China, one photo every day

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.17


















Liaoning


Panjin is a new developing petrochemical city. It is located at the shore of Bohai Sea, and at the southwest of Liaoning province. It is the center of Liaohe Delta.
There lives a plant with strong life force in the mud flat of the mouth of Liaohe River. It calls the sea-blite plants. The sea-blite plants start to grow in every April or May. The color is green at beginning, and becomes red slower and slower. In September, the colors of the plants become strong red, covering the whole alkaline beach. The splendid red beach scenery appears only at the mud flat in Panjin.
There are 236 kinds of birds inhabit there. Among them, there are over 30 kinds of national first and second class protection birds, such as red-crowned cranes, black-mouth gulls, etc. Therefore, the red beach scenic area becomes a national nature protection area. It has been the gold tourist section of Liaohe area, because of its rich nature resources and beautiful nature spectacle. When tide covers the mud flat, haulms of reeds could still been seen. After tide, the whole area appears a red spectacle again, which looks like burning red clouds in the beach. Therefore, it gains a name of “red carpet”. Moreover, the red beach is listed on the international tourist routes. More and more people are attracted by the fantastic red beach not only at home but abroad.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.17









Macau


Of all the forts in Macau, the Monte Fort is the oldest, lying to the east of the Ruins of St. Paul's. Built in 1616, it originally belonged to St. Paul's Church and was used to defend the church from the pirates. It later became solely a military fort.
The fort is quadrilateral with bastions at each corner and about 100 meters (328 feet) in circumference. Barracks, cisterns and storehouses were the main buildings of the fort. An ancient tower situated here was one of the sites of the Society of Jesus. With cannons on the four sides, the fort was strongly fortified. Though the cannons have lost their military function, they still remain.
In 1838, a fire destroyed the fort buildings as well as the Jesuit College and St. Paul's Church. Only see the fore wall of the church now remains and is known as the Ruins of St. Paul's.
In 1965, a single-storey barrack in South European style was transformed into the Macau Meteorological Bureau. To its right hangs an ancient bell made by an expert in casting cannons. In 1998, the Macau Museum was established here, detailing the development and the customs of Macau.
The landscape surrounding the fort is quite charming. Standing on the platform, visitors have an excellent view across Macau, making the Monte Fort a very popular attraction for both tourists and natives alike.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.19






Ningxia


The Liupanshan Mountains, also known as Longshan Mountains, strech across Gansu Province and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, and part North Shanxi from the Central Gansu Plateau. The main peak is abut 3,000 meters above sea level, with zigzagging roads spiraling six times to the top, hence the name. With large forests and rich resources, the Liupanshan Mountains are known as a green pearl on the Loess Plateau. The area is also regarded as a "Kingdom of Animals" on a dry land for its great deversity of animals and insects. The Old Dragon Pool and the White Cloud Mountain boast marvelous, beautiful scenery of lake and mountain with characteristics of that in northern and southern China. As a place where many national groups live together, the area is endowed with a lot of historical remains as a result of thousands of years of mingling of the Nomad and Central Chinese cultures. During the Long March in 1935, the Red Army crossed the Liupanshan Mountains, and Mao Zedong composed magnificent poems about it.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.20












Qinghai


Donggi Conag Lake (220 km2) is located on north-eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau near Madoi between Burha Budaishan and Anyemaqenshan mountains with an average elevation of 4018 metres above sea level.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.21















