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  • 西递Xidi village

  • 故宫Gugong (The Palace Museum)

  • 镇北台Zhenbeitai Tower

  • 颐和园Yiheyuan (Summer Palace)

  • 天坛Tiantan (Temple of Heaven)

  • 天安门广场Tiananmen Square

  • 宏村Hongcun village

  • 长江三峡Three Gorges

  • 南京六朝石刻Nanjing's Stone Beasts

  • 金山岭长城Jinshanling Great Wall

  • 关麓Guanlu village

  • 南屏Nanping village

  • 响沙湾Xiangshawan dunes

  • 北京市Beijing City

  • 常家庄园Chang Compound

  • 曹家大院Cao Compound

  • 希拉穆仁Xilamuren grassland

  • 平遥Pingyao

  • 嘉峪关长城Jiayuguan Pass

  • 吐鲁番Tulufan (Turfan)

  • 定边长城Dingbian's Great Wall

  • 苏公塔Sugong Ta

  • 人物People

  • 北京长城Beijing's Great Wall

  • 高昌故城Gaochang Ruins

  • 三关口长城Sanguankou Great Wall

  • 卧虎山长城Wohushan Great Wall

  • 工艺品Arts and Crafts

  • 古北口镇Gubeikou town

  • 秦长城Qin Great Wall

  • 哈密市至嘉峪关Hami to Jiayuguan

  • 城楼Buildings

  • 纽约中央公园New York Central Park

  • 景物Still Life

  • 花卉Flowers

  • 游记Travel Writings

  • 自然风景Natural Landscapes

  • 明清室内建设Ming and Qing Interiors

  • 正门,门廊Doorways

  • 建筑,设计的细节Architecture Designs and Details

  • 篆刻Seal Carving

  • 景物Things
clay figure of 钟馗 Zhong Kui

Arts and Crafts that I bought along my travels

image of people on a boat in the Three Gorges area of the Changjiang river area

See the 三峡Three Gorges of the 长江Changjiang (Yangzi) River between 重庆市Chongqing city and 宜昌Yichang.

Beijing has a long history. Ignoring its prehistoric beginnings, its prominence within Chinese civilization can be traced back about 3000 years to the 春秋战国Spring and Autumn Warring States Era (about 770-221), where the state of 蓟Ji established itself on present Beijing. Later, the the well-known state of 燕国Yan took over and it became its capital, then known as 燕京Yanjing or 燕都Yandu. From the first dynasty 秦朝Qin(221-206) onward it was treated with importance. But it wasn't until the 元朝Yuan dynasty (1271-1368) that the Mongols made it a capital (then called 大都Dadu) of an empire. When 明朝Ming dynasty (1368-1644) drove out the Mongols, the chosen capital was 南京Nanjing (South Capital), and the Mongol capital was renamed 北平Beiping. But after 朱棣Zhudi (the fourth son of the Ming founder) took over the throne by force, he had Beiping renamed to 北京(North Capital) Beijing, and moved his court there inside the new palace, which is the present 故宫Gugong (Palace Museum or Forbidden City). Beijing remained the capital through the 清朝Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). However, during the latter half of the 民国Republican Era (1912-1949), Nanjing became the capital again while Beijing was reverted back to its early Ming name, Beiping. With the establishment of 中华人民共和国People's Republic, Beijing regain its long-standing position.

With the rare luck of being the host of successive emperors and more than 700 years of imperial heritage, Beijing easily surpasses others as the political and cultural hub of China. The ancient city has alot to offer: the great imperial palace and gardens, the magnificent temples, the large square, the Great Wall, the operas, the museums, the hutongs, the hills and lakes, the food and many others. All of which are world-class. The several times I had returned to China, I had visited this city. It is a big diverse place that takes time to know. And with the advent of the August 8, 2008 Beijing Olympus, many more people will enjoy this place too.