10th Visit to China
Celestial Peak (天都峰) and Lotus Peak (莲花峰)
天地之美 美在黄山
Located in eastern China, Anhui (安徽) is landlocked, bounded by six provinces: Jiangsu (江苏), Zhejiang (浙江), Jiangxi (江西), Hupei (湖北), Henan (河南), and Shandong (山东).
The name "Anhui" was derived from the combination of the first character of the Chinese names of the two cities at the time: Anqing and Huizhou.
The abbreviation for Anhui is “Wan” (皖) because there were historically a State of Wan, a Mount Wan and a Wan River in the province.
Throughout its long history, Anhui experienced much devastation due to wars, peasant uprisings and disastrous floods.
Hefei (合肥), its capital, is located in the heart of the province.
Anhui province is mountainous. The two major rivers in the province are the Huai River (淮河) in the north and the Yangtze River in the south. The largest lake is Chaohu (巢湖), located in the centre of the province.
Yangtze River in Anqing
The Huai and Yangtze Rivers, running across Anhui diagonally from west to east, divide the province into fairly distinct, geographical regions. They are:
*North / Wanbei (皖北)
The land north of the Huai River forms part of the North China
Plain (华北平原). In Anhui, it merges into the the Huai
watershed, which is highly vulnerable to flooding.
*Central / Wanzhong (皖中)
An area of undulating hills in the east-central part of the
province, and including the Chaohu Lake.
Central constitutes most of the fertile and densely populated area.
*South / Wannan (皖南)
The lower reaches of the Yangtze River enters Anhui from
southwest, between the Dabie mountains (大别山) to the west and
Huangshan mountains to the south.
South of Anhui is mostly covered with mountains.
As with the topography, the province differs in climate from north to south. The north is more temperate and has more distinct seasons.
Anqing (安庆)
安庆振风塔
振风塔是一座有着四百多年历史的古塔。它是为了振兴安庆文风所建。
振风塔是一座有着四百多年历史的古塔。它是为了振兴安庆文风所建。
Anqing is located on the north bank of the Yangtze River in southwestern Anhui province.
The city was the site of the State of Wan (皖国), founded during the Han dynasty in the 2nd century BC.
Anqing was the first capital of Anhui province, established in the the 17th century during Qing dynasty. It was not until 1949 that the provincial capital moved to Hefei.
The city is also known as home to Huangmei opera (黄梅戏).
Hefei (合肥)
Hefei, the capital of Anhui province, has a history of over 2,000 years. Due to its strategical position, many wars were fought over the area among the local powers.
淮河路步行街
城隍庙商圈
Former Residence of Li Hongzhang (李鸿章故居)
Former Residence of Li Hongzhang, Hefei
Li Hongzhang---a Controversial Politician in Chinese History
Li Hongzhang was a leading statesman in the late Qing Dynasty (清朝).
He was particularly notable for his promotion of industrialization and advocacy of the so-called "Westernization Movement (洋务运动)", a campaign aiming to revitalize China by introducing Western science and technology.
Li Hongzhang was born in 1823, in an official's family in Hefei.
He founded the Huai Army (淮军)---a regional armed forces. His first success was as a commander of forces fighting the Taiping Rebellion (太平天国运动).
As the Viceroy (总督) of Zhili (直隶), now Hubei province, and the Commissioner for North China Trade (北洋通商大臣), Li Hongzhang waged great power in the country's economic, military and foreign affairs sectors.
He made strenuous efforts in early China's modernization. He initiated projects in commerce and industry and, for long periods, conducted China's relations with the Western powers.
Many historians and scholars consider Li Hongzhang a sophisticated politician, a skilled negotiator and an industry pioneer in the late Qing Dynasty era of Chinese history.
However, he is often criticized for his involvement in suppressing the peasant rebellions and the signing of unequal treaties with foreign powers.
The treaties were considered unfair and humiliating for China. In the Treaty of Shimonoseki (马关条约), Taiwan was ceded to Japan.
The Memorial Temple of Lord Bao (包公词)
Memorial Temple of Lord Bao, Hefei
Bao Zheng (包拯), known
as Bao Gong (包公) or Lord Bao was a much -praised official who served
during the reign of Emperor Renzong (仁宗) of North Song (北宋) Dynasty.
Bao Zheng was born into a scholar family in Hefei.
He was a magistrate in Bian (汴), now Kaifeng (开封), the capital of the North Song Dynasty.
In his lifetime, Bao Zheng was renowned for his filial piety, his stern demeanour, and his intolerance of injustice and corruption.
Sanhe Ancient Town (三河古镇)
Sanhe Ancient Town, Hefei (合肥三河古镇)
Sanhe Ancient Town has a history of over 2,500 years. Its present name was derived from the fact that the three rivers---the Fengle River (丰乐河), Hangbu River (杭埠河) and Xiaonan River (小南河) intersect here.
