Tibet——Shangri-La is in my Dream

This land of mysteries has appealed to explorers, scholars, pilgrims, and adventurers, all hoping to find thereal Shangri-La. In the past, Lhasa, the capital and center of Tibetan culture, religion and theology, was almost impossible to reach. Only the most persistent travelers and explorers were able to penetrate the holy city. Now fortunately there are many ways to visit the Forbidden Land of Tibet.

The Tibet autonomous Region: Tibet, a rich andbeautiful land, is located at the main part of Qrigin- Tibet plateau, south west frontier of China, situates between 26o 50' - 36o 53'north latitude and 78o 25' - 99o 06' east longitude with an average altitude over 4000m. above sea level. Tibet possesses more than fifty peaks above 7000m. among which eleven are over 8000m. Tibet borders with Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and Xinjiang; to the south contiguous to India, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Burma, and bounded by Kashmir on the west. The Tibet Autonomous Region with a population of two million (1993AD)mainly of Tibetans, and an area 1.2 million sq. km. Tibet is rich in natural resources and owns a vast expanse of landforms. People living on this land have been creating a glorious culture since ancient times. There has a long history; majestic mountains and rivers, regular customs and habits, wonderful natural landscapes with monks clad in robes and yellow hats are seen everywhere. If you were to set foot on this virgin land, to follow the steps of pilgrims dating from ancients times, to visit the great temples and monasteries, to enjoy the unique culture, to have sips of waters from those limpid rivers and lakes, to sight the different customs and to trek around those mighty snow clad peaks, you would surely be intoxicated with their wonders.

Brief History of Tibet: Inhabitants were in existence in Tibet since the later part of the Paleolithic Age, which is considered as the opening curtain of the Tibetan history. By the Neolithic Age these inhabitants had scattered to a wider range of circle whose result had gradually led to the Tibetan race of the present generation. In the 7th century a famous Tibetan kind named Songtsen Gompo united the whole of Tibet and established the Tubo Dynasty. In the 7th and 8th centuries respectively two princesses from the Tang Dynasty had married Tibetan kings, as a consequence the two peoples, the Hans and Tibetans, became closer in relationship and further exchanges took place within political and economical affairs between the Tubo and Tang dynasties which gave creation to a beneficial condition for the development of the Tubo society. Tibet fell into a decentralization period for over three hundred years since the fall of the Tubo Dynasty caused by inner revolt of the common people. During this period the Tubo society took a change over from the slave society to the feudal society. In the mid13th century Tibet became subject to the Yuan Dynasty, whose central administration, passed the power to the Sakya for the overlordship of Tibet. In the latter part of the Yuan Dynasty, the Sakya's rule over Tibet tottered and the Kagyupa Sect overtook the power and established Pagdu Dynasty. At the end of the Ming Dynaty and at the beginning the Qing Dynasty, the 5th Dalai Lama, by the help of the Mongolian prince, Gorshi Khan, became the ruler of the Tibet and established the Ganden Podrang administration which was recognized by the Qing Dynasty, gave the overlordship of Tibet to the 5th Dalai Lama and established its representative in Lhasa called the "Amban" to supervise political affairs of Tibet in order to strengthen its control over Tibet. After 1911 Revolution the Republic of China established a working office in Lhasa to exercise its management over Tibet. In May 1951 concerning the method of liberation of Tibet, the 17 - Point Agreement, was signed between the Central People's Government of China and the Local Government of Tibet, which opened a new historical page over Tibet. Although Tibetan history can be traced thousands of year's back, the written history dates back to the 7th century. Its history can be divided into four periods as follows:

   1. The Tsangpo Period. 127 A. D. - 847 A. D.
   2. The Period of Decentralization 842 A. D. - 1260 A. D
   3. The Period of Sakya, Pagdu and Karmpa's Rule 1260 A. D. - 1642 A. D.
   4. The Period of the Ganden Podrang's Administration 1642 A. D. - 1959 A. D.

After Dalai Lama took political asylum in India in 1959, People's Government of the Tibetan Autonomous Region (China) has ruled Tibet. Geographically this land can be divided into three parts; the east, the south and the north. The eastern part is forest region which occupies one-fourth of Tibet. The southern part is open grassland which occupies almost half of Tibet. The Southern and central region is agricultural region occupying one fourth of Tibet and with all the major cities such as Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Gantse, Tsedang etc. This area is also considered as the cultural center of Tibet and Buddhism. Tibet covers total area of 1,200,000 sq. Kms. And it has population of approximately 2,200,000. It is divided into one municipality, Lhasa and six prefectures, Shigatse, Ngari, Lhoka, Chamdo, Nakchu and Nyigntri.

