate. In the winter, wheat and rape are the dry land crops. Sugar cane, cotton, peanuts and citrus fruits are grown in certain river valleys. Tea is planted in the mountains in the west. Pressed brick tea is a specialty. Chengdu's plains are Sichuan's traditional region for the cultivation of rice. It is the only large area in the region that is relatively Dujiang Yan, was laid out here as early as the 3rd century BC under the direction of the prefect Li Bing and his son Erlang. This system was not only one of the oldest in China, but also one of the most successful. It guarded the basin against floods and droughts.
Due to the high mountains in the north and west which prevent cold air masses from entering the region, Sichuan's climate is mild. In Chengdu, the average temperature is 7℃ in January and 26℃ in July. In the mountainous western region, it is 20℃. Three-quarters of the annual precipitation falls between June and September.
Sichuan is one of China's most important suppliers of wood. Mineral resources are also significant. There are large supplies of ironore, copper, gold, silver, aluminum, salt, coal, oil, asbestos and marble. The leading industrial centers are Chongqing and Chengdu, as well as Neijiang and Yibin.
The capital, Chengdu, is the second largest city in Sichuan. The largest city in the province is Chongqing.
Chengdu 成都市
The
Chengdu lies in the middle of the province and has 3.89 million
inhabitants.
History
Chengdu was founded during the period of Warring States. It was the
seat of the prefecture of Shu until the Han Dynasty and was the
capital of the Shu Empire during the period of the Tree Kingdoms.
Chengdu developed into a booming business and trade town during the
Tang Dynasty. There were hundreds of lacquerers and jewellers; the
silver filigree work of Chengdu is stil some of the best of its kind
in China today. In 1368, Chengdu became the capital of Sichuan. During
World War II, many people provinces to escape the Japanese threat.
Institutes and universities came with them. After 1949, the city
developed into an important transportation juction; the railroad lines
to Chongqing, Baoxi and Kunming met here and highways lead to
neighboring regions. Chengdu has become an important manufacturing
city with several factories in light and heavy industry.
Chengdu has always been a cultural center and attracted literary men
and scholars. There was a school run by the state here as far back as
the Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-8 AD). There are 14 institutions of
higher education, including Sichuan University founded in 1927,
several research institutes and an institute for minorities.
Chengdu is often called the city of brocade. The breeding of
silkworms and the weaving of brocade were highly developed as early as
the Han era (206 BC-220 AD). Even today, one-third of the Chinese
mulberry spinning-silk is produced on the Chengdu Plain.
Chengdu is also the city of hibiscus. Meng Cheng, King of Shu and a
fancier of hibisus, had it planted along walls and the edges of
streets in the 10th century.
Gourmets should not pass up the chance to try out the Sichuan cuisine
in Chengdu. It is substantially hotter and spicier than those of the
other provinces.
Wenshu Yuan Temple Complex 文殊院
This
complex, founded in the 6th century, lies in the northern part
of the city. The present halls date from 1691. The most important
buildings are: Tianwang Dian, Sandashi Dian, Daxiong Baodian, Shuofa
Tang and Cangjing Lou. The more than 100 bronze Buddhist figures in
the temple are especially worth seeing; most of them were cast during
the Qing Dynasty. Shuofa Tang hall contains 10 iron figures from the
Song Dynasty.
Du Fu Caotang, Du Fu's Thatched Cottage 杜甫草堂
The
former residence of the famous poet Du Fu (712-770) is located in
the city's western district on the banks of the Huanhuaxi.
Du Fu resigned from his official position in the capital, Chang'an,
and came to Chengdu in 759. He retired to a thatched cottage outside
of Chengdu and wrote 240 poems there within three years. One hundred
years after Du Fu's death, the poet Wei Zhuang had a thatched cottage
built on the foundations of the old grass hut in Du Fu's memory. This
compound was expanded and restored again and again in the course of
the centuries. It attracted numerous writers and scholars from near
and far. After 1949, the People's Government had the entire complex
restored.
Several halls are open to visitors in which Du Fu's life and work are
portrayed. In addition, statues, stone carvings, paintings and
calligraphies by famous writers of different dynasties are also on
display.
The complex was expanded into a public park, which includes a bamboo
graden, several pavilion and bridges.
Daci Si Temple 大慈寺
Daci
Si on Dongfenglu street dates from the Tang Dynasty. The halls
open today are reproductions from the reign of Tongzhi (1862-1874).
In past times, the temple was well-known and valued in the entire
area for its murals. Tianwang Dian, Guanyin Dian, Daxiong Dian and
Cangjing Lou halls still stand today.
Wangjiang Lou Gongyuan Park 望江楼公园
This
park, 2 km east of Chengdu on the south bank of the Jinjiang
river, owes its reputation to the fact that the famous poet Xue Tao
(768-831) once lived here. She originally came from the capital,
Chang'an, and later moved to Chengdu with her father. After his death,
she ran into financial difficulties and became a singer. Her poetic
work was acknowledged and admired by her contemporaries.
Xue Tao loved bamboo. She regarded it as the symbol of modesty and
self-control, and 130 different types of bamboo were planted on the
grounds in her honor. Wangjiang Lou tower, the River View Tower, is
located within the park. It is 30 m high and very elegantly constructed.
The two lower stories are rectangular and the two top ones octagonal.
Baoguang Si Temple 宝光寺
Imposing
Baoguang Si is located in Xindu Xian district, 19 km from
Chengdu. The complex is supposed to date from as far back as the
Eastern Han Dynasty; however, the remaining buildings are more recent.
At the end of the Tang Dynasty, in 881, Emperor Xizong fled to this
temple from the rebellious troops of Huang Chao from Chang'an.
This temple was well preserved during the Cultural Revolution. The
military troops which were sent by Zhou Enlai in 1967 succeeded in
averting a violation by Red Guards, and therefore we can see many
treasures, for example a white jade Buddha sculpture from Burma, many
paintings and calligraphy. The original painting of 'The big horse' by
the famous painter Xu Beihong is hanging in one of the main halls of
the inner courtyard. The visitor should pay special notice to the hall
of the 500 Luohan sculptures.
Leshan 乐山市
Leshan
lies south of Chengdu on the Chengdu-Chongqing railroad at the
confluence of the Minjiang, the Qingyi and the Dadu. This city, formerly
called Jiazhou or also Jiading, has a 2000-year-old history. During the
Han Dynasty, the district capital Nan'an was located here. The town has
been called Leshan ever since the Qing era.
Leshan is an important center of the silk industry. An sight in sight in
Leshan's surroundings is the the Great Buddha.
Leshan Dafo, the Great Buddha of Leshan 乐山大佛
A
huge Buddha statue stands on the rock slope of Lingyuan Shan mountain at
the confluence of Dadu and Minjiang rivers in the southeast district of the
city. It is a 71-m-high protrayal of the seated Maitreya, finished in 803
after 90 years of work. Its head is 14.7 m high, 10 m wide and ends at the
tip of the cliff. Its eyes are 3.3 m wide, its ears 7 m long. Its feet rest
just above the surface of the water. It was the Buddhist monk Taitong who
arranged the construction of the Great Buddha. He was to watch over the
dangerously powerful currents in this area and to protect the boats. The
sculpture can best be seen from the water. One can take a tourist-boat or
ferry from the port of Leshan.
Leshan Rock Cave Tombs 乐山岩墓
Leshan
has many rock cave tombs, especially in the city districts Shiziwan,
Mahao, Yunzhen Dong and Xiaoba. They date from teh 1st to the 6th centuries.
The largest is 90 m deep, and even the smallest is 6 m deep.