Chaohu City (巢湖市)
Chaohu City (巢湖市)
Chizhou City (池州市)
Chizhou is located in the southwest of Anhui Province, on the southern bank of the Yangtze River.
Jiuhuashan Scenic Area (九华山风景区)
Jiuhuashan, Chizhou (池州九华山)
九华山是中国佛教四大名山之一。相传九华山是地藏菩萨显灵说法的道场。
佛经说他曾受释加牟尼佛的嘱咐于佛涅槃后至弥勒佛降生人间
前这段时间，现身六道，救度天上以至地狱一切众生。
地藏接受了此重托，立下：
等的宏愿。因而他现身六道之中，救度苦难众生永离痛苦。所以地藏菩萨获得了“大愿地藏”的称号。
地藏菩萨 “我不入地狱，谁入地狱”，舍己为人的伟大精神，深受佛教徒的敬仰。
九华山开山祖寺
Shengjin Lake Nature Reserve (升金湖自然保护区)
Shengjin Lake Nature Reserve, Chizhou
(池州升金湖自然保护区)
best strawberries
Xinghuacun (杏花村)
《清明》
清明时节雨纷纷，路上行人欲断魂。
借问酒家何处有，牧童遥指杏花村。
－－－杜牧
Xinghuacun, Chizhou (池州杏花村)
Tongling City (铜陵市)
Tongling City is located in the south of Anhui Province, on the south bank of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.
taking barge to Tongling FDNNR
Tongling Freshwater Dolphin National Nature Reserve is a semi-natural reserve for ex-situ conservation of baiji (白鱀豚) and finless porpoise (江豚)---the world's most endangered cetacean species.
Baiji is now thought to be extinct.
magnolia flower (玉兰花)
Huangshan City (黄山市)
Huangshan City, earlier name Huizhou prefecture and known as Xin'an in ancient times, was established in 1987. It gained its present name in 1987 for the breathtaking beauty of Mt Huangshan.
Located in the southernmost part of Anhui province, the city consists of 3 districts---Huangshan (黄山区), Huizhou (徽州区) and Tunxi (屯溪区), and 4 counties---Qimen (祁门县), Shexian (歙县) , Xiuning (休县) and Yi (黟县).
Xin'an River (新安江) is the major river system of Huangshan City.
Night View of Xin'an River
(新安江)
(新安江)
新安江是徽商通往江浙地区的水路通道。因此她被誉为徽州人的母亲河。
Huizhou (徽州－徽商的发祥地)
无徽不成镇
徽商遍天下
徽商遍天下
Huizhou is a historical region in southern Anhui. It corresponds to the present Huangshan City and Jixi County (绩溪) in Anhui province, and Wuyuan (婺源) County in northeastern Jiangxi (江西) province.
The physical geography of Huizhou is primarily hills, mountains and valleys. Many streams and rivers criss-cross the region. It is extremely picturesque.
油菜花
Human have been living here and cultivating the land for thousands of years.
However, there was little arable land relative to the size of the population.
Due to its limited arable land, the people had to leave Huizhou and make a living elsewhere.
There were water routes that connect to the Yangtze, Hangzhou Bay and other rivers.
However, many of them walked over the mountains and sought opportunities in prosperous cities of the Yangtze Delta. Some of them engaged in various forms of commercial activity.
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties---from the 16th to 18th century, Huizhou merchants flourished and eventually dominated commerce in salt, tea, timber, ink, porcelain, and pawnshops throughout China.
Beginning in the 19th century, however, the region's prosperity was impaired severely, first by the Taiping Rebellion and then by a century of wars and revolution.
徽派建筑特色的马头墙 (防火墙)
Huizhou has many well-preserved, elegantly constructed ancient residential houses, ancestral Halls and memorial archways.
Historians refer to them as the “three wonders” of ancient Huizhou architecture. They were once owned by wealthy Huizhou merchants.
The freestanding archways were built to commemorate the virtues of prosperous and successful individuals.
They could only be built with the permission of the Emperor. This was usually done posthumously.
A family's memorial archways greatly enhanced their prestige and reflected their importance.
Huizhou is also famous for inkslab and tea.
She Inkslab (歙砚)
The "She Inkslab" is among the best in China.
savouring the Hui tea (黄山毛峰茶)
Tangyue Memorial Archways Group in Shexian (歙县棠樾牌枋群)
Tangyue Memorial Archways Group in Tangyue Village, Shexian county, is one of the most famous in China.
Tangyue Village has a history of more than 800 years. Most of the villagers' family name is Bao (鲍).
Tangyue Memorial Archways were erected by the Bao family who lived through the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
The Bao family was one of the most prominent clans, dealing in salt, in Huizhou. They were well-known for their loyal service at court and "virtuous" lives at home.
