Impression Yunnan II: Tiger Leaping Gorge

In the last article, we have talked about Lijiang, one of the famous attractions in China. Maybe you have not heard another attraction in Yunnan, we will talk about in the chapter, Tiger Leaping Gorge, which is the world famous grand canyon, and grotesque known to the world.

                                                        Chapter Two


        Tiger Leaping Gorge: Leaping tiger of water

Tiger Leaping Gorge locates about 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Lijiang Old Town and lies between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and Haba Snow Mountain).--It is the longest, deepest, and narrowest gorge in the world.

                                          Sights of Tiger Leaping Gorge

From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands (Jingsha) River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below.

Naturally divided into three sections, the first section, which is the narrowest and uppermost section, is the mouth of the fast flowing Jingsha River. In the midst of the river's mouth is a large rock that is positioned at the gorge's narrowest section-only 30 meters (33 yards) wide.

Tiger Leaping Gorge

An ancient legend says that a tiger used this rock as its stepping stone so it could leap across from one side of the gorge to the other, which is how the gorge got its name.

As the river enters the middle section, it drops another 100 meters (330 feet) and its flowing rate increases to an amazing speed. Here the thunderous rushing waters slam into sharp, large rocks and crash down into the river forming swirling whirlpools. Can it get more exciting? Yes, it can as the third and lowest section is acclaimed for being the wildest attraction of all!

The cliffs over-looking this section are even steeper and much more dangerous. Here, the river twists and turns and the river vigorously surges forward creating high waves and a frothy spew as it collides with the mountainsides. This is a view that inspires a sense of adventure and satisfies the deepest yearnings for magnificent scenery.

The gorge stretches about 15 kilometers (nine miles) and also affords people the possibility of rafting and drifting peacefully in its large quiet sections, for the gentler folks among us and an exciting rafting adventure for the more experienced. Do not want to raft?

Useful Tips: This is a great sightseeing stop with enormous photo opportunities. Bring your camera, wear skid-proof shoes, and be prepared to be astonished.

                                        Navigate Tiger Leaping Gorge

The inhabitants of the gorge are primarily the indigenous Naxi people, who live in a handful of small hamlets. Their primary subsistence comes from grain production and foreign hikers. The gorge is not considered navigable. In the early 1980s, four rafters attempted to go down the gorge and were never seen again. In 1986, the first known successful attempt to sail through the gorge was made by the first expedition to float down the entire length of the Yangtze, starting at the river's high source at the Gelandandong glacier lake.

The Hiking Path

The area of Tiger Leaping Gorge was officially opened to foreign tourists in 1993, but had attracted adventurous backpackers already in the 1980s. Officials plan to improve the existing trails and roads, bringing tour buses and more development. These plans arouse highly varied reactions among the local population, from strong opposition to strong support.

Moreover, the hiking path ("the high road") is well-maintained and marked, although sometimes narrow, and is used by the Naxi as part of everyday life. This trail is longer than the lower road, approximately 22 kilometers, but more varied. It features a variety of micro-ecosystems, waterfalls, and a fair number of guesthouses for trekkers. These guesthouses are not well heated, which combined with the unpredictable nature of high mountain weather makes this trek unadvisable during the rainy season, although in recent years the raining periods got shorter and it got possible to hike there again.

Horses

The lower road, stretching about 195 km from Qiaotou through the Gorge, is a stretch of pavement crossed by several waterfalls, and frequently beset by rockslides. Some portions of the road have been known to disappear into the river below. The road follows the Yangtze, so there are more views of the river, and a stronger sense of being in a gorge than on the upper trail. Where the high road descends to meet the lower road, one can climb down to the river near the Tiger Leaping Stone, the point at which the tiger is said to have leaped. 

However, some locals in Lijiang will insist that this hike is dangerous, especially in rainy season. You must not go when it is pouring, or if there has been a huge amount of recent rain due to the threat of landslides. But if it hasn't been that wet lately, and you find a couple of dry days and are reasonably experienced at hiking, the worst that will happen is that you will get muddy and have to ford a couple of swollen cascades. “Safety First” is what you should always keep in mind.

--Splendid Tiger Leaping Gorge is a great place for you to experience the power of the nature. Don’t hesitate anymore, believe me, you’ll be shock and hardly find out an exact word to describe its natural brilliant!

