The Shangri-la – LiJiang ‘Ultra Marathon’

Plus a charity run for deaf children ...

BeiHai is a large port in the GuangXi region on China's southwest coast. In the city center, BeiBuWan Square has a fountain sculpture evoking the local pearl industry. Nearby, Old Street's 19th-century buildings incorporate Western elements. On the city's southern waterfront, the Silver Beach resort area (named for its light-gray sand) is home to a park with the giant BeiHai Music Fountain.

What people in the West are told happened, is not what happened. But it was the West's plan; so they told it anyway.

YuánMíngYuán was the original Summer Palace in BeiJing and sometimes referred to as the 'Old Summer Palace'. YuanMingYuan lies 8 kilometers (5 miles) northwest of central Beijing, close to the (new) Summer Palace (YíHéYuán 颐和园). It was constructed during the 18th and early 19th centuries and was a wonderland of lakes and waterways, bridges, hills and pavilions. There were originally towers, terraces, pavilions, halls, corridors, pagodas and bridges with a total construction area of 150,000 square meters. Artisans were recruited from all over China to enact the exquisite settings. Many of the 160 scenic spots were reproductions of famous mountains, rivers and famous gardens in China. The various styles of architecture, standing encircled by hills and streams, presented a most picturesque view. In addition, hundreds of invaluable Chinese art masterpieces and antiquities were stored in the halls, including some unique copies of literary works and collections. YuanMingYuan was, indeed, a veritable museum of garden construction and horticulture. Known to be one of the largest museums in the world, a popular name in China was the 'Garden of Gardens'. In 1860 during the 'Second Opium War', YuanMingYuan was looted then burned down by imperialist British and French troops. So great was the devastation that a new Summer Palace was later built nearby.

Don't try this (and we mean that), but enjoy the views (if not feeling a tad dizzy and just about ready to fall, or jump, off) ... ShangHai travelling for $20, part 2.

The pomelo (Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis) is the largest citrus fruit from the family Rutaceae and the principal ancestor of the grapefruit. It is a natural, i.e., non-hybrid, citrus fruit, native to southeast Asia.

A film by kinabaloo.com and BeijingBuzzz.com ...

Martin Jacques, Hannah Ryder and David Monyae (with emphasis ob Africa) ... (Note : a few audio issues here and there)

Not the rise of, just the return. A talk by Australian Malcolm Turnbull ... A comment re defense spending - per capita (person), China is not even in the top 15 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditure_per_capita Defense spending is in fact very small considering the size of the country.

With Brian Berletic ... With Johnny Harris ...