Shaanxi


The hill stands to the southeast of the city, and its name is derived from the nine-story pagoda on its summit that was erected during the Tang Dynasty (618-907).
Following the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC), Yan'an Pagoda Hill was designated by the State Council as one of the first group of key cultural relics to be granted state protection. The design of the Medal of Honor for Independence and Freedom issued by PRC in 1955 centers upon a relief of Yan'an Pagoda Hill together with five five-pointed red stars symbolizing the close unity of the Chinese people under the leadership of the China's Communist Party.
On the hill, there is a huge new bell named 'Ping'an Bell'(Safety Bell) and a new huge drum named 'Taiping Drum' (Peace Drum). Tolling the bell or beating the drum is said to bring you good health and happiness. After your sounding the bell, do not forget to enjoy the stone inscriptions created with considerable artistic skills down the hill. The carved stone works exhibit Chinese calligraphy by many famous ancient scholars. From the hill with its luxuriant trees and grasses one may have a bird's eye view of the Yan'an City and this is sure to be one of the highlights of your visit.
The octagonal brick built pagoda on the hill's summit is 44 meters (about 144 feet) in height and the pagoda as well as the hill on which it stands are symbols of Yan'an City. When the evening comes, decorative lights illuminate the pagoda and other new buildings superbly against the night sky.

[Lonesome Traveler]

China is what I call diverse.

LS.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.22






Shandong


Shidao Bay is located on the easternmost tip of Shandong Peninsular. It faces Korea across the sea and is the nearest place to Korea from China.
Shidao (a little village with about 25.000 people) with a coastline of more than 5 km is one of the most representative places in Rongcheng area and it's near Chishan Scenic Zone

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.23
























Shanghai


Located in the administrative and cultural center of Pudong New Area, Shanghai Oriental Art Center is the east starting point of Shanghai cultural axis in the new round of cultural layout. With an investment of 1 billion RMB by Shanghai Municipal Government and Pudong New Area Administration, Shanghai Oriental Art Center is one of the most important symbolic cultural projects. It occupies a total area of nearly 40,000 square meters and is designed by Paul Andreu, the famous French architect. The construction started on 26th March 2002 and was finished with the grand New Year Concert as its Opening Ceremony on 31st December 2004, which marked the beginning of its trial operation. And its official operation is dated on 1st July 2005.
Viewed from above, Shanghai Oriental Art Center is just like five blossoming petals, which constitute respectively the entrance hall, Oriental Performance Hall, Oriental Concert Hall, Exhibition Hall and Oriental Opera Hall, forming a beautiful butterfly orchid in full bloom.

[HKG]

WOW BEAUTIFUL !!!!

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.24




































Shanxi


With a history dating back some 2,500 years, Mount Mianshan boasts enchanting natural scenery and rich cultural significance.
Mianshan is located on the southern side of the Fen River, 20 kilometres from Jiexiu City in central Shanxi Province. At about 2,000 meters above sea level, Mianshan provides tourists with various means to enjoy its spectacular scenery.
Visitors can explore the deep, narrow, winding Qixian Valley with its hanging bridges and splashing falls. If one is lucky enough, they can watch the sun rise at Dragon Head Temple and get close to the sea of clouds among the mist-wreathed peaks of Dragon Ridge. Those seeking cultural relics can trudge to lofty Lord Jie Ridge and worship Jie Zitui, also known as Lord Jie, a well-known loyal official from ancient China, who was burned to death there.
Steeped in legend and ancient history, Mt. Mianshan, also called Jieshan, was named after Jie Zitui. His story can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn Period, some 2,500 years ago, when China consisted of various kingdoms. When the Jin State (nowadays Shanxi Province) was in turmoil, one of Jin's princes, Chong'er, was exiled. When he was on the verge of starvation, one of his faithful followers, Jie Zitui, saved him by slicing some flesh off his own leg for the prince to eat.
After the prince was restored to the throne as Duke Wen of Jin, he gradually forgot his saviour. Jie was so sad that he retreated to Mianshan and lived in seclusion with his mother. Years later Chong'er felt so guilty that he went deep into the mountain to look for Jie. But his efforts were in vain, because it was impossible for him to climb the steep slopes and search among the endless trees and hills. Eventually, the king ordered the entire mountain to be set on fire to force Jie out of hiding. But Jie and his mother were later found dead on the mountain after the fire was extinguished.
Unfortunately, Japanese troops destroyed most of the original temples during the Second World War, and for decades the mountain's past was forgotten. It wasn't until 1996 when the local government transferred to individuals the management rights of the area's rebuilding. The newly constructed site opened in 2000, and construction work continues on the mountain even today. Gone are the days of dangerous climbs to access the temples. Now a road runs halfway up the mountain, leading cars and buses to every scenic spot. Visitors see breathtaking views on both sides of the road, featuring steep precipices and ravines. A three-hundred-meter plank way that winds along the cliff face has also been built, adding more charm to this dramatic landscape.
A strong Taoist atmosphere pervades the place among a cluster of Taoist temples and pavilions that dot the cliffs and exuberant hillside. Among them, Daluo Temple is the largest and most magnificent temple on Mianshan.
Buddhist temples also made their way to Mianshan. Among the mountain's hundreds of caves, Baofu Temple is located in the largest one called Baofu Cave.