Impression Yunnan I: Beauty of Lijiang

Zhang Yimou, who directed the Beijing Olympic in 2008, was the director of Impression Lijiang that a lot of tourists are familiar with Lijiang, Yunnan. The picturesque
scenic spots, mysterious folk custom and ancient culture are attract all the people from the whold world.We will talk about the main character of Impress Lijiang-Lijiang in the article.

                                                      Chapter One

                            Beauty of Lijiang

Lijiang, a popular destination in Yunnan, is considered a fairyland blessed with fresh air, clear streams, breathtaking snow mountains and an undisturbed landscape inhabited by a friendly group of people. 

Lijiang Old Town

It is great to enjoy a quiet and pleasant holiday in Lijiang Old Town which is graced by well-preserved ancient buildings and the Naxi culture.

While the geographical position of Lijiang City is remote, it has the advantage of ensuring a pleasant year round climate and a wide variety of tourist resources in the 20,600 square kilometers area. 

The earliest recorded history of Lijiang can be traced back to the Warring States Period (476 BC-221 BC) but with the advent of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the local economy reached a peak with the development of the Ancient Tea-Horse Road which made a great contribution to both commercial and cultural communication between Tibet, Sichuan and Yunnan provinces.

At present, Lijiang City is an attractive tourist destination in Yunnan Province that exercises jurisdiction over four counties and an Old Town District. Lijiang is the main region inhabited by Naxi Group, one of China's 55 minority ethnic groups. In its long history, the local residents have established their splendid Dongba Culture which has absorbed aspects of the culture of Tibet and the Central Plains along the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River. The various souvenirs marked with these Dongba hieroglyphs are very popular with visitors from home and abroad.

● Features of Lijiang

1. Old Naxi architecture and special water system are the outstanding features of Lijiang.

It is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage List special preservation area.

Naxi Cuisine

3. Naxi Cuisine: The local Naxi cuisine features a lot of high-protein dairy and beef products like yogurt, yoghurt-honey-fruit blends, yak milk tea, yak cheese, warm yak milk, yak steak and yak butter. This is unusual in China. Yaks are related to cows and buffalos. Of course, there are many kinds of restaurants in the city.

4. About half an hour north is Jade Dragon Snow Mountain with several scenic park areas, some hiking trails and a 4,680 meter (15,354) foot peak. People can climb to near the top of the peak on a stairway and pass by a glacier.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain

5. The Leaping Tiger Gorge area has great hiking and scenic sights. If the road is open, there are many tour buses available.

6. The city gives access to other scenic and hiking areas include the First Bend of the Yangtze River and Lugu Lake.

7. Naxi beverages include various kinds of tea such as yak milk tea and traditional beer.

8. It was a trading town on the historic Chama Road (Southern Silk Road).

● Touring Activities

1. Visit the ancient districts, shop and dine.

2. Go on high country walks and see the scenery. Hike above the Yangtze River.

3. Take a bus tour in the Leaping Tiger Gorge area.

4. Enjoy some protein-rich Naxi cuisine.

5. Go to other nearby ancient areas such as Dali that is 3 hours south or to natural sites in the Three Parallel River UNESCO Heritage Site areas. The Leaping Tiger Gorge area is one of the UNESCO listed natural preserve sites.

● Travel Information

Black Dragon Pool

1. Best Time to Visit: The urban area of Lijiang has a fairly temperate climate. In the winter, the nightly low temperatures are just above freezing. Of course, the conditions on the mountains can be extreme. To hike in the mountains, the best times are the month of May or in the fall. These months are outside of the annual rainy season that extends from June to September, and the temperatures at the lower elevations are cool or warm.

2. Dayan Ancient City District is a pedestrian-only area.

3. Parks: Black Dragon Pool and Yuquan Park are just to the west of the Dayan Ancient City District. You can walk there.

4. Since there is less modern construction around the Baisha Quarter and Shuhe town, those might be places to better appreciate the traditional culture.

Naxi people

5. Clothing and Altitude: The altitude is about 2,400 meters or about 7,800 feet. Some people may get some altitude sickness. So take it easy the first day or two. In the winter, the low nightly temperatures are a little above freezing. So bring plenty of clothes. Bring rain gear for the rainy season between June and September.

6. Warning Tip: The cobblestones are slippery when they are wet, so please be careful when walking on them.

--The beauty of Lijiang is waiting for your own discovery. Go and explore and then you will find all the fantastic there.

