Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon

Three Pools Mirroring the Moon is also called Lesser Yingzhou Isle, one of the Ten Best Views around the West Lake.

The isle occupies an area of 7 hectares protected by a stone embankment. Here you can see ” an islet in the lake and lakes on the islet”. Stone bridges, terraces, pavilions, flowers and trees, rockeries all combine to make a tradition al-style garden high in artistic quality. Three Pools Mirroring the Moon has been an ideal place to appreciate the full moon since ancient times.

The moment you reach the islet by boat, the first thing that meets your eyes is a building with Chinese architectural style, formerly the Temple of Great Schloars in Zhejiang. After the temple, you come to a zigzag winding bridge. Further ahead across the bridge is a smaller islet with a white wall on the left separating a dense bamboo grove from a stand of ancient trees. An archway in the middle of the wall bears a four-character inscription by Kang Youwei:”A bamboo-lined path leads to a secluded retreat.”

In the center of the islet are the ” Hall of Flower and Bird”, ” Greeting Greenness House” and the stele pavilion with the characters of Three Pools Mirroring the Moon. Yonder stands a small pavilion shaded by weeping willows, formerly called the Pavilion of Mutual Affinity. Here you can see three stone pagodas in the lake.

These stone pagodas, each 2.19 meters high, stand in the rippling water. They look like bottles with five small round holes and gourd-shaped top, decorated with relief design. At night, when the moon rises high up in the sky, the full moon, the pagodas and the clouds are all mirrored water, the water in a charming scene that defies any effort of description.

A Ming Dynasty poet Zhang Ning wrote:
” When out of the sea a moon is born,
The three pools become everywhere all bright.
Where boats are alive with song and dance,
People seem to walk in the mirror’s light.”

After his tour of the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon on a number of occasions, the famous reformist at the end of the Qing Dynasty Kang Youwei wrote a long couple in praise:
“An islet among the islets and lakes beyond the lake, opening into the beautiful zigzag winding bridge, witnessed the weeping willows along the causeway. The lotus covers an area of ten hectares, delicious water shield are grown on water. I have never seen such scenery after touring the whole country.”

“The amuck war over hegemony and the Buddha’s mind appear as if on static water, and the history of thousands of years has all been read. When the morning sun and the evening cloud, the mild spring and cool autumn, the green hills and blue waters have retired and forgot the way of life, everybody with no exception cannot but feel deeply moved.”

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Author: Amoytrip---Free China Travel Guide--Three Pools Mirroring the Moon
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor

Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor

Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor is also known as Western Hill Park with its front gate facing Su Causeway and the Outer West Lake, its back gate facing Yang Gong Causeway, while its southern gate lying across the Nanshan Road.

During the Southern Song Dynasty, a palace eunuch named Lu Yunsheng built for himself a garden villa and cultibated fish and flowers in it after he retired from his official post.

Several footsteps down the front gate are a rectangular pond called Historic Fish Pond, a pavilion and a stele beside the pond. And this is the original site of ” Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor”. These characters were inscribed on the stele by the Qing emperor Kangxi in 1699. Later on, Emperor Qianlong carved his at the back of the stele.

” A stream from the Flower Hill flows into the Flower Harbor,
The petals fall on the fish who sucks at them,
But in autumn one finds a world quiet and serene.”

Since 1952 large-scale extensive expansions of the park have been carried out and its present area is 22 hectares. It consists of five scenic areas: red carp pond, peony garden, the lawn, a forest and Flower Harbor.

The one-hectare pond used to be a low-lying land, but later an islet was built there, with winding embankment of stone and grass, flowers and trees. A zigzag bridge spans the pond, and thousands of red carps are swimming merrily there, attracting hordes of visitors every day who linger to watch and feed the carps with bait.

Across the pond you can see the Peony Garden, a winding path leading to a beautifully worked-out mound of ornamental hill with plants and sculpted pines. Peony Pavilion, octagonal in shape, stands on top of the mound, and it is the centerpiece of the park where in April many colors of rare peonies bloom in plots separate by black and white cobblestones. The whole scene makes one intoxicated.

Between the lawn and the South Lake lies Jiang’s Mansion, built in 1912. Nowadays most of the buildings of the mainsion have been turned into Ma Yifu’s Memorial Hall, a Confucian scholar (1883-1967). To the left of the main hall near the lake is the Ji Zhao Pavilion, on which a couplet reads:
“May I ask where the white clouds will go?
I have no idea when the moon will arrive.”

It is a most ideal place to watch the white clouds, to see the rise of the bright moon as well as to relax oneself.

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Author: Amoytrip---Free China Travel Guide--Viewing Fish at Flower Harbor
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

West Lake

The West Lake was a lagoon converted from a small bay. Because it is located in the west of Hangzhou, it is called the West Lake. There are hills around the lake on three sides, and the city proper lies just by the lake on one side.

In the ancient time, the West Lake was a shallow bay opening into the Qiantang Rier, and the Precious Stone Hill in the north and the Wu Hill in the South encircled this bay by its mouth. Later the sediment accumulated gradually by the pounding of the ocean tides, the mouth of the bay was blocked and changed into land. Between the Qiantang River and the West Lake, the bay left the river and formed a lagoon. This lake was washed by water flowing down from nearby mountains, dredged and managed by the local population from generation to generation. The West Lake has become a world-famous  lake.

The history of the West Lake mainly is a history of the lake being silted and dredged. It was made by nature. But great changes took place in its long history. It was repeatedly dredged and silted up. Therefore the West Lake was also man-made. The aim of dredging and protecting the West Lake in all past dynasties was not only for sightseeing but more importantly, for drinking water and the irrigation of farmland. The Ming Dynasty scholoar Tian Rucheng said:” In terms of dredging the West Lake from ancient times to the present, the best achievements attribute to the three people: Bai Juyi, Su Dongpo and Yang Mengying.” Together with Ruan Yuan in the Qing Dynasty, they did their best to dredge the West Lake and made outstanding contributions. The Bai Causeway, Su Causeway and Yang Gong Causeway, lesser Yingzhou Isle, Mid-Lake Pavilion, Ruan Gong Mound are all man-made an dare historical evidence of the dredging of the West Lake.