Seven exquisitely carved memorial archways stand on the road leading to Tangyue Village.
Each archway tells a story, reflecting loyalty (忠), filial piety (孝), chastity (节) and righteousness (义).
紫金花
Chastity was a highly prized virtue in women.
凄凄徽商妇－－徽文化的无名功臣
一世夫妻三年半，十年夫妻九年空。
Many men of Huizhou left for extended periods to engage in commerce. It is not surprising that some of them never returned home due to whatever misfortunes. Wives in these cases were expected to remain "virtuous" and not remarry. Such widows were always honoured as role models in their villages.
Memorial archways, dedicated to chaste widows are common throughout Huizhou.
挂猪头卖书本
Tangmo Ancient Village in Huizhou (徽州唐模古村)
Idyllic Tangmo Village
卖毛豆腐的徽大姐
Hongcun Village in Yixian (黟县宏村-中国画里的乡村)
Hongcun Village in Yixian (黟县宏村)
Hongcun Village is one of the two small villages, along with Xidi, in Yixian that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Huizhou Architecture
Hongcun Village is famous for its ancient streets and Huizhou Architecture: ancient residential houses, ancestral halls and memorial archways.
The distinctive style of Huizhou residential houses is characterized by whitewashed walls capped with dark tiles and high, narrow windows. These structures also have decorative overhangs and interior courtyards illuminated by openings in the roof.
Crescent Pond (月塘)
"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (卧虎藏龙) '' was filmed here.
Hongcun Village was originally laid out in the shape of an ox. It is a well-planned village with comprehensive waterways system.
Every household has an easy access to the canal---the crescent pond in the centre of the village.
田园风光
Tunxi Ancient Street in Tunxi (屯溪老街)
Tunxi Ancient Street is located in the centre of Tunxi District. It is a commercial street that is only for pedestrians. There are hundreds of old but well-preserved rows of shops.
文房四宝店铺
shop selling the "four treasures of study" :
writing brushes, ink sticks, ink slabs and paper
The Ancient Street was first built over 700 years ago, during the Song Dynasty. Gradually it developed into a trading town in Huizhou.
Huashan Mysterious Grottoes (花山谜窟)
Huashan Mysterious Grottoes in Tunxi
Located in Tunxi by the Xin'an River, Huashan Mysterious Grottoes Group is the largest ancient man-made grottoes group ever found in China.
It was originally known as Ancient Huizhou Grottoes Group (古徽州石窟群).
So far, a total of 36 grottoes have been discovered, but only 2 of them are open to public.
There are no mural paintings, Buddhist statues and texts in the grottoes. There are also no historical records about the grottoes.
Experts have been working on the site since the excavation began in 2000.
They estimated the grottes were built over 1,700 years ago.
Huashan Mysterious Grottoes remain a puzzle. Who made them? When? How were they made?
Qiyunshan (齐云山)
休宁县是中国第一状元县。
休宁齐云山是一处为道教文化和丹霞地貌为特色的山岳景区。还是中国四大道教名山之一。道教是中国土生土长的宗教。
休宁县齐云山
老子被尊为道教的教祖。
道可道，非常道
出自老子《道德经》，意思就是说：道，可以说出来的就不是永恒的道。说明了世间万物每时每刻都在变化的道理，即使是真理也有可能随着时间的推移发生变化。
齐云山丹霞地貌
Guniujiang National Nature Reserve (牯牛降)
Guniujiang (牯牛降)
Guniujiang National Nature Reserve is located on the border between Shitai County (石台县) and Qimen County (祁门县). It is famous for its diverse flora and fauna.
a nice place to relax and enjoy nature
Huangshan (黄山)
Huangshan (黄山)
黄山四绝：怪石，奇松，云海及温泉
Huangshan is a mountain range in southern Anhui Province.
鳌鱼峰
合掌峰
仙人晒靴
Huangshan is very famous for its scenic beauty, which lies in the peculiar shapes of the granite peaks, in the weather-shaped Huangshan pine trees, and the views of the clouds from above. The area also has hot springs and ponds.
The peaks, the pines with branches overhanging peaks and sea of
clouds offer a spectacular landscape for Huangshan. To admire Huangshan you have to look downwards. We admired the ever changing scenes of flowing clouds as seen from above.
Huangshan is a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature.
pine trees grow in the crevices of precipice
连理松
Black Tiger Pine (黑虎松)
The Huangshan mountain range has 72 peaks. Its general elevation is about 1000 m, but individual peaks reach higher altitudes.
The three tallest peaks are Lotus Peak (莲花峰,1864 m ), nearby Bright Summit Peak (光明顶, 1840 m) and Celestial Peak (天都峰, 1829 m).
Today, Huangshan is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of China's most popular tourist destinations.
飞来石
