China by Plane 2007: July 2007

July 14 - 15 (click here for this location on the map)

[source: About.com:China Online]

Hangzhou, the capital of Zhejiang Province, is one of the seven ancient capitals in China. Located on the north bank of Qiantang River, it is a garden-like city famous for its scenic charm.

Marco Polo, who once visited here, praised it as "the finest and most splendid city in the world." There is a famous saying, "Up there is heaven, down here is Su and Hang." Chinese people regard Suzhou (Su) and Hangzhou (Hang) as "the paradise on Earth."

Whenever Hangzhou is referred, West Lake is invariably reminded, which is not too far from the hotel we stay in. It is so named because it is located on the west side of the city. Many men of letters favored its picturesque scenery. In the Song Dynasty, the great poet Su Dongpo wrote a poem about it,

Likened West Lake to Lady Xizi (one of the four ancient beauties),
Charming she looks whether richly made up or only slightly so.

Of the many famous sights, Lingyin Temple (Soul's Retreat Temple) seems to have earned a most resounding fame. The temple, built in 326 by the Indian monk Hui Li, is one of the largest temple complexes in China.

Here are the photo's Willem made at an early rise (5:50am) at the West Lake:

July 4 - 10 (click here for this location on the map)

Before we left for Shenzhen, Willem tested his new camera (skills) by shooting a picture of the hotel lounge cake tray.

Click to enlarge: Cake on a tray [2007 - Willem van Heemstra with Sony Alpha-100 digital SLR camera]

-- Aileen reports --

"Hello Missy. You want manicure? Pedicure? Good price for you."

The shop assistants throughout the Shopping mall in Lou Hu call everyone "Missy" to attract their attention. Fake designer goods - handbags, watches, jewellery, sunglasses - and then you have to negotiate the price.

So when I heard the words "manicure and pedicure", that was it! Willem is a pretty good price negotiator. He claims he gained this experience as a little boy when he had a fun shop! ;o)

He was offered the same treatment (without the nail varnish of course!) but turned it down. Manicurist No 10 (yes, sadly only a number to identify her) was charming and spent at least an hour trimming and polishing my nails. The outcome is beautiful hands.

Fingernails after manicure

Granted at a price far higher than a Chinese person would have paid but much less than it would have cost at home.

ABOUT SHENZHEN:
[source: from the book 'China welcomes you', Volume 18 Edition June 06-07, Century Publishing Co Ltd]

As the city absorbed much of Hong Kong's manufacturing industry, and then became a Special Economic Zone, it sprawled out into what now is a well-planned settlement of over 4 million people. The sleek skyscraper skyline of the centre in the Luohu and Futian districts, or so-called Middle Area, bustles with shoppers and restaurant go-ers.

Sprawling 'Splendid China', on the edge of Shenzhen Bay, illustrates the glories of China's centuries old culture with miniatures on a scale of 15:1.

[source of underneath information is China Tourist Attractions]

The Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses that are ranked as the eighth wonder of the world are located at Xian City, Shaanxi Province. After the first emperor of China in the Qin Dynasty (A.D.221-206) ascended the throne he ordered more than 700,000 workmen to build him a grand mausoleum. In Splendid China the terracotta figures have been faithfully reproduced and arranged like the originals. The entire assemblage is very grand.

The Great Wall, with a total length of 6,700 kilometers (about 4,163.3 miles) is the world's longest protective wall. It was built in the Qin Dynasty（A.D.221- 206）and repaired time to time during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). In Splendid China, tourists may see three miniaturized sections of the wall made of scree, white stone and small green bricks respectively. These green bricks were specially made and brought here from Beijing.

The Forbidden City, also called The Imperial Palace, is the largest and best-preserved ancient architectural complex in China. In Splendid China, the miniature encompasses the gorgeous spectacle of Emperor Guangxu's (1875 - 1908) marriage. The Forbidden City has been ornately and beautifully replicated and as with the original the dominant color is yellow, the symbol of the royal family.

The Old Summer Palace, also called Yuan Ming Yuan, was a cultural treasure house of luxurious jewelry, priceless paintings, calligraphy works and rare antiques in the past. But the real Old Summer Palace was reduced into a ruin by the Allied British and French Armies in 1860 and again by the Eight-Powers Allied Army in 1900. The miniature of The Old Summer Palace shows a recreation of the complete and original royal garden. It has been made according to a full and authoritative plan that was found by accident in the Forbidden City in 1990.

Splendid China has many more miniatures of places of historical interest to offer you, such as the Ancient Observatory of Beijing, the Mogao Caves of Dunhuang, Tibet's Potala Palace and so on.

Mt. Huangshan, lying at the Anhui Province, middle part of China, is proud of its rare pines, bizarre rocks, and the sea of clouds as well as hot springs. Standing on the summit, one will see how small the creatures are beneath the mountain. Characteristics of all famous mountains are reflected clearly on Mt. Huangshan.

In the replica of the Li River, you will be surrounded by a pleasant water and mountain garden. This miniature spot gives you a picture of the seemingly relaxed and contented lifestyle along the real Li River, Guilin City, and Guangxi Province. Taking a bamboo skiff on the river, one will see a vast expanse of blue water and peaks.

More miniature spots of natural scenes are also included such as the Huangguoshu Waterfall, Stone Forest, and West Lake and so on.

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And here are some of the pictures Willem has taken of 'Splendid China', to practise his camera skills a bit more.