Treasure house of ancient Buddhism: A visit to Yunju Temple and Shijing Mountain

Yunju Temple, known as China’s treasure house of ancient Buddhist culture, last week began rebuilding its South Pagoda, contructed during the Liao Dynasty (907-1125) and destroyed in 1942. The repair work is expected to take a year and a half, after which the temple’s North and South pagodas will again stand facing each other.

An Autumn among the clouds – A visit to Qingdao’s coastal Laoshan Mountain

September, sandwiched between scorching August and chilly October, is the perfect month to go mountain climbing. Beijingers looking for a challenge out of town can head to Laoshan Mountain, located on the eastern side of Qingdao, Shandong Province, facing the Yellow Sea.

Seeking the magic in Hebei – A picturesque view of grasslands in autumn

Talk of Chinese grasslands immediately brings to mind Inner Mongolia. Less known are Hebei Province’s grass-carpeted sprawling lands the perfect place to visit in these rare perfect days of clear skies, gentle sunlight and soothing winds.

On the edge of North Korea and Russia

Northern China’s border towns and cities provide a glimpse of neighboring North Korea and Russia. Early autumn is the ideal time to visit some of these places and see extraordinary historical sites and natural attractions.

Chinese eunuchs and art – Exploring the eunuch tombs, frescos and temples

The eunuch occupies an extremely special and mysterious place in Chinese history. They once served in imperial palaces and played an important role in feudal dynasties, gaining extreme notoriety over thousands of years due to their growing power in the court.

End your summer on the secluded seaside

According to the Chinese calendar, autumn began last week. But as seasons do not always adhere to the dates we give them, the summer heat is sure to continue through the end of August.

Architectural beauties and old tales from Simatai – More than hiking on Great Wall

The Badaling Great Wall might attract the most tourists, but, more and more people nowadays prefer to tour more “wild sections of Great Wall. Rugged, unrestored Simatai is one of the few to retain the original features of the Ming Dynasty Great Wall.

Summertime is fruit time: Fruit picking in the suburbs

It is harvest time for blueberries, grapes, peaches and watermelons in suburban Beijing. Visitors can go to farms and orchards not only to shop for fresh fruits, but also to go fruit picking.

A slow walk through Suzhou – A city of canals, classical gardens and ancient homes

Suzhou, described by a Chinese proverb as “paradise on earth,” is a city with a perceptibly slow rhythm. It is just thplace to relax and have a break from the mind-numbingly fast-paced life in the metropolis.

Old houses, ancient bridges, canals, gardens and small alleys beckon visitors to explore the city. Suzhou has no airport; the governor has no intention of building one to preserve its quaintness, so people have to take a train to get there. This is the best way to start a trip that will remind people that slowing down is still possible in this day.

Hidden hutong masters – Discovering the inheritors of Beijing’s culture of recreation

In ancient times, Beijing men referred to themselves as ye or “master.” In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), manwangye or members of the royal family and officials lived in what is now Xicheng District. They enjoyed carefree lives and were preoccupied with recreation, which imbued the imperial capital with a leisurely atmosphere. Today, Beijingers, especially men who live in hutong, continue their ancestors’ favorite activities and have become masters in bird-raising, handicraft-making and kite-flying.