SuZhou Encounter 邂逅姑苏

SiChuan province. Filmed at the ChengDu Panda Base and the BiFengXia Panda Base.

Chéngdū is the capital of SiChuan province.

1. 1.4 billion - China's population, making it the most populous country in the world. 2. 23 - The number of provinces in China. 3. 56 - The number of recognized ethnic groups in China. 4. 9,596,960 square kilometers - China's total land area. 5. 1949 - The year the People's Republic of China was founded. 6. 70 - The percentage of the world's total silk production that comes from China. 7. 2,000 - The approximate number of years the Great Wall of China has been in existence. 8. 1971 - The year when China was admitted to the United Nations. 9. 34 - The number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China. 10. 4,000 - The years of recorded history in China. 11. 3.7 million square kilometers - The area covered by China's desert, the Gobi Desert. 12. 88 - The number considered lucky in Chinese culture. 13. 40,000 - The length of China's high-speed railway network in kilometers. 14. 1.4 trillion - The approximate number of disposable chopsticks used in China each year. 15. 4 - The number of official Chinese characters on the national flag. 16. 2nd - China's rank in the world for the largest economy. 17. 2008 - The year Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics. 18. 7 - The number of consecutive years China has been the world's largest exporter. 19. 1.4 billion - The number of mobile phone users in China. 20. 60 million - The approximate number of empty homes in China. 21. 40,000 - The approximate number of characters in the Chinese language. 22. 1,411 meters - The height of the Shanghai Tower, the second-tallest building in the world. 23. 8.98 million - The size, in square kilometers, of the Tibetan Plateau, often called the "Roof of the World." 24. 800 million - The number of internet users in China. 25. 50,000 - The number of rivers in China, each with a basin exceeding 100 square kilometers. 26. 300 million - The number of Chinese people practicing Buddhism. 27. 20 million - The number of Chinese Muslims. 28. 64 - The average life expectancy in China. 29. 45 - The percentage of China's population living in urban areas. 30. 1.39 billion - The number of active social media users in China. 31. 7,546 - The length, in kilometers, of the Grand Canal, the world's longest artificial waterway. 32. 15 million - The number of babies born in China each year. 33. 37 - The number of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage items in China. 34. 2003 - The year China became the third country to launch a manned space mission. 35. 2.3 million - The size, in square kilometers, of the Taklamakan Desert, China's largest desert. 36. 12,000 - The number of terracotta warriors buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. 37. 520 - A term in Chinese internet culture representing "I love you." 38. 100 million - The number of tourists who visit the Great Wall of China annually. 39. 2 - The number of pandas given as gifts by China to foreign countries as goodwill ambassadors. 40. 65 - The percentage of the world's total production of solar panels that comes from China. 41. 2,300 - The length, in kilometers, of the Yangtze River, China's longest river. 42. 1 - The number of children per couple allowed under China's one-child policy (recently replaced by a two-child policy). 43. 7 - The number of Chinese astronauts who have been in space. 44. 200 million - The number of bicycles in China. 45. 5,000 - The number of years tea has been consumed in China. 46. 300 - The number of TV channels in China. 47. 1.1 billion - The number of Chinese people who watch the annual CCTV Spring Festival Gala. 48. 221 BC - The year Qin Shi Huang unified China and became the first emperor. 49. 4 million - The number of college graduates in China each year. 50. 5 - The number of autonomous regions in China. 51. 