Tea eggs

Tea egg, which is boiled with tea and marinade, is one of the most famous snacks in China, especially in Nan Jing (the capital of Jangsu Province). However, tea eggs’ exact origin is not clear.

Tea eggs are fresh-brewed and sold and it can be easily found in streets and alleys, so you can eat the tea eggs at any time. It will never disappoint you. Tea eggs taste really delicious due to the marinade with various seasonings, such as cinnamon, tangerine peel, star anise, etc.

The time of boiling has a strong influence on the flavor. Ancient Chinese believed that “the time for burning four sticks of incense”, which means four hours today, would be the perfect time to make the most delicious tea eggs. However, there are no such rules today as there are more changeable factors today.

During the Spring Festival, some families will prepare a lot of tea eggs. At this time, these tea eggs are called “Ingot eggs” by old people. When we visit relatives and friends in during the festival, each of us will be given two tea eggs, which means “Wish you a prosperous new year”.

Nongtang

The Nongtang is a term used to describe the old residential alleyways in Shanghai. A traditional Nongtangs has a shikumen (stone gate), a north-facing loft, a small yard and a staircase.

The Nongtang is a unique form of architecture with a good combination of Chinese and Western style. It is a kind of city pattern which can best reflects the residential culture of old Shanghai. Here, each resident has their own story to tell.

Tens of thousands of Shanghai people still have sentimental attachments to the Nongtang. They were attracted by its harmonious atmosphere and established good relationships with people in the Nongtangs. It is very common to see that in the evenings of summer, people are talking, laughing and sharing their stories here.

If you want to experience the real life in old Shanghai, you’d better to visit the Fuxing West Road and Xinzha Road in Shanghai.

The best preserved Nongtangs could not be easily found nowadays. So my dear friend, what are you waiting for?

Tibetan Naqu Horse Racing Festival

Nagchu Horse Racing Festival, also called Qangtang Horse Racing Festival is held on 10th August at Naqu Town in northern Tibet. The festival is scheduled to last five to fifteen days. It is the golden time of Northern Tibet grassland.

Horse-racing is an important tradition on the prairie. Tibetan people even value it more than the Tibetan New Year. Before horse racing festival, tens of thousands herdsmen dressing gorgeous clothes will have a happy reunion. They will bring highland barley liquor, yogurt, tents with beautiful patterns and racing horses. Horse racing has been divided into long term race, short term race, shooting on the horseback and equestrianism, etc. Before the race, herdsmen will give their blessing to all the riders. After that, they will try their best to win the race.

Various activities will be held during the horse racing festival. Such as tug of war, carrying rocks, shooting and yak racing. A large-scale goods and material exchange will also take place at that time.

There is a direct link between Tibetan horse racing and their faith. To a great extent, Tibetan Buddhism ethic notion influences Tibetan history, culture, daily life, etc. Horse racing culture also contains the worship of hero, who ever resisted external invasion, defended their homeland. Horses are Tibetan people’s intimate friend. They will ride their beloved horses, whether travel or marry.

Tips:
1.Travel time: August (Nagchu Horse Racing Festival is held on 10th August)
2.Transportation: You may take minibuses or taxis for a good view of the town. Minibus tickets are usually CNY 2 while taxis cost CNY 10 regardless of the destination, as long as it is inside the town.
3.Useful Numbers:
Regional Code: (0)896
Tourist Complaints: 0896-3820677
Fire: 119
Police: 110
Ambulance: 120

Mogao Grottoes

Mogao Grottoes, also called Thousand Buddha Caves, is one of the four most famous caves in China. Mogao Grottoes is also the best preserved treasures of Buddhist art in the world. In 1987, it was listed as World Cultural Heritage.

Legend goes that when a monk travelled here, he saw golden light shining on Mingsha Mountain. It looked like that thousand Buddha stood there. Then the Mogao Grottoes was begun to build about in 366AD.

It is about 1600 meters high with five floors. The shape looks like a honeycomb loft. What a wonderful place! Mogao Grottoes is a wonderful art palace with ancient buildings, sculptures, murals, particularly famous for the colorful murals to the world. Among them, Feitian, an imagined flying god, and the Reverse Playing of the Lute are the most famous paintings. Mogao Grottoes’ sculptures enjoy high reputations for a long period of time. There not only stands 33 meters tall statue, and also ten centimeters of small Buddha. Nowadays, there exists 735 caves, 45,000 square meters murals, 2415 colorful sculptures.

However, nature and the tourist traffic become the threat to the grottoes. Although it is under good protection now, nothing can stop its deterioration. Maybe one day, it will disappear forever.

Best Travel Time:
From May to October, the average temperature of July is 24.7 ℃ (it is dry throughout the year, and great temperature difference between day and night.)

Fenghuang County

Fenghuang County is located in Hunan province. It has been the region of Miao and Tujia （two ethnic minorities in China）since ancient times. It is a national historical and cultural city. This old city’s scenery fuses natural beauty and humanity beauty together.

Fenghuang County takes the ancient city as the center, east to Hongqiao, south to Yannao city, west to pond, north to Tuojiang River. It is one of the busiest sections in Fenghuang and was built in the Kangxi Reign (1661—1722). It is regarded as “the pearl of Xiangxi”. The city has a history of more than 1000 years. It comes into being many historic spots and interest places.

Fenghuang county’s attractions have become witnesses to a period of history. The whole mountain town still remains its original characteristics, especially the north gate and east gate of the old city. Ancient buildings can be found everywhere. There are the upturned eave brackets Sun Palace, Longevity Palace, Dacheng Hall, Tianwang Temple and other historic buildings. In the Reign of Emperor Jiaqing (1796-1820)，there had built about 50 temples. Nowadays, there still remain Wang Temple, Town God Temple, King of Hell Temple, Guandi Temple, Confucian Temple, etc. You may also have the chance to live in Diaojiao buildings, which is the typical living architecture of the inhabitants. They are wooden houses with tile roofs and always stand upright beside the lake.

Beautiful places can always cultivate talented people, not excepting Fenghuang County. Here has been the hometown of Shen Congwen (1902-1988), he described its beautiful scenery once in “the border town “.

A famous writer also said that,” Fenghuang county is one of the most beautiful towns in China.” I agree with him. If you want to witness the real west Hunan, you have to make that trip.

Best Travel Time:
1) Spring and autumn (the temperature is about 25 °)
2) Winter (it is cold but you can see a landscape of snow)

Accommodation:
It is very convenient, about 20 to 100 yuan per night