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China - Land of the Dragons

kopiuncle

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The Mausoleum of First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206BC) is located about 5km to the east of Lintong County in Shaanxi Province.

According to the record of Shi Ji (The Records of the Great Historian), soon after Ying Zheng ascent the throne to be the king of the Qin State in 246BC, he began to build his mausoleum along Lishan Mountain. In 221BC, the Qin Dynasty unified the six states in the northeast China, and established the Qin Dynasty. Then he drove over 70,000 criminal slaves from all places to continue the construction, and it took 36 years to complete the project. According to Shi Ji, the inner grave was very extravagant. In the grave there were crossbar arrows that would automatically shoot in case of robbery. In 209BC, when Emperor Shihuang was buried, his son ordered all his concubines without babies to be buried with the emperor in the mausoleum. In order to prevent the artisans from letting out the secret, they were all locked in the tomb.


According to the record, the earthen heap was 50 zhang (1 zhang = 3.3 meters) in height, and with a perimeter of over 30 li (15 km). The grave that is extant today is in the shape of a square taper, and its bottom is 515 meters long from the south to the north, 485 meters wide from the east to the west and 55 meters high. In the spring of 1974, three pits of terra-cotta warriors and horses of the Qin Dynasty were found here successively. From the east to the west, the No.1 Pit is 230 meters in length, 62 meters in width, 5 meters in depth. Taking up an area of 14,620 square meters, it consists of a corridor and 11 passage holes. In the excavated area of 96 square meters there are over 500 terra-cotta warriors, 4 chariots and 24 horses. It was estimated that over 6,000 terra-cotta warriors and horses were buried in the pit. The No.2 Pit, covering 6,000 square meters, is in the shape of try square, and has cavalries, chariots, infantries and archers. There are over 1,000 pieces of terra-cotta warriors and horses, and all kinds of arms. The No.3 Pit covers over 500 square meters with a concave plane, and there is a chariot inside it and 68 terra-cotta guards. The pit is like a captain organ in the army, and is also equipped with large numbers of arms.


The terra-cotta warriors and horses of the Qin Dynasty were all molded on real people and horses. The terra-cotta warriors are about 1.8m in height, with different appearance and stately expression, from whose fineries, armours and positions we can distinguish their different statuses. Among them, there were generals, military officers, archers, valiant generals and soldiers, etc. Most of the unearthed arms were bronze wares that were already treated by chrome. They are still shining and sharp-edged. Moreover, there are two groups of bronze gharry tomb figures, each vehicle being equipped with four horses and an archer.

The terra-cotta warriors and horses in the Mausoleum of First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty are called the Eighth Miracle in the World. In 1976, the Museum of the Terra-Cotta Warriors and Horses in the Mausoleum of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty was built at the site of the No.1 Pit, and the battle array of a large number of mounted and foot soldiers was restored in the museum, attracting large numbers of Chinese and foreign visitors.
 

kopiuncle

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Re: The Mausoleum of First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty...

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The State Council authorized to build a museum on site in 1975. When completed, people from far and near came to visit. Xian and the Museum of Qin Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses have become landmarks on all travelers' itinerary.

Life size terracotta figures of warriors and horses arranged in battle formations are the star features at the museum. They are replicas of what the imperial guard should look like in those days of pomp and vigor.

The museum covers an area of 16,300 square meters, divided into three sections: No. 1 Pit, No. 2 Pit, and No. 3 Pit respectively. They were tagged in the order of their discoveries. No. 1 Pit is the largest, first opened to the public on China's National Day, 1979. There are columns of soldiers at the front, followed by war chariots at the back.

No. 2 Pit, found in 1976, is 20 meters northeast of No. 1 Pit. It contained over a thousand warriors and 90 chariots of wood. It was unveiled to the public in 1994.Archeologists came upon No. 3 Pit also in 1976, 25 meters northwest of No. 1 Pit. It looked like to be the command center of the armed forces. It went on display in 1989, with 68 warriors, a war chariot and four horses.
 

kopiuncle

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Re: The Mausoleum of First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty...

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Why no Empress for Qin Shi Huang ?
In Chinese feudal society, it is customary for an Emperor to choose an Empress. This practice has been standard since Qinxiaogong's rule during the Warring States Period (476 BC-221 BC). Following the unification of China, the Emperor Qin Shi Huang made massive changes and improvements to various rules and regulations, one of which was that the first wife of the emperor was given the title 'Empress' and the mother of the emperor was titled the 'Empress Dowager'. However, Qin Shi Huang himself became the only Chinese Emperor in history not to have taken an Empress. The reason for this remains a mystery to this day.

