onlinetravelsites: China

Showing posts with label China. Show all posts

Monday, January 10, 2011

Yangmingshan National Park

5:00 PM

chonchu

Yangmingshan National Park

Yangmingshan National Park was officially the third national park established in 1985. Situated on Mt. Yangming, one of the most well known mountains in Taiwan, Yangmingshan National Park is one of the most popular national parks in Taiwan. It features volcanic formations and fragrant blooming flowers during all four seasons. Because of the variety of beautiful plants and colorful flowers that flourish in the park, some people regard Yangmingshan National Park as the “backyard of Taipei”. Due to its tropical climate, Yangmingshan is an ideal location for plants and animals to grow.

Being the only national park in Taipei City, Yangmingshan National Park has become increasingly popular amongst Taipei citizen as well as foreigners. It is one of the best choices for families, couples, friends, and hikers to visit. The park also features popular scenic sites such as Qingtiangang and the Zhuzihu Scenic Spot. In addition to the scenery, visitors may also enjoy delicious wildlife cuisine at the national park.

Overall, Yangmingshan National Park is one of the perfect places to get close to the nature in Taipei City!

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

reference http://www.binscorner.com/pages/a/amazing.html

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar's 'Floating Peaks'

11:06 PM

chonchu

Its soaring steeple of rock topped by a small oasis of trees looks straight out of the 3D blockbuster Avatar.

But this is no special effects illusion, it's a real-life tower of quartz-sandstone deep in the rugged mountain terrain of southern Hunan in China.

The 3,544ft Southern Sky Column is one of 3,000 in the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park and became the inspiration for the magical 'floating peaks' in James Cameron's film after a Hollywood photographer spent time shooting there in 2008. Now where have I seen this before: The mountain previously known as the 'Southern Sky Column' in China, which has now been named the 'Avatar Hallelujah Mountain'

And from the film: The Hollywood rendering of the mountains in James Cameron's blockbuster film 'Avatar'

Otherworldly: More of the strange peaks in the Zhangjiajie national park

Remote: The South Hunan region is home to the 'Avatar' mountains

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

อ้างอิง http://www.binscorner.com/pages/a/amazing.html
http://travelerfolio.com/zhangjiajie-mountain/

Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

4:09 PM

chonchu

Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Supposed to wake up early for Dim Sum but slept till noon.

Most hawkers were closed for Chinese New Year eve and many people were doing their last minute shopping at Jusco shopping mall, the nearest mall to our home. I bought two tops from Padini at 50% discount, and gave one to Melissa as it was too small for me.We had lunch at Kenny Roger restaurant and were quite disappointed with the food and poor service. The vegetable salad was very little – as little as one piece of small leaf being torn into halves! Kenny Roger restaurant in Malaysia should be cheaper than Singapore’s, but with smaller portion of side dishes.

Drove around Ipoh and passed by some cave temples. Surprisingly, we didn’t see any worshipers there. It could be due to Lunar New Year eve and the Chinese were preparing for reunion dinner.

Ipoh is also famous for its pomelo. The flesh of this large fruit is juicy and can taste sour, sweet or bitter. I remembered my first meeting gift from Jacky’s mother were two big pomelos and we had to carry them all the way back to Singapore! We checked out the stretch of shops selling pomelos along Tambun. We used to see young girls standing in front of the pomelo shops to welcome customers, but this time, we only saw older ladies.

The big pomelo statue.

Whenever I am in Malaysia, I will definitely buy cheese cakes from Secret Recipe. They are so much cheaper than Singapore’s outlets! A big and yummy cheese cake in Malaysia’s Secret Recipe costs RM6.30 whereas it costs around S$5 in Singapore. Good buy!

Surprised to see this grocery shop selling big bottles of Diamond water which are filtered from the Diamond water system to walk-in customers. Seemed like the business was quite good.

Free Ad: Bungalow land for sale at RM50 per sqft, Lot size: 8751 sqft. Good Fengshui with “mountain support”, any taker?

The family from Penang finally arrived in the afternoon. My mother-in-law was preparing for reunion dinner. Her maid ran away in January, leaving behind her belongings including passport and stole Melissa’s Nokia handphone. Most handphones in Malaysia are selling a few hundred Ringgits more than the same models in Singapore! We helped Melissa to buy a new Nokia 6500/slide handset in Singapore at S$510 (w/o contract) and a 1GB memory card at S$20. In Malaysia, Nokia 6500 costs RM1700+ and a 1GB memory card

can cost RM100+

Before the reunion dinner, my mother-in-law set up an altar for praying. Desmond’s joss-stick was seen catching a big flame!

Good wishes written in Chinese characters on the candles, before and after the candles were burnt.

We had roast duck, roast pork, lettuces and other vegetables for the reunion dinner, and mostly importantly a family get-together dinner.

This was the first time I prepared “ang baos” (red packets loaded with $$) for the kids. Fireworks were heard and seen everywhere in Ipoh. I could see some fireworks from the room window, but mostly were blocked by trees.

