YinChuan 银川, NingXia province

Filmed in July 2011 Video by Orien Travel http://www.orientravel.pl

Very beautiful scenes - don't miss it ...

Extraordinary peaks tower above rolling clouds ... AnHui province.

With The New Atlas ...

In the heart of old Beijing, a variety of young women describe their threads ...

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in China The Great Wall (长城 Chángchéng): Located in Beijing, Hebei, Tianjin, Shaanxi, Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Shanxi. An ancient fortification stretching across China's northern border, built to protect against invasions. Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties in Beijing and Shenyang (北京和沈阳的明清皇宫 Běijīng hé Shěnyáng de Míng Qīng Huánggōng): Located in Beijing and Liaoning. Magnificent palace complexes representing China's imperial history and architecture. Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor (秦始皇陵 Qín Shǐ Huáng Líng): Located in Shaanxi. The burial site of Emperor Qin Shi Huang, known for the Terracotta Army. Mogao Caves (莫高窟 Mògāo Kū): Located in Gansu. A complex of Buddhist cave temples containing exquisite murals and sculptures along the Silk Road. Mount Taishan (泰山 Tàishān): Located in Shandong. A sacred mountain with cultural and historical significance, known for its temples, stone inscriptions, and natural beauty. Mount Huangshan (黄山 Huángshān): Located in Anhui. A stunning mountain range known for its granite peaks, pine trees, hot springs, and mystical atmosphere. Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (峨眉山风景名胜区，包括乐山大佛风景名胜区 Éméishān Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū, Bāokuò Lèshān Dàfó Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū): Located in Sichuan. A sacred Buddhist mountain with monasteries, temples, and the world's largest Buddha statue. Old Town of Lijiang (丽江古城 Lìjiāng Gǔchéng): Located in Yunnan. A well-preserved ancient town with traditional Naxi architecture, cobblestone streets, and canals. Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian (周口店北京人遗址 Zhōukǒudiàn Běijīngrén Yízhǐ): Located in Beijing. A significant archaeological site containing fossils and artifacts related to Peking Man. The Classical Gardens of Suzhou (苏州古典园林 Sūzhōu Gǔdiǎn Yuánlín): Located in Jiangsu. A collection of exquisite gardens dating back to the Song Dynasty, known for their harmony between natural landscapes and human creations. Mount Wuyi (武夷山 Wǔyíshān): Located in Fujian. A scenic area with dramatic cliffs, gorges, rivers, and ancient cultural sites, recognized for its biodiversity and tea cultivation. Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains (武当山古建筑群 Wǔdāngshān Gǔjiànzhù Qún): Located in Hubei. A complex of Taoist temples and monasteries nestled in the Wudang Mountains, renowned for their architecture and martial arts heritage. Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa (布达拉宫历史建筑群 Bùdálā Gōng Lìshǐ Jiànzhù Qún): Located in Tibet. A symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and culture, the Potala Palace is an architectural masterpiece and former residence of the Dalai Lama. Mountain Resort and its Outlying Temples, Chengde (承德避暑山庄及其周围寺庙 Chéngdé Bìshǔ Shānzhuāng jí Qí Zhōuwéi Sìmiào): Located in Hebei. A vast imperial garden and palace complex featuring traditional Chinese architecture and landscaped gardens. Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu (曲阜孔庙、孔府及孔林 Qūfù Kǒngmiào, Kǒngfǔ jí Kǒng Lín): Located in Shandong. A sacred site dedicated to Confucius, including his temple, family mansion, and forest of tablets. Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing (颐和园 Yíhé Yuán): Located in Beijing. A masterpiece of Chinese landscape garden design, the Summer Palace features pavilions, temples, and the famous Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Temple of Heaven: an Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing (北京天坛:天坛地区的祭坛 Běijīng Tiāntán: Tiāntán Dìqū de Jìtán): Located in Beijing. A complex of religious buildings where emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties performed sacrificial rituals for good harvests. Mount Qingcheng and the Dujiangyan Irrigation System (青城山-都江堰 Qīngchéng Shān - Dūjiāngyàn): Located in Sichuan. A Taoist mountain and ancient irrigation system recognized for their cultural, historical, and technological significance. Dazu Rock Carvings (大足石刻 Dàzú Shíkè): Located in Chongqing. A series of Buddhist rock carvings dating back to the 9th century, depicting Buddhist scriptures, deities, and scenes of daily life. Mount Lushan National Park (庐山 Lúshān): Located in Jiangxi. A scenic area known for its natural beauty, cultural sites, and historic role in Chinese literature and art. Lushan National Park (庐山国家公园 Lúshān Guójiā Gōngyuán): Located in Jiangxi. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity, unique geological formations, and cultural landmarks. Yungang Grottoes (云冈石窟 Yúngāng Shíkū): Located in Shanxi. A complex of ancient Buddhist cave temples containing thousands of statues and intricate carvings, dating back to the 5th century. Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas (云南三江并流地区 Yúnnán Sānjiāng Bìngliú Dìqū): Located in Yunnan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich biodiversity and unique geographical features. Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom (古高丽国都及陵墓 Gǔ Gāolí Guó Dū jí Língmù): Located in Liaoning, Jilin, and Heilongjiang. Containing archaeological remains of the ancient Koguryo Kingdom. Historic Centre of Macao (澳门历史城区 Àomén Lìshǐ Chéngqū): Located in Macau. Known for its historic architecture, cultural landmarks, and fusion of Chinese and Portuguese influences. Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains (四川大熊猫栖息地:卧龙、四姑娘山和夹金山 Sìchuān Dàxióngmāo Qīxīdì: Wòlóng, Sìgūniáng Shān hé Jiājīn Shān): Located in Sichuan. Protecting habitats of the giant panda and other rare species. Yin Xu (殷墟 Yīnxū): Located in Henan. The ruins of the ancient capital of the Shang Dynasty, known for its oracle bone inscriptions and archaeological significance. Tu Fu's Thatched Cottage (杜甫草堂 Dù Fǔ Cǎotáng): Located in Sichuan. The former residence of the famous Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu, now a museum dedicated to his life and works. Mount Sanqingshan National Park (三清山 Sānqīngshān): Located in Jiangxi. Known for its dramatic granite peaks, lush forests, and unique rock formations. Wulingyuan Scenic Area (武陵源风景名胜区 Wǔlíngyuán Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū): Located in Hunan. Famous for its towering sandstone pillars, deep ravines, and lush vegetation. Historic Villages of China - Xidi and Hongcun (中国古村落-西递、宏村 Zhōngguó Gǔ Cūnluò - Xīdì, Hóng Cūn): Located in Anhui. Featuring well-preserved traditional villages with ancient architecture and cultural heritage. Longmen Grottoes (龙门石窟 Lóngmén Shíkū): Located in Henan. Containing thousands of Buddhist statues and carvings carved into limestone cliffs. Mount Wutai (五台山 Wǔtáishān): Located in Shanxi. A sacred Buddhist mountain known for its monasteries, temples, and cultural significance. China Danxia (中国丹霞 Zhōngguó Dānxiá): Located in various provinces. A series of unique landscapes characterized by red sandstone formations, known for their natural beauty and geological significance. Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in "The Centre of Heaven and Earth" (登封历史建筑群 Dēngfēng Lìshǐ Jiànzhù Qún): Located in Henan. Containing ancient religious sites and martial arts traditions. Site of Xanadu (元上都城址 Yuán Shàngdū Chéngzhǐ): Located in Inner Mongolia. The ruins of Kublai Khan's summer capital, known for its historical and cultural significance. Mount Emei Scenic Area, including Leshan Giant Buddha Scenic Area (峨眉山风景名胜区，包括乐山大佛风景名胜区 Éméishān Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū, Bāokuò Lèshān Dàfó Fēngjǐng Míngshèng Qū): Located in Sichuan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its sacred Buddhist mountain and giant Buddha statue. Qin and Han Dynasties: Mausoleums and Goguryeo Ancient Tombs (秦汉与高句丽古墓群 Qín Hàn yǔ Gāojǔlí Gǔ Mù Qún): Located in Liaoning and Jilin. Containing ancient mausoleums and tombs.

