8 years in China – ‘why I love being here’

Apologies - some ill-health issues slowing things down atm.

HangZhou lies 180 kilometers south west of ShangHai in the YangTse River Delta and is the capital of ZheJiang province. With abundant natural scenery, including the famous West Lake, HangZhou has been a popular city for over 2,000 years when it was founded during the Qin dynasty. It is listed as one of the seven great ancient capitals of China. The West Lake covers 6 square km and is surrounded by historical sites and scenic areas. HangZhou lies at the southern end of the Grand Canal of China, with a length of nearly 1,800 km; at the northern end lies BeiJing. It was completed around 600 AD during the Sui dynasty. The longest man-made canal in the world, by far, it is a fine example of China's achievements, which include invention of the canal lock (Song dynasty; 10th century). HangZhou is also noted for tea, silk, umbrellas and fans.

Including Mount ShiRen.

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SanQingShan is a renowned Taoist sacred site located 25 miles (40 km) north of YuShan County in JiangXi Province. With outstanding natural scenery, plants and wildlife, the park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that in all covers 230 square kilometers. SanQing means the “Three Pure Ones” in Chinese as Mount SanQing is composed of three main summits: YuJing, YuShui, and YuHua, representing the Taoist trinity. YuJing (rising 1820 meters above sea level) is the highest. 三峰峻拔、如三清列坐其巅 SanQing Mountain in Jiangxi Province, although not very well-known to many people today, was regarded as a sacred place for Taoists in the Tang Dynasty period (618-907), when Taoism was at its most popular. With beautiful clouds, mist and strange-shaped pine trees, Sanqing Mountain is a fairyland far from the hustle and bustle of city life. The mountain is shrouded in mist for about 200 days each year. On misty days, dense fog envelops the mountain completely and makes you think you are wandering in the clouds. Once in a while, wind blows away the mist, and a stiff, imposing peak suddenly appears right in front of you. http://www.sanqing.com/english/