Emei Shan Mountain 峨眉山
Emei
Shan is one of the four holy mountains of Buddhism in China. The other
three are Putuo Shan in Zhejiang, Wutai Shan in Shanxi and Jiuhua Shan in
Anhui. Emei Shan is dedicatd to the bodhisattva Puxian. It is located 160 km
southwest of Chengdu and 36 km from Leshan. The train travels to Emei County;
it is only 6 to 7 km south from there to the foot of the mountain. Here, there
is a great ornamental gateway with an inscription by Guo Moruo: Tianxia
Mingshan, a famous mountain on earth. It is not far from there to Baoguo Si,
a temple from the 16th century. It consists of the four halls Mile Dian,
Daxiong Dian, Qifo Dian and Cangjing Lou as well as several decorative
pavilions and towers. Of special interest are a colorful ceramic Buddha
figurines and the text of the Huayan Jing sutra. There is a model of Emei Shan
showing the mountain's paths and sights next to Daxiong Dian hall.
The first temples were built as early as the beginning of the Eastern Han
Dynasty. They were originally Daoist compounds. The construction of Buddhist
to China in the 2nd century. The bodhisattva Puxian is supposed to have taught
here at one time. During the Ming and Qing eras, the monasteries and temples
numbered 200; today, 20 still remain. It is about 63 km from Baoguo Si temple
to the peak. The greater part of this distance can be covered by car so that
there are only about 11 km to walk. However, the road is far away from the
impressive paths, rugged cliffs and precipices, the waterfalls and mountain
streams. There are over 3000 plant species, including a number of rare flowers
such as 30 types of azaleas and 14 types of orchids, old gingko tree, cedars
and medicinal herbs.
One can make out stone steps and iron chains on the mountain-side while
underway. These are the old, narrow paths still used by medicinal herb
gatherers. The expansion of the paths was begun as far back as the Song
Dynasty.
Fuhu Si monastery lies at the foot of the mountain only 1 km west of Baoguo
Si temple. It was founded in the Tang era and redesigned in 1651. Visitors
will find a guest house and a restaurant there. Qingyin Ge pavilion is in the
middle of an untouched landscape 15 km from Baoguo Si. Two streams, Bailong
Jiang, the White Dragon River, in the west and Heilong Jiang, the Black Dragon
River, in the east flow past the pavilion and then converge. Two parallel
arched bridges span the streams.
The 500-m-long 'Path of 99 Bends' leads from Qingyin Ge towards Hongchun
Ping monastery. This path is steep and winding and, therefore, difficult to
walk along.
Hongchun Ping monastery lies 10 km from Qingyin Ge at an elevation of 1,100
m. It was built in the Ming era and restored in 1790. The temple's treasure
is a tall, bronze lamp with a diamter of 1 m, decorated with over 300 Buddha
sculptures, dragons and lotus blossoms.
The Daoist cave Jiulao Dong, the Cave of Nine Immoratals, was the refuge
of nine old men in ancient times, according to a legend.
Xianfeng Si temple at an elevation of 1,700 m dates from 1612. The halls
that are open to the public were built during the Qing Dynasty.
The Elephant Pool, Xixiang Chi, is a hexagonal, 3-m-deep stone basin about
14 km from Xianfeng Si. According to one legend, the bodhisattva Puxian washed
his elephants here whenever he passed by. Near the Elephant Pool, there is
a temple at an elevation of 2,100 m: Chuxi Yan from the Ming era. It consists
of only one hall in which three Buddhist sculptures stand: Guanyin, Dizang
and Dashi Zhi. There are many monkeys in this region. A few decades ago, they
were threatened by extinction; however, extensive protective measures have
been taken that successfully banned this danger.
The highest part of Emei Shan is the 3,100-m-high Jinding, the Golden Peak,
also called Qianfo Ding, Thousand Buddha Peak. It is about a two-hour's walk
from the Elephant Pool and is surrounded by countless peaks. In the east, the
glistening waters of the Qingyi, Minjiang and Dadu rivers can be seen. The
special feature of the Golden Peak is 'Buddha's Light', a natural phenomenon
that can be observed several times a month and almost daily in October and
November. In the afternoon, the sunbeams break through the cloud cover and
build a rainbow in the shape of a closed circle. Whoever looks down from
Sheshan Yan cliff can see his own shadow in middle of the rainbow. Many a
Buddhist pilgrim who saw his shadow in this circle of light falsely interpreted
it as his having achieved illumination and sprang into the abyss.
On the return route, one should go into Wannian Si temple at an elevation
of 1,000 m. It was founded during the Jin era (265-420) and rebuilt or restored
many times afterwards. In 1946, it was destroyed by fire except for a brick
hall. In 1953, two halls were rebuilt according to old plans. The brick hall
is the main sight of the temple. It dates from the Wanli period (1573-1620) of
the Ming Dynasty and has a bronze statue from 980 depicting Puxian riding on
an elephant.
Chongqing 重庆市
The
Chongqing is located at the confluence of the Changjiang and Jialing Jiang
rivers in eastern Sichuan. The city was built on hilly terrain. Thousands of
alleys, narrow streets and steps lead between the houses down the slopes.
Modern apartment blocks, industrial complexes, trees and parks come into view
between the black roofs of the old houses. Chongqing has 6.51 million
inhabitants and is thus the largest city of the province and the most
important manufacturing center in Southwest China. Light and heavy industry
have all kinds of manufacturing plants here, including coal mines and
shipyards. The city's economy is supported by its favorable location on the
Changjiang.
The city's history is over 2000 years old. During the Tang era, the town
was called Yuzhou. Yu is still the classic name of the city today. It was
renamed Chongqing in the Song period. At the time of the Japanese invasion,
the southern office of the CCP and the Chongqing office of the 8th Route
Army were located here. Chongqing was the war capital of China from 1939-
1945. The Nationalist government had retreated this far from the Japanese
invaders. Millions of people from the eastern provinces accompanied the
government. Thus, Chongqing, like other cities in Southwest China, prospered
economically and culturally. Entire factories, universities and administrative
offices were moved here. Chongqing's development could not even be stopped by
the Japanese bombardments of 1938-1941, and it continued after 1949.
The city has also been able to develop culturally during the last few
decades. In addition to Chongqing University, there are several other colleges
and technical schools.
The summer months are hot and humid in Chongqing. The foggy period starts
in the fall and lasts from October to April. Whoever wants to undertake a
trip on the Changjiang starting at Chongqing at this time has to figure on a
delay of several hours when the fog is heavy. The fog lifts as the morning
goes by.
Chongqing has few older sights. The hot springs of Beipei and Nanwenquan
are worth an excursion. It is possible of late to travel to Dazu and see the
Buddhist caves.
Visitors not staying at Renmin Binguan guest house should really go there
and take a look at the building, built in 1954. It was designed according to
the traditional style and is suggestive of the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
The modern rooms are located in the wings. Local meetings and events take
place in the main part of the building.
The city takes pleasure in several parks, including the People's Park,
Renmin Gongyuan, in the southwest, Baihuatan Gongyuan in the west and the
zoo in the northern district.
Beiwenquan, Northern Hot Springs 北温泉
Hot
spring are located in Beipei northwest of Chongqing. The water
temperature averages 32°-37℃. There are plenty of swimming pools and
bathing cubicles. The springs lie in the midst of a large park bordered by
mountains and canyons on one side and by the Jialing Jiang river on the
other. Several Buddhist halls from the Ming and Qing eras can be visited
here.
Nanwenquan, Southern Hot Springs 南温泉
Another
park with hot springs lies 24 km south of the city center. The
water temperature is about the same as that of the Northern Hot Springs;
the water is sulphurous. The park grounds of Nanwenquan are best-known
for their scenic charm. Visitors encounter bridges, cliffs, canyons and
lush vegetation. Each of the 'Twelve Landscapes of Nanwenquan', as this
picturesque spot is often called, has its own appeal.
Hongyan Cun 红岩村
Hongyan
Cun lies on the banks of the Jialing Jiang, where the 8th Route
Army opened an office after the Japanese attacked Wuhan in 1938. In December
that year, Zhou Enlai, Dong Biwu and others also withdrew to Chongqing and
opened the south office of the CCP's Central Committee, headed by Zhou Enlai.