In the Tang Dynasty, poet Bai Juyi had the West Lake dredged and made great contributions to the people of Hangzhou. When he completed his term of office as governor and left Hangzhou, the local citizens saw him off to the lakeside with tears in their eyes. He wrote a poem entitled ” Words Written at Parting with Citizens”, two lines from which read:

“What I left behind is a body of water,

for you to tide over the year of famine.”

From December 1990 to March 2003, the West Lake experienced the largest scale dredge ever since the 1950s, and 3400 thousand cubic meters of silt in all was dredged from the bottom of the lake. The average depth of the lake water reached from 1.65 meters to 2.27 meters. The lake area increased from 5.6 square kilometers to 6.5 square kilometers.

The lake is surrounded by hills on three sides. In the south and southwest are Dragon Well Hill, Lian Hill, Southern Peak, Yanxia Ridge, Daci Hill Lingshi Hill, Nanping Hill, Phoenix Hill, and Wu Hill. They are generally known as the Southern Hills. In the north, there are Lingyin Hill, Northern Peak, Fairy Hill, Qixia Ridge, Precious Stone Hill etc., generally known as the Northern Hills, less than 400 meters in altitude. Woods, springs and rock-caves are beautiful. The main brooks which flow into the West Lake include the Gold Sand Harbor, Longhong Brook, and Long Bridge Brook. The floodgates which adjust the water level of the lake are Shengtang floodgate, Yongjin floodgate etc.. Now the water of Qiantang River is drawn into the West Lake by pumps near the White Pagoda Ridge after it is purified, increasing water outlet. Instead of once every year, the West Lake water is replenished once every month. Visibility has also increased from originally less than 60 centimeters to 120 centimeters now.

The West Lake used to be called Qiantang Lake in the old times. The poet Su Dongpo of the Northern Song Dynasty in his poem said: The West Lake is as beautiful as the ancient beauty Xi Zi. Therefore it is also called Xi Zi Lake. The West Lake always looks beautiful in all the four seasons. It offers countless historical and cultural sites. Su Dongpo said:

” The West Lake offers the best sight in the world,

Whether the tourist is foolish or wise,

He enjoys himself in a greater or lesser degree,

Nobody can pretend to be a know-all.”

In the Southern Song Dynasty, the painters of the court wrote down on their landscape paintings the poetic names around the West Lake, and as a result, the Ten Views of the West Lake came into being. In the Qing Dynasty emperor Kangxi made a tour of Hangzhou. His inscriptions of the Ten Views of the West Lake were engraved on stone tablets standing in pavilions. The ” Ten Views of the West Lake” became classical versions.

The Hangzhou Parks Administration initiated the activity of choosing new names for the scenic spots in 1985. The Precious Stone Hill Floating in Rosy Clouds and others were decided on for the ‘ Ten New Views of the West Lake’. IN recent years big efforts have been made to vigorously develop the West Lake. Many old scenic spots were restored, such scenic areas on the southern bank around the lake as Leifeng Pagoda, Yang Gong Causeway and so on. THe scenic area west of the lake and the lake-side parks, ranging from the 2nd Park to the 6th Park for example, have all been rebuilt along with the reconstruction of Beishan Road, making the West Lake more attractive, like a painting full of poetic grace.

In 2011, West Lake was listed as one of the world heritages which will attract more and more people from the world to visit Hangzhou.

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Author: Amoytrip---Free China Travel Guide--West Lake
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Dream of the Tiger Spring

Tiger Spring

Tiger Spring is located at the foot of Daci Hill southwest of the West Lake. It is clean and tranquil, with hills on all sides.

Legend has it that during the 14th year of the reign of Yuanhe of the Tang Dynasty(819AD), Huanzhong, a high-ranking monk, settled here and suffered from the shortage of water. In a dream one night, a god told him that two tigers would come to his aid. When he got up the next morning, he saw two tigers digging a hole until water bubbled out of the ground, and hence the name of the spring.

In fact the Tiger Spring comes from the sandstone and quartzite in the ground. It is cool and sweet and is honored as the third best spring in China. ” Dragon Well tea and Tiger spring” is known as the two unique things around the West Lake.

The Northern Song Dynasty writer Su Dongpo wrote a poem entitled “Touring Ancestral Pagoda Temple”, two lines of which read:
“The Taoist priest stints no spring water,
And lends me a bowl to drink to my heart’s content.”

The Qing Dynasty scholar Mao Qiling also had this to praise:
” It is where the wild tiger ran idle in those days,
Leaving behind clear water for offspring to enjoy.”

One of the well-known personages associated with the temple is Li Shutong(1880-1942), a famous educationist in arts. He became monk Hongyi and came to live here in 1918. Monk Hongyi Pagoda was built at the back of the hill.

A number of ancient buildings still stands here, such as the Arhat Hall, the bell tower, the tiger spring cliff, Li Shutong Memorial Hall, Hall of Monk Ji Gong, the statue of dreaming of the spring and a tea house.

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Author: Amoytrip---Free China Travel Guide--Dream of the Tiger Spring
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

amoytrip=?UTF-8?B?6KKr5bCB77yf?=

我的英文网站amoytrip似乎成了GFW的牺牲品了。没有翻墙就无法访问。连手机发文章也都time out.奇怪的是，这个博客跟iven的博客都能正常打开，虽然是用的同一个空间。如果现在用我的黑莓能正常发表这篇文章。那么可以肯定，amoytrip被墙是某个敏感词的问题。是哪个词我是知道的，只是没想到这样都能有问题。真的是G spot太敏感了。

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动车

假期时间总是那么快，即使多请假了三天，十天的假期也是咻的一下就过了。但是在动车上的七个多小时总是那么漫长，那么无聊。加上人多，杂，吵闹，加上污浊的空气，及用餐时间的复杂味道，让原本还算高级的动车一下回到解放前的绿皮车，让人昏昏欲睡，毫无兴致。唯一一个可以自我安慰阿Q一下地方，那就是我们都有座位，已经比那些一路站着的人强多了。

其实有个更温馨的事，那就是老婆徒手剥橙给我吃！而且一剥就是三颗！！

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火车安检漏洞

今天到火车站发现人流量比往常都少，比十一是少了很多。估计很多人都提前回去了。
动车坐了很多次，发现火车站的进站检票很不严格，随便都可以混过去。一，进站的时候基本不看票，随便一张就行，这里主要安检行李包包；二，候车里检票，人流量那么大，工作人员也不会认真看你的票是哪里到哪里，晃一下就过了。过了候车室后就可以上你想上的火车了。所以以后实在买不到票，只要随便买张便宜的票，混上火车再说，其他上车在补，就是无座罢了。总比回不了家强。

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Yuan Zaju

It was after long years of development that the Chinese local opera, Yuan zaju, came into being during the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368). It is a relatively matured form of opera appropriately integrating music, singing, dancing, performing and speaking.

