http://www.imagesofasia.com/ ImagesofAsia is the leading source of images of the 50 countries of the world between the Suez Canal and the Sea of Japan. Thta's 60% of the world's population. In 2007, start watching here for unforgettable image stream of Asia.In the past, an ideal Jia oR family was usually made UP of three to five generations living under one roof. The males of the family were permanent members whereas the females eventually had to leave their birth family after marriage. However, most families in modern China have just one child. Note that the grandmother's body consists of cut stamps or currency carefully pasted on paper.

]]>The total area of Hongkong measures 425 square miles. In 1842 when the United Kingdom claimed Hongkong as its crown colony, it was a cluster of several fishing villages. In 1898, Britain negotiated a 99-year lease of the New Territories (which included Lantau Island and the northern regions lying close to it). In 1997, Hongkong's sovereignty was transferred from the United Kingdom to the People's Republic of China. This event is popularly called "The Handover".

]]>Beijing Union Medical College admits students who perform brilliantly both at the high school level and in the National Examination at their graduation. The curriculum of this college takes 8 years to complete. It includes 3 years of pre-medical education in Peking University's department of Biology. However, since 2003, the department of Biology at Tsinghua University serves this purpose. The P.U.M.C celebrated its 90th anniversary in 2007.

]]>Beijing is the second largest city in China after Shanghai. This capital city of the People's Republic of China plays the role of a major transportation center as several major roads and railways intersect here. Beijing is also regarded as the cultural, political and educational hub of the country with a population of over 17 million people.

]]>The history of Guangzhou dates back to 214 BC when the city named Panyu was established at this location. During the Qin Dynasty, Canton served as a military camp. One of the city's chief attractions is the tomb of Emperor Wen Li, the ruler of the NanYue Kingdom (137 to 122 BC). Many objects, ranging from musical instruments to a chariot, were discovered in 1983 during the excavations of this tomb. Today nearly 10 million people live in the city.

]]>Though the Japanese invasion during the Second World War (1937-1945) and the Cultural Revolution (1966-1969) damaged Beijing substantially, many of its tourist attractions survived these events. The city is famous for the Summer Palace, Eight Mile Bridge, Temple of Heaven and Five Pagoda Temple.

]]>In 1917, the Peking Union Medical College was re-organized under the patronage of the Rockefeller Foundation. At that time, it also relocated to Dong Dan San Tiao in Beijing (Peking) where it stands till date. After the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (CAMS) was established in 1956, the Peking Union Medical College was affiliated with it. The P.U.M.C. has developed into the most prestigious medical school of China.

]]>In China, Chunchuses were regarded as the worst of criminals because of their brutality. They pillaged their victims, including their own people of Chinese origin, mercilessly. Chunchuses were largely active in Manchuria and Mongolia in northern China and on the Russian border.

]]>The Lama Temple or Yonghegong Lamsery is located in the northeast region of Beijing city. During the 9th year of the reign of Emperor Qian Long (1744), the imperial palace which was formerly a temple and held the coffin of Yongzheng, was converted into a lamasery. The Lama Temple has five big halls and five courtyards with decorative archways and upturned eaves. It also houses a treasury of Buddhist art that includes sculptured images of Buddha, gods and demons besides some Tibetan-styled murals.

]]>In the past, Chinese shoemakers used tanned animal hides to make shoes. King Wuling of the State of Zhao introduced leather boots during the Period of Warring States (475-221 B.C.). During the Yin and Shang Dynasties (14th-12th centuries B.C.), military boots were widely used. In feudal China, the shoes worn by the people indicated their social status.

]]>The currency used today, the yuan (English pron. "yen"), was first introduced in 1889 (to 1948), and has had several transmogrifications since then including the Second (Gold) yuan (1948-1949); Third (Silver) yuan (1949-2000); Japanese Occupation yuan (1932-1945); First Communist yuan(1931-1935); Second Communist yuan (1948-1955); Renminbi yuan (1955-present); and the Taiwanese yuan or "Old Taiwan" (1946 -).

]]>The Palace probably refers to the Summer Palace or Yihe Yuan, literally meaning "Garden of Nurtured Harmony" which was begun in 1750 during the 15th Reigning Year of Emperor Qianlong. It got its current name in 1888 when it was used as a summer resort for Express Dowager Cixi who diverted great amounts of silver, originally designated for the Chinese Navy, for the reconstruction and enlargement of her palace. In December 1998, Unesco named the Summer Palace a World Heritage Site, calling it "an outstanding expression of the creative art of Chinese landscape garden design incorporating the works of humankind and nature in a harmonious whole."