3,300 - The length, in kilometers, of the Yellow River, China's second-longest river. 52. 49 - The percentage of the world's total coal consumption that comes from China. 53. 16,000 - The length, in kilometers, of the Great Wall of China, including all of its branches. 54. 1949 - The year when the Chinese currency, the Renminbi (RMB), was introduced. 55. 2.5 million - The number of electric vehicles sold in China in 2020. 56. 2,200 - The length, in kilometers, of the Mekong River, which originates in China. 57. 22 - The number of provinces, regions, and municipalities directly under the central government. 58. 150 million - The number of square meters of new construction added daily in China. 59. 8,848 meters - The height of Mount Everest, which straddles the border between China and Nepal. 60. 1966-1976 - The years of the Cultural Revolution in China. 61. 80 - The percentage of the world's total rare earth elements produced by China. 62. 8 - The number of major Chinese cuisines, including Sichuan, Cantonese, and Shandong. 63. 1.4 billion - The number of people covered by China's national health insurance. 64. 2 - The number of sessions of the National People's Congress held each year. 65. 1980 - The year China implemented its one-child policy. 66. 7 - The number of national holidays in China. 67. 80 million - The number of people who visit the Forbidden City in Beijing annually. 68. 5 trillion - The total value, in U.S. dollars, of China's foreign exchange reserves. 69. 1,417 meters - The depth of the South China Sea, China's marginal sea. 70. 10 - The number of Renminbi (RMB) denominations, including the yuan and jiao. 71. 26 million - The number of university students in China. 72. 9 - The number of dragon's pearls on the Chinese national flag. 73. 1,100 - The number of Giant Pandas remaining in the wild. 74. 25 - The percentage of the world's total steel production that comes from China. 75. 3,300 - The number of characters in a standard Chinese dictionary. 76. 1978 - The year China began economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping. 77. 2 million - The number of people employed in the Chinese military, the largest in the world. 78. 40 - The percentage of global e-commerce transactions that take place in China. 79. 7.6 million - The length, in kilometers, of China's highway system. 80. 35 - The percentage of the world's total cotton production that comes from China. 81. 700 million - The number of Chinese people lifted out of poverty since economic reforms began. 82. 9,144 kilometers - The length of China's land borders. 83. 600 BC - The approximate date of the earliest recorded Chinese characters. 84. 10 - The number of years it took to build the Bird's Nest Stadium for the 2008 Olympics. 85. 20 - The percentage of the world's total energy consumption that comes from China. 86. 1971 - The year when ping pong diplomacy improved relations between China and the United States. 87. 2 - The number of pandas sent to the U.S. as a result of ping pong diplomacy. 88. 70 - The percentage of the world's total solar water heater capacity installed in China. 89. 2,213 meters - The height of Mount Lushan, China's most famous mountain. 90. 200 million - The number of Chinese tourists who travel abroad each year. 91. 1969 - The year China successfully tested its first nuclear bomb. 92. 2,000 - The number of years the Chinese have been drinking tea. 93. 4 million - The number of square kilometers of arable land in China. 94. 10 million - The number of university graduates in China each year. 95. 120 - The number of years the Qing Dynasty ruled China (1644-1912). 96. 30 - The number of world heritage sites in China. 97. 100 - The percentage of electric buses in Shenzhen, the first city in the world to achieve this. 98. 1949 - The year China adopted the "five-star" national flag. 99. 70 million - The number of Chinese households that play Mahjong regularly. 100. 80 - The percentage of global Bitcoin mining that takes place in China.