Snow in Midsummer

The rise of Yuan zaju made the Yuan Dynasty the golden age of Chinese opera. Within less than one hundred years, according to records, there were more than 200 recorded playwrights and more than 700 zaju scripts. Yuan zaju provided image of the social reality of that time from every aspect and expressed the people’s wish of resisting the oppression and pur-suit of happy life.

Guan Hanqing was the greatest and most prolific playwright of the Yuan Dynasty. He created over 60 plays, of which 18 still exist. Most of them reflected on the misery and struggles of women at the bottom of society and highly praised their wisdom and courage. His representative work The Grievance of Dou’e (also translated as Snow in Midsummer) is the best-known of the zaju tragedies. It tells of a kind-hearted young woman named Dou’e, who was falsely accused and thrown into prison by the local authorities, and was finally sentenced to death. On the execution ground, she predicted that blood would be splashing and that it would snow in June with great drought lasting for three years. As expected, all of them came true. With an intense tragical impression throughout the play, the author expressed his indignation and sympathy for the weak in society. Guan’s plays had great influence on the development of drama of later generations. He is not only the greatest drama composer in China, but also one of the cultural celebrities of the world.

Wang Shifu was another renowned playwright of that period. Throughout his whole life, Wang had written altogether 14 plays, of which The west Chamber was considered as the masterpiece in the history of Chinese drama. This play, through the love story of Cui Yingying and Zhang Sheng, highly praised their courage in the pursuit of a free marriage and in the opposition to feudal ethics, conveying that “All those in love shall be wedded.” The main characters such as Cui Yingying, Zhang Sheng and Hong Niang are widely known in China.

Besides that, other well-known playwrights include Ma Zhiyuan, Bai Pu, Zheng Guangzu and Ji Junxiang, etc. Like the Tang poetry and Song Ci poetry, Yuan zaju also holds a very high position in the history of Chinese literature. Many plays of Yuan zaju are still performed on the stage nowadays, and some have been made into films and TV plays, which have exerted a broad influence. In the 18th century, The Orphan of the Zhao Family was introduced to Europe and then converted into a play entitled The orphan of China, catching the global attention.

 

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Author: Amoytrip---Free China Travel Guide--Yuan Zaju
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Song Ci Poetry

Ci poetry is one type of the ancient poetry. Ci poetry has several names, and it is also known as musical Ci poetry because it can be sung to the music. As the length of verses in a Ci poem differs, it is also called ” Long and Short Verses”. The reason why there are more than one name concerning Ci poetry lies in the close relationship between Ci poetry has various names of cadence which we called :tune” such as The Moon over the West River, The River All Red and Dreamlike Song, etc.

As a new type of poetry, Ci reached its zenith in the Song Dynasty(960-1279). Like Tang poetry, the Song Ci poetry holds a very important position in the history of Chinese literature.

In the course of its development, many outstanding Ci poets, such as Su Shi, Li Qingzhao, Xin Qiji and Iu You emerged.

Su Shi’s Ci poems arc characteristic of passion, refreshment and mellifluence. The contents of his poems are rich in terms of subject: some expressed his patriotism, some described scenes of country, some depicted grievance when lovers had to part. The best-well kown of Su Shi’s Ci poem is Prelude to Water Melody:

Prelude to Water Melody

(Shuidiao Getou)

Su Shi

Su Shi

 

When will the moon be full and bright?

Raising my wineglass, I ask the blue sky.

I know not what year it is tonight,

In the far-away heaven palace.

I wish to return home with fair wind,

For fear I cannot bear the freezing cold,

So high in the marble towers and jade houses.

I dance with my lonely shadow wild,

As if I were not in the human world.

The moon rounds the red cabinet,

Peeps through the silk-pad windows,

And shines upon the sleepless man.

The moon should not suffer the hatred,

Why is it always full when people part?

People may have sorrows or joys,

And the moon may be dim or bright,

This cannot be perfect since ancient time.

I wish that we all would have a long life,

Sharing the beautiful moon even miles apart.

Li Qingzhao is an outstanding Ci poetess. Her works are exquisite, refined and full of true feelings. She expressed her understanding and pursuit of true love, described the impact of the changing seasons on human’s sentiment, and reflected the misery of the people suffering from the decline of their country and the disasters befalling families. Many of her moving verses such as“Can’t you see? Can’t you see?The green leaves are fresh but the red flowers are fading!”“This feeling is unable to be removed. It was shown on my knitted eyebrows a moment ago but has now come to pain my heart.” Show her poetic gifts.

Xin Qiji

Xin Qiji is the most prolific among the Ci poets of the Song Dynasty. His works teemed with heroism. His verses such as “Half drunk I lit the lamp to look at my sword / After dreams of the bugles in our army camps.” “Green mountains are no bar / To the river flowing on to the sea.” Have been circulating for generations. They not only reflected grand army life but also indicated his determination to resist the Jin troops and his deep love for his own country. Xin’s Ci poems greatly broadened the themes and enriched the artistic style of the Song Ci poetry.

 

Till today, Song Ci poems are still favored by the masses. The book Three Hundred Song Ci Poems can be regarded as a must for many families, and a great number of renowned Ci poems have been set to new tunes for extensive singing.