Religion in Tibet:

Buddhism, with an history of some 1300 years since its penetration into Tibet, has shaped a unique from "Lamaism". Tibetan history, culture and religion are mixed together and infiltrated on every aspect of social life. Tibet is known for its unique culture and religion. Buddhism influenced Tibet after Songtsaon Gampo, the 33rd Tibetan king married Bhrikuti, a Nepali Princess. After the marriage, Buddhism slowly started to replace the Bon religion and it took a better shape after the king's minister translated the first Buddhist scripture. Buddhist scripture is believed to have been descended from the heaven around 5th century and was written in Sanskrit. Now Buddhism is the soul of Tibet and Tibetans. Small number of population are Muslim and there is no trace of Christians and other religions. Tibetan religious arts have a distinctive style with adoption of Nepalese and Chinese Buddhist influence, thus forming itself a pearl of oriental Buddhist art in Chinese Buddhism. Tibetan architecture is rich in shapes, sumptuous and full of noble aspiration. The Potala Palace is built on the top of a hill and penetrates its dome into the sky. It's the king of Tibetan architectural structures. These architectural buildings include wonderful sculptures, carving, murals, "thangkas" and skilled butter sculptures, and a vast accumulation of historical monuments which form a kind of religious art which are developed into a school of Tibetan tradition. Ethnic Communities and customs in Tibet: People living on the Tibetan plateau, such as Tibetans, Monpas, Lhopas and Moslems, have their own ways of living, marriage, burial or other ceremonies. Tibetans call themselves "Bodpas". They have a total population of 3.4 million (1992) among which 2.2 million are in the Autonomous Region. Tibetans mainly engage in agriculture, husbandry and handicrafts. Tsampa (barley flour), beef mutton, butter tea and barley beer are the main food and drinks. As for clothing, Tibetans wear cloaks make of woolen fabrics or lambskins. They love ornaments and women wear striped aprons. Nomads and people living in remote areas depend their transportation on yaks, donkeys horses and yakskin boats. Their marriage system mainly consists of monogamy. Tibetans don't have surnames. Their names consist of four or two syllables chiefly adopted meanings from Buddhist ideas. Festivals in Tibet are in variety among which the grandest being the Tibetan New Year, followed by others such as "Wangkor" Festival and horse races. For the dead, sky burial, water burial, cremation and stupa burial, are in practice, but the sky burial is the most popular of them all.

Science and culture in Tibet:
Along with the development of the Tibetan history, Tibetans have created a unique sciences and culture of their own, which are important formations of the whole of Chinese culture. The voluminous and magnificent historical documents, and cultural relics, humanist and fold literature presently in existence are the fruit of labor and wisdom of the Tibetans, also a treasure of the ancient Chinese civilization. Great volumes of scriptures such as "Kagyur" (Translation of Commandments) "Tengyur" (Translation of Commentaries), "Four Tibetan Medical Tantras", The Happy Feast of Sages", Biography fo Bhutan" and "Biography of Milarepa" have been translated into many languages. Science and culture in Tibet include technology, medicine, grammar, logic, Buddhist philosophy, rhetoric, words and expressions, syntax, drama and astrology. Tibet is known as the sea of the songs and dances; folk songs and daces are various in style, especially during the 'Shoton" Festival in August each year, everywhere is a scene of jubilation.

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-of-the-day/mountain-reflection-tibet-pod.html

Mountain Reflection, Tibet

Photograph by Jansen Wong

People who live there have little money but they are very unsophisticated and devout.

I strongly recommend the first video and hope that everyone can have a look.

Video links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e7f8fHHmng

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GuBZ2BoXCg&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQ2fjSUEFVo&noredirect=1

Chinese ‘Venice’——Zhou Zhuang（周庄）

Zhouzhuang, one of the most famous water townships in China, situated in Kunshan City which is only 30 kilometers (18 miles) southeast of Suzhou. It is noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses, the elegant watery views and the strong local colored traditions and customs. Zhouzhuang is a popular tourist destination, classified as a AAAAA scenic area by the China National Tourism Administration.It is one of the most famous water townships in China, noted for its profound cultural background, the well preserved ancient residential houses and the elegant watery views.It has been called the "Venice of the East".

 

    

This is a Chinese wash painting of the scenery in Zhou Zhuang.

It has 900 years of history science Qing Dynasty.There are many traditional Chinese residential building along the river,most which have more than several hundred of years.