]]>Upon closer inspection, what appears to be an image of a woman in traditional Chinese dress is actually a hand-cut postcard made up entirely of cut-up monetary currency (the word, "postage" appears across her feet). Cowry shells are the earliest known form of currency in Central China 3,000 to 4,500 years ago. Bronzed shells were found in Ruins of Yin, the old capital of Shang Dynasty (BC 1500-1046 BC) and Bronze was the universal currency since the Zhou Dynasty.

During the Warring States Period from the 5th century until 221 BC, bronze objects (used coins shaped like knives -"dao" -or spades -"bu") were used as currency; the Chu used money in the forms of "ant's noses" (yibi). As part of the Unification of China, Qin Shi Huang (260 BC -210 BC) introduced a national round, copper coin with a square hole (the "Han") which remained until the 20th Century.

A nominal thousand copper coins was traditionally strung on a piece of string due to its low value.

]]>A potent symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art, the dragon embodies the concept of yang. It is believed to rule moving bodies of water including waterfalls, rivers, seas, water spouts and twisters over water.

The dragon is also a symbol of ethnic identity for those who consider themselves to be "Descendants of the Dragon." In the West, it can be used as the national emblem of China. However, this usage is rare in China.

Originally, the dragon was the sign of the Emperor of China and appeared on the national flag of the late Qing Dynasty. For modern China, however, the dragon's aggressive, warlike connotations run counter to what the government wishes to convey. Instead, the giant panda is used far more often within China as its national emblem.

Despite this, the dragon still commands respect: it is taboo to disfigure a depiction of a dragon, and some Chinese proverbs feature references such as, "hoping one's child will become a dragon" meaning to be as successful and powerful as a dragon.

]]>Located in Northern China, Beijing is China's second most populated city, after Shanghai. One of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, it will host the 2008 Summer Olympics and was the home to China's ruling Emperors for centuries.

]]>The Loong Wha Pagoda in Shanghai is an example of the Chinese Buddhist Pagoda. Both Buddhism and the pagoda were introduced to China by India. Pagodas are a traditional part of Chinese architecture. They serve as protective structures for Buddhist relics, but in addition to religious purposes, they have been adored for the magnificent views they have provided since ancient times. Many famous poems in Chinese history attest to the joy of scaling pagodas.

Shanghai provides the economic heartbeat of China, and is also one of the key cultural, commercial, financial, industrial and communications centers of the nation.

]]>Beijing (previously Peking) at the beginning of the 20th century had some 20 major gates which were used to regulate trade with various distant areas and defend the city in case of an attack. This gate in the eastern section would have been for the wealthier population of the city. The rickshaws pulling passengers were also often employed to transport liquor between various sections of town. Today, many gates in Beijing have made way for new construction.

]]>The Astor House Hotel, located on Huang Pu Road on the north side of Garden Bridge in Shanghai, was the first modern hotel in China's history and has hosted celebrities from all over the world. It also boasts the distinction of having hosted many firsts in Shanghai's history including the place from which the first phone call in Shanghai was made in 1901; the first prom in 1897; the first electric lamps in 1882; and the earliest Western circus performances in 1882; and the location of the first stock exchange (Shanghai Stock Exchange) in 1990.

Originally known as Richard's Hotel, it was established in 1846 during the Qing Dynasty Daoguang period, it was restored to its neo-classical baroque splendor in 1907.

Shanghai, the "City on the Sea," is the largest city of the People's Republic of China and the 8th largest in the world. On the banks of the Yangtse River Delta in East China, Shanghai is often regarded as the center of finance and trade in mainland China.

With a population of roughly 20.1 million people, Shanghai is the most populous, and well developed city in mainland China. It is also the world's busiest port in terms of cargo and third in container traffic.

The Bund is a district in Shanghai that centers on Zhongstan Road along the Huangpu River. The name Bund means embankment or quay that usually refers to the buildings and wharves in the area. It comes from the Persian word band, meaning an embankment, levee or dam (a cognate of English terms, bind and band, German term, bund, etc.). The term was brought to India (where it came to be pronounced as "bund") by either the Mughals at the beginning of the 16th century or possibly by the Baghdadi Jews like the family of David Sassoon, and thence to Shanghai by the family of Sir Victor Sassoon.