With Travel With Fawn ...

With China Road Tales ... The Stone Village of the NaXi people, located in YunNan Province, China, is a remarkable destination that offers a unique glimpse into the traditional lifestyle, culture, and architecture of the NaXi ethnic minority. Here’s a detailed look at this fascinating village: ### Location and Overview - **Location**: The Stone Village, also known as ShiZhiShu Village, is situated in the YuLong Naxi Autonomous County in the northwestern part of Yunnan Province, near the town of Lijiang. - **Geography**: Nestled in the foothills of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (YuLong XueShan), the village is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, including rugged mountains, lush forests, and clear streams. ### NaXi Culture and Heritage - **Ethnic Group**: The NaXi people are one of China’s 56 recognized ethnic groups, with a rich cultural heritage that blends elements of Han Chinese, Tibetan, and other neighboring cultures. - **Language**: The NaXi language, belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family, is still spoken by many villagers. The NaXi also have a unique pictographic script called Dongba, used primarily for religious texts. - **Matriarchal Society**: Historically, the NaXi society was matrilineal, with property and family names passed down through the female line. ### Architecture - **Stone Houses**: The village is renowned for its traditional stone houses, built using local materials such as stone, wood, and mud. These houses are designed to blend harmoniously with the natural environment and are known for their durability and unique aesthetic. - **Courtyards**: Many homes are built around central courtyards, which serve as communal spaces for family activities and social gatherings. - **Wooden Carvings**: Intricate wooden carvings and decorations adorn the houses, showcasing the NaXi’s craftsmanship and artistic traditions. ### Traditional Lifestyles - **Agriculture**: The NaXi people in the Stone Village primarily engage in agriculture, cultivating crops such as barley, wheat, and vegetables. They also raise livestock, including pigs, chickens, and yaks. - **Traditional Dress**: The NaXi have distinctive traditional clothing, often featuring bright colors and intricate embroidery. Women’s attire includes long gowns with wide belts and colorful headscarves, while men typically wear tunics and trousers. - **Festivals and Rituals**: The NaXi people celebrate various traditional festivals, such as the Torch Festival and the Sanduo Festival, which are marked by music, dance, and religious ceremonies. ### Dongba Religion - **Animism and Shamanism**: The NaXi practice Dongba religion, an animistic belief system that involves worshiping nature spirits and ancestors. Dongba priests, who are also scholars, play a central role in religious rituals and the preservation of cultural heritage. - **Dongba Texts**: These religious texts are written in the unique Dongba script, a pictographic writing system that dates back over a thousand years. ### Tourism and Preservation - **Cultural Tourism**: The Stone Village has become a popular destination for tourists seeking to experience the traditional lifestyle and culture of the NaXi people. Visitors can explore the village, interact with locals, and learn about their customs and traditions. - **Preservation Efforts**: There are ongoing efforts to preserve the unique architecture and cultural heritage of the Stone Village. Local and regional governments, along with cultural organizations, are working to protect the village from modern development and ensure the continuation of NaXi traditions. ### Nearby Attractions - **Lijiang Ancient Town**: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lijiang is known for its well-preserved ancient architecture and vibrant NaXi culture. It is a short drive from the Stone Village and offers additional cultural experiences. - **Jade Dragon Snow Mountain**: This majestic mountain range provides opportunities for hiking, skiing, and enjoying spectacular natural scenery. ### Conclusion The Stone Village of the NaXi people in Yunnan Province is a captivating destination that offers an authentic glimpse into the traditional life and culture of one of China’s most unique ethnic groups. With its distinctive stone architecture, rich cultural heritage, and stunning natural surroundings, the Stone Village provides a memorable and enriching experience for all who visit.

A film by Pryadko Artem and Shishkovski Dmitry