              

Photography of China II

Photography of China I

 

My own photography work in China - Haoran Zhao

Lost Underwater Lion City: Rediscovery of China’s ‘Atlantis’

Once upon a time, an ancient city in China was named Lion City because Five Lion Mountain loomed large behind it. The city, also known as Shi Cheng, has been buried beneath the water for 53 years. Like the lost Incan City of Machu Picchu was ‘rediscovered,’ so was this lost underwater city that had been founded about 1,300 years ago. Lion City is now located about 85 – 131 feet (26-40 meters) beneath the gorgeous Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Lake). This valley was submerged when a dam was constructed and a lake was needed. The lake and thousands of islands were man-made. Shi Cheng ‘defied’ the Chinese norm since 5 gates and 5 towers were built into the city instead of 4. Lion City is about the size of 62 football fields. International archaeologists and a film crew recorded the amazing perservation of the lost ‘ruins’ 

More than half a century ago,the Chinese flooded Lion City,also called Shi Cheng.Recently Shi Cheng was explored by archaeologists who dubbed'Lion City' as China's 'Atlantis rediscovered'.(Photo by Chinese National Geography viaCheer All)

Thousand Island Lake(Qiandao Lake)is a gorgeous man-made lake located in Zhejiang,China.(Photo by trasyy)

The valley was flooded in 1959 to create the lake for the Xin'an River Dam project.This is xinanjiang Hydroelectric Station.(photo by Dragon Moon Bay Hotel)The first underwater exploration attempt of the drowned city was in 2001 when it was discovered there were 265 arches in the preserved ruins. Lion City is about the size of 62 football fields. Photo (Drawing) #4 by Chinese National Geography

According to Our World, “It was decided to make an underwater city accessible to tourists. Special submarine height of 3.8 meters and a length of 23 meters with a capacity of 48 passengers, was built over six million U.S. dollars to bring everyone in the underwater kingdom.” The proof-of-concept archimedes bridge, a submerged floating tunnel, was not finished and was “banned” to avoid damaging the “delicate undersea structures.” This image was captured in January 2011 as an underwater film crew tagged along with archaeologists to explore Qiandao Lake and the ancient Lion City. Photo #5 by Chinese National Geography via Animal World

According to Chinese National Geography, “This is a restoration picture of Shicheng city in east China’s Zhejiang Province. The city has been submerged under Qiandao Lake since 1959 and the construction of the Xin’an River Hydropower Station.” Photo #10 by Chinese National Geography

Video:http://vimeo.com/4756499

http://english.cntv.cn/program/cultureexpress/20120425/126905.shtml

Takanori Aiba

A fabulous combination of art and architecture.--Bonsai architectural.
Bonsai is a Japanese art form using miniature trees grown in containers. Similar practices exist in other cultures, including the Chinese tradition of penjing.from which the art originated, and the miniature living landscapes of Vietnamese. The Japanese tradition dates back over a thousand years, and has its own aesthetics and terminology.

A LENGENDARY SLUM——KOWLOON WALLED CITY

Kowloon Walled City was ay densely populated, largely ungoverned settlement in Kowloon,Hong Kong.Originally a Chinese military fort, the Walled City became an enclave after the New Territories were leased to Britain in 1898. Its population increased dramatically following the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during World War II. In 1987, the Walled City contained 33,000 residents within its 6.5-acre (0.03 km2; 0.01 sq mi) borders. From the 1950s to the 1970s, it was controlled by Triads and had high rates of prostitution,gambling,and drug use.

In January 1987, the Hong Kong government announced plans to demolish the Walled City. After an arduous eviction process, demolition began in March 1993 and was completed in April 1994. Kowloon Walled City Park opened in December 1995 and occupies the area of the former Walled City. Some historical artifacts from the Walled City, including its yamen building and remnants of its South Gate, have been preserved there.

It's only 4 square meters per person to live.

At one time, one of the most densely populated areas on Earth, Kowloon, was a walled city within Hong Kong. It was unregulated by the then-ruling British authorities, who reluctantly allowed it as the only Chinese settlement. It was a no man’s land because of this; run by the Chinese mafia and filled with brothels, sweat shops, illegal hospitals, and trashy eateries.

98%  of the area in Kowloon Walled City have no sunshine all the time.

Originally, Kowloon was built as a watchpost for guards who would protect the area from pirates. But as the population grew–from 10,000 in 1971 to a staggering 50,000 in 1990–attempts were made by the government to evict the squatters living in the city. In 1992, the governent succeded in evicting the population and, in 1993, the 15 story tall block of buildings was torn down. Today, a park with tennis courts covers the area.

Below you will find a highly detailed cross section of the city, drawn by a Japanese team, just before it was torn down. They were obviously having fun drawing and added many hidden gems of city life. 

                     

The Kowloon walled city today has been transformed into a park,this is the model of the Kowloon walled city which palced in that park.

                                                                                                                               

Refer:http://www.imdouz.com/Hongkong-Jiulongzhaicheng/
           http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kowloon_Walled_City
           http://www.visualnews.com/2011/01/05/kowloon-walled-city-pictures-and-cross-section/