 

 

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Author: Amoytrip---Free China Travel Guide--Song Ci Poetry
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Tang Poetry

The Tang Dynasty witnessed a peak in Chinese culture. Especially for ancient poetry. It had its flowering in the Tang Dynasty. In more that 300 years of history of the Tang Dynasty, some 48900 poems were handed down and remain widely known today.So many works also made more than 2300 poets famous in history.

Li Bai

As far as the writing technique is concerned, the Tang poetry combined realism and romanticism. In form, poetry of the Tang Dynasty contained four-line and eight-line verse with five or seven characters in each line. Moreover, “modern style” poetry, which is regular and polished, also appeared in the Tang Dynasty.

 

The best-known poets of the Tang Dynasty were Li Bai and Du Fu, who are very prestigious in the whole world. Therefore, people of later generations have praised both of them as ” Li Du” collaboratively.

Being widely praised as the “Immortal of Poems”, Li Bai was a poet who abounded with passion and talent. With lofty sentiments and a powerful imagination, he created many poems in praise of magnificent mountains and mighty rivers of the motherland. Over 900 poems of Li Bai have been preserved, of which the most famous are Invitation to Wine, The sichuan Road, and Watching the waterfall at Lushan, and Thought in the Silent Night, intonated by people for generations.

Thoughts in the Silent Night

Li Bai

Beside my bed a pool of light,

Is it hoarfrost on the ground?

I lift my eyes and see the moon,

I bend my head and think of home.

Du Fu is revered as “Sage of the Poems” by the posterity. When he was young, Du Fu visited many scenic spots and places of historical interest. But his later life was full of frustrations, which enabled him to gradually have a clear idea of the people’s sufferings. In his poems, Du Fu boldly exposed the corruption of the feudal society and profoundly portrayed people’s miserable lives. More than 1400 of his poems have been preserved till today, and the best-known ones are Spring Outlook, Ballad of the Army Carts, The Conscripting Officer at Shihao, The Conscriping Officer at Tongguan, The Conscripting Officer at Xin’an, Farewell to My Husband, Farewell to My Old Wife and Farewell of a Lonely Soul.

Du Fu

A 4-line Poem with 7 Characters in Each Line

Du Fu

From vivid green willows comes the call of two orioles;

A file of white water birds rises into the clear blue heavens;

As it held in the mouth of my window are the mountains ranges with their snows of many autumns;

Anchored by our gate are the long distance boats of Wu.

The noted poets in the Tang dynasty also include Wang Wei, Bai Juyi, Li He, Li Shangyin an Du Mu, etc. Even today, Chinese people are still very fond of the Tang poetry, many of which can be recited even by children, for example, Thoughts in the Silent Night written by Li Bai, Welcome Rain One Spring Night written by Du Fu. Famous verses like ” We widen our view three hundred miles by ascending one flight of stairs”, ” Do you not see the Yellow River come from the sky” are often quoted by most people. The book Three Hundred Tang Poems is a bestseller at home and abroad. Currently in China, the tag ” If you have recited 300 poems of the Tang dynasty, you will be able to intonate them even though you can not produce them” has been popular. Thus, it can be seen how Chinese people are fond of the Tang poetry.

 

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Tang Poetry
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

火车票代理点收费，贱！

之前千辛万苦从网上买到了回家的火车票。现在冒雨去火车站自动售票把票打出来。当然有更省事的办法，那就是直接在代理点取票。但是代理点打个票也要收5元一张票，真TMD的贱。世界上有见过这么无耻的企业吗？同样是垄断行业，机票的提成是向航空公司要的，火车票你为啥就不行？以前代理点还帮你查询是否有票，付你5元当查询服务费还勉强接受。现在票是自己网上订的，还是要收钱，土匪才这样。
我就不让这帮孙子赚这不合理的钱。公交来回1元，在花点时间而已，总共6张票，就可以省几十块。我一个人不多，但全国多少人买火车票回家过年，算算那是多么庞大的数字。这帮孙子每年只要这么一个月开门工作，就可以轻轻松松吸走这么多老百姓血汗钱。还有天理吗？
希望每个人都抵制火车代理点的收费，坚决抵制！

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手机是未来终端吗

如果能随时随地有免费的wifi的话，我还真会抛弃笨重的电脑而使用智能手机。平常在电脑上的功能基本都能在手机上实现了。比如邮件，看视频，浏览网页，截图，word办公等等。手机比电脑还要一个优点那就是随时拍照随时就可以分享，没有图片也可以通过截屏得到真是平常能用的功能都有了。难怪很多人预测以后的终端是手机而不再是电脑了。
现在我刚截屏的图片，然后用图片编辑器稍微缩小了一下图片，接着就分享到wordpress。是不是否很方便了。

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Folk Songs of the Northern and Southern Dynasties

The period of more than one hundred years from the decline of the Eastern Jin (317-420) to the foundation of the Sui Dynasty (581-618) was in the confrontation between two powers, one in the north and the other in the south. This period is known in Chinese history as the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589).

Folk Songs of the Northern  and Southern Dynasties were created orally by people in the wake of Yuefu songs. Folk songs of the Southern dynasies are mostly love songs which reflect the sincere and pure love life of people. Most of them were sung by women with refreshing and touching appeal. Ode to Xizhou can be regarded as the representative work of them.

Ode to Xizhou

When they gather lotus at Nantang in autumn,

 

The lotus blooms are higher than their heads;

They stoop to pick lotus seeds,

Seeds as translucent as water….

The water is beyond the scope of eyesight,

You are lovesick,me either….

The south wind knows my mood;

It blows my dream to Xizhou.

The connotation of those lines is as follows: The heroin’s lover hadn’t come back home, so she went to gather lotus to divert herself from loneliness and boredom. At a distance from the lake, both of them were lovesick apart. Finally, she begged the wind to bring her dream to Xizhou where her lover was staying.

Most of folk songs of the Southern dynasties belong to the 4-line poems with 5 characters in each line, whose language is refreshing and natural, which possibly has a direct relation with the beautiful environment and rich condition of the south. Moreover, pun was often used in folk songs. Currently, there remain about 500 such songs.

Folk songs of the Northern Dynasties were mostly created by ethnic groups and reflected the society and their lives from every profile. As the Northern Dynasties were often at wars, the content of most folk songs had connection with wars. The long narrative poem Mulan Ci is the best-known work of that period.