In fact, the Emperor was expected to choose an Empress no more than three years after accepting the throne, and before Qin Shi Huang's personal rule began at the age of 22, he had nine peaceful years during which he could have focused on choosing an Empress. But no woman was appointed as the first lady during this period. In the following seventeen years, he was busily engaged in the unification of China but would almost certainly have had time to choose an Empress. The remainder of his years was spent mostly on royal progress and court affairs but still he did not choose a mother for his country. His reason for refusing to choose an Empress is not recorded but by examining documents from the time, historians have determined four possible reasons.

The first and most likely factor relates to the psychological trauma suffered by Qin Shi Huang through the bad behavior of his mother Zhao Ji. Originally a concubine of Lu Buwei, Zhao Ji was sent as a gift to Zi Chu who later became King Zhuangxiang of the Qin State. She gave birth to Qin Shi Huang but after the King's death, Zhao Ji carried on a clandestine love affair with Lu Buwei. She then also had an affair with Lao Ai and gave birth to two illegitimate children. Her scandalous behavior caused Qin Shi Huang great embarrassment and in a fit of rage he killed Lao Ai and his two bastard half-brothers and then forced Zhao Ji to move from the royal palace. However it appears that Zhao Ji's deeds affected Qin Shi Huang deeply. Gradually, the Emperor began to hate women and used them only as the means of meeting his base human needs.

The second contributory factor is that the pretentious Emperor thought his contribution to the world to be greater than any Emperor who had governed before. It is therefore supposed that no woman in his harem was good enough to reach the standards of etiquette and intelligence required to be his Empress. The third factor relates to his mistrust of women, probably caused by his mother's behavior all those years ago. He was apparently concerned that the enthronement of an Empress would lead to gossip and fighting among ladies at court. He was worried that his time would be taken up with solving these arguments, which would allow precious little time for affairs of state.

The Emperor always pursued longevity and it is said that the achievement of a long life was always on Qin Shi Huang's mind. His dream of being immortal encroached on his interests in other matters, such as the selection of an Empress.

Further to this, it is believed that the Emperor despised many of the beauties in his harem due to their shameful behavior while trying to attract and flatter their new master. A greatly admirer of chaste women, the Emperor once built a memorial temple for a young widow in praise of her morality.
 

Longines

New Member
The terra-cotta warriors and horses of the Qin Dynasty were all molded on real people and horses. The terra-cotta warriors are about 1.8m in height, with different appearance and stately expression

Why do you want to show us this? Nothing new whard. Is the exhibit still here?
 

kopiuncle

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Re: The Mausoleum of First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty...

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For those who have not been to Xian, it would be a missed opportunity to see this magnificient mausoleum.Artisans and archaelogists are painstakingly restoring the destruction of many of the statues and monuments - all revealing so much of ancient China.
 

kopiuncle

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Re: The Mausoleum of First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty...

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more and more discoveries are on the way...
 

kopiuncle

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You saw The Great Wall Of China ???

BUT...have you seen this part of the Great Wall - The Great Wall at Jiayuguan... ???

The remote outpost of the Great Wall - to be sent to Jiayuguan is a form of punishment for recalcitrants and potential usurpers...

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Situated in the Southwest of Jiayugua City, it is the west terminal point of the Great Wall. The pass was built in the Ming Dynasty and was a hotly contested strategic point in ancient times.The magnificent pass has two gates, two gate towers and four turrets on its four corners, covering 33500m2.

A very formidable fortress against enemies and invaders... and also a sabbatical leave for some officials...
 

kopiuncle

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Re: You saw The Great Wall Of China ???

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can you imagine yourself sentenced to this outpost...leaving your wife and children behind. you never know whether you will be back to see them.....very sad. like sending you to cold store...
 

kopiuncle

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Re: You saw The Great Wall Of China ???

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a lonely sentry post in the far west - for those who fell out of favour and for those who opposed the emperor.....
 

kopiuncle

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Re: You saw The Great Wall Of China ???

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a sad and painful farewell...an official takes his leave....leaving behind his wife and child....those pearly tears in her eyes tell it all...
 

theblackhole

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The Tiger Leaping Gorge Of Lijiang,China....

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About 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest of Lijiang Old Town lying between Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (Yulong Xueshan) and Haba Snow Mountain (Haba Xueshan) is Tiger Leaping Gorge (Hutiao Gorge), which is believed to be the deepest gorge in the world. From the top of the gorge you look down the steeply angled (70-90 degrees) mountain sides to the rushing Golden Sands (Jingsha) River with its 18 frothing rapids more than 200 meters (about 700 feet) below.

Naturally divided into three sections, the first section, which is the narrowest and uppermost section, is the mouth of the fast flowing Jingsha River. In the midst of the river's mouth is a large rock that is positioned at the gorge's narrowest section-only 30 meters (33 yards) wide. An ancient legend says that a tiger used this rock as its stepping stone so it could leap across from one side of the gorge to the other, which is how the gorge got its name.