Relaxation in Chengdu III: Giant Panda in Sichuan

Do you think what the symbol of China is? Dragon? Hey, I think the one we will talk about in the article, which is another leisure attraction in Chengdu, and also is another symbol of China, should be familiar to you.

                                                         Chapter Three


China's National Treasure--Giant Panda in Sichuan


The giant panda, regarded as one of China's National Treasures, is on the verge of extinction. Today there are fewer than 1,000 giant pandas living in the world. The giant panda is the symbol of eco-environmental conservation. Visitors to China can see this reclusive animal in Sichuan Province's Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. We hope, with their cute faces, unusual beauty and grace, giant pandas can bring visitors to China pleasure and enjoyment.

Living Fossils

Lovely Panda

Paleontologists have discovered fossil remains that indicate that over 8 million years ago ancestors of the giant panda were living in China. That is the reason why the giant panda is has been called one of China's "living fossil" by historians.

The giant panda's lifespan in the wild is unknown, but in captivity they average more than 20 years. Due to the constant expansion of human activity, the habitat of giant panda has been gradually shrinking and they are now only found in the southern part of Gansu province and northwest part of the Sichuan basin.

Bears or Raccoons

The giant panda has lived for millennia in the dense bamboo woodlands on the eastern edge of the Qingzang Highland in western China, living a "hermit-like" existence. Due to its unique physical form, and peculiar characteristics, scientists have never been able to classify the giant panda as belonging to the bear or raccoon family, or whether it needs to have its own classification.

Plump and Lovely

Panda Cub

The giant panda looks quite plump. Its body length is about 160 to 180 centimeters, and weighs 80 to 125 kilograms. The giant panda's colorization is simple but elegant. Normally, the giant panda is very gentle and reclusive, like a shy lady. When the panda meets strangers, it often covers its face with its palm, or lowers its head to hide its face. After giving birth however, a female giant panda can be very aggressive using her teeth and claws to protect her infant.

Bamboo

Giant pandas are considered carnivores, but 99% of their food consists of bamboo. They prefer bamboo shoots. Since bamboo is low in nutrition, giant pandas attempt to reduce the sphere of their activities, to use less energy. These solitary animals spend most of their time eating. Giant pandas are excellent tree climbers, and are very fond of play.

Thick Hair

Frolic Panda

Giant pandas have developed a set of unique characteristics that have enabled them survive extreme cold and dampness. The hair on the body of a giant panda is exceptionally thick, and the giant panda's skin secretes an oily substance that coats their hair making it waterproof, which allows them to comfortably sleep in the snow, and consequently they do not hibernate during the winter. Due to these unique adaptations, the giant panda has no problem living in bamboo forests with an average humidity level of over 80 percent.

Recluse in the Bamboo Forest

Giant pandas live alone and scattered, rather than living in herds. Because of this, the giant panda is often called "the recluse in the bamboo forest". They do not move too far from their home base, and live their entire lives in a small area. The giant panda can eat at any time, and sleep in any place. They have a truly easygoing lifestyle.

Over 80% of the world's giant pandas live in Sichuan Province. The Chinese government now has established two large breeding bases to breed and save this precious species. One is the Wolong Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, the other one is the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

Red Panda

Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding covers an area of over 359,000 square meters and it is now under expanding for an area to over 1,999,000 square meters. As the first ex-situ conservation project for giant pandas, this base has not only dedicated itself to giant panda conservation, but has also endeavored to combine natural scenery and man-made landscapes to create wonderful and humane living areas for giant pandas, red pandas, and other Chinese endangered animals.

This panda research breeding base has state of the art facilities. It appears to be a beautiful landscaped park. Luxuriant bamboo grow everywhere around the base. Here 15 pandas live a protected life, where visitors can view them eating, sleeping or playing. Visitors can also learn more about this precious species in the giant panda museum. The panda hospital can also be visited, where there is a 7,000 square meter educational space for the foreign and domestic visitors. In these learning areas, visitors will come to know more about the work being done to preserve this lovely animal.

Relaxation in Chengdu II: Mount Emei

As we know, Buddhism is one of the popular religions in China. Mt. Emei, is one of the four most sacred Buddhist Mountains. In the last article, we have talked about the general situation of Chengdu city. For better know the leisure place, today we will talk about a famous tourist attraction-Mt. Emei.