In August 1945, Mao zedong conducted peace talks here with the Kuomintang.
Trip down the Changjiang
Changjiang Sanxia, The Three Gorges of the Changjiang 长江三峡
The
6,300-km-long Changjiang is not only the longest river in China, but
also one of the longest in the world. Its source is in the Qinghai highlands
and it flows eastward through eight provinces and one centrally administered
municipality. At the place where the river reaches the eastern Sichuan Basin,
it makes its way deep into and through the Wushan mountains. It becomes narrow
and swift and difficult for boats to navigate. Rugged cliffs, steep crags and
high peaks line the banks. This incredible landscape is called the 'Three
Gorges of the Changjiang'. They extend over 193 km from Fengjie in the west
to Yichang in the east. A trip through the gorges is an unforgettable
experience for foreign as well as Chinese tourists.
The Changjiang used to be the main passage through the gorges was dangerous.
Shallows, dangerous bends, rapids and cliffs demanded the utmost attention
and a lot of experience from the boatsmen. An additional difficulty was the
great variability of the water level-up to 53 m difference in the gorges
between the dry and rainy periods. Many people lost their lives or boats and
cargo. Boats traveling upstream had to be towed, something that that
occasionally is done even today. After 1949, the government made funds
available to make navigation easier. Dangerous rocks were blasted away,
passages dredged and leveled. Today, the gorges are much less dangerous,
however, passage through them still requires a high level of concentration
from the ship and boat navigators.
The traveller normally begins his trip through the three gorges in Chongqing
with a downstream steamer. The trip to Wuhan takes three days; the same trip
upstream requires five. Whoever wants to see only the three gorges can get off
the boat at Yichang and continue his journey by train. An interesting
alternative is to leave the ship at Fengjie west of the gorges and spend a
night in the guest house there. It is possible to hire a boat and navigator
there and 'conquer' the first gorge slowly. The advantage of this is that the
traveler can get off the boat on the way and climb around the cliffs and the
path on the north bank. It is also possible to make an excursion to Baidi Cheng
from Fengjie. The next day, one can continue the trip through the gorges on
the next steamer. Such a side-trip should be arranged in advance with the
Luxingshe in Chongqing.
The trip from Chongqing to Fengjie lasts about 20 hours. The 12-tiered, red
pagoda of Shibaozhai can be seen en route.
Qutang Gorge 瞿塘峡
Begins
at Baidi Cheng. Steep walls of rock rist more than 100 m high on
either side, looking as if they had been cut by a knife. This is the narrowest
part of the river. Qutang gorge is only 8 km long and thus the shortest one,
but in spite of spit of that it is the most impressive. A mighty rock formerly
rose at its western end against which countless boats were battered. It was
blasted away during the work on the river so that it is no longer dangerous
to pass this spot. If one looks closely, one can discover remains of coffins
in some cracks high in the cliffs. A tribe laid their dead to rest here several
hundred years ago. Archeologists were able to recover some of these wooden
coffins, along with some swords and other relics. If one walks along the narrow
path cut into the rocky cliffs of the north bank, one finds frayed splinters
of wood that must have come from the formerly numerous wooden coffins.
Wuxia Gorge 巫峡
Is
40 km long and follows Qutang gorge. It begins near Wushan in Sichuan
and leads to Baodong in Hubei. Twelve high peaks line both banks of the river.
The most famous one is Shennu Feng, the Peak of the Holy Woman, named for its
graceful shape.
In the Wuxia Gorge the Daning He flows into the Changjian. Some of the
travel agencies have recently offered excursions into this side valley, it
is a journey in small boats passing through the so-called Three Little Gorges,
a distance of about 50 km; a fascinating experience which deepens the
impression of this river landscape.
Xiling Gorge 西陵峡
76 km
long, is the next gorge. It is possible to make out the most varied
objects in the rocks and cliffs, for example, rocks arranged like stacks of
books or swords. Xiling gorge was once greatly feared for its dangerous
shallows. A trip after dark was perilous. Navigation, even by night, has been
made safe by the removal of over 100 shallows and the installation of signal
lights. After the last bend of Xiling gorge has been passed, a wide plain
stretches out. The river becomes almost 2 km wide. Two small islands not far
from the gorge divide the river into two channels. This natural phenomenon
was used in constructing the giant hydraulic project Gezhou Ba.
Henan Province 河南省(Centrally administered municipality)
Area:
167,000 sqkm / Population: 74.4 million / Capital: Zhengzhou
The North China province of Henan is located on the lower course of the
Huanghe and is surrounded by Anhui, Hubei, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei and Shandong.
The name of the province means 'south of the Huanghe'.
History
Henana's history can be traced back to prehistoric times. Neolithic relics
were uncovered in Yangshao Cun village. Painted ceramics were included among
the finds. The Yangshao culture was named after the place of discovery. The
people were farmers who lived at the confluence of the Huanghe, Weihe and
Fenhe rivers. This area is considered to be the cradle of Chinese civilization.
The Shang Dynasty reached its greatest prosperity in the northern and western
regions of the province. Highly informative excavations were carried out in
the vicinity of Anyang and Zhengzhou. It is believed that the Shang capital
had been located near Anyang since 1384 BC. Luoyang was the capital of the
Zhou beginning in the 8th century BC. During the Zhou period, the region was
called Yuzhou, and Yu is still the classical name for Henan today. Not until
the Sui era was the name changed to Henan for the first time. Up into the 10th
century AD, the capital alternated time and time again between Chang'an
(present-day Xi'an) and Luoyang. Kaifeng was the capital during the period of
the Five Dynasties and the Northern Song Dynasty.
Henan can be divided into two topographical areas. The first area consists
of the loess covered hill lands in the west, and the second area makes up part
of the North China Plain in the east. Mountains tower above the hills along
the northwestern and southern borders with peaks extending up to 2,400 m. The
Nanyang Basin is located in southwest Henan, encircled by the Funiu Shan and
Dabei Shan mountains. The province has three river systems: the Huanghe, which
flows from west to east through the northern part of the province, the Huaihe
in the southeast and the Tanghe and the Taohe in the southwest.
Each year the Huanghe carries away approximately 1.6 billion metric tons of
sediment from the loess plateau of Shaanxi and Shanxi. As soon as the river
reaches the plains, the sediment settles and leads to flooding. Extensive dike
construction projects have been carried out in the region from time immemorial.
Meanwhile, the river bed has become higher than the surrounding land, and the
dikes must be raised constantly. Breaches in the dikes lead to catastrophic
floods; the water flows over the farm lands, and when the flood-level recedes,
it can no longer make its way back to the high river bed. In 1938, the national
government ordered the destruction of the dikes near Zhengzhou in an attempt to
stop the Japanese army from advancing. Since the population had not been
forewarned, more than a million people lost their lives in the resulting floods.
In 1960, the huge Sanmenxia reservoir was constructed. When the Huanghe is high,
the reservoir brings it under control as it enters the province. The Huaihe
and some of its most important tributaries originate in the mountains in the
western part of Henan and flow towards Anhui.
The amount of precipitation within the province decreases from southeast to
northwest, whereas the variability increases in the same direction. During
the dry winter and spring months, irrigation is extremely important. 60-70%
of the cultivated crop is wheat; Henan is China's largest wheat producer. In
the summer, the land is used for the cultivation of gaoliang (sorghum) and
soy the irrigation system, rice cultivation is also on the increase. Rice is
planted in the Huaihe and the Huanghe regions and in the Nanyang Basin. Cotton
and tobacco are cultivated as commercial crops. In addition, Henan is an
important producer of sesame, walnuts and tea. These products are exported in
large quantities. Henan also has a long tradition in silk production which
reaches back to the Han Dynasty.
Luoyang, Zhegzhou, Anyang, Kaifeng and Xinxiang are the leading industrial
cities in Henan. Anyang is the center of heavy industry. China's first tractor
factory was built in Luoyang in 1955. Zhengzhou is located in the cotton growing
region and has become the center of the textile industry. Kaifeng is a center
of trade and crafts.
Zhengzhou 郑州市
The
Zhengzhou is modern industrial city that has been the capital since 1954.
It is located south of the Huanghe. It's population numbers 1.58 million, and
as mentioned above, the city is a junction of the main transportation routes
from Beijing to Guangzhou and Lianyungang to Xinjiang.
History
Zhengzhou is one of the oldest cities in China. Relics from the Shang Dynasty
prove that the city had been a significant cultural center in ancient times
and can look back on a history of more than 3,500 years. Between 1956 and 1973,
archaeologists succeeded in partially uncovering the city wall from the Shang
period. The wall has a total length of 7,195 m, and even today it reaches a
height of 9 m and is 36 m wide at the base. In 1974, two fangding, rectangular
bronze kettles with four legs, were discovered in the immediate area. They
are among the most important finds from the Zhengzhou period (16th-14th century
BC).
In 605, during the Sui Dynasty, the city was named Zhengzhou for the first
time. At the beginning of the 20th century, its importance increased significantly
once again. In 1903, the Beijing - Hankou railway line reached Zhengzhou and was
later extended to Guangzhou. Zhengzhou was connected to Luoyang and Kaifeng in
1909. That was the beginning of the famous Longhai line, which today goes from
Lianyungang in the east to Xinjiang in the west. Thus, the city became one of
the most important railway junction in the empire, and as a result, also a center
of trade and administration. In 1923, Zhengzhou was the focal point for the
Beijing - Hankou railway workers' strike which went down in history as the
'February 7th Strike'.
Since 1949, Zhengzhou has developed into a modern industrial city; it became
the center of Henan's textile industry. Furthermore, there are also metal
working, chemical and food processing plants and tobacco and cigarette factories,
as well as machine manufacturers.
Kaifeng 开封市
The
Kaifeng, one of the six old capitals in China, is in eastern Henan, a few
kilometers south of the Huanghe river. Population: 600,000.
History
During the Warring States period, Kaifeng was the capital of the State of Wei.
It was destroyed by Qin troops in the 3rd century BC. As a market place, Kaifeng
was significant only at the local level up until the 5th century. After the
Sui Dynasty, the city's importance increased enormously. The construction of
the Grand Canal made it possible to conduct trade with important parts of the
country. During the Five Dynasties, Kaifeng was successively the capital of teh
late Jing, Han and Zhou. At that time, the city was a metropolis with around
one million inhabitants and the most important Far East trade center. The
building of the canal system led to further economic wealth. The city underwent
a time of great prosperity. The city was divided into an outer city surrounded
by a 25 km long wall, an inner city. The famous picture Qing ming shanghe tu
from the Northern Song era portrays the bustling life in the streets, on the
canals and at the markets of Kaifeng. Today, it is on display at the Palace
Museum in Beijing. With all likelihood, Jewish teachings made their way to
Kaifeng in the 12th century. For centuries, the city had a Jewish community
whose history was exemplarily recorded down through the years.
Xiangguo Si Temple 相国寺
Xiangguo
Si, located in the southern part of the city's older section, is one
of the most famous temples in China. During the period of Warring States, Prince
Xinling Jun of Wei lived here. In 555, during the Northern Qing Dynasty, Xiangguo
Si was erected on the same site. It acquired fame as a Buddhist temple, especially
during the Tang and Song periods. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the temple
was destroyed by floods. The buildings existing today were built in 1766. Daxiong
Baodian hall and and Cangjing Ge pavilion have beautiful roofs of yellow and
green ceramic tiles. The bell tower contains a large Qing-period bell which
is said to weigh more than 5,000 kg. The octagonal hall Bajiao Liuli Dian is
particularly striking. A gilded wooden statue of the Bodhisattva Guanyin stands
inside the hall.
Luoyang 洛阳市
Luoyang
, one of the six old capitals in China, is a modern industrial city
and a center of agriculture and trade. It has a population of about 980,000.
The city lies south of the Huanghe river, 112 km from Zhengzhou on the banks of
the Luohe, the river after which the city was named.
History
Luoyang is one of the oldest cities in China and has a history that goes back
more than 3,000 years. For 960 years, Luoyang was the capital of the empire and
and consequently the country's political, economic, cultural and military center.
Finds from the first settlements in the Luoyang vicinity date back to the
Neolithic era and come from the Yangshao and Longshan cultures. In 770 BC, the
Zhou Dynastial rulers made Luoyang their official capital. Two fortified
residences were established: Wangcheng on the west bank of the Chanshui River
(Wangcheng Gongyuan park still serves as a reminder of its existence), and
Chengzhou on the Chanshui's east bank, east of Baima Si temple. During the
Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220), Luoyang was made the official capital once more.
The city must have expanded immensely at the time, and done its reputation as
a cultural center justice. Historians reported about the great imperial academy
which consisted of several hundred buildings and which was attended by approximately
30,000 students from all over the country. The imperial library is also supposed
to have been huge. During this period, Luoyang was a meeting place for scholars
and artists. The invention of paper by the legendary eunuch Cai Lun occurred
during this time span, as well as the arrival of Buddhist teachings.
During the follwing centuries, Luoyang continued to be a significant place
for cultural and political life. During the Tang Dynasty, Luoyang was the
eastern capital along with Chang'an, and at times, it served as the seat of
the imperial family. The notorious Empress Wu Zetian (684-705) especially liked
the city. Luoyang became a center of literature, and famous poets such as Du
Fu, Bai Juyi and Li Bai lived and worked here. During the Five Dynasties period
(907-960), Luoyang was intermittantly the capital of the Liang and Tang dynasties.
After a brief period, the Jin rulers relocated the capital to Kaifeng. From
then on, the city lost much of its importance. Only during the last decades
has the city been able to regain a certain reputation as a rising industrial
city. In 1955, China's first tractor factory was built here, and in 1959, one
of the most important ballbearing factories was established.
Luo yang is City of Peonies; more than 150 varieties bloom here. Peonies have
been bred in Luoyang for more than 1,000 years. The Tang poet Bai Juyi and the
writer Ouyang Xiu from the Northern Song era admired the magnificance of the
flowers in bloom.
Hanwei Luoyang Gucheng, The Old City of Luoyang from the Han-Wei Dynasties
The Zhou-era capital Chengzhou is located 12 km east of present-day Luoyang.
The first emperor of the Eastern Han Dynasty decided to make it his capital,
as did the rulers of the Western Jin and the Northern Wei Dynasty. The western,
northern and eastern sections of the city wall can still be seen today. Eight
large streets traversed the city.
Longmen Shiku, Longmen Caves 龙门石窟
Aproximately
12 km south of Luoyang, the Yihe river flows northwards through
Longmen, Dragon Gate. According to an ancient legend, a mountain once stood
here. Behind the mountain, a dragon lived in a huge body of water and wreaked
great havoc and chaos. The mythical Emperor Yu put an end to this activity by
splitting open the mountain and providing the dragon with a passage towards
the sea.
Longmen Shan, also called Xishan, West Mountain, rises up on the west bank
of the Yihe. Xiangshan is located on the east bank and is also called Dongshan,
East Mountain, Caves and grottos were cut into the sides of the mountains, and
wonderful Buddhist sculptures were carved. The Longmen Caves are among the most
important cave temples in China, along with the Datong and Dunhuang caves. The
oldest caves date back to the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-534).
Today, there are 1,352 caves, 750 niches, 39 pagodas, 97,000 sculptures and
3,680 inscriptions to be seen on the slopes of East and West mountains.
Unfortunately, man has destroyed much during the last centuries. A number of
sculptures are on display in European, Japanese and North American museums.
Erosion has also damaged the grottos, although to a lesser extent.
The most important caves on Longmen Shan are, from north to south Qianxi Si,
Binyang Dong, Jingshan Si, Wanfo Dong, Lianhua Dong, Weizi Dong, Tangzi Dong,
Fengxian Si, Yaofang Dong, Guyang Dong, Huoshao Dong, Shiku Si and Ludong.
Several of these are described in more detail in the following text.
Qianxi Si was made at the beginning of the Tang Dynasty and contains a sculpture
of Amitabha with a disciple on each side. Two bodhisattvas and two celestial
guardians can be seen on the walls.
Binyang Dong is a cave complex consisting of a northern, central and southern
section. It was built upon the orders of the Xuanwu Emperor from the Northern
Wei Dynasty in honor of his parents.
Wanfo Dong, Cave of Ten Thousand Buddhas, dates back to the year 680. More
than 15,000 figures of Buddha are carved in the cave's walls.
Guyang Dong, the oldest of the Longmen grottos, was created in 495. The
inscriptions, most of which were carved during the Northern Wei era, significant.
The most important caves on Xiangshan are called Kanjing Si. They were built
during the regency of Empress Wu Zetian at the end of the 7th century. Their
roofs contain chiseled lotus blossoms, as well as figures playing music and
dancing. There are 29 Luohan figures on the walls.
Du Fu's Family House 杜甫故里
The
famous Tang poet Du Fu (712-770) was born by Bijia Shan mountain,
approximately 1 km east of the district capital Gongxian. The dwelling is
actually a cave which was finished with brick. The poet spent many years
of his life here.
Shaolin Si Monastery 少林寺
The
Zen-Buddhist Shaolin Si lies at the northern foot of Shaoshi Shan,
about 80 km southwest of Zhengzhou and 15 km northwest of the district
capital Dengfeng. This temple is renowned both at home and abroad because
one of the most famous styles of wushu (Kungfu), the traditional Chinese
art of fighting, was developed by the monks here-namely, Shaolin Quan, Shaolin
Boxing. The temple was built during the Northern Wei era in 495. It is said
that the Indian monk Tuoba came to China during this period to spread Buddhism,
and the Xiao Wen Emperor made this monastery available to him. Later, the
legendary Indian monk Bodhidharma, Damo in Chinese, came to this monastery.
Bodhidharma is given the credit for founding the large sect Chanzong. Because
he practiced Chan Buddhism (Zen Buddhism) for so many years at Shaolin Si,
today the temple is regarded as the starting point for this branch of Buddhism.
Bodhidharma is also considered to be the founder of the famous Shaolin Quan, as
he developed 'methods of physical training' for his pupils which were a prototype
of the Shaolin fighting style.
During the Tang period, the temple attained great importance. The monks had
helped Li Shimin, the first emperor of the Tang Dynasty, in the struggle against
his enemy, Wang Shichong; and the emperor showed his gratitude in later years
by donating large amounts of money and land to the temple. Shaolin Si experienced
a time of prosperity; at times, it provided lodging for up to 1,000 monks.
Shaolin Si was destroyed several times and then rebuilt. Qianfo Dian,
Thousand Buddha Hall, is the main hall within the temple complex. It dates back
to the Ming era and contains colorful murals depicting the 500 luohans. Two
rows of depressions can be seen in the brick floor. These were caused by the
many generations of monks who practiced their fighting styles here. Baiyi Dian
also contains an interesting mural: a depiction of 30 Pavilion was erected in
honor of the loyal disciple of and successor to Bodhidharma, Huike (487-593).
Dengfeng Guanxing Tai, Dengfeng Observatory 登封观星台
This
observatory, 15 km southeast of Dengfeng within the Zhougong Miao temple
complex, is the oldest surviving observatory in China. An observatory was located
here as far back as the Zhou era.
The astronomer Guo Shoujing (1231-1314) designed this particular observatory
in 1276, at the beginning of the Yuan period. The building is an angular
construction made of brick and stone and stands 9.46 m high. A 31.9-m-long
stone rod stretches out in front of the building and is used to measure the
sun's shadow. Based upon his own diagrams and with the aid of information
collected by other observatories, Guo Shoujing worked out a calendar which
corresponds to the present-day Gregorian calendar. A calculation that he made
of the amount of time that it takes the earth to revolve around the sun was
off by only 26 seconds.
Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guangxi Autonomous Region of the Zhuang Minority
广西壮族自治区
(Centrally administered municipality)
Area:
230,000 sqkm / Population: 38.42 million / Capital: Nanning
The South China Guangxi Autonomous Region borders on Guangdong in the east,
Beibu Wan (Gulf of Tonkin) in the south, Vietnam and Yunnan in the west and
Guizhou and Hunan in the north.
History
Guangxi was always a controversial area. Up into the 19th century, Han
Chinese and non-Han-Chinese groups struggled for control of the region. When
the Western powers came, they tried to gain a foothold in Guangxi and bring
the area under their domain.
The rice-cultivating Zhuang people lived in the area of present-day Guangxi
as far back as the Zhou Dynasty. During Qin Shihuang's conquests during the
3rd century BC, the eastern region became part of the Chinese empire. A short
time later, with the help of the Zhuang, a Chinese general was able to establish
the independent state of Nanyue. The Han rulers came to reconquer the area once
again.
During the Han Dynasty, members of the Yao tribes began to emigrate from
Jiangxi and Hunan to Guangxi. Unlike the Zhuang, these people were not prepared
to submit to Han Chinese rule. The areas which they populated became the centers
of unending turbulence. After the decline of the Tang Dynasty, an independent
state called Southern Han was created here, but it was soon thwarted by the
Song rulers. In 1052, a rebellion arose once more with the goal of founding
an independent kingdom. The Zhuang leader Nong Zhigao led the the attempt
at separation which was successful at first but defeated a year later. The
following centuries did not bring peace to this area of China. One of the
bloodiest battles in the history of Guangxi took place near Guiping in 1465.
It was a clash between Yao warriors and the Ming imperial troops. The Taiping
Rebellion also broke out near Guiping in 1850. During the second half of the
19th century, the French and the British fought to assert their claims. The
French tried to broaden their their sphere of influence from Vietnam while
the British made the same endeavor by way of Guangzhou (Canton). Longzhou was
forced open to foreign trade in 1889, Wuzhou followed in 1897 and Nanning in
1907. At the beginning of the 20th century, those with power in Guangxi supported
the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the Republic. The
Japanese invaded the southern part of the province in 1939 and occupied Nanning
and Longzhou. In 1944, they also managed to occupy the north but could not
maintain this position.
Guangxi's scenery is scattered with karst formations. Guilin's mountains are
famous everywhere. They stand towering and isolated in the middle of the plains
and astound the visitor with their picturesque shapes. The mountain ranges in
Guangxi run from northeast to southwest. They are formed from sandstone or
limestone, schist, porphyry or granite and reach heights from 1,000-2,000 m.
The lowlands lay at elevations less than 300 m. Guangxi's most important river
is the Xijiang, which flows through the land from northwest to southeast.
The climate in Guangxi is sub-tropical. The summers last seven months and are
hot and moist. The average temperature in July is 27℃ in the north and 32℃
in the south. Winters are mild; in January the average temperature is 4℃ in
the north and 16℃ in the south. The monsoon season is from April to September.
The annual precipitation ranges from 1,000-2,000 mm, decreasing from southeast
to northwest.
Only about 12% of Guangxi's total land area can be used for agriculture.
Farming centers are located in the river lowlands and in the limestone plains.
Terrace farming predominates in the mountainous regions. The most important
agriculatural crop is rice; corn, wheat and sweet potatoes, which are dry field
crops, dominate the dry northwestern regions. Sugarcane, peanuts, sesame, tea,
tobacco, cotton and hemp are also grown. Moreover, Guangxi is an important
center for fruit are lichees, grapefruit, mangos, papayas, pears, bananas,
citrus fruits and water chestnuts.
The fishing industry also plays a key role, both fishing directly off the
coasts and on the high seas, as well as river fishing.
Guangxi is rich in mineral resources. There are large deposits of coal and
iron, as well as some tungsten, antimony, tin and managese. Guangxi's industry
has managed to develop considerably since the founding of the People's Republic.
Heavy industry has made its way into Nanning, Liuzhou, Wuzhou and Luzhai. Iron
and steel works and machine and cement factories have sprung up. Emphasis is
given to the area of light industry. Textile, leather, paper and match factories,
oil mills, sugar refineries and pharmaceutical concerns have been established
during the past three decades.
Nanning 南宁市
Nanning
is the seat of the People's Committee of the Zhuang Autonomous
Region. It is situated on the north bank of the Yongjiang, about 30 km from
the confluence of the Yujiang and the Zuojiang rivers.
The city is connected to the railway line Hengyang, Hunan - Youyiguan,
Guangxi. A connection that was made to the part of Zhanjiang in 1957 makes
direct access to the sea possible.
History
The history of Nanning goes back more than 1,600 years. As far back as 318,
the city was a district capital and a military stronghold. During the Tang
Dynasty, it was expanded to a garrison town. The rulers of the Ming and Qing
dynasties turned Nanning into a fu, prefecture. From 1912 - 1936, the city
was the capital of Guangxi. During the Sino-Japanese War, the city was
temporarily occupied by the Japanese. Nanning became the capital of the
province in 1949, and in 1958, the capital of the Guangxi Autonomous Region.
Although Nanning used to be primarily an administrative and trade city, the
city has been able to make considerable progress since 1949, especially with
regard to industry. Today, Nanning is Guangxi's most significant industrial
center.
The most important crops in the surrounding areas are rice and sugarcane.
Thanks to the favorable climate, a large variety of subtropical fruits are
harvested in Nanning, including lichees, mangos, bananas, pineapples and
watermelons.
Nanning is also the cultural center of the region. In 1952, a national
minorities institute was opened where members of 12 different national
minorities are trained to become teachers and cadres. They are taught
politics, Chinese, foreign languages, math, physics and chemistry.
Arts and crafts, theater and puppetry have a long tradition in Guangxi.
Visitors are freguently guided to the Gui, Zhuang or Caidiao operas or to
shows put on by song and dance ensembles. Those who are in Nanning at the
beginning of July can take part in the beloved Dragon Boat Festival. This
is an event that entices thousands of visitors to Yongjiang's shores each
year. It takes place on the fifth day of the fifth month according to the
lunar calendar. Teams of young women and men rush along the river in long,
narrow boats, each of which is decorated with a dragon's head. The winning
team is rewarded with a roast for the festival and wine.
Nanning is the city of evergreen trees and blooming flowers. However, it
is not only the nature lovers who enjoy themselves here, but also the
gourmets. The Guangxi cuisine offers serveral delicacies, including dishes
made with snake and mountain tortoise or fried pigeon.
Nanhu Gongyuan, South Lake Park 南湖公园
South
Lake is located in the southeastern part of the city. It is surrounded
by park grounds where the special feature is subtropical plants. An orchid
garden and medicinal herbs and bonsai displays capture the interest of many
visitors.
The South Lake fish restaurant offers typical Guangxi fish specialties.
Renmin Gongyuan, People's Park 人民公园
People's
Park is located in the northern section of the city, not far from
Friendship Hotel and Mingyuan Hotel. It is a peaceful place with beautiful
grounds and quiet walkways.
Museum of Guangxi Autonomous Region 广西壮族自治区博物馆
This
museum was opened in 1954. It offers insights into the general
history of the various national minorities in Guangxi. Among other things,
the displays include archeological relics and important historical documents.
Items of particular interest can be found among the bronze instruments and
vessels.
Yiling Yan Cave 伊领岩
Yiling
Yan is located 20 km northwest of Nanning. Amidst the multicolored
lighted stalactic formations, the visitor is likely to feel as if he is in a
fairy tale. The native Chinese sought this cave out for protection in times
of war and turbulence. The average temperature is 18℃. For that reason, it
is wise to take along something warm to wear even during the warm seasons.
Liuzhou 柳州市
Liuzhou
, located on the Liujiang in the middle of the region, is an important
intersection for land water routes. The railway lines from Guiyang, Guizhou,
Huaihua and the Hengyang - Nanning line meet here. Large highways lead away
from Liuzhou in all directions. The confluences of various tributaries of the
Liujiang favors water transportation. Luizhou is an old city with a history
of more than 2,100 years. During the Tang Dynasty, the prefecture Liuzhou was
formed. Primarily, it was a trading center for agricultural products and
wood. Today, the city is still an important commercial town. In addition,
it has also developed into an industrial city.
Liuhou Ci Temple 柳侯祠
Liuhou
Ci is located in Liuhou Gongyuan park. It was built in 821, in honor
of a famous literary official from the Tang Dynasty, Liu Zongyuan.
Liu Zongyuan(773-819) was both a public official and a poet. As a high
offical, he supported the reform plans of Wang Shuwen. For this reason he
fell into disfavor, was removed from office and banned to Liuzhou in 815.
During the short period that he was in office, he accomplished remarkable
things in the fully neglected city. He did away with banditry and slavery,
had schools built, fought against superstition and saw to the rebuilding
of the dilapidated city wall and the digging of wells. The people's gratitude
is reflected in the fact that his name has never been forgotten. The Song
emperor Huizong (period of reign 1101-1125) posthumously bestowed the honorary
title Wenhui Hou upon him. Thus, Liu Zongyuan is usually referred to as Liu Hou.
The present-day temple was rebuilt in 1729. It still contains a number of Liu
Zongyuan's stone inscriptions.
Yufeng Shan, Fish Peak Mountain, 鱼峰山 and Xiaolong Tan, Small Dragon Pond.
These two places of interest are located in the southern part of the city
near Ma'an Shan mountain, which serves as a good observation point. Fish Peak
Mountain and Small Dragon Pond have become well-known due to the following
legend:
The third sister of the House of Liu was a beloved singer who, while singing
about mountains and shepherds, frequently condemned the greed of a certain
lord. One day, the furious lord drove her into a pond. Two carps came to save
her. The girl escaped on the back of one, and the other turned into a stone
mountain burying the landlord beneath him. The mountain was thus named Yufeng
Shan, Fish Peak Mountain, and the pond, Xiaolong Tan, Small Dragon Pond. On
the fifteenth day of the seventh month according to the lunar calendar, a
mountain songs festival takes place on the shores of Xiaolong Tan. Most of
the Yufeng Shan is 80 m high. A stone statue of Liusanjie, the third sister
of the House of Liu, can be found there.
Dule Yan Cliff 都乐岩
Dule
Yan, 12 km southeast of Liuzhou, has 40 caves. Among these, Panlong Dong,
Tongtian Dong and Shuiyun Dong are especially worth seeing.
Jintian 金田市
Qiyi Jiuzhi, The Place where the Taiping Rebellion Began 金田起义旧址
The
historically interesting Jitian is located on Zijing Shan mountain, 24
km north of the district capital, Guiping. In 1847, the Taiping rulers Hong
Xiuquan and Feng Yunshan founded the Shangdi Hui society here. Thousands of
men and women joined together to form a commune where they resided in
different camps according to their sex. On January 1, 1851, Hong Xiuquan
initiated the Taiping Rebellion. There are still traces of the former commune
buildings. Sanjie Miao temple, where Hong Xiuquan first commanded his troops,
contains displays of weapons, inscribed tablets and period documents.
Guilin 桂林市
Guilin
is located in Guangxi's northeastern region on the upper course of
the Lijiang, one of the sources of Guijiang river.
Population: 690,000
History
The two rivers Lijiang and Xiangjiang flow fairly close together nor far
from Guilin. This natural feature proved advantageous for a noteworthy project
more than 2,000 years ago. Emperor Shihuang of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC)
arranged for a canal Lingqu, to be constructed to join the two rivers together.
Since the Lijiang could not be navigated, it had to be canalized up to the
point where it empties into the Guijiang. Thanks to the Lingqu canal, it
became possible to transport Qin troops from the area along the Changjiang to
Guangdong.
Up into 1st century, this canal remained the major transportation route
from Central to South China. Even today, it is still in use, but it can only
be navigated by small boats. It is more significant as an irrigation source.
Guilin sprang up as the canal was built; it was founded by Qin troops. During
the Ming Dynasty, the prefecture (fu) of Guilin was located here. The Qing
rulers designated Guilin as the capital of Guangxi. Nanning took over the
regained by Guilin in 1936, only to fall once more to Nanning in 1949. During
the Sino-Japanese War, Guilin became a refuge for thousands of nationalities
and intellectuals.
Guilin had always been a center for trade and crafts. This position was
strengthened when the Hengyang - Guilin railway line was finished in 1938.
Industrial development has been pushed ahead in the last decades.
Autumn is the most beautiful season for a visit to Guilin. At that time the
city filled with the beguiling scent of cassia trees, and the city bears its
name 'Fragrant Blossom Wood' with justice.
At home and abroad, Guilin is primarily known for its enticing and unique
scenery. Chinese frequently refer to it as the world's most beautiful scenery,
and one will acknowledge its beauty once one has taken a relatively tranquil
trip down the Lijiang. For that purpose, the cool months during the offseason
when tourism is hardly noticeable are probably the best time. Over the course
of centuries many poets and painters have been drawn to these parts, and they
have all praised the beauty of Guilin in their works.
Guilin represents a typical karstic region. Strangely shaped mountains rise
up singly from the plains by the hundreds. Three hundred million years ago,
this area was still covered by the sea. A thick layer of limestone setlled
to the bottom, only to be raised up during geotonic movements and become
wonderfully shaped by wind and water. There are thousands of caves; every
mountain is hollowed out, and each cave has its own character. Numberous
legends, fairly tales and poems are intertwined with each mountain, cliff
and cave.
Guilin offers travelers a number of interesting sights. Those who are
staying only a single day in Guilin should take a trip down the Lijiang or
visit Ludi Yan, Reed Flute Cave, and Qixing Gongyuan, Seven Star Park. A
two-day stay allows the visitor to take advantage of both options. Any
additional time could be profitably spent visiting Duxiu Feng, Diecai Shan
and Fubo Shan.
From the Lijiang Fandian and Ronghu Fandian hotels, it is already possible
to see some of the city's attractions, namely Ronghu, Banyan Tree Lake, and
Shanhu, Pine Tree Lake. Originally, both of these lakes were part of the moat
by the city wall. They were created during the Song period when a bridges
was built and were named for the trees which at the time grew by their shores.
Xiangbi Shan, Elephant Trunk Mountain, is located southeast of the lakes
that are mentioned above. A cave gives the rock wall the appearance of an
elephant drinking from the river. The legend tells of an elephant that
belonged to the celestial emperor. When the emperor came down to conquer the
earth, the elephant was forced to work so hard and endure so much that he
finally became sick. A few famerssaved him, and out of gratitude the animal
decided to stay on earth and serve those who had rescued him. The celestial
emperor became furious. He killed the elephant, who was drinking water on
the banks, and the elephant turned into stone. Puxian Ta pagoda stands at the
top of the cliff. It represents the handle of a dagger. The pagoda was built
during the Tang period and restored during the Ming period.
The cave between the 'elephant's' trunk and body is called Water Moon Hole.
When the waters of the Lijiang rise, a boat can pass through the cave. In the
moonlight, the dancing reflections are particularly beautiful. Many stone
inscriptions can be seen on the rock and the sides of Xiangbi Shan and Water
Moon Hole.
Duxiu Feng 独秀峰
The
lonely peak Duxiu Feng rises up in the middle of the city north of
Lijiang Hotel. It presents the observer with a wonderful natural theater,
a change of colors which range from golden to purple in the mist of the dawn
or the glow of the setting sun. On Duxiu Feng's western slope, 306 steps lead
up to Nantian Men, Southern Celestial Gate. From there, one can enjoy a
wonderful view of the city and its environs. There are many caves on Duxiu
Feng. The most well-known one is Dushu Yan, Study Cave, which is located
at the eastern foot of the mountain. It is said that during the period of the
Southern dynasties, the the prefect Guilin, Yan Yanzhi, studied here. Duxiu
Quan spring originates by the northern foot of the mountain.
Duxiu Feng towers up in the northern part of the area that used to be
Wangcheng, the residence of the King of Jingjiang. A 1.5 km long wall with
gates on each of the four sides was built around Wangcheng. Today, the
remains of the former residence, terraces, balustrades and steps can still be
seen. The Teacher's College is now located on these grounds.
Fubo Shan 伏波山
Fubo
Shan is northeast of Duxiu Feng on the western bank of the Lijiang.
Two objects from the Dingyue Si temple (see Diecai Shan) dating from the
Qing period can be seen here, a mighty iron bell weighing more than 2,500
kg and a thousand-man pot. The dishes that were prepared in this pot are
supposed to have been sufficient for 1,000 people. A path leads from the
the western foot of the mountain to the observation terrace Guanjiang Tai.
If one looks out to the northwest, Laoren Shan, Old Man Mountain, comes into
view. The mountain resembles an old man with raised head, a hat and heavy
eye-brows. A steep path leads from the observation terrace up to the top
of the mountain.
A very famous cave, Huanzhu Dong, Returned Pearl Cave, is located at the
foot of Fubo Shan. The name comes from an old legend. It tells of a dragon
that always used to play here at night with a shimmering pearl. An old
fisherman often used to observe this fascinating game. One day he ventured
into the cave and found an old man sleeping near the pearl. He took the
pearl and left, but plagued by a guilty conscience, he returned immediately
and put the pearl back by the side of the sleeping old man. The east side
of the cave opens up to the Lijiang. It is large and bright and inclues
several subsdary caves. The cave's main attraction is Shijian Shi, Sword
Testing Rock, a rock which hangs down so far that there is only a small
crack between it and the ground. According to one legend, an emperor tested
his sword here, and in so doing split the stone. Stone steps next to Sword
Testing Rock lead up to Qianfo Yan cliff, which contains about 200 stone
Buddhist sculptures and inscriptions, many of which are from the Tang era.
Diecai Shan 叠彩山
Diecai
Shan, Mountain of Many Colors, is located in the northern section
of the city. It has four peaks; at 223 m, Mingyue Feng is not only the highest
one within this massif, but also in all of Guilin. A path leads from the
southern foot up to Diecai Ting pavilion. The small mountain Yuyue Shan is
located east of the pavilion. From its peak, one has a good view of the area
around the Lijiang. Siwang Shan mountain is located west of Diecai Ting
pavilion. Dingyue Si temple used to stand here. A bell and a vessel from
the temple can still be seen on Fubo Shan mountain today. From Diecai Ting
pavilion, the path leads up farther to Diecai Men gate. At this spot there
is a stele honoring the two Ming loyalists, Qu Shisi and Zhang Tongchang.
Nayun Ting, Pavilion Reaching to the Clouds, stands on Diecai Shan's peak.
Here, one has a magnificent view of Guilin and its environs. The Diecai Shan
mountain area is rich in valuable stone carvings and Buddhist sculptures from
the Tang and Song dynasties.
Qixing Gongyuan, Seven Star Park 七星岩公园
Seven
Star Park is one of Guilin's most important sights on the Lijiang's
west bank. The seven stars symbolize the seven mountains around which the
park grounds were laid out. The mountains are arranged in the order of the
seven stars in the Big Dipper. The four northern mountains make up Putuo
Shan. Many large caves are located on Putuo Shan. Qixing Yan, Seven Star
Cave, is one of these. It is located on the mountain's western foot and is
particularly worth seeing. Most tour groups are taken there. The cave was
formed by a subterranean river and the movement of the earth's crust. It
consists of three layers - only the middle one is open to visitors. The
sightseeing tour through the cave covers 814 m. The temperature is around
20℃. Guided tours are conducted on a regular basis and should be taken
advantage of so that one does not overlook any of the colorfully lighted
forms and figures that are connected with so many legends, the frog jumping
into a pool and two dragons playing ball are only some of the shapes to be
discovered. Because the cave has attracted people here for centuries, many
sayings and poems by various literary figures have been eternalized on the
stone walls throughout the course of time.
Huaqiao, Flower Bridge, is located at the entrance to the park. It is a
stone construction from the Song era, but it was extended from five to seven
arches during the Ming period. Numerous pavilions and trees and flowers are
passed on the path towards Seven Star Cave. After viewing the cave, the
visitor may take the path leading to Huoran Ting pavilion and towards Yueya
Shan in the west. There are caves and steep cliffs in the area. Guihai Beilin,
Stone Tablet Forest, has over a hundred inscriptions, more than half of which
were made during the Song period, and is of great interest.
Luotuo Shan, Camel Mountain 骆驼山
Camel Mountain is located in the eastern part of Guilin, south of Qixing
Gongyuan. The mountain actually resembles a sitting, onehumped camel.
Ludi Yan, Reed Flute Cave 芦笛岩
Ludi
Yan is located in the northwestern section of the city. It is 240 m
deep is probably the largest and most magnificent cave in Guilin. Ludi Cao,
reed grass, grows in front of the cave and can be used to make the most
wonderful flutes. This was what gave the cave its name. It used to be a
favorite place for the local people to hide themselves in times of war or
trouble. It had already been discovered by the Tang era, but it was first
made into a tourist attraction in 1959.
A 500-m-long path leads past fantastic, colorfully lighted stalactites and
stalagmites which appear to made of coral, jade, amber and agate. Aided by the
untiring, imaginative explanations provided by the guides, flower gardens,
magnificant halls, pavilions and wonderful pictures appear before the
observer's eyes. A grotto within the cave is roomy enough to hold up to a
thousand people. This is the dragon king's crystal palace. A stone column
represents the dragon king's magic wand with which he governed the sea. In
the famous tale The Journet to the West, the king of the monkeys, Sun Wukong,
asks the dragon king refused, and the king of the monkeys took the wand by
force, defeated the dragon king's army which consisted of snails and jelly
fish and lay waste to the palace. The conquered snails and jelly fish are
still strewn around the cave today - broken pieces of stalagmite.
Nanxi Shan Mountain 南溪山
Nanxi
Shan is located in the southern part of Guilin. It has two peaks
facing each other. Several caves are located on the northern slope. Nanxi
Gongyuan park stretches along the northern foot and is the location of bamboo
and pine trees, flowers and pavilions. A bridge leads to a tea house.
Zengpi Yan Cave 甑皮岩遗址
A
Stone Age settlement used to be located at the southwestern foot of
Dushan mountain in a southern suburb 10 km from Guilin. The cave was
discovered in 1965 and systematically explored in 1973. Excavations revealed
tools made of stone, bones and shells, as well as ceramics, animal bones and
teeth. Hearths and graves were also found. In 1978, display rooms were built
where the relics can be seen.
Boat Trip to Yangshuo on the Lijiang River 漓江游
A
visit to Guilin would be incomplete without a trip on the Lijiang river.
This experience is one of the highlights of a trip through China. The poet
Han Yu from the Tang Dynasty described the Lijiang as a blue silk ribbon
surrounded by green jade hairpins. The ship takes the visitor past
everchanging rock formations, caves, waterfalls, sleepy villages and narrow
bamboo rafts carrying Cormorant fishermen. It seems as if one has been
transposed into a traditional watercolor painting in another time. Many
generations of poets and painters have been inspired by the beauty of the
Lijiang and its mountains.
Yangshuo is about 80 km away. The voyage can last up to six hours, depending
on the size of the ship. One of the first things the ship passes is Xiangbi
Shan, Elephant Trunk Mountain. Baota Shan, Pagoda Mountain, and Chuanshan,
Mountain with a Hole Through It, follow on the east bank. A pagoda from the
Ming period, Shuofo Ta, stands on Baota Shan. The mountain is surrounded by
maple trees whose beautiful leaves offer a special enticement in the autumn.
The hole in Chuanshan is called Moon Cave by the Chinese. It resembles a full
moon in the evening sky. More mountains follow with wonderful names such as
'Clean Vase' - a nicely-shaped vase seems to lie in the water on the west
bank - 'Forest of the Strangely Shaped Peaks', 'Nine Oxen', 'Embroidered
Mountain', etc. After the half-way point, Huashan, Picture Mountain, suddenly
rises up steeply from the water. It has nine peaks and gives the effect of
a huge painting where, with plenty of imagination, nine horses can be seen
in different positions. One bends down to drink water from the river, another
rears up on his hind legs, etc. As the river comes closer to Xinping, it
becomes broader and peaceful. Feather-like bamboo trees line the banks. The
water, even clearer than before, mirrors the passing scenery. An unearthly,
unique mood arises.
Yangshuo District Capital 阳朔风光
Like
Guilin, Yangshuo was founded during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). It
has held the status of district capital since the Sui Dynasty. For many
centuries, the city attracted famous writers, philosophers, poets and
painters. Anyone who believes Guilin residents when they say that their
scenery is the most beautiful in the world is bound to be set right in
Yangshuo. The people who live there hold the view that Yangshuo is far more
beautiful than Guilin.
Yangshuo is southeast of Guilin. Evergreen trees, strange rocks, crystal
clear rivers and brooks all leave their mark on the landscape. Here, also
the Lijiang offers an impressive scene. Numerous peaks rise up steeply from
the banks. Their appearance changes with the time of day and will fascinate
the visitor time and time again. There are caves in all the mountains.
Several of these are very large, such as Jiaoping Dong; others are located
at particularly high elevations, including Mingyue Dong, and still others
are connected together, such as the famous eight caves on Zhongling Shan.
Yangshuo offers not only a number of interesting sights but also a rich
tradition in crafts. The creation of miniature rocks is especially interesting.
Some of the city's most important sights are: Bilian Feng, Green Lotus Peak,
Shutong Shan, Mountain of the Studying Child, Yangshuo Gongyuan park,
Rongyinggudu, Banyan Tree by the Old Ferry, and Yueliang Shan, Moon Mountain.
Bilian Feng, Green Lotus Mountain 碧莲峰
The
lush, green Bilian Feng is located southeast of the city on the banks
of the Lijiang. Coupled with its reflection on the river, it resembles a
lotus blossom. On the mountain slope, the two-story pavilion Yingjiang Ge
offers a wide view of the the river.
Jianshan mountain, with rock sides as smooth as glass, rises to the north
of Bilian Feng.
Rongyingudu, Banyan Tree by the Old Ferry 榕荫古渡
A
mighty banyan tree over 1,400 years old grows on the bank of the Jinbao
He river about 6 km south of Yangshuo. A ferry used to cross the river at
this spot.
Yueliang Shan, Moon Mountain 月亮山
Is
located 3 km south of the banyan tree. There is a hole in its peak in
the shape of a half moon through which the sky can be seen. A path winds its
way up to hole.
Pingfeng Shan, Screen Mountain 屏风山
Pingfeng
Shan mountain resembles a screen. It can be found in Yangshuo
Gongyuan park in the western part of the city. Those who climb up to the top
of the mountain can enjoy the view from Woyun Ting pavilion. Zhonglin Shan
can be seen near Pingfeng Shan. Eight interconnecting caves, each with its
own character, are loated there.
Xingping Village 兴坪
Xingping
, a small city with a long history, lies north of Yangshuo. During
the Jin Dynasty (265-420), Xingping was a district capital. This peaceful
and romantic spot is an ideal place to observe life in the country.
