Lugu Lake, Heaven on Earth

Rock came to Yunnan in 1922. He spent 27 years in Yunnan, and for over 20 years he lived on an island in Lugu Lake. 

Rock had deep emotion of this land which is surrounded by water. When he was dying, he told his best friend (in 1926) that, he preferred to die among the flowers on Lugu Island, instead of dying in the hospital in Hawaii.

Today I follow the footsteps of Rock to this incredible lake. There are 5 islands, 3 peninsulas, 1 seawall attached island. They are of different shapes with thousands of green trees. They look like green boats floating on the lake.

I was sitting beside the lake quietly. Before I came here, I am a city man with too many upset things hunting in my mind.

I couldn’t find a proper word to describe what I saw. Heaven is the only word I can say.

Lugu Lake, the Paradise

“This is most beautiful water ever. I can’t imagine any more fascinating view than this.” Rock once wrote in his journal, “this is the heaven on earth which God lives here.” This is the Lugu Lake which Rock gave such high accomplishment. Lugu Lake is about 50 square kilometers large. Its sea level is nearly 2690m. The local residents of Lugu Lake are mainly Mosuo people. 

Few people heard of Rock, unless you are a big fan of tourism. Joseph F. Rock, the botanist, explorer, photographer and ethnographer, came to China in 1920s and wrote a book named Shangri-La. He was in deep love the customs and natural view of south China. 

Mosuo people treat Lugu Lake as their mother lake. Lugu Lake is rounded by mountains. There are three months of snow cover. The average depth of the lake is 45meters and the deepest place reaches 93meters. The transparency reaches 11meters. It is the deepest freshwater lake in China and the plateau lake of highest elevation in Yunnan province. The lake is surrounded by green mountains. The local people told me that the deepest place of Lugu Lake is 93m. Lugu lake is one of the deepest freshwater lake in China.

Now I follow the footsteps of Rock and come to visit this heaven-like place. 

Sharing A Beautiful Poem

A Night Thought

By William Wordsworth

Lo! where the Moon along the sky

Sails with her happy destiny;

Oft is she hid from mortal eye

Or dimly seen,

But when the clouds asunder fly

How bright her mien!

Far different we--a froward race,

Thousands though rich in Fortune's grace

With cherished sullenness of pace

Their way pursue,

Ingrates who wear a smileless face

The whole year through.

If kindred humours e'er would make

My spirit droop for drooping's sake,

From Fancy following in thy wake,

Bright ship of heaven!

A counter impulse let me take

And be forgiven.

The wind tugged at me as I stood at the garden yard. Gazing out at the night sky, I still savor the poem by William Wordsworth. It is called A night thought. Moon, so purity as it is, always is the hot theme of poetries.

In Chinese culture, moon is the symbol of homesick. While in western country, moon refers to freedom and hope.

In the A night thought, the writer looked up to the sky. The bright moon was flickering in clouds. When the clouds dispersed, the silver bright of the moon spilt on the poet’s shoulders. The moon inspired him for seeking the freedom and joy.

A Bite of Ninghai

Love, eat and travel are the top three great things in the world. Recently, A Bite of China is very popular in China. I have already introduced this documentary to you in my earlier post. This is a TV program which is about local and classic food in China’s different regions.

Today I want to talk about the delicious food in Ninghai. Ninghai is a city in Zhejiang province of China. Ninghai situates in the eastern part of Zhejiang province and southern flank of the Yangtze Delta. It is grouped in the Shanghai Economic Development Region.

Ninghai is a beautiful city, sitting on the Beach of East Sea. It not only has the fabulous scenery, but also has various delicate foods. It is famous for its various kinds of sea food. What’s more, Ninghai has another name, called the “Land of Abundance”.

Now let me introduce you several delicious dishes for you.

No.1 Beef Tendon with Green Chili.

Do you want to have a try? It is very spicy and Q.

No.2 Garlic Favor Fried Fish.

This tastes really good.

No.3 Soup of Jump Fish.