Mulan Ci

Munan Ci figures the heroine Mulan who was brave, smart and high-minded. In the poem, disguised as a man, Hua Mulan joined the army on behalf of her father to fight against the enemies. As for a feudal society in which women were universally regarded to be inferior to men, this poem had its special significance. The story about Hua Mulan’s enlistment has maintained its great popularity among people and has been adapted for the screen and the stage so that it can comedown till today.

 

Besides the theme concerning warfare, most folk songs of the Northern dynasties describe scenery of the north and the people’s life of nomadism thus manifesting straightforward complexion of Northerners which has a clear contrast with those of the Southern Dynasties. Chile Song and Song of the Breaking of the Willow are the elaborate works of folk songs of the Northern Dynasties.

Folk song of the Northern and Southern Dynasties had great influences on poets of the Tang Dynasty (618-907)

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Folk Songs of the Northern and Southern Dynasties
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

票买到了

这段时间世界上什么产品最抢手？那肯定归大陆火车票了。每年春运，购票的煎熬就是回家享乐的代价。我也不例外。往年不是托朋友买，就是割肉坐飞机。今年铁道部推出了网络直接订票网站。一直听说那坑爹的网站，不是登不进，就是登进了付款失败。想成功购到票，得一整天刷屏再刷屏。老婆大伦在家里也试了很多次，都等不进。既然网络不行，身在旅行社，拿票那是相当有优势。于是自信满满的让同事帮忙订票，以为万无一失。没想到，昨天得到同事的回复是没票了，他们也是要登录订票网查询，他们网速太慢，也进不去。哇靠，什么世道啊，这样下去票务不都关门大吉了。

今天吃完午饭，报着试看看的心态，打开12306，然后就进了，然后先查询20日瑞安–厦门，瑞安–杭州的动车，哇靠，人品爆仓吗？都有票哦，于是就这样，三下五除二，没5分钟就把20日的票订好了。接着就查询19日杭州–瑞安的，没票，还都只显示杭州南出发的（其实是有杭州城站出发的），想说没到瑞安的，那同一列车到瑞安前几站的票，站过去也行啊，还是没有。人最怕的就是固定思维。还好我的思维有点发散，瑞安前几站得票没有，那杭州到瑞安后面几站的票了。于是查了19日的杭州到厦门北的票。 偷喜，有票，但是19号是要去瑞安参加同学婚礼，买到厦门全票太贵，于是查了离瑞安最近的后几站，霞浦有票，2张座位，其他站票，到霞浦的票每张贵37元。不管了。先买了再说，有票不差这么点钱，省下的时间就是金钱了。

就这样，跟买到彩票中奖一样，无心插柳，竟然就把这坑爹的火车票解决了。

后面还得买厦门回杭州的票，希望人品能继续维持。

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房价会跌吗？

看了套房子很喜欢，精装修，市中心，地铁边上，房东移民瑞典。房子干净，很适合。但是66平方米，146万人民币。砸锅卖铁、东借西借付个3成首付，然后每个月按揭6、7千，住这样的房子值吗？如果房价继续涨，人民币继续通胀，那么买了是不会亏。问题是现在的时机麦麦，实体经济这么差，房价跌是时间早晚的问题。况且领导要换届了，现在的泡沫，下一届的领导班子肯定不会揽到自己身上的，继续维持高泡沫状态。一定会在上任前，或上任后的几个月把泡沫捅破，把责任推给上任领导。自己在从低位做起，创造政绩。

但是从长远的看，十年后回头看市中心2万2的房子，如果觉得便宜，那现在买了也没啥。通胀会继续，物价会下降吗？按现在的情况，跌到1平方米1万以内是不可能的。看看现在百万的人比比揭示。只要不是大跌，只要还能承担的住，买了也还Ok.

真是纠结！

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投诉Radley

12月15日在radley官网买了两个包包，都2012年了包包都不见踪影。后来打了国际电话联系radley的客户，才收到他们的email，叫我联系上海某个快递公司，尽快缴纳13.93英镑关税。radley的客服真是粗心，发我的email，连我的名字都叫错了。连续发了5封错误的email,及5封recall的email。提供的上海快递也不是处理我包裹的快递公司。还好经过上海这家快递公司，最终找到我的包裹是广州中外运DHL处理。问了广州中外运为啥我的包裹这么久都没打电话联系缴纳关税，才得知Radley提供给快递公司的号码是错误的我的错误。更气的是快递让我交的关税竟然是人民币221元，远高于radley客服告诉我的13.93英镑。一起之下，又发了两封email,附带截图之处她们连续犯的几个错误，昨天晚上又电话联系了客服，让他们帮我确定到底我该交多少钱。真是无语了，radley客户� ��过确认好，打我电话说邮件里提到的13.93英镑是错误的，应该是快递公司说的那个数字。我咧..，一个这么知名的包包公司，竟有这么烂的客服。

客服是粗心，不过态度都还可以，电话里一直apologize。早上email联系快递公司付钱的事，快递公司回复说国外那边昨天已经帮忙付掉了。省了两百多元，抱怨一下就少了，反而同情那客服，不知道会不会受到扣钱之类的惩罚。

 

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Chinese Buddhism Culture

As early as in the Han dynasty, Buddhism, originated from ancient India, had been introduced to China. During it s development in China, Buddhism had to constantly adapt itself to the actual conditions in China so as to become one of the most important religions in China and to deeply influence upon thoughts and living habits of the majority of Chinese.

The Sui and Tan dynasties are the important periods for the localization of Buddhism in China. In this period, with the unity of country, the development of the economy and the more and more frequent exchange of culture, the study of Buddhism reached an unprecedented height. In the Tang Dynasty, the state put forward the policy that Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism would coexist. In the process of amalgamation of Buddhism and Chinese traditional culture, Buddhism had absorbed the thought of Confuciansim and Taoism and therefore some Chinese schools emerged, amongst which Zen is considered to be full of vitality. The speculative philosophy of Buddhism made up the shortage of directness and simplicity of the traditional ideology and enriched Chinese culture.

