Eclipse-China

On July 22, 2009, it was time for another total eclipse of the sun. Actually the longest one of the century (6 min 39 sec). We went to a popular beach, some 50 km south of Shanghai. There were signs showing reserved areas for foreign tourists. But even the Swiss tourists did not respect it...Unfortunately, the sky was not too kind with us. The sun was playing hide and seek with the clouds. So it was annoying for us as we did not know if we needed to wear our special sun/moon/eclipse glasses. Some colleagues started prying to God, the spirits and whoever to make the wind blow the clouds away. But they did not succeed...

So then the sky turned dark. The camera started flasing. The carlights and the streetlights were turned on. Unfortunately we could not clearly see the moon in front of the sun. The difference between the total eclipse (100 percent) and a partial one (99 percent) is so huge. A small 1 percent matters sometimes! So enjoy the video below that starts when things are still pitch dark at 9:30 am.

Beijing

Beijing, the capital city is a true reflection of this huge country. Its longest avenue (Eternal Peace) is 40 km long; on the Tian-an-Men square, 500'000 people can assemble; inside the Parliament building sit 2987 members.
Behind the huge Tian-an-Men square, which can only be entered into after a security check, lies the Forbidden city. For this, best to watch again the movie "the last Emperor". It is obviously full of beautiful palaces - Palace of Supreme Harmony, Palace of Perfect Harmony, Palace of the Preservation of Harmony, Palace of Celeste Purity, Palace of the Union, Palace of the Terrestrial Tranquility. There are also superb statues, such as this turtle/dragon. It was built in the 15th century. In ancient China (or feudal China, like our guide used to say), the Emperor was considered as the son of Heaven. The architecture at the Temple of Heaven is then a very delicate balance between square walls with green tiles symbolising the earth and round buildings with blue tiles symbolising the sky. In the middle of one square, the acoustic is so good that whispers can be heard clearly. The Emperor would make use of this, when he would consult with his "father" about the upcoming harvest and transmit the message to his people. Unfortunetely, there were too many tourists to check if the echo was indeed working. This temple was last renovated just before the Olympic games.
The last chinese Emperor also decided they should escape the Beijing heat (I would not have - but then I am not royal material...). Around a lake, there are a variety of palaces, gardens, statues, bridges and even a marble boat! Very enjoyable excursion, except that at least a million other Chinese tourists had the same idea, so it was crowded.
Beijing is definitely modernising very quickly and one of its most famous landmark is the "Bird's Nest", the Olympic stadium. The structure is quite admirable, obviously since it was designed by Swiss architects! It is also the world largest steel structure. Unfortunately, since the Olympics, the stadium is barely used. When we were there, the "super cup" of Italy (between the Serie A winner and the Cup winner) was played. But it seems that it is mostly the daily 20000 chinese visitors that keep the stadium alive. Almost as impressive as the stadium, was the one of 7 ring roads leading to it. Hard to believe that less than 20 years ago, there were only bikes around. Indeed, there are now more bikes in my capital as in the Chinese one. Which way is development going?
We also went to the Great Wall and needed a telecabine to lift us on top of this impressive construction, the only one said to be visible from the Moon. Although our Chinese guides doubt this American declaration.
It started to be built 600 BC to protect Beijing from the Mongols. The first Emperor of China (the one with the terra-cotta army) did link and fortify the various pieces of the Wall to make it 5000 km long. Various emperors worked on it as well, so that it reached 6350 km. It looks like a giant snake running along the slopes. Fantastic achievement. Apparently it was also very efficient, since it was broken only once...
Back in the valley, we walked along the "Way of the Spirits" with statues of eminent personalities and animals. I had to take a picture next to the "Deserving Civil Servant"! Hope his wisdom will infuse in me.

Xian

Xian is one of the most important town in China, since it means "capital of the west". It was the first capital of the reunified Empire in 221 BC. But it is only in 1974 that local farmers rediscovered the tomb of the first Chinese Emperor while digging for a borehole. Sometimes drought can have fantastic side-effects...
Xian is then most famous for its terra-cotta army. The first Emperor built a huge tomb 35 kilometers out of town in a place most favorable according to Chinese mythology. He forced
700'000 people to build is tomb and the army able to defend him. Ranges of soldiers, captains and horses were built and placed around is tomb. It should be noted that the size of these sculptures (1.78 - 1.87 m) is higher than the height of Chinese people at the time. The Emperor needed to impress his ennemies!
The main hall contains not less than 6000 statues! Each of them are different with their own facial expression, dress and position.
The town is also rich of many other highlights, such as the biggest mosque in China - although it does not look like one, or rather I could not have distinguished it from any other temple, various Pagods and Towers. It also has one old library, at a time when books looked like huge stones. This is the memory of China.

Guilin

The south-eastern region of Guangxi corresponds more to the cliches one has about Asia and China. Rice fields are all around and people still make use of animals to help them.
Guilin is mostly known for its fantastic landscapes of karst peaks along the river Li. The scenery is unbeliavable and the cruise on the river was a highlight of the trip.
It is also one of the last place in China where fishermen still use cormorans to fish. At night, I must say it is quite feeric to watch these birds dive and catch fish. I might have even found it romantic, where I not thinking in economics terms. And indeed, this way of fishing is only kept alive thanks to the tourists.And then there is the local market, where one can buy many live things. The most frightening though is that doctors and dentists have stands! So patients open their mouth and get treated at the market. Good luck to them!

Hong Kong

First landing in Asia, as long as Hong Kong can still be called "Asian". They have this "one country - two system" with China, meaning that they use their own currency (the Hong Kong dollar), they drive on the other side of the road, there is a real border with a sanitary control (fear of the swine flu).
There is an interesting mix between a world city very much involved in global trade and some signs of asian culture, such as Buddhas, tiny markets and well-keeped parks.But the main trademark of Hong Kong is its 7500 skyscapers best viewed at night.