Just like its name, this kind of fish can jump quite high from the water.

No.4 Red Boiled Chicken.

Some Thoughts about the U.S Confucius Institute Issue

Recently, I heard the news from the TV report that, American government decided to shut down all the Confucius Institutes in U.S.A. I think this policy is really ridiculous and inconsiderable.

Many theories and philosophies of Confucius are still very useful in our modern age. For example, the golden age theory. Golden mean, deriving in Confucius’ age, which has been quoted by countless knowledgeable scholars and saints as their mottos, still dominants the modern age as a sacred life philosophy which might have the gorgeous power successively to affect and benefit the following generations.

More than 2000 years flowing in page of human history, since it firstly advocated, golden mean unlike gold and jewels which have perished in the dust still be worshipped by its adherents for remarkable fascination. In deed it does have the reason for its survival through the long history of human civilization.

However, in the modern age the implication of golden mean unfortunately has changed from the original meaning which has been corrupted with the shadow of sarcasm. Golden mean nowadays is frequently used as kind of evaluation over those indifferent politicians or governments who unwillingly claim their positions. It is regarded as an invulnerable amour to protect those statesmen or governments from their supervisors. This is the misunderstanding of golden mean which actually is symbol of wisdom and philosophy.

Dating back to the ancient age, the original meaning of golden mean implicates to three main principles which could be simplified as, be strict in study and self-esteem , be generous to forgive others, be honest and loyal to the one who deserves it. The three moral fibers regarded as great virtues compose the golden mean and make it glorious through 2000 years or more. It is a waste that people now misapprehend golden mean, but sincerely its glory will one day shine upon us like the old days or more brilliant.

Love, and Then Be Loved

After last night’s dinner with my family, father mentioned a topic to me. he thought that what’s the difference between young generation and the old one. With the development of science and technology, remarkable changes have taken place in our life. Some changes are good while others are not.

Have you ever notice that one of these unwelcome changes is that individualism has come to be accepted among young people. Young people today are in general more self-centered and unsympathetic than older generations although many young people don’t see this way.            

Most, if not all, young people today are self-centered and indifferent to others. It is a common scene in students’ dormitories. Some student cheerfully talks to his friend on the phone at midnight or at noon when his roommates are trying hard to sleep. In order to live more comfortably and conveniently, some students rent houses outside campus or buy mobile phones little realizing how hard their parents may be working to support their higher education.

photo from renren.com

In contrast to that, the older generation is self-sacrificed. A suitable case in point is my mother. Like her generation, she had a congenial relationship with the elderly and all her neighbors because of her considerateness.

Another notable characteristic of today’s young people is that they are unsympathetic to others. In public buses, there are usually some seats intended for the old, the weak, the sick, the disabled and the pregnant. But many young people simply take these seats when it’s possible while an elderly man is standing pitifully beside them. Some of them even show no regards for their parents. In sharp contrast, our caring parents always pay attention to our needs and those of others. My parents used to tell me that self-sacrifice is a blessing in disguise and one will be loved only if he loves others.

Young people today are more self-centered and unsympathetic than older generations. It’s necessary for us young people to learn from them: love and then be loved. After all, individualism can only be permitted without the sacrifice of others.

A Bite of China

Are you a food lover? Recently a series of documentary is really hot in China. It is called, A Bite of China.

A Bite of China, also named as Tasting China, is a season of documentary about traditional Chinese food. It is produced by CCTV and broadcasting since May 14^th on Channel 1 of CCTV.

I have watched all the seven episodes of A Bite of China. This documentary is really good. It introduces the various characters of diets and food from different regions in China. As a Chinese, A Bite of China gives me the full concept of Chinese food. It lets me feel proud of my country.

The first chapter of A Bite of China is called the Gift of Nature. Every we eat is the gift of nature. There are various geographies in China. Because of this reason, the grains, plants and animals are different from north to south, east to west.

The second episode is talking about the story of staples in different places of China. Basically people live in North China eat noodles, dumplings and other wheaten food. South people are favorite of rice.