Chinese Buddhism has a substantial pantheon based on several tiers of divine beings. At the highest level are Buddhas, who have achieved perfection and dwell in Nirvana. The chief Buddha is Sakyamuni, who is usually depicted sitting in meditation or sometimes in a recumbent position signifying his entrance into Nirvana. He is often shown as the central figure in several trinities. One is the trinity of the three ages: the Buddha of the Present is Sakyamuni; the Buddha of the Past is Kasyapa; and the Buddha of the Future is Maitreya. Another trinity often found in Chan sect temples is formed by Sakyamuni, Amitabha(Emitofo) and Bhaisajyaguru. A third trinty has Sakyamuni flanked by Vairochana representing the law or doctrine and Lochana representing the priesthood.

On the second level are the bodhisattvas, beings who have achieved perfection but who remain in this world to relieve suffering and lead others to salvation. Maitreya, the Bodhisattva of the Future, is a particularly popular figure in this world. Known to the West as the Laughing Buddha, he is usually depicted smiling broadly and with his ample chest and belly exposed. Another extremely popular bodhisattva is Avalokitesvara, known to the Chinese as Guanyin, who is usually depicted in its female incarnation and known as the Goddess of Mercy. Three other bodhisattvas commonly found are Manjusri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who rides  a lion; Samantabhadra, the Bodhisattva of Uniersal Kindness, who rides a white elephant; and Ksitigarbha, the Bodhisattva of the Earth .

The third level are the arhats, who have been commanded to stay in this world and preach the doctrines of the Buddha. They are usually shown in a group of ten or of 18 in addition to the three levels, there are also also various tutelary gods, guardian spirits and the patriarchs of different Buddhist sects.

Courtesies in Buddhist Temples

The common way of greeting in Buddhist temples is to put your two palms together with fingers aligned, in front of your chest, and slightly lower your head for a few seconds. Normally you do not shake hands with monks, or have any other physical contact. If you talk to monks, please remember that there are certain taboo subjects, such as marriage or eating meat. When there is a religious ceremony going on in the temple, you may stand there quietly and watch but remember that loud talking or laughing are considered blasphemy against the gods.

How to address Monks in Buddhist Temples

You may address ordinary monks respectfully as “Shifu”(master) and please do not directly call them “monks”. Chief monks, you may call “Zhanglao”(elder), “Zhuchi”(abbot)  or “Fangzhang” (abbot). And to senior monks of great attainments, you may call them “Fashi” (master of the law). To the monks in a lamasery, you may call them “Lama” which means “senior master”.

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Chinese Buddhism Culture
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Temple of Divine Light

One of the eight old temples and monasteries dotted on the hill slopes of Badachu (Eight Great Sights), the Temple of Divine Light, was first built in the 8th century in the Tang Dynasty when it was named Dragon Spring Temple (Longquansi 龙泉寺). It was rebuilt and renamed Temple of Awakening Mountain in 1162, and changed to its present name in 1478.

The Temple of Divine Light is famous for its Buddha Tooth Pagoda which houses one of the teeth of Sakyamuni perserved after his cremation. The Zhaoxian Pagoda, located at the southeast corner of the Temple of Divine Lights was a multieave, thirteen-storey, octagonal brick structure. Since it was decorated with Buddhist statues and pagoda designs, it was also called Thousand-Buddhist-Statues Pagoda. The Temple of Divine Light was destroyed during the Eight Power’s invasion in 1900, and only the base of a pagoda named Pagoda for Inviting Immortals dating back to the Liao Dynasty, was left. When the site was cleared, a sandalwood box which contained the Buddha’s tooth, was found. According to a Buddhist sutra, after Sakyamuni’s death, two of his teeth were left in the world. One was taken to Sri Lanka, and the other was brought to China after passing through many hands. It was first taken to Xinjiang, and later during the fifth century, it was found in Nanji ng. It was taken to Chang’an during the Sui dynasty and later to Yanjing during the Five dynasties until it was finally cnshrined in Zhaoxian Pagoda.

Formally named Pagoda of the Tooth Relic of Buddha, it is the only great pagoda for the preservation of Buddhist relic tooth of Sakyamuni built after 1949. In 1949, sponsored by the Buddhist circles in China, preparations were made to build a pagoda at the Temple of Divine Light, second of the eight great sites in the Western Hills. Construction started in the summer of 1958 and was completed in the spring of 1964.

The new pagoda is 51 meters high, octagonal, and has 13 levels of eaves, similar to the original Zhaoxian Pagoda. Each side of its square platform is 2.7 meters high and 22 meters long. Like the multi-eave pagodas of the Liao and Jin dynasties, the pagoda was built on a huge pedestal with a prominent first storey topped by thirteen closely layered eaves. The internal structure of the pagoda has seven levels; the ground level has a secret room with stone tablets and Buddhist scriptures engraved on the four walls. Stone steps leading up to the main hall, where the relic tooth is kept, were built outside the room. The relic tooth preserved in a small gold pagoda in the middle of the hall. On the other levels are ceremonial articles, Buddhist statures, and Buddhist criptures.

The other seven temples at Badachu are Temple of Eternal Peace, Three Mountain Convent, Temple of Great Mercy, Hall of Dragon King, Temple of Pilgrimage Boundary, Cave of Treasured Pearl and Temple of Testimonial Results.

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Temple of Divine Light
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Red Snail Temple

The Red Snail Temple is located in Huairou District to the north of Beijing, about 57 kilometers away from the city. It was one of the important temples of the Pure Land Sect of Buddhism in history, and was a place that attracted many monks to come for Buddhist scriptures

The temple was actually called Great Brightness Temple when it was built in 348 A.D. and was renamed Safeguarding the Country and Adding Fortune Temple during the reign of Emeperor Zhengtong of the Ming dynasty(1436-1449).

According to legends, many years ago, two red giant snails were found in a pool on the hill behind the temple and they emitted strange lights at night. They were worshiped by local villagers, and the mountain and the temple were thus renamed the Red Snail Hill and the Red Snail Temple.

