Many of us have never considered stepping into a traditional Chinese drugstore, a shop only recognizable by its jars of dried herbs and diagrams of the therapeutic relationship between different body parts. This is because not only are the prescriptions even more indecipherable than their Western counterparts, but few of us even know the location of a Chinese doctor, much less consult with him/her. Nevertheless, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a millennia-old heritage, and plays a major role in China’s healthcare system; the Chinese government provides traditional drugstores and therapeutic centers alongside Western-style hospitals and clinics.

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Posted in China, Guides |

“There is heaven in the sky, and Suzhou on earth.”

- old Chinese proverb

It is the famous explorer Marco Polo who once said that Suzhou is the Eastern Venice. A city 100 kilometers south of Shanghai, Suzhou is one of the oldest towns in the Yangtze basin and the cradle of Wu culture. The city greatly benefited when the Grand Canal of China was completed, placing it along a major trade route in the empire. Known for its spider-web of canals, picturesque gardens (several of which are UNESCÒ World Heritage sites) and its relevance in the silk trade, the city is an example of millennia of urban development which result in a harmony of beauty, commerce, and culture. As the economy rapidly developed, the city committed itself to the major demolition and reconstruction of its central areas, converting narrow streets, alleys and canals to multi-lane highways and shopping malls.

Here are some of the things you can do during your visit to Suzhou.

Stroll through the gardens - Built according to the style of Chinese paintings, there are a hundred private gardens, some of which are open to the public. The Humble Administrator’s Garden is the largest private garden in the city and has a tour starting every 5-10 minutes. Blue Wave Pavilion, the Garden of the Master of the Nets and Lion Grove are other gardens worth visiting, and all exemplify the beauty of Chinese refinement.

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Posted in China, Things to do |

There used to be hundreds of varieties of snacks in Beijing during their peak in popularity; nowadays, the hundred or so types of food alternatives remain, recalling the days of gluttonous glory among residents in the Chinese capital. There are 3 categories of Beijing snacks: Han-style, Islamic- style, and Imperial-style ,with the latter dominating 80% of all snack items. There are some that go well with wine, while others that are perfect for breakfast or a midnight repast. But all of them, especially the ten snack items below, are worth sampling the next time you visit Beijing.

Youtiao - known in English as Chinese crueller, fried bread stick or sweetened fried bread twist, this long, golden-brown, deep-fried dough is commonly eaten for breakfast as a an accompaniment for rice congee or soy milk. Youtiao is lightly salted and can be split lengthwise into two pieces.

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Posted in China, Food |

Would you be surprised to learn that even the Germans left their colonial legacy in Asia? In a continent full of Spanish, Portugese, British, and French influences, the landlocked country of Germany, which for centuries was a loose group of independent states until the late 19th century, was able to put its stake in the resource-filled lands of the East. The most distinctive place is the city of Qingdao (pronounced “Ching-daow”), which  was occupied by the Germans when all of China was being divided into spheres of influences among the European powers back in the 19th century. Today, Qingdao is one of the country’s economic centers and its 4th largest port, yet still retains much of its German heritage through its architecture and culture.

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Posted in China, Things to do |

Eastern and western traditions tend to differ from each other significantly. Perhaps this is the reason why we were at first a bit taken aback when we heard about the Tibetan sky burial - a cultural and religious ceremony performed upon the passing of a family member or loved one.

Image Credit:silverlinedwinnebago

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Posted in China |

Ever since the Shenzhen Economic Zone has been established, this vibrant city has been growing astoundingly. It’s thousand-strong skyscrapers is a testament to the economic strength as well as the speed of its growth. Although Shenzhen lacks the historical and cultural attractions of other famous cities in China, it makes up for it with modern architectural wonders and theme parks, drawing in tourists from all over Asia.

Deng Xiaoping was a Chinese leader to enabled many reforms in the country, making the economic success of Shenzhen possible. In memory of Deng, a 6-meter high bronze statue of his likeness was set up in Lotus Hill Park, a 166-hectare fully-forested public park that comprises the largest green space in the central city area. Millions of visitors have since passed by the statue, and many lay flowers on its foot every year on his death anniversary. You can reach Lotus Hill Park by getting off Shaoniangong Metro Station and heading to the southwest gate near the Guan Shanyue Museum.

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Posted in Attractions, China |

The first quarter of the year has already passed.  As the month shifts from March to April, a lot of people will start preparing for the huge event that is held in China every year.  I’m referring to the China Import and Export Fair or what is more popularly called the Canton Fair.  This particular fair takes place twice each year.  The first schedule is held around Spring time while the second show is held in autumn when trees take on a blazing orange color and leaves start to fall.  This particular show started way back in 1957 and until today, it is still considered as the biggest trade fair in the country.

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Posted in China, Events |

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon is the Academy Award-winning masterpiece from Taiwanese director Ang Lee which brought worldwide attention not only to the superhuman sword-slashing wuxia film genre that is popular in China, but also to the majestic landscapes found in that country, as well. From ghost cities in the desert to a bamboo forest, the film celebrates China’s natural wonders, places you can actually visit on your journey there.

A few scenes were devoted to the forested Wuxia warrior base at Mount Wudang. Cangyan Mountain doubled as Mount Wudang during the film’s shooting. Cangyan Mountain is 50 kilometers southwest of the provincial capital Shijiazhuang and is close to the border of Shanxi Province, and is renowned for its scenery and several temples established on its slopes. Qiaoloudian Temple is one such temple you can visit, one of the few hanging temples in China. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in China, Things to do |

Shaolin Temple has long been honored by countless Kung Fu movies as the center of Shaolin Kung Fu. From the early Shaw Brothers Hong Kong films to the futuristic stylings of The Matrix to the CGI-animated action-comedy Kung Fu Panda, this Buddhist monastery is the progenitor of a system of fighting techniques that involves fists, legs, and an array of weaponry. Situated in Song Mountain near Zhengzhou City in Henan Province, Shaolin Temple is not only the place were the world-famous martial arts style developed but also the birthplace of Zen Buddhism. Shaolin Temple,  whose name literally means “the monastery built by the woods of Mount Shaoshi” was established by Buddhabhadra, an Indian monk who helped spread Buddhism in China. The 5th century monastery has been destroyed and rebuilt many times throughout its history, and has played a role in the many dynasties of the Middle Kingdom. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Attractions, China |

Forget modern medicines for now. The diverse and ancient cultures of Asia have grappled with the needs of romance for as long as they have existed, and have come up with plenty of traditional remedies, aids and supplements to increase vigor and verve. Even if you eco-conscious types remove the options that threaten the endangered species list like rhino horns, deer antlers, bird’s nest soup, and tiger genitalia, there are still plenty of alternative aphrodisiacs that can improve your love life.

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Posted in China, Food, India, Philippines, Thailand |