Transition of food is the topic of the third chapter. It talks about reproduction of food. The favor of time is the theme of the fourth chapter. The fifth topic is the secrets in kitchen. The sixth episode of A Bite of China is about the combination of five favors in dishes. The topic of last episode is about the land.

The first season of A Bite of China just has seven chapters. I really looking forward for its second season!

The Impression of Xitang Ancient Town (2)

Xitang is a famous ancient water town in China. Xitang Water town is just 1.5 hour drive from shanghai.

However, it is a beautiful town which seems like being far away from the outside modern noisy life. 

The rivers and bridges make Xitang so special. Basically the buildings are Ming and Qing styles. After the rain, the bridges are just like rainbows across the river.

I love the architecture style of Xitang. The cobbled streets, old houses, countless bridges …… All have great magical attractions to me and tourists from all over the world.

The Impression of Xitang Ancient Town (1)

I spent three days in Xitang. During that period, most of the time I was hanging around the town and photographing things.

Therefore, in this post, I’d like to share some of my photos which I think can represent Xitang. Hope you guys like these pictures.

Xitang is an ancient scenic town in Jiashan County, Zhejiang Province, China. Beautiful Xitang is just like Chinese ink painting.

It is a time-honored riverside town boasting a history of more than 1,000 years, whose well-preserved buildings from Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty are unmatched by any other resorts.

Lake Palace, amazing place (3)

I am a lucky man that I can have a change to enjoy one night of luxury life which only the empire had at the Lake Palace.

As the Lake Palace is only open to the guests who check in, so I feel lucky that I can enjoy the luxury life and use my camera to keep these precious images. 

The hotel waiter told me that, It was built in 1743- 1746under the direction of the Maharana of Udaipur, Rajasthan as a royal summer palace.

The palace is constructed facing east, allowing its inhabitants to pray to the Sun god at the crack of dawn. The successive rulers used this cool haven as their summer resort, holding their regal durbars in its courtyards lined with columns, pillared terraces, fountains and gardens.

It is quite a leisure ad cozy life to live in this palace. Fresh air, beautiful sky, clean water, and the magnificent blue and white buildings, what a beautiful heaven!

Lake Palace, amazing place (2)

Lake Palace used to the summer resort for the empires. A few decades ago, it was rented to Taj Holiday Corporation. Now the Lake Palace is a world renowned luxury hotel.

There are 83 rooms in Lake Palace. It is about 16,ooo m2. The hotel operates a boat which transports guests to the hotel from a jetty at the City Palace. Lake palace has been voted as the most romantic hotel in India.

 

In 1743, the Maharana of Udaipur wanted to build a royal summer palace. Until 1746, the Lake Palace was been built up. Today, this great palace doesn’t change very much.

I am a lucky man that I can have a change to enjoy one night of luxury life which only the empire had.

Lake Palace, amazing place (1)

Udaipur is a magical city which has tremendous charm to people. It is a historical city of India. The empires of different times regard this city as a holy place.

For this reason, countless palaces and castles are built in this city. Among them, the Lake Palace is the most important one.

Lake Palace is built in the center of a lake. People call it Piochola Lake. Pichola Lake is the soul of Udaipur. The whole city is built around the lake. 

Udaipur is flourish because of this lake and famous for this lake. The Lake Palace is built on the center of this lake. There are no bridge and no road. The only way to reach the palace is by boat.

A trip to the Hongluo Temple (2)

Hongluo Temple is very quiet. There are just a few visitors except for the abbot and monks.

Most people come here are for making wishes to the god. Some of them visit the temple for redeeming the vows or wishes.

I just hang round the temple and quietly appreciate the view of the mountains.

The temple is full of the mysterious smell because of the burning incenses. If you view the world around you and life's challenges through the lens of goodness, then you will find life much more enjoyable.

The quiet and mysterious Hongluo Temple allows me a time to give some self-reflections. If life is divided into two episodes, the first is “hesitance-free”, while the second is“regret-free”.