]]>Beijing's Summer Palace was utilized by China's emperors as their summer residence. Construction of the 70,000 square meter complex began in the mid-1700s. The palace was attacked in 1860 during the Anglo-French allied invasion and once again during the Boxer invasion of 1900. The palace fell in disrepair during the early years of communism but was restored and is now on Unesco's World Heritage List.

]]>The line of fortification, known as the Great Wall of China, spans over 1,500 miles across northern China. It was originally built in the 3rd century B.C. by over 300,000 laborers and slaves. Much of the wall was built out of stone, except in desert areas where compacted earth and adobe were used. Many portions of the wall, including that of the Pa-Ta-Ling area, have been rebuilt many times during the reigns of several emperors. While the wall historically proved ineffective in stopping invaders, it now serves as one of China's major tourist attractions.

]]>The Winter Palace is situated just west of the northern gate of Peking's Forbidden City in what is now Beijing. Both the palace and the Dragon Wall are situated in the middle of imperial gardens that date back to more than 1,000 years. Originally built by the Liao dynasty, the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties rebuilt and expanded the palace structures.

The grounds of the palace are now called Beihai Park and are also home to three artificial lakes and a number of other attractions.

]]>From 1644 until 1911 during the Qing Dynasty, the ruling Manchus greatly influenced the attire of both men and women. Men were forced to don slender-fitting Manchu style robes and wear their hair in a unique pigtail called a queue. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, Western dress was adopted by the vast majority of Chinese.

]]>Market gardeners trained in both agriculture and water management were a common sight in rural China. Market gardening was a vital component of producing the urban food supply of China. Many Chinese migrated to both Australia and New Zealand in the mid 1800's and established market gardens in their new homelands. These Chinese gardeners were responsible for introducing a whole host of new fruits and vegetables to these countries as well as establishing thriving Chinese communities.

]]>The Ming Tombs is the common name for the mausoleums that contain the remains of 13 Ming Emperors who lived from 1368-1644. The first tomb, referred to as Changling, was built for Emperor Zhu Di who died in 1398, and is considered to be the most elaborate of the collection of structures. The other twelve surround the original tomb. Only two of the tombs are open to the public for viewing.

]]>Located in Beijing, the Chien Men Watchtower is situated in Tiananmen Square, the largest open air, urban square in the world. The square has been the site for many of China's largest events and protests, most notably the uprising of students, intellectuals and labor activists in 1989. The original tower was built in the 15th century to guard the Forbidden City.

]]>Located southwest of Shanghai, the sub-provincial city of Hangchow has a population of over 6 million residents. Now commonly referred to as Hangzhou, it has been one of the wealthiest cities in China for over 1,000 years. Its prosperity has led to the development of several large public parks that define the ancient art of Chinese gardening. The West Lake is the most notable of these parks with over 60 acres of pagodas, cultural sites, hills and native plants.

]]>Paper currency first appeared in China in the 9th century. Paper notes were widely produced until the 15th century when inflation soared and their value depreciated. It was several hundred years before this form of money was utilized again. However, it was still centuries later before Europe began widely using paper money.

]]>Snakes and dragons are considered to have auspcicious powers in both Chinese storytelling and art. Ancient Chinese totems depicted stylized snakes. The first Emperor of China used a snake for his coat of arms. From these early depictions of snakes came the development of dragons being used as popular symbols in Chinese culture.

]]>The birth of a son has historically been a very happy occasion in Chinese families. In this patriarchal society, sons guaranteed the continuation of a family line and insurance that parents would be taken care of in old age. However, mothers had the added benefit of losing their subservient status once their sons married.

]]>Horses have played an integral role in China throughout its history. First domesticated approximately 5000 years ago, horses were vital to military strength as well as to the transportation of goods and supplies. Horses are also important in Chinese mythology. Associated with the dragon, the Chinese believed that horses carried immortals to their final home. There are currently over 25 different breeds of horses found in China.

]]>Originally built in 996 during the Liao Dynasty, the Niujie Mosque combines both Arabian and Chinese architecture. The mosque's buildings include a hexagonal moon tower and an expansive prayer hall. Constructed from timber and topped with a kiln roof, the buildings protect some of China's most important religious relics.