Rerference http://travelerfolio.com/ipoh-malaysia-travel-day2/

12:37 PM

chonchu

Info

PR: 3

I: 47,900,000

L: 0

LD: 191,053,541

I: 243,000

Rank: 7

Age: Oct 12, 1999

I: 0

whois

source

Robo: yes

Sitemap: no

Rank: 1013

Price: 5626072

Links: 12|3

Density

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

Festivals & Events / Singapore ♆

Welcome to the Year of Ox! Here are some pics taken from Singapore Chinatown just before Chinese New Year. These cute golden oxen are just located at Chinatown Point.

As I mentioned in my earlier Chinese New Year article, red is liberally used in all decoration during this festive season. Someone once asked, “Is red the main color of China (clothes, lights, sauce, hong-bau, firecrackers, communism, flag, roofs, etc)?

Here is an answer which I found from the web: Red symbolizes good fortune. There is an ancient Chinese legend about a man-eating beast called “Nian” which is a predatory creature. To scare off Nian, people covered their homes with the color red and filled the air with loud noises, ie. fire crackers.

Chinese like to grace their gates and doors with Chinese New Year’s couplets which are written on two strips of red paper. The red couplets are composed of sentences that complement each other and often rhyme. Nowadays, we hardly see handwritten couplets; these are all printed with different designs.

Of cos, these are not the real fire crackers. Fire crackers are banned in Singapore, unless for official use.

Lion dance toys and other decorations for homes.

Chinese lion dances can be categorised into two styles, Northern and Southern. The right one below in red, orange and yellow belongs to the Northern dance which was performed as entertainment in imperial court in olden days.

The Southern dance is more symbolic. Like the one on the left pic below, the Southern dance is usually performed as a ceremony to exorcise evil spirits and to summon luck and fortune. Lion dancers are usually members of kung fu clubs; they train hard to master the skills. The southern horned lions are believed to the Nians, the legendary man-eating beasts.

i just noticed the right “lion” has the body of a cow! LOL

Before Chinese New Year, many Chinese visit Chinatown to shop around. Somehow, it becomes a must-visit site to enjoy the New Year decorations and to soak up the festive atmosphere. However, we can still get better bargains from bazaars in residential areas.

Singapore’s oldest Hindu temple, Sri Mariamman Temple, is located at Pagoda Street, which is also in Chinatown area.

“Yuan Xiao” falls on the 15th of first lunar month (9 Feb), and that marks the end of the Chinese New Year festivities. The day is also known as Lantern festival, and Tangyuan, glutinous rice balls, are eaten again!

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

Lion Dance

Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

Jogyesa Temple

The War Memorial of Korea,

Welcome to Christchurch, the Garden City.

Coloane

Lantau Island, An Island With Many Attractions

Lotte World Hotel South Korea

NANTA (COOKIN`)

Reference http://travelerfolio.com/chinatown-chinese-new-year-decoration-singapore/

12:13 PM

chonchu

Info

PR: 3

I: 47,900,000

L: 0

LD: 191,053,541

I: 243,000

Rank: 7

Age: Oct 12, 1999

I: 0

whois

source

Robo: yes

Sitemap: no

Rank: 1013

Price: 5626072

Links: 12|3

Density

Lion Dance

Of all the world's cultural festivities, the Lion Dance of China is one of the most spectacular to watch. An exciting combination of theater, music, history and Kung Fu, the lion dance has been a New Years tradition in China for well over a thousand years. Lion dances take place throughout the two-week period of the New Year Festival as the dancers are believed to chase away evil spirits and bring good luck, longevity, happiness and prosperity to the households and businesses they visit. The final grand performance of the lion dance takes place on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, as the New Year celebrations officially culminate with the Lantern Festival. The lion dance may be performed during the year on special occasions such as weddings, parades, birthdays, planting and harvest festivals and the opening of new businesses.

The dance is performed by two dancers working closely together as one lion. One dancer carries and activates the head while the other acts as the body or tail. The lion head is constructed of a framework of bamboo and wire covered by brightly painted paper mache. It has a furry mustache and beard, a mirror on its nose and a unicorn-like horn on top of its head. It is heavily decorated with tassels, fringes and bells. Inside of the head, the dancer uses a system of levers and pull-strings which control the action of the lion's expressions by making its eyes open and close, mouth open and shut and ears twist and flap. The dancer in the head must act as a skilled puppeteer, moving in quick, powerful feline motions while working to show a variety of life-like lion emotions such as pride, curiosity, playfulness and anger. Attached to the head with a red ribbon is a long piece of bright, multi-colored cloth under which the second dancer must crouch and move as the body and back legs. The body, actually called the tail, was traditionally made of silk, but today is often made of nylon or mylar. Like the head, it is brightly decorated with hair and small bells. All of this costume and movement have the effect of creating a striking, exotic-looking beast - quite different than lions most people have seen.

The lion dance is accompanied by the rhythms of three instruments - a large drum, cymbals and a gong. Throughout the dance, the musicians play a variety of tempos to match the lion's behaviors and actions. In traditional China, the explosions and smoke of firecrackers thrown at the feet of the lion added to the spectacle.