As the river enters the middle section, it drops another 100 meters (330 feet) and its flow rate increases to an amazing speed. Here the thunderous rushing waters slam into sharp, large rocks and crash down into the river forming swirling whirlpools. Can it get more exciting? Yes, it can as the third and lowest section is acclaimed for being the wildest attraction of all!
 

theblackhole

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Re: The Tiger Leaping Gorge Of Lijiang,China....

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This is another magnificient gorge which you should never miss when you are in Lijiang,China. The roads leading to the gorge have all improved tremendously and it is relatively safe for travellers.
 

theblackhole

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The Ancient Town Of Lijiang,Yunnan,China...

Considered one of the most beautiful and well-kept ancient towns in China..

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The world famous Old Town of Lijiang is located in Lijiang City. It is a UNESCO Heritage Site. In the 13th century AD, during the later Southern Song dynasty, the ancestors of the ruling Mu family moved their main centre from Baisha to the foot of the Shizi Mountains to a new town known as Dayechang (later Dayan), where they began building houses surrounded by a city wall and moat. After Azong Aliang submitted in the 1250s to the authority of the Yuan Emperor Hubilie, Dayechang became an administrative centre. The Lijiang Junmin prefecture was established when the region came under Ming rule in 1382.

It’s the town where Naxi people(the most famous minority in Lijiang) first chose to live in so it is called 'the hometown of springs'. In the name Naxi, Na means senior and honored and Xi means people. Lijiang town is made up of two parts, one is developed for tourism and some of Naxi people are still living in the other part. There are two rivers flowing across the Shuhe Old Town, both of them are approximately 3 meters wide, and stores and bars are built by the river side. When it comes to the night, some folk singers perform in bars. The population in Lijiang is around 140,000.

The northern part of the city was a commercial district. The main streets in this part of the old town radiate from the broad street known as Sifangjie(square street), which has traditionally been the commercial and trading centre of the north-western part of Yunnan Province. On the west side of the Sifangjie is the imposing three-storeyed Kegongfang (Imperial Examination Archway), which is flanked by the Western and Central rivers.

A sluice on the former uses the different levels of the two waterways to wash the streets, a unique form of municipal sanitation. This water supply is supplemented by many springs and wells within the town itself. A system of watercourses of this complexity necessitates a large number of bridges of varying sizes. There are 354 bridges altogether; they take several forms. It is from these structures that Lijiang gains its description, the 'City of Bridges'.

When walking on the ancient streets of Lijiang Old Town, you will undoubtedly hear the wonderful Naxi Ancient Music (originated in Mongolian Yuan Dynasty) that is regarded as a 'living fossil of Chinese music.' This ancient music is now a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

The Naxi pictographic language belongs to the Tibetan-Burman group of the Sino-Tibetan phylum. In the past, they used a pictographic language called 'Dongba' and another called 'Geba'.
 
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theblackhole

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Re: The Ancient Town Of Lijiang,Yunnan,China...

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Lijiang Old Town

The old Town of Lijiang is a city depends on water for existence and water is just like its blood. Black Dragon Pool (Heilongtan) is the main water source of the town and subdivides into many streams which can reach every family and every street in the town. Due to the reticular aqueducts, willow trees grow everywhere and there are almost 350 varied and inimitable bridges in the little town, some of which were built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The usage of the water created by the local people is very scientific. They build three mouths every well from the upriver to the downriver. The water in the first mouth is for edibility, the second one is for cleaning of the vegetables and fruits, and the last one is used to wash the clothes. The water not only meets the need of the dweller, but also gives the town a beauty of gentle. The town reputed as the 'Oriental Venice' and 'Suzhou in Highland', but it is much, much more than this. Once you have visited Old Town Lijiang, it will capture your heart for the rest of your life.


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...water is precious in this ancient town and every drop of water is used...hence the three water pond is of great significance...

As a result of the combination of the multinational culture and the progress of Naxi ethnic minority, the buildings in the town incorporate the best parts of the architectural traits of Han, Bai, and Tibet into a unique Naxi style. The layout of the town is free-style and flexible, the houses are close and diverse, and the lanes are narrow and meandering. Naxi people pay much attention to the decoration, the commodious and applied houses are mostly timber and tile structure compound with a garden, each has engraved vivid figures of people and animals on doors and windows, beautiful flowers and trees in the garden.Living in such a beautiful and comfortable environment is a real pleasant thing.
 

theblackhole

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Re: The Ancient Town Of Lijiang,Yunnan,China...

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strolling through this ancient town gives you a sense of history - a feeling of being Chinese and a proud one indeed.
 

theblackhole

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Re: The Ancient Town Of Lijiang,Yunnan,China...

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the venice of asia...quaint little ancient town.....a must see for travellers and fans of china's tourism...
 

theblackhole

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Re: The Ancient Town Of Lijiang,Yunnan,China...

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beautiful,charming and magnificient Lijiang Old Town....
 

theblackhole

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The Stone Forest Of Kunming.....

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another impressive and magnificient piece of tourist attraction in China....remarkably awesome!!!
 
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