[ThatDarnSacramentan]

Whoa. Those last pictures are just amazing. Is it just me, or is the building in the first picture leaning a little bit? Even with my love of heights, you couldn't pay me to stay somewhere like that.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.25















Sichuan


Gongga Shan (贡嘎山), also known as Minya Konka, is the highest mountain in Sichuan, China. It is situated in the Daxue Shan mountain range. It is the easternmost 7000 m peak in the world and the third highest peak outside of the Himalaya/Karakoram.
The peak has large vertical relief over the deep nearby gorges.
A rope way has been constructed that can transport tourists across the glacier below the mountain to a cable car station at 5000 meter altitude.
In 1930 the explorer Joseph Rock, making the first attempt to measure its altitude, mis-calculated its height as 30,250 feet (9,220 m) and cabled the National Geographic Society to announce Minya Konka as the highest mountain in the world. This measurement was viewed with suspicion from the start, and the Society's decision to check Rock's calculations before publication was well-founded. Following discussions with the Society, Rock reduced the claim to 7,803 m (25,600 feet) in his formal publication. In 1930 Swiss geographer Eduard Imhof measured 7,590 m.
A second, better-equipped American team returned in 1932, and did an accurate survey of the peak and its environs. Their summit altitude measurement agreed with Imhof's figure of 7,590 m. Two members (Terris Moore and Richard Burdsall) of this small expedition (only four climbing members) succeeded in climbing to the summit. They began on the west side of the mountain and climbed the Northwest Ridge.
This was a remarkable achievement at the time, considering the height of the mountain, its remoteness, and the small size of the group. In addition, this peak was the highest summit reached by Americans until 1958 (though Americans had by that time climbed to higher non-summit points). The book written by the expedition members, "Men Against The Clouds," remains a mountaineering classic.
The Himalayan Index lists five additional ascents of Gongga Shan, and seven unsuccessful attempts. There have been a number of deaths on Gongga Shan, which has earned a reputation as a difficult and dangerous mountain. In 1981, eight Japanese climbers died after a successful ascent.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.26















Tianjin



Tianjin Economic-Technological Development Area (天津经济技术开发区), commonly abbreviated as TEDA (泰达; literally "peace and prosperity") is the main free market zone in Tanggu District in Tianjin, China. It was formed in late 1984 and currently has more foreign businesses in it than all of Shanghai.
TEDA, pronounced nearly the same in Mandarin Chinese, is a vast area by the seaside. It contains a port, business buildings, urban residential areas, and an extensive transportation network.
While technically part of Tianjin, TEDA feels very much like its own city and is about 40 minutes from downtown Tianjin. The introduction of the rapid transit system Binhai Mass Transit in 2004 has made the travel time between Tianjin downtown and TEDA much quicker and more convenient.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.27















Tibet


Located in Yupu Township, nearly 100km east of the county of Bome. This Glacier is composed of two world-class icy waterfalls each measuring 1,000 meters wide with the altitude from 2,400m to 6,800m. Glistening, soul-stirring ice cliffs are everywhere at the head of the glacier. And its leading edge extends into sub-tropical evergreen broadleaf forests. The glacier descends through four distinctly different seasons of scenery. Snow mountains, forests, glaciers, lakes, villages and temples coexist in harmony, forming a unique natural world of air, ice, snow, rocks, water and living creatures.