]]>The first cities in the Peking area were built around 1,000 BC. The capital of the state of Yan was built on present day Peking (Beijing) during the Warring States Period of 473-221 BC. The city was destroyed and rebuilt several times until it was finally renamed Beijing in 1949 during the Chinese Civil War. Modern day Beijing is home to over 14 million people and is currently undergoing a major cleanup as it will be hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics.

]]>Offering excellent views of both Hong Kong's architecture and harbour, the Peak Tramway is one of the city's most famous attractions. First opened in 1888, the tram was originally powered by steam engine. In the 1920's, the steam engine was replaced by an electric motor. The system was extensively rebuilt in 1989 to include a modern control system, new track and larger two-car trams.

]]>String instruments that are similar to both mandolins and guitars play an important role in Chinese music. These instruments have a history that dates back over 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty. Fitted with strings and frets, these guitars were designed to be played alone or accompanied by wind or percussion instruments.

]]>Peking's Legation Street became the center for foreign representative offices after China's defeat in the Second Opium War (1856-1860). These offices called "legations" were encircled by a wall, and Chinese residents were ordered to move out of the area. Thus, the Legation Quarter became an area exclusively for foreigners and was resented by Chinese nationalists who believed it to be a symbol of foreign aggression.

]]>Originally established by the British in the 19th century, the Bund is located north of the old walled city of Shanghai. The district was once a financial hub in Asia and housed an array of banks and trading houses. After the Chinese Civil War, the financial institutions, along with the Bund's hotels and clubs, were closed by the communist government. In the 1990's, the Chinese government began promoting the Bund as a tourist destination because of its historic significance and colonial architecture.

]]>The Summer Palace in Peking (Beijing) sits on nearly 3 square kilometers of grounds. Construction of the palace began in 1750 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. During the Anglo-French invasion of 1860, the palace was attacked two times. Once again in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, the palace was ransacked. The palace was later rebuilt and now is on UNESCO's World Heritage List.

]]>The Chinese believed that the deceased watched over their descendants from their burial place. Thus, families buried their dead in cemeteries near their homes. Elaborate funerals that involved both cultural and religious rituals were commonplace in China. Funeral services generally involved the assistance of either Taoist or Buddhist monks.

]]>The large brick and stone watchtowers that are found along the Great Wall of China housed weapons and troops and were frequently used to send smoke signals. Barracks and administrative centers were also placed along the wall. Communication between the troops in the watchtowers was very important for warning others of enemy movement and calling for reinforcements. Many of these towers were placed high on hills for visibility.

]]>The city of Soochow or Suzhou is located in the province of Jiangsu along the lower portion of the Yangtze River. The city has been an important center for the silk trade since the Song Dynasty (960-1279). It is one of the most prosperous cities in all of China. Soochow is a popular destination for tourist because of the large number of gardens, canals and temples.

]]>Much of the Great Wall of China was built in mountainous and hilly regions to overlook wide expanses of countryside. Portions of the wall climb extremely steep slopes that rise nearly 1000 meters above sea level. Because of the building challenges, much of the wall is constructed from small bricks and stones. Parts of the Great Wall, especially those in the mountains, have fallen into disrepair.

]]>Many Chinese laborers emigrated to the United States and Canada in the late 19th century to work in sawmills and canneries. Many of these workers borrowed money to pay for their passage to the West and were required to pay their debt by working under a contract of servitude. These early Chinese immigrants were not given citizenship, voting rights or the opportunity to own land.

]]>Hong Kong Harbour was once one of the busiest ports in all of Asia. From 1842 until it was returned to the Chinese in 1997, the harbour as well as the entire territory of Hong Kong was a British colony. The name "Hong Kong" literally means "fragrant harbour" as it refers to the fragrant trees that lined the shores of the natural maritime port.

]]>The Summer Palace's Marble Boat was originally built in 1755. Commissioned by Emperor Qianlong, it was designed to resemble the sailing boats that he took during his visits to the South China Sea. The boat is fastened to the banks of a lake that sits within the confines of the Palace grounds. The boat was burned down in 1860 during the Anglo-French Allied Invasion and was later rebuilt in a more Western style.