With Beijing Old Liu ... Visitor guide to the Summer Palace in BeiJing Overview The Summer Palace, located in the Haidian District of BeiJing, is a vast ensemble of lakes, gardens, and palaces. It served as a summer retreat for the Qing Dynasty emperors. Renowned for its beautiful landscape and rich cultural heritage, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of BeiJing's top tourist attractions. Getting There Location: The Summer Palace is located in the northwest of BeiJing, about 15 kilometers from the city center. By Canal Boat: For a unique and scenic route, take a canal boat from the Purple Bamboo Park (ZiZhuYuan) or Beijing Zoo wharfs. The boat ride takes about an hour and provides a relaxing way to reach the Summer Palace, offering views of the city's waterways. By Subway: Take Subway Line 4 and get off at Beigongmen Station (Exit D), which is close to the North Palace Gate. By Bus: Several bus routes, including 303, 330, 331, 332, 346, 394, 563, 584, 601, and 608, stop near the Summer Palace. By Taxi: A taxi ride from central BeiJing takes about 30 minutes, depending on traffic. Entrance and Tickets Main Gates: The three main entrances are the East Palace Gate, the North Palace Gate, and the New Palace Gate (South Gate). Entrance Fee: The entrance fee varies by season. Generally, it ranges from 30 to 60 RMB. Combined tickets, including entry to special sites like the Tower of Buddhist Incense and Suzhou Street, are also available. Opening Hours: The Summer Palace is open daily from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM (April to October) and 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM (November to March). Main Attractions Kunming Lake Kunming Lake covers approximately three-quarters of the Summer Palace area. Visitors can take a boat ride to enjoy the scenic beauty and visit the South Lake Island. Longevity Hill Rising behind Kunming Lake, Longevity Hill is dotted with splendid halls, pavilions, and temples. Key sites include the Tower of Buddhist Incense, the Sea of Wisdom Temple, and the Hall of Dispelling Clouds. Seventeen-Arch Bridge This iconic bridge connects the eastern shore of Kunming Lake to Nanhu Island. It is known for its unique design and the 544 stone lions carved on its railings. Long Corridor The Long Corridor is a covered walkway that stretches for 728 meters along the northern shore of Kunming Lake. It is adorned with thousands of beautiful paintings depicting Chinese legends and landscapes. Marble Boat The Marble Boat, also known as the Boat of Purity and Ease, is a lakeside pavilion made of marble. It symbolizes stability and is a unique and photogenic structure. Suzhou Street Suzhou Street is a charming area with shops and buildings designed to mimic the style of the famous water town of Suzhou. It offers a glimpse into traditional Chinese commerce and architecture. Activities and Experiences Boat Rides: Rent a paddle boat or take a dragon boat cruise on Kunming Lake for a relaxing and scenic experience. Photography: The Summer Palace offers countless picturesque spots, especially at dawn and dusk when the light is soft and golden. Walking and Hiking: Explore the numerous trails and paths around Longevity Hill and the lakeshore for a leisurely or invigorating hike. Picnicking: Enjoy a picnic in one of the many tranquil garden areas, surrounded by beautiful landscapes and historical architecture. Dining and Refreshments Palace Restaurants: There are several restaurants within the Summer Palace grounds offering traditional Chinese cuisine and snacks. Tea Houses: Enjoy a traditional tea experience at one of the tea houses overlooking Kunming Lake. Outside Dining: Numerous restaurants and cafes are located near the main entrances, offering a variety of dining options. Shopping Souvenir Shops: Various shops within the Summer Palace sell traditional Chinese arts and crafts, souvenirs, and books. Market Streets: Nearby shopping streets outside the palace offer local snacks, handicrafts, and other unique items. Tips for Visitors Best Time to Visit: The best times to visit the Summer Palace are spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild and the scenery is at its most beautiful. Clothing: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress in layers to accommodate changing temperatures. An umbrella or raincoat is useful during the rainy season. Plan Your Visit: The Summer Palace is vast, so plan your visit to focus on the main attractions you want to see. A map of the palace grounds can be very helpful. Stay Hydrated: Bring water, especially during the hot summer months, as the extensive grounds require a lot of walking. Respect Local Customs: Be respectful of cultural and historical sites. Avoid touching artifacts and follow posted signs and instructions. Conclusion The Summer Palace in BeiJing is a stunning testament to Chinese landscape gardening and imperial architecture. With its combination of natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural richness, it offers an unforgettable experience for every visitor. Plan your trip carefully to make the most of your visit and immerse yourself in the splendor of this magnificent heritage site.

With Rangan Chatterjee ... With Alan Watts ...

Including the Forbidden City (Palace Museum), BeiHai Park, the Temple of Heaven (TianTan) and the Summer Palace (YiHeYuan) ...

Nightlife and dining in China's capital. This video is pretty creative. The narration made it personal and real. You guys really went in with an open mind and immersed yourself into the culture, or the "now" at the time. Reminds me of the beauties of traveling and living. Thanks for the inspiration! - Ceci Lia 'This is my city' explores cities around the world, following the life and recommendations of a local person. In this episode, that is Lin Lin, a vivacious, (modern) culture-loving girl ...

60 kilometers north of LiJiang in south west China. The gorge is about 15 kilometers long and passes the 5,600m high Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.