[东方丹东]

I love China!

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.28












Xinjiang


Shawan (Sawen) County is a county situated in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and is under the administration of the Tacheng Prefecture. It has an area of 12,468 km² with a population of 200,000.
There are four Hot springs in Tacheng region, among of them, Shawan and Wusu. The scenery is beautiful, a famous scenic site of thermal tourism. The temperature of water is up to 37 centigrade. There are sodium sulfate in the water which has obvious curative effect for skin disease, arthritis, rheumatic, hypertension and some gynaecological diseases, etc.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.29




















Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) is a high mountain plateau lake, 2685 meters above sea level.
Lugu Lake lies 200 kilometers (approximately 124 miles) from the center of Lijiang City, on the border between Ninglang County in Yunnan Province and Yanyuan County in Sichuan Province. The lake is like a beautiful pearl shining among the hills of the northwest plateau in Yunnan.
The lake is in the shape of a horse's hoof - long from north to south, and narrower from east to west. The vista of the lake changes constantly throughout the day. The morning mist mixed with the light of the rising sun gives the lake an orange glow covered by mist. When the light of sun causes the hills to throw their shadows onto the water, the lake has a jade green color. The lake is calm and dark green in the evening when the sun sinks, and is peaceful when night comes. Gentle wind blows and water ripples.
On the lake there are five islands. They are different sizes and are like green boats floating on the water. Heiwawu Island, Liwubi Island, and Lige Island are most notable. Heiwawu Island is in the center of the lake and has a variety of birds living on it. The smallest island on the lake is Nixi Island - an oblong rock covered with shrubs and moss. Besides the five islands, there are also three peninsulas and an island which is linked to a seawall on the shore by a path paved with small stones.
Mystery and charm surround the lake, partly because it was once an unspoiled place and still retains much of its totally natural beauty, but mostly because the Mosuo people who live there form a matriarchal society. There is no marriage. Men stay in the women's home as mates called 'Axia' and the intimate relationship lasts as long as they like. Children are brought up by women, and use the surname of theiA young woman of the ethnic minority Mosuor mothers. Families are composed of the members of the matrilineal kin. Women operate production and management, and hold the principal position in the society, forming a modern day 'woman's kingdom', which adds mystique to this place.

[KB]

wonderful pictures

but please give credit to the photographers/source you got the pictures from.

[riasbaixas]

2008.12.30















Zhejiang


Hangzhou Bay Bridge (杭州湾大桥), is a bridge with cable-stayed bridge portion across Hangzhou Bay off the eastern coast of China. It was linked up on June 14, 2007, and connects the municipalities of Shanghai and Ningbo in Zhejiang province. The bridge is the longest trans-oceanic bridge in the world, although it does not have the longest cable-stayed main span. The opening ceremony was held on June 26, 2007 with great domestic media publicity, though after the opening ceremony, the bridge would only be used for test and evaluation purposes. It was opened to the public on May 1, 2008.
Construction of this bridge started on June 8, 2003. The bridge itself is 35.673 kilometres (22 mi) long with six expressway lanes in two directions. The bridge has two main spans, with a 448-metre (1,470 ft) northern span, and a 318-metre (1,043 ft) southern span. The designated speed is 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph), and the designed longevity is more than 100 years. The total investment on the bridge was RMB 11.8 billion (US$ 1.4 billion as of December 2004). 35% of this amount was raised from private companies in Ningbo, 59% was provided as loans from China's central and regional banks. Orthotropic steel deck is used on its main spans and five ramp bridges, and was paved with 50 millimetres (2.0 in) epoxy asphalt concrete. The bridge is shaped in an 'S', presumably so that the annual Silver Dragon (a particularly strong tidal wave) is minimally affected. The length of the bridge is decorated with flashing lights of different colors to distract from drowsiness, and keep attention on the road instead. This is also the real reason for 'S' shape.

pics from flickr and panoramio by yelingyang, chenzhiren, 吉易, 阳关酒 and tompush

[cikfen]

Nice photos of China.