Covering an area of 16.6 acres, the Red Snail Temple is the biggest temple in the northern area of Beijing. The temple has five courtyards built to follow the contours of the hillside, with its mail hall, the Mahavira Hall, in the central courtyard and other typical Buddhist temple halls in other courtyards. Its western courtyard is the temple’s Stupa Yard , the burial place of the monks of the temple. Monk Jixing (1741-1810), the 12th Master of the Pure Land Sect, died in the temple at the age of 70 and was buried in the Stupa Yard. More than 100 beads of granulated ashes and his teeth were found in the stupa.

Like those at Tanzhe Temple, the two gingko trees, one male and the other female, in the courtyard in front of the Mahavira Hall are very attractive. They are 30 meters high and over 1,000 years old. The female tree does not bloom but bears fruit in autumn, while the male tree blooms in spring but does not bear fruit. The two trees, the bamboo grove in front of the mountain gate and the pine trees behind the main hall are called “three wonders” of the temple.

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Red Snail Temple
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Resort Intime Sanya

Address: Dadonghai Resort District(Dadonghai Lvyouqu) Sanya China
Attractions Nearby:Dadonghai Scenic Area, Luhuitou Park
Location:Sanya Phenix Internationa Airport - 20 km;Sanya Pedestrian Street (city center) – 2 km

Hotel Brief:

With its distinctive architecture, splendid sea scene and lush tropical gardens abounding with coconut palm and secluded lotus ponds, Resort Intime Sanya is a romantic beachfront hotel that is well loved for its timeless appeal, blending into the serene leisure life of Hainan. It is situated in the beautiful southernmost city of Sanya in China, facing 7 kilometers of long white sandy beaches. This magnificent seaside resort boasts 420 charming rooms, 90% of the guestrooms have private balconies overlooking the stunning South China Sea.Each room comes with high speed Internet access, a TV, a telephone, a safe and a minibar. Four outstanding restaurants and bars pamper guests while recreational facilities provide endless fun for family and friends. Local attractions, city center and the international airport are close to the hotel.

The Resort Intime Sanya has many amenities, including a swimming pool, a massage room, a gym, a squash room, a volleyball court, a football court, a Mahjong room and a kid’s area. A conference center has several rooms and can seat small to large sized functions. Laundry service, car rental, valet and room service are available for a fee.

 

 

 

 

 

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Resort Intime Sanya
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Sanya Marriott Resort&Spa

Address: Yalong Bay National Resort District(Yalong Wan Guojia Lvyou Dujiaqu) Sanya China
Attractions Nearby:Yalong Bay Square, Butterfly Valley, Yalong Bay Golf Course
Location:Sanya Phenix Internationa Airport – 40 km;Sanya Railway Station – 35 km;Sanya Pedestrian Street (city center) – 25 km

Hotel Brief:

Situated on the pristine white-sand beaches of China’s premier holiday destination, Yalong Bay on Hainan Island, Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa is the ideal choice for a relaxing tropical escape. The Resort is conveniently located just a 35-minute drive from Sanya Phoenix International Airport – itself just a short flight from many major Asian cities. Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa features a serene, organic design by Singaporean-based Wilson & Associates, including the liberal use of natural stone and warm woods that reflect the spectacular environment of the resort surroundings.

The Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa has 456 well-appointed rooms and comprehensive facilities, making it the perfect choice for family vacations and business meetings alike. The surrounding ocean and tropical mountain views beckon visitors to sit back and relax. It is the place that you have always wanted to go and never wanted to leave.

This eight story hotel has a hair salon, a game room and a currency exchange. The Marriott Resort & Spa Sanya has five multipurpose rooms that can hold small to large sized functions. There is a Kid’s Club, a fitness center, a swimming pool, tennis courts and a lounge. An onsite restaurant serves Cantonese, Vietnamese and Western cuisine. 24 hour room service is available.

 

 

 

 

 

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Sanya Marriott Resort&Spa
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Ritz-Carlton Sanya

Address: Yalong Bay National Resort
Attractions Nearby: Yalong Bay Square, Golf Course, Butterfly Valley
Location: Sanya Phoenix International Airport – 40 km;Sanya Railway Station – 30 km;Sanya Pedestrian Street (City Center) – 25 km

Hotel Brief:

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Sanya has many miles of secluded beach to enjoy. The hotel is a short drive from many tourist attractions, shopping and dining establishments. The Sanya Phoenix Airport is a forty minute drive from the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Sanya. Guests can make use of the city’s transportation system to get around, or can rent a car.

There are 450 guest rooms, suites and private villas in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Sanya. Every room has a hair dryer, DVD player, minibar, cable TV, safe, telephone, high speed Internet access and a refrigerator. There is one floor reserved for executive suites only.

Ritz-Carlton Hotel Sanya has an extensive facilities like swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness center, a signature Ritz Kids Club, Ritz-Carlton spa, Eight restaurants and lounges. In addition, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Sanya offers flexible space designed for meetings, conferences and special social events and a wedding chapel. Guests can find a designer on-site boutique shopping arcade with five of the world’s top brands: Louis Vuitton, Salvatore Ferragamo, TOD’S, Paul & Shark and Ermenegildo Zegna is a first for Hainan Island.

 

 

 

 

 

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Author: AmoyTrip.com-- Ritz-Carlton Sanya
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Narada Resort & Spa Sanya

Address: Sanya Bay National Resort District
Attractions Nearby:West Isle Scenic Area, the Remotest Corner of the Earth, Tianya Tropical Ocean Zoo, Sanya Aixin Pleasure Ground
Location:Sanya Phenix Internationa Airport – 10 km;Sanya Railway Station – 15 km;Sanya Pedestrian Street (city center) – 16 km

Hotel Brief:

The Narada Resort and Spa Sanya has close to 700 meters of private, sandy beach. The hotel is a short drive from many tourist and outdoor recreational activities. Shopping and dining options can be found throughout the surrounding area, as well. The Sanya Phoenix Airport is ten minutes away from the Narada Resort and Spa Sanya. Guests will be able to make use of shuttle service, or they can rent a car or take a taxi.

There are 408 standard rooms, deluxe suites, single rooms and presidential villas at the Narada Resort and Spa Sanya. Every room has a private balcony with a tub, an IDD telephone, satellite TV, minibar, safe and air conditioning. Room service and laundry service are available for a fee.