ShenZhen: 20 Kid-Friendly Places to Visit Window of the World (世界之窗 Shìjiè Zhī Chuāng): Theme park with replicas of famous landmarks from around the world. Happy Valley (欢乐谷 Huānlègǔ): Amusement park with rides, shows, and attractions for all ages. Shenzhen Safari Park (深圳野生动物园 Shēnzhèn Yěshēng Dòngwùyuán): Safari park with a variety of animals, shows, and interactive experiences. Sea World (海上世界 Hǎishàng Shìjiè): Waterfront area with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Shenzhen Children's Palace (深圳市少年宫 Shēnzhèn Shì Shàonián Gōng): Cultural center offering classes, workshops, and performances for children. Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (仙湖植物园 Xiān Hú Zhíwùyuán): Botanical garden with plant collections, walking trails, and scenic landscapes. Shenzhen Splendid China Folk Village (深圳锦绣中华民俗村 Shēnzhèn Jǐnxiù Zhōnghuá Mínsú Cūn): Theme park with exhibits on Chinese culture, history, and traditions. Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Reserve (深圳红树林自然保护区 Shēnzhèn Hóngshùlín Zìrán Bǎohù Qū): Nature reserve with mangrove forests, boardwalks, and birdwatching. Dameisha Beach (大梅沙海滨公园 Dà Méishā Hǎibīn Gōngyuán): Beach park with sandy shores, water sports, and seaside attractions. Xiaomeisha Beach (小梅沙海滨公园 Xiǎo Méishā Hǎibīn Gōngyuán): Beach park with swimming areas, water slides, and recreational facilities. Shenzhen Lianhuashan Park (深圳莲花山公园 Shēnzhèn Liánhuā Shān Gōngyuán): Park with gardens, temples, and scenic views of the city. Shenzhen Children's Library (深圳市少年儿童图书馆 Shēnzhèn Shì Shàonián Értóng Túshūguǎn): Library with children's books, storytelling sessions, and educational activities. Shenzhen Science Museum (深圳科技馆 Shēnzhèn Kējìguǎn): Museum with interactive exhibits, experiments, and demonstrations on science and technology. Shenzhen Happy Harbor (深圳欢乐港湾 Shēnzhèn Huānlè Gǎngwān): Waterfront area with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options for families. Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆 Shēnzhèn Bówùguǎn): Museum with exhibits on Shenzhen's history, culture, and development. Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park (深圳国际园林花卉博览园 Shēnzhèn Guójì Yuánlín Huāhuì Bólǎn Yuán): Park with botanical gardens, flower displays, and cultural events. Shenzhen Poly Theatre (深圳保利剧院 Shēnzhèn Bǎolì Jùyuàn): Performing arts venue with theater productions, concerts, and shows suitable for families. Shenzhen OCT Harbour (深圳华侨城欢乐港湾 Shēnzhèn Huáqiáochéng Huānlè Gǎngwān): Waterfront area with shopping, dining, and entertainment options overlooking the bay. Shenzhen Guanlan Printmaking Base (深圳观澜版画基地 Shēnzhèn Guānlán Bǎnhuà Jīdì): Art village with printmaking studios, galleries, and workshops. Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (深圳仙湖植物园 Shēnzhèn Xiān Hú Zhíwùyuán): Botanical garden with plant collections, walking trails, and scenic landscapes. ShenZhen: 30 More Places to Visit Shenzhen Window of the World (深圳世界之窗 Shēnzhèn Shìjiè Zhī Chuāng): Theme park with replicas of famous landmarks from around the world. Shenzhen Happy Valley (深圳欢乐谷 Shēnzhèn Huānlègǔ): Amusement park with rides, shows, and attractions for all ages. Shenzhen Safari Park (深圳野生动物园 Shēnzhèn Yěshēng Dòngwùyuán): Safari park with a variety of animals, shows, and interactive experiences. Shenzhen Sea World (深圳海上世界 Shēnzhèn Hǎishàng Shìjiè): Waterfront area with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Shenzhen Children's Palace (深圳市少年宫 Shēnzhèn Shì Shàonián Gōng): Cultural center offering classes, workshops, and performances for children. Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (深圳仙湖植物园 Shēnzhèn Xiān Hú Zhíwùyuán): Botanical garden with plant collections, walking trails, and scenic landscapes. Shenzhen Splendid China Folk Village (深圳锦绣中华民俗村 Shēnzhèn Jǐnxiù Zhōnghuá Mínsú Cūn): Theme park with exhibits on Chinese culture, history, and traditions. Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Reserve (深圳红树林自然保护区 Shēnzhèn Hóngshùlín Zìrán Bǎohù Qū): Nature reserve with mangrove forests, boardwalks, and birdwatching. Shenzhen Dameisha Beach (深圳大梅沙海滨公园 Shēnzhèn Dà Méishā Hǎibīn Gōngyuán): Beach park with sandy shores, water sports, and seaside attractions. Shenzhen Xiaomeisha Beach (深圳小梅沙海滨公园 Shēnzhèn Xiǎo Méishā Hǎibīn Gōngyuán): Beach park with swimming areas, water slides, and recreational facilities. Shenzhen Lianhuashan Park (深圳莲花山公园 Shēnzhèn Liánhuā Shān Gōngyuán): Park with gardens, temples, and scenic views of the city. Shenzhen Children's Library (深圳市少年儿童图书馆 Shēnzhèn Shì Shàonián Értóng Túshūguǎn): Library with children's books, storytelling sessions, and educational activities. Shenzhen Science Museum (深圳科技馆 Shēnzhèn Kējìguǎn): Museum with interactive exhibits, experiments, and demonstrations on science and technology. Shenzhen Happy Harbor (深圳欢乐港湾 Shēnzhèn Huānlè Gǎngwān): Waterfront area with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options for families. Shenzhen Museum (深圳博物馆 Shēnzhèn Bówùguǎn): Museum with exhibits on Shenzhen's history, culture, and development. Shenzhen International Garden and Flower Expo Park (深圳国际园林花卉博览园 Shēnzhèn Guójì Yuánlín Huāhuì Bólǎn Yuán): Park with botanical gardens, flower displays, and cultural events. Shenzhen Poly Theatre (深圳保利剧院 Shēnzhèn Bǎolì Jùyuàn): Performing arts venue with theater productions, concerts, and shows suitable for families. Shenzhen OCT Harbour (深圳华侨城欢乐港湾 Shēnzhèn Huáqiáochéng Huānlè Gǎngwān): Waterfront area with shopping, dining, and entertainment options overlooking the bay. Shenzhen Guanlan Printmaking Base (深圳观澜版画基地 Shēnzhèn Guānlán Bǎnhuà Jīdì): Art village with printmaking studios, galleries, and workshops. Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (深圳仙湖植物园 Shēnzhèn Xiān Hú Zhíwùyuán): Botanical garden with plant collections, walking trails, and scenic landscapes. Shenzhen Window of the World (深圳世界之窗 Shēnzhèn Shìjiè Zhī Chuāng): Theme park with replicas of famous landmarks from around the world. Shenzhen Happy Valley (深圳欢乐谷 Shēnzhèn Huānlègǔ): Amusement park with rides, shows, and attractions for all ages. Shenzhen Safari Park (深圳野生动物园 Shēnzhèn Yěshēng Dòngwùyuán): Safari park with a variety of animals, shows, and interactive experiences. Shenzhen Sea World (深圳海上世界 Shēnzhèn Hǎishàng Shìjiè): Waterfront area with restaurants, shops, and entertainment venues. Shenzhen Children's Palace (深圳市少年宫 Shēnzhèn Shì Shàonián Gōng): Cultural center offering classes, workshops, and performances for children. Shenzhen Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (深圳仙湖植物园 Shēnzhèn Xiān Hú Zhíwùyuán): Botanical garden with plant collections, walking trails, and scenic landscapes. Shenzhen Splendid China Folk Village (深圳锦绣中华民俗村 Shēnzhèn Jǐnxiù Zhōnghuá Mínsú Cūn): Theme park with exhibits on Chinese culture, history, and traditions. Shenzhen Mangrove Nature Reserve (深圳红树林自然保护区 Shēnzhèn Hóngshùlín Zìrán Bǎohù Qū): Nature reserve with mangrove forests, boardwalks, and birdwatching.

The contrast with the West, that has no ambition and is merely focused on retaining its empires, is stark. With Lee Barrett in GuangZhou ...

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