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Hangzhou holds a special place in the hearts of Chinese is an important city in the Chinese literature and poetry. It owes its prestige to its lake, West Lake (Xi Hu ), which has always seduced China. Marco Polo was already very excited when he described Hangzhou as the paradise on Earth. He is not alone in falling under the spell of this lake and its surroundings. Famous Chinese poets such as Su Shi, Lu You, Xin Qinji and Juyi have stopped traveling the bank of Xi Hu, China has legant among his finest verse. Today the lake attracts many people, often couples write their way from a new love story along the Xi Hu.

Xi Hu Edges Lake

We went to visit the Pagoda Leifeng south of the lake. The ancient pagoda was taking place to see the sunset over the lake before it collapses in the year 20 (people were stealing the bricks at its base, supposedly beneficial). During construction of the new Pagoda of Buddhist writings were found on silk canvas in the foundations. Today, the pagoda is a very touristy place with escalators and elevators, but the view is always the rendezvous. The pagoda is home to superb high reliefs telling the story of Madame White Snake .

Leifeng Pagoda

Madam White Snake

After enjoying the lake, we went to see the Temple Lingyin top of the hill west of Xi Hu. The temple is situated on the peak Feilai which, after the mythology, was brought here directly from India. Caves near Temple contain magnificent Buddhist sculptures. The temple in itself is worth the detour for those containing various halls including a giant Buddha Siddhartha Gautama 22m high (which can take pictures). Buddhist Sculptures

Lingyin Temple ...

... sculptures ...

... the fountain head of a dragon ...

... and its devotees burning incense.

Tomorrow we leave for Tunxi and Huangshan Mountain Sacred .

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Chengde Xian Hangzhou

After a comfortable night train, we arrived in the former imperial capital of Xian . Unlike Beijing, Xian is still surrounded by ramparts of the wall, which runs for 14 km around the old city. We rented bikes at the top of the fortifications to do all around the city was pedaling for more than an hour and a half on the pavements, there is an increased awareness of the immensity of the wall, and we hardly imagine what it would be in Beijing before the Communists do shave. Watchtowers nicely RESTORED dot the tops of the walls, and the bike ride was very nice, although a bit long!

Wall of Xian ramparts and watchtowers

In the same vein, Xian also has two large towers that dominate the old city, Bell Tower and Drum Tower, the purpose was clear in view of their name.

Tower Drums

One feature of Xian is to own a large Muslim community, is very rare in China. The Muslim quarter is composed of pretty small market streets, while a curious mosque occupies the center, odd mix of Chinese and Arabic influences that gives something halfway between the temple and the mosque.

The Great Mosque of Xian ...

... and his curious minaret

We also went to great Wild Goose Pagoda, outside the walls of the old town, magnificent temple complex dominated by an impressive multi-storey tower. The vast

Wild Goose Pagoda

Finally, we could obviously not pass by without visiting Xian's fabulous army of terracotta warriors that makes the city so famous. A one hour bus ride from downtown, this army of more than 7000 statues testimony to the megalomania of the first great Chinese emperor, Qin Shi Huang , the first to unify the country and gave birth to the Qin dynasty, destiny has reign over the empire for several decades. It was then that the construction of the Great Wall early, set to continue through the centuries, while many roads and canals were dug throughout the country under the yoke of tyrannical and bloodthirsty of Qin Shi Huang. The megalomania of this man had no limits, and he used hundreds of thousands of his men for nearly 40 years to create the army of terracotta soldiers intended to keep his grave and protect him in the other world. When her reign ended and he was overthrown by his subjects, most of this army of statues was destroyed or buried under earth and forgotten through the ages before being rediscovered by chance by fully farmers digging a well in the 70s. This was undoubtedly one of the major archaeological discoveries of the last century. The site is organized into three wells, sheltered by huge warehouses devoid of charm, and it revolves around these wells contemplating this incredible army below, composed of cavalry, officers, archers, infantry, and every soldier or is different from its neighbors, the model was thoroughly hands to be unique. Well 3 is the smallest, it is occupied by the command of the terracotta army, with only a few dozen soldiers, most wearing uniforms of officers. Well 2 is much larger, and illustrates the damage caused by the subjects of Qin Shi Huang statues during their violent uprising, as most are dislocated, their pieces scattered throughout the underground tunnels, a human head with it a chariot wheel by the body of a horse somewhere else too ... However, one can admire from close (when throngs of Chinese tourists let us see them ...) 5 soldiers in perfect condition, exposed under glass: 2 archers a horseman, an officer and a general, recognizable by their clothes and their attitudes. Finally, the well 1 is by far the most impressive, with hundreds and hundreds of statues at the entrance facing the most remarkable in the state.

Well 3 and its officers Well 2, tunnels and excavated a statue of an officer Well 1 and hundreds of terracotta warriors

After Xi'an, we head to Hangzhou , very close to Shanghai, after which we should reach a little over 24 hours by train, the last long journey of our journey ...

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Chengde Imperial is a city located in northern Beijing's campaign. Before the arrival of the Qing , Chengde was only a peaceful forest rich in wildlife located in a beautiful setting. The Manchu emperors who have discovered this site very soon made a game reserve that imperial, taking the scale has become a destination popular summer by the court.

The main site is the former Reserve chase Imperial Summer Palace and the Bishu Shanzhuang . South of the reserve is the main palace and its 9 quiet courtyards covered with pines. Some halls of the palace were built in aromatic cedar are reminiscent of the Forbidden City in Beijing. The park contains beautiful lakeside pavilions and Buddhist temples including an impressive tower, the pagoda Yongyousi .

Bishu Shanzhuang, summer retreat of the Qing Tower Pagoda Yongyousi

We went to see two Buddhist temples located on the outskirts of the reservation to hunt. The first temple Putuozongcheng , much like the Potala Palace in Lhasa, historic home of the Dalai Lama, with big buildings with massive red facade with trapezoidal windows.

Putuozongcheng, the Potala Chinese

The second is the impressive Puning Temple, with its goddess Guanyin 22 m high. Guanyin symbolizes compassion, it is an important figure and holds a special place in the Buddhist pantheon. The statue, entirely of wood, is beautiful and it is the largest of its kind in the world (unfortunately we could not photograph it!).

Temple Puning

Mahayana Hall which houses the statue of Guanyin

We finally went to visit a Taoist temple dedicated to Guandi , a mythical god and of war. Guandi symbolizes loyalty and honor (as a soldier), bravery and discipline (as Chief), honesty and prosperity.

Taoist Temple Guandi

We then returned to Beijing in the after noon and tonight take a train to Xi'an and his famous army of terra cotta. We in any case much like Beijing, the city is pleasant, there is plenty to see and we could very well have stayed 5 more days! Unfortunately the journey is now coming to an end and we have much time to dwell!