The beautiful DeTian waterfalls between China and Vietnam – don’t miss it

With Qingyunji ... Fanjing Mountain, located in Tongren City, Guizhou Province, is a stunning natural and cultural landmark known for its unique landscapes, biodiversity, and spiritual significance. Here's a detailed overview of Fanjing Mountain: ### Location and Overview - **Location**: Fanjing Mountain is situated in the Wuling Mountain range in Tongren City, northeastern Guizhou Province, China. - **Elevation**: The highest peak of Fanjing Mountain reaches an elevation of 2,570 meters (8,430 feet) above sea level. - **UNESCO World Heritage Site**: In 2018, Fanjing Mountain was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich biodiversity and unique geological features. ### Natural Beauty and Biodiversity 1. **Unique Geological Formations**: Fanjing Mountain is characterized by its distinctive rock formations, including the Red Cloud Golden Summit (HongYun JinDing), Mushroom Stone, and Old Golden Summit (LaoJinDing). These formations offer breathtaking views and are popular among photographers and nature enthusiasts. 2. **Biodiversity Hotspot**: The mountain is a biodiversity hotspot, home to numerous rare and endemic species. The area is particularly noted for its diverse plant life, including ancient ginkgo trees, fir forests, and a variety of medicinal herbs. 3. **Endangered Species**: Fanjing Mountain provides habitat for several endangered animal species, such as the Guizhou snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus brelichi), Chinese giant salamander, and various rare birds and insects. ### Spiritual and Cultural Significance 1. **Buddhist Heritage**: Fanjing Mountain is one of the sacred Buddhist mountains in China. It is considered a place of enlightenment and has a long history of Buddhist worship. The mountain is associated with Maitreya Buddha (the future Buddha). 2. **Temples and Monasteries**: There are several ancient temples and monasteries on the mountain, including the Shizhong Temple and the Cheng’en Temple. These religious sites attract pilgrims and tourists alike, offering a peaceful and spiritual retreat. 3. **Pilgrimage Destination**: The mountain's spiritual significance makes it a popular pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, especially during religious festivals and important Buddhist dates. ### Tourist Attractions and Activities 1. **Hiking and Trekking**: Fanjing Mountain offers numerous hiking and trekking trails that cater to various levels of difficulty. The trails provide stunning views of the natural scenery and access to the mountain’s unique rock formations and temples. 2. **Cable Cars**: For those who prefer a less strenuous visit, cable cars are available to take visitors up to the scenic areas and major viewpoints, offering a comfortable and scenic ride. 3. **Panoramic Views**: The Golden Summit, one of the most famous peaks, offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The sight of the sunrise and sunset from this vantage point is particularly spectacular. 4. **Photography**: The unique landscapes, diverse flora and fauna, and ancient temples make Fanjing Mountain a paradise for photographers. ### Conservation Efforts 1. **Protected Area**: Fanjing Mountain is part of a protected nature reserve, which helps to preserve its unique ecosystems and biodiversity. 2. **Sustainable Tourism**: Efforts are being made to promote sustainable tourism practices that minimize the impact on the natural environment and local communities while enhancing the visitor experience. ### Visitor Information 1. **Best Time to Visit**: The best time to visit Fanjing Mountain is during the spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is mild, and the natural scenery is at its most vibrant. 2. **Accessibility**: Fanjing Mountain can be accessed via Tongren, which is connected to major cities in China by train and air. From Tongren, visitors can take buses or taxis to the mountain’s entrance. 3. **Accommodation**: There are various accommodation options available, ranging from hotels in Tongren to guesthouses and inns near the mountain. ### Conclusion Fanjing Mountain in Guizhou is a place of extraordinary natural beauty and cultural significance. With its unique geological formations, rich biodiversity, and profound spiritual heritage, it offers a diverse and enriching experience for nature lovers, hikers, pilgrims, and tourists. The mountain’s combination of stunning landscapes, rare wildlife, and ancient temples makes it a must-visit destination in China.

The MaiJiShan Grottoes are filled with thousands of Buddhist sculptures. These were carved from the Wei dynasty to the Song dynasty by Buddhist monks who first came here via the North Silk Road. The grottoes are close to TianShui, which is the second largest city in GanSu province in central China, with a population of approximately 3.5 milion. The city lies along the route of the ancient Northern Silk Road by the Wei River, through which much of the trade flowed between China and the West. The Qin state, the founding dynasty of China, arose in this part of China.

FèngHuáng (Phoenix) ancient town, lies 'close' (about 140 kilometers) to the ZhangJiaJie Nature Reserve. The town retains much of its ancient architecture and culture. Legend tells that two of the mythical phoenix birds flew over the town and were so in awe at its beauty that they remained hovering there for a long time, being reluctant to leave and lose the view. FengHuang is home to several minority ethnic groups, mainly the Miao (苗) and TuJia (土家). Batik and tie-dye are very popular here and the Miao and TuJia have their own ways to produce the cloth with unique folk patterns. Traditional crafts also include embroidery (TuJia), silverware (Miao), 'paper cuts' and ginger candy. DiaoJiaoLou (吊脚楼) is the traditional dwelling of the TuJia, Miao and some other minorities. DiaoJiaoLou can be translated literally into English as "feet-hanging building" which means a building built with its base hanging in the air instead of locating on the ground. The houses lining the river display a strong Miao ethnic style with the front part facing the old official road and the rear part hanging over the Tuo River.

A great film by kinabaloo.com ...

The Ming Tombs are a collection of mausoleums built by emperors of the Ming dynasty. They lie within the ChangPing District of BeiJing Municipality, 40 kilometers (25 miles) north-northwest of Beijing city center. The site was chosen based on the principles of Feng Shui by the third Ming emperor, YongLe. Construction began after completion of the Imperial Palace (Forbidden City) in 1420. Subsequent emperors placed their tombs in the same valley; 13 in total. The siting of the Ming dynasty imperial tombs was carefully chosen according to Feng Shui principles. A key guide is that bad spirits and cold winds from the north must be deflected; therefore, an arc-shaped valley area at the foot of the JunDu Mountains was selected. This 40 square kilometer area, enclosed by mountains in a pristine, quiet valley with dark earth and tranquil water became the necropolis of the Ming dynasty. A 7 kilometer (4 mile) path named the Spirit Way, or Sacred Way, leads into the complex, lined with statues of guardian animals and officials, with a front memorial gate consisting of three arches called the Great Red Gate; constructed in 1540, it is one of the biggest stone archways in China. Further in, lies the ShenGong ShengDe Stele Pavilion with a 50 tonne stone statue of BiXi carrying a memorial tablet. Four white marble HuaBiao (pillars of glory) are positioned at each corner of the pavilion; at the top of each is a mythical beast. Then come two pillars on each side of the path, whose surfaces are carved with a cloud design, and tops are shaped like a cylinder; these are of a traditional design and were originally beacons to guide the soul of the deceased, The path leads to 18 pairs of stone statues of mythical animals, which are all sculpted from single blocks; these are all larger than life size. After, the path leads to a three-arched gate known as the Dragon and Phoenix Gate. Two of the mausoleums are open to visitors, but it is the beauty of the valley, with orchards, and the sheer scale of the area used for the tombs, that make this a nice day out in the countryside.

About 2 1/2 hours NNE from BeiJing city center ...