SuZhou Encounter 邂逅姑苏

With JiangXi China ... WuYuan Ancient Town, located in JiangXi province, is a place of historical and cultural significance, known for its well-preserved architecture and picturesque scenery. The town is often referred to as a "living museum" of ancient Chinese culture, offering a glimpse into the country's rich historical past. Historical Significance Wuyuan Ancient Town has a history that dates back over a thousand years. It flourished during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties and continued to thrive through the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. The town's strategic location and prosperous agricultural economy contributed to its development as a cultural and commercial hub. Architecture The architecture of Wuyuan Ancient Town is a highlight, featuring traditional Chinese structures such as ancestral halls, temples, and residential buildings. These structures are characterized by their intricate woodwork, stone carvings, and tile-roofed houses. The well-preserved buildings reflect the elegance and craftsmanship of ancient Chinese architectural styles. Natural Beauty Wuyuan is also renowned for its stunning natural landscapes. The town is surrounded by lush mountains, winding rivers, and terraced fields, creating a picturesque setting that changes with the seasons. In spring, the blooming canola flowers turn the fields into a sea of yellow, attracting photographers and nature enthusiasts from all over the country. Culture and Traditions Wuyuan Ancient Town is rich in cultural heritage and traditions. The local customs, festivals, and folk arts are well-preserved, offering visitors a chance to experience traditional Chinese culture firsthand. The town hosts various cultural events, including lantern festivals, dragon boat races, and traditional opera performances. Notable Sites Some of the notable sites in Wuyuan Ancient Town include: Likeng Village: Known for its beautiful ancient buildings and tranquil environment, Likeng Village offers a glimpse into traditional rural life in China. Rainbow Bridge: A historic covered bridge that is one of the most iconic landmarks in Wuyuan, featuring unique wooden architecture. Xiaoqi Village: Famous for its ancient merchant houses and well-preserved cultural relics. Jiangwan Village: A historic village with a rich cultural heritage and traditional architecture. Tourism and Accessibility Wuyuan Ancient Town has become a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its historical charm and natural beauty. The town is easily accessible from major cities in Guangxi and neighboring provinces. Efforts have been made to preserve the town's cultural heritage while developing infrastructure to accommodate tourists.

With Flora and Note ... Bonus films - A weekend in ShangHai : with luisa reus ... Spring Festival in YuYuan, ShangHai : with Zina ...

Look out over Hong Kong as Typhoon NangKa passes by and the city lights up into the evening ...

Though some are bad - the highly processed 'healthy' polyunsaturate oils; much better to avoid these completely and use butter / ghee, extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil. How we arrived at the obesity and diabetes epidemic ...

With Richard Wolff and Chris Hedges ...

As in Tibet, BeiJing (89), and XinJiang, violent separatists have been created, aided and spurred on by the West. Rational protests were hijacked by foreign powers and their proxies. This is all about trying to undermine China, to keep it down. None worked, but now they are doubling down. This is what the US has and still does the world over. Central and south america, Africa and Asia, never allowed to fulfill their potential; coups and wars always snuffing out the possibilities. Even in Europe and the Middle East, as we see today. Fact : Hong Kong people never had the right to vote for their leaders under UK rule; not until China took back the reign from British colonial power. Thanks to the National Security Law, peace has finally returned to Hong Kong after a year of destructive riots and terror that wrecked Hong Kong's international image and economy. To China, the people of Hong Kong are family. To the West, they are just pawns in trying to bring down all of China and its people. With Cyrus Janssen ... YT comment : "The colonizer not only colonizes territory, they also colonize the local people's minds, through promoting their own culture over theirs, and also by devising education systems to inculcate their values into the local children. Even after the colonizer leaves, the minds of the people often remain enslaved and loyal to their former masters. This "colonial mentality" remains predominate in Hong Kong, India, the Philippines and other former colonies. Many in Hong Kong (though not all) tend to have the colonial mentality. Colonial mentality is the internalized perception of ethnic or cultural inferiority felt by people as a result of colonization. Such people tend to display a preference for the cultures of the Anglo-Saxons, while harboring a disdain for any "non-Anglo" culture, including their own! Hong Kong people had to bow to the British and stand for their National Anthem. They were treated as second rate citizens." "'You are free to agree, but not free to differ on the official truth'." "The ultimate hypocrisy is the UK supporting 'democracy' for HK when they never introduced it in all the 152 years of colonial rule. In 1967, HK anti colonial protests ended in the shooting of civilians, and I remember being teargassed in our apartment as a child. Young HK people need to learn from history. Foreign interference is anathema to any country." "'Any country that is not a slave is our enemy' - the US" Bonus films - With Danny HaiPhong ... Ben Norton on the NEW Cold War and Europe's economic suicide ... On the CIA, with Jeffrey Sachs ... With Brian Berletic ...

A trip to the wild Great Wall ... Love the ones you're with. Your partner, family, neighbours, the people you pass on the street. As this blue and green planet whizzes through space, we can all share the love with those around us. The goal of all sane people is to create a better world for our children ...

With LiangPei Vision ...