Narada Resort and Spa Sanya has eleven meeting rooms that can hold small to large sized functions. The Narada Resort and Spa Sanya also has a spa, a sauna, a gym, a solarium, tennis courts and a bar. There are four onsite restaurants that serve seafood, BBQ, Cantonese, Chinese and German cuisine. There is also a café and an ice cream bar.

 

 

 

 

 

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Narada Resort & Spa Sanya
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Banyan Tree Sanya Resort and Spa

Address: 6 Luling Road (Luling Lu) Sanya China
Attractions Nearby: Dadonghai Food Court, Luhuitou Park
Location:Sanya Phenix Internationa Airport - 25 km;Sanya Railway Station – 15 km;Sanya Pedestrian Street (city center) – 3 km

Hotel Brief:

The exclusive Banyan Tree Sanya Resort & Spa, located at Luhuitou Bay, Hainan island, is an all-pool villa resort in Sanya, China. Boasting 49 lavish pool villas nestled in the tropical lagoon landscape of the enchanting Sanya vacation resort, this 5 star hotel in Sanya, Yalong Bay is set to be another jewel in Banyan Tree’s collection of properties; featuring a spa and hydrotherapy development, signature dining outlets, and extensive conference facilities.

There are 67 tropical style, poolside villas in the Banyan Tree Sanya. Every room has air conditioning, a private bath, high speed Internet access, plasma TV, DVD player, plush linens and a telephone. Room service is available 24 hours a day for guests’ convenience.

Planning for an event? The ideal setting for a wedding, meeting or family reunion,  Banyan Tree Sanya creates an atmosphere of congenial warmth amid tranquil surrounds, making for wonderful memories of your stay to bring home.

 

 

 

 

 

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Banyan Tree Sanya Resort and Spa
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

Hilton Sanya Resort and Spa

Address:Yalong Bay National Resort District,Sanya
Attractions Nearby: Yalong Bay, Golf
Location: Sanya Phenix International Airport – 40 km;Sanya Railway Station – 30 km;Sanya Pedestrian Street (city center) – 20 km

Hotel Brief:

Hilton Sanya Resort & Spa features a total of 501 guestrooms, suites and villas. Located in Yalong Bay, it’s only a 30-minute drive from both the city center of Sanya and the international airport. The average room size is 48.5m², with over 70% of the rooms overlooking the crescent-shaped sandy beach and the South China Sea. The other 30% have enticing vistas over the surrounding National Park.

The 6,780m² Spa Retreat encompasses eight treatment pavilions, fitness centre, reflexology zone for traditional massages, relaxation area with deck loungers, steam room, sauna, and a herbal tea lounge. Other facilities include six restaurants and bars, a 3,800m² pool, two tennis courts, Kidz Paradise, and a one-stop Yalong Bay Adventure Club. The resort also features a detached all-inclusive MICE Pavilion that offers extensive meeting and banquet facilities spreading over two storeys and more than 3,000m².

The room area of each deluxe room, lake-view room, and sea-view room is 48.5 square meters. Each room has a balcony, a bathtub, and a shower room.

 

 

 

 

 

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--Hilton Sanya Resort and Spa
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com

White Pagoda Temple

The White Pagoda Temple is a symbol of old Beijing and it is one of the most famous structures in the city. It is located in the Western District of Beijing Municipality and it is at the crossroads of Fuchengmenmei Street and Zhaodengyu Road.

The White Pagoda Temple was completed under the supervision of a Nepalese architect and was considered as an aesthetic masterpiece. The White Pagoda Temple originally had the name of Temple of Great Holy Longevity and Eternal Peace. In 1457, the temple was renovated and renamed Miaoying Temple. It was refurbished many times during the Ming and Qing dynasties. However, the temple, except for the White Pagoda, was destroyed by fire in 1729. After Chinese liberation, the government took many measures to protect this important historical site. In 1961, the State Council listed it as a key national cultural heritage protection site.

The White Pagoda

The White Pagoda, standing over 50meters high, was built in 1271 during Kubai Khan’s reign in the Yuan dynasty. It is the largest pagoda from the Yuan dynasty(1271-1368) still in existence. It is the biggest and oldest preserved Tibetan Buddhist pagoda in China, which is one of two famous white pagodas in Tibetan style in Beijing. The other one stands in Yong’ansi in Beihai Park.

The White Pagoda is fifty one meters high like a gourd. The whole body was covered by chalkiness. Its upper part is a conic neck divided into three fragments. Its base is a three layered square with a height of nine meters. Thirty six copper bells hang to a tray, also made of copper, under the roof of the pagoda. They sound beautifully when wind blows onto them. There are many precious Buddhist cultural relics hidden inside the roof of the pagoda and are now displayed at the Temple. For example, there are scriptures written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty. and the little carved Buddha figures.

Three are altogether three halls in the White Pagoda Temple. The first one is for exhibiting the history of the temple, as well as a display of several priceless Buddhist treasures that were discovered when the Pagoda was being renovated in 1978. The second hall is for an impressive display, also called the hall of 10,000 Buddhas. Although there are not actually 10,000 statues in the hall, there are over 7,000 of the them. Walking into the hall, the sight is breathtaking-the place is literally covered with Buddha statues on all four walls. Behind this hall is the Hall of Seven Buddhas, which is home to seven large Buddha statues, as opposed to the thousands of little ones. Behind it is the White Pagoda itself.

However, it mainly functioned as the imperial temple in the Yuan dynasty. The governor then stipulated that all the important ceremonies should be rehearsed here three days ahead of the actual ritual. The sacrificial ceremony of Kublai Khan was also held here when he died. which proves the importance of this temple. in the later days of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), this temple became one of the most renowned spots for temple fairs, which formed the popular saying: August eighth, white pagoda walks”. There was also a custom, on the lunar October 25.(the anniversary date of the completion of the pagoda) in every year, many lamas walked around the circle of the pagoda, lauding the scriptures and playing music. Many devout people prayed for blessings around the pagoda. Temple fairs in the White Pagoda Temple ceased after the 1950s.

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Author: AmoyTrip.com--White Pagoda Temple
Free Inquiry: ryan@amoytrip.com