]]>Built in 1927, Shanghai's customs house is one of the city's most famous sites. The building occupies almost 6000 square meters and is topped with an 11 story clock tower. The architecture of the customs house showcases Greek revival style with a granite facade and doric columns. Interior marble columns are decorated with gold leaf and the tower's clock was built in the design of London's Big Ben.

]]>Buddhist architecture in China began during the Han dynasty and was heavily influenced by Chinese aesthetics and culture. The architecture is especially symmetric and main buildings are set on a central axis. Pagodas are the integrating portion of Buddhist architecture and generally stand several stories high. Other important structures found in a Buddhist temple include gates, halls and grottos.

]]>On the East Gate of the Summer Palace hangs a sign that reads "Yiheyuan" which means "to maintain energy and mellow the soul." The gate was the primary entrance for the emperor, as well as for other royal family members and court officials. Near the gate is a lion-inscribed archway that is inscribed with the words "Hanxu" and "Yanxiu" which mean "picturesque scenery" and "capturing beauty." This archway leads the way to the palace's extensive gardens.

]]>The Forbidden City in Peking (Beijing) was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is the world's largest palace complex with over 70 hectares. The palace's 9,999 buildings are surrounded by a moat and a ten meter high wall. Twenty four emperors reigned from this palace until 1924 when the last emperor was driven out.

]]>[Original caption]A Lama Standard Bearer[end]. A High Lama in a brilliant red coat and fluffy hat. He has a peculiar standard with hundreds of long-vari-colored strips of cloth or flying prayers. He takes himself very seriously and seldom condescends to smile.

]]>A Chinese farmer ploughing a paddy field in mainland China. This is the only form of plough known in China. This view is typical. Thousands of such primitive ploughs can be seen in the area of a few square miles before the rice growing season commences.

]]>A Chinese Funeral. So strong is the respect for the dead in China that a defaulting tenant has been known to delay indefinitely the funeral of his dearly departed to avoid ejectment. The funeral, for which a lucky day must be chosen, is an important and often pompous affair. Tinsel monkeys are often strewn to buy off malignant spirits, giant figures are borne in procession as well as chairs, beds, clothes and anything they conceive the departed may require in the shadowy world.

]]>Peking, now known as Beijing, has more than 13,000 retail stores. Qianmen Street is one of the oldest shopping districts in the city and is home to a large number of traditional tea and fabric retailers. Tongrentang Pharmacy is one of the most famous stores in this district. Selling more than 3,000 varieties of Chinese medicines, it is well-known in both China and abroad.

]]>As early as 1206, during the Yuan Dynasty, Peking was known as a center for commerce. One of the city's ten main shopping districts is Chien-Men (Qienmen) Street. It is famous for its shops that specialize in Chinese medicine, silks and teas. One of its oldest stores is Ruifuxiang Silk and Cotton Fabric Shop that has been in business for over 120 years. The shop sells more than 10,000 different types of textiles.

]]>The Chongwenmen Gate was popularly called Hatamen after the Mongol Prince Hata who lived in a nearby palace. The gate was in the city's former wall in the southeastern portion. The gate was torn down in the 1960s to make room for Beijing's Second Ring Road. Chongwenmen remains the name of the nearby subway station.

]]>Chinese food peddlers are a very common site in Peking (Beijing). City dwellers often grab everything from soup to pork buns to exotic fare such as scorpions and centipedes at local street stalls. The most popular location for food peddlers is the Donghuamen Night Market where almost every variety of cuisine can be found.

]]>The Chien-Men or city gate of Peking (Beijing) was once one of the most notable structures in all of the city. In 1900, the structure was burnt down during the Boxer Rebellion. The towers, constructed of Burmese teak, rapidly burned to the delight of the foreign invaders, while Chinese firefighters unsuccessfully tried to save the structure. Other parts of the city were also burned during the Rebellion including the richest of the trading districts.

]]>The main city gate of Chien-Men was burnt down on June 16, 2006 during the Boxer Rebellion. As the fire spread, many shops were destroyed, as well. The Chinese military and fire brigade were unable to stop the fire as it encompassed the richest trading district of Peking.

]]>Peking, renamed Beijing in 1949, is China's capital and its second largest city in terms of population. Famous for its Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, the city has a long, rich history. The city was renamed Beijing in 1949 when Communist forces took over leadership of China.

]]>First appearing in Japan in the late 1800's, rickshaws quickly became a common mode of transportation throughout Chinese cities in the early 1900s. However, they were banned