Category: Travel Chinese

Qinhuangdao(秦皇岛 Qínhuánɡdǎo) is a beautiful coastal city known for its freezing-free nice port, historical town of Shanhaiguan and summer resort Beidaihe. In 215 BC, China’s first emperor Qinshihuang(秦始皇 Qín shǐhuánɡ) arrived in Jieshi (ancient name of Qinhuangdao) on his fourth eastern inspection and sent Lusheng and Han Zhong out to the sea to look for the immortal for him. Qinhuangdao thus got its name. Qinhuangdao is the only city in China that was named after an emperor.

Do you know Kunqu? Kunqu elements are still discernible in Peking Opera. Kunshan is the birthplace of Kunqu and it is worth to visit. With the souds of Kunqu, let's go to Kunshan to have a look.

  The cave-dwelling of Shanxi and Shaanxi is unique in conception, and various shapes exist, depending on the natural environment, geographical features and local customs. They can, however, be divided into three categories as far as the configuration and structure are concerned, namely: the kaoya (against a precipice), the xiachen (sunk) and the duli (independent) types. Kaoya-type cave-houses are further divided into kaoshan (against a mountain) and yan'gou(facing a gully). Caves are often arranged in curved or zig- zag lines, lending them harmonious beauty and architectural artistry. Where the height of the slope permits, cave-dwellings are often arranged in layers like storied houses. Xiachen type cave-dwellings are constructed underground, and mainly distributed in loess areas without slopes or gullies. Construction of such dwellings is as follows: a square pit is first dug out to form a siheyuan, the cave-dwellings then being dug out in the direction of the four walls. Such dwellings are only to be found in China and Tunisia. While in Tunisia, existing cave-dwellings of this type are rare, they are still widely used by a good number of people in China, a fact that is unique in the world. The duli cave-dwelling is a kind of archtype house covered with earth. There are cave-dwelling both of fired and unfired bricks, earth, and with brick or stone arches. As stated above, such dwellings need not lie against a precipice and can stand independently, but still possess the merits of a cave-house.

  Shaoxing (绍兴Shàoxīng) is a prefecture-level city in northeastern Zhejiang province, People's Republic of China. Lying on the south bank of the Qiantang River(钱塘江 Qiántánɡ jiānɡ ) mouth, it borders Ningbo to the east, Taizhou to the southeast, Jinhua to the southwest, and Hangzhou to the west.
Located in the northern part of Zhejiang Province, Shaoxing is a famous historical and cultural city listed by the state. Shaoxing City China covers an area of 7,900 sq km, and the total population of the county is 4.2 million. Shaoxing City enjoys a long history as early as 6,000 years ago and was the capital of ancient Yue Kingdom 2400 years ago.