                                                        Chapter Two


                                Mount Emei

Mt. Emei is located in Leshan City, Sichuan Province. It is the highest of China's four holy Buddhist mountains, rising 3,099m above sea level about 170km from Chengdu, Buddhists believe the mountain is home to Samantabbadra-patron of the Lotus Sutra and Bodhisattva of Pervading Goodness.

Mt. Emei

Geological processes going back over hundreds of millions of years have created the unique topography of Mt. Emei, and cultivated its rich plant and wildlife. Over 3,000 species of wild plant grow on the mountain, including the Chinese dove tree, which has already become extinct in other parts of the world. 

The flower of the Chinese dove tree takes the shape of a pigeon, and when in full bloom, gives the impression of a flock of pigeons flying in and around the tree. The lesser panda and the gnu are just two of the rare animal species that live on the mountain.

It is towering, beautiful, old and mysterious. Mt. Emei is like a huge green screen standing in the southwest of the Chengdu Plain. Looking its winding and beautiful figure, you will find that it resembles very much an eyebrow of a girl. It is the highest one among all the famous sight-seeing mountains in China.

Mt. Emei is a sacred Buddhist site, and has a Buddhist history of over 1,500 years. It is said that during the 15th century, there were as many as 1,000 monks living on Mt. Emei. According to the records inscribed on a number of stone tablets, an eminent Indian monk came to spread the Buddhist doctrine as early as the 4th century. Later, Emperor Mingdi of the Eastern Han Dynasty ordered that Puguang Hall on the mountain be expanded into a temple, setting a precedent for the imperial court to construct temples on Mt. Emei. 

From that time onwards, emperors of succeeding dynasties all endowed celebrated temples and eminent monks on the mountain with their gifts. Today, it still houses numerous relics of poems, couplets (written on scrolls and hung on the pillars of a hall), and inscriptions bestowed by emperors and scholars of ancient times.
In Mt. Emei there are four scenic regions: Baoguo Temple, Wannian Temple, Qingyin Pavilion and Golden Summit. Its main peak, the Golden Summit, is 3079.3 meters (10,103 feet) above the sea level, seemingly reaching the sky. Standing on the top of it, you can enjoy the snowy mountains in the west and the vast plain in the east. 

In addition in Golden Summit there are four spectacles: clouds sea, sunrise, Buddha rays and saint lamps. In 1996 Mt. Emei was enlisted in the world natural and cultural heritage by the UNESCO.

★ Must-seeing Sights 

1. Samantbhadra

Samantbhadra

Samantbhadra, God of Universal Benevolence and disciple of Sakyamuni, was said to have lectured here. Most of the temples on Mount Emei have a statue of Samantbhadra at the shrine. 

There were once more than a hundred temples and monasteries on the mountain, but only about twenty remain today, including the following better-known ones: Devotion to the Country Temple (Baoguosi), Ten-Thousand-Year Temple (Wanniansi), and Immortal Peak Temple (Xianfengsi), and the temple at Elephant Bath Pond (Xixiangchi)

2. Golden peak

Golden peak

The summit of Mount Emei commands a grand view of rolling mountainpeaks, sometimes visible, sometimes emerging from the clouds like small islands in an enormous ocean. This is the famous "sea of clouds" view of mount Emei. Walking downhill from the summit for about three hours, you will come across Elephant Bath Pond.

According to the old legend, Samantbhadra, Sakyamuni's disciple, once bathed his elephant in this pool before continuing his ascent of Mount Emei or, as others say, before flying to heaven on the elephant's back. Monkeys live in the vicinity; they often approach visitors to beg for food.

3. Immortal Peak Temple

Immortal Peak Temple

Immortal Peak Temple was built 1,700 meters above sea level on the slope of Mount Emei. Next to the temple is a big cave where, as the legend goes, the Yellow Emperor who was visiting the place met a white-haired old man who had a young face. The emperor asked him if he had any company, and the old man replied, yes, there are eight others in the cave. Since then, the cave has been called the Nine Elders Cave (Jiulaodong).
Five kilometers downhill from Immortal Peak Temple, there stands the Clear Sound Pavilion (Qingyinge), another well-known scenic site on Mount Emei. Below Clear Sound Pavilion, there are Double Flying Pavilion (Shuangfeige) and Double Flying Bridge (Shuangfeiqiao). 

The nearby White Dragon Cave (Bailongdong) is said to have been the place where Lady Bai Suzhen, a legendary nymph who was originally a white snake but later became a beautiful girl, cultivated her magic skills.