There are two basic types of lion dances - freestyle and the set method. The freestyle form is used when dancers parade through a village, visiting homes and stores during the New Year Celebration. The visit, called the "Pai" brings good luck to residents and businesspeople. Those expecting a visit from the lions hang a head of lettuce or bok choy called the chan or "green" above their door. Inside the chan is the "licee," a red envelope which contains money. To get the gift of the licee, lion dancers often have to overcome physical obstacles and solve puzzles. These include athletic feats such as jumping between high poles or climbing the wall of a building.

The set method is performed for a seated crowd. This dance involves a cycle of carefully choreographed sequences which include an opening with three bows, sleeping/dreaming, awakening/grooming and exiting the cave, playing, searching for food/eating and returning to sleep. Throughout the dance, the lion is joined by a "Buddha" or Chinese monk who plays the role of comic, acrobatic clown. Dressed in a pink mask with a large smile, he taunts and teases the lion with a fan or a ball. The lion, depending on its mood may play with the Buddha or chase him, biting and kicking the hapless character. the Buddha also offers the chan, helping the dancers find and "eat" their food. The dramatic climax of the Lion Dance is the Choy Ching or "eating of the green." Upon approaching his food, the lion sniffs his prize then eats it while standing motionless. After a rolling crescendo by the drummer, the lion explodes back into activity spitting out the shredded lettuce onto the watching crowd. This is a symbolic act of blessing by the lion as it signifies that there will be abundance for all in the coming year.

Many different stories exist telling of the origins of the lion dance. They all rely on mythology as none of them is supported with accurate historical records. Although lions are not native to China, they were sent across Asia by caravan on the Silk Road as gifts from kings of the Persian Empire to Chinese Emperors during the Han Dynasty (205 BC - 220 AD). The image of the lion was used in Buddhist blessing ceremonies. Because of the animal's power and courage, even its likeness was believed to have the ability to exorcise demons. Each new year, the palace and noble houses were to be made clean - both physically and spiritually. Men dressed as twelve sacred animals, among them a lion, made three passes through the buildings to drive out all evil that may have resided there the previous year. Centuries old, stone sculptures of these lions still stand today protecting bridges, palaces, temples and noble houses throughout China.

During the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD) the lion dance achieved popularity as a favorite ritual for the Emperor and nobility residing at the royal palace. According to legend, An emperor, haunted by recurring nightmares, dreamed one night that a strange looking animal saved his life. Relieved that his nightmares were ended, he described his dream to his ministers, who informed him that the animal resembled a creature from the West remembered as a lion. The Emperor then commanded his ministers to build a beast similar to the one in his dream. This creation, now referred to as the Northern Lion, was actually a suit worn by two men. It had a shaggy yellow coat and mane, while the head or mask had a square snout that resembled a dog. Prancing and jumping, it moved in light, playful motions accompanied by acrobats, dancers, musicians and singers who performed musical pieces called "Tai pin" melody. This popular entertainment for royalty and nobility was carried on for centuries in the Beijing Opera.

Over the years the custom of lion dancing spread from Emperors to the general population and became a vital part of Chinese folk culture. As it diffused throughout the land, the image of the lion began to acquire characteristics of mythical animals such as the dragon and phoenix. The lion dance also became associated with Kung Fu as it was often practiced and performed by Buddhist monks and students of local Kung Fu schools. The dance is very athletic as the proper movement of the lion involves many Kung Fu stances and kicks. In traditional China, the lion was thought of being "the heart and soul" of a Kung Fu school. Schools would have competitions to see who had the most skilled lion dancers. Lions from local schools would compete for money and prestige by performing tricks, negotiating obstacle courses and even fighting.

In time, a several popular lion heads came to be associated with characters from the famous literary work Three Kingdoms: A historical Novel. Known as the more popular Southern Lions, they are recognized by the color of their faces and beards and the qualities they represent. A lion with a red face and black beard General Kwan Kung, a military leader known for his righteousness and courage. His older brother, ruler and scholar Liu Pi is portrayed as a yellow lion with a white beard and is known for his bravery, wisdom and kindness. The black faced, black bearded lion is an aggressive young upstart, as was Kwan's younger brother General Chang Fei. Together, the Southern Lions moved with more restrictive, powerful motions than their Northern predecessors. Proper animation of the lion is good physical training for Kung Fu students as it involves working many strong low stances. It builds strength, quickness and endurance - all vital qualities needed in the martial arts.

As with much of the richness of Chinese culture, it diffused to Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Early Chinese immigrants carried it to Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines while later travelers carried the custom to Chinese communities in Australia, Canada and the United States.

Yangmingshan National Park

Found! The Stunning Mountain that inspired Avatar'...

24 hour BBQ...the perfect meal to end the week

Kimchi Hour

Hokkaido

Tokyo-Aomori bullet train line fully opens

Blue Lake Multisport Festival 2011

Bikevegas NDuro Summer MTB Cup Race 1

“Kia ora” welcome to Rotorua, where Maori legends ...

Chinese New Year’s Eve in Ipoh

Chinese New Year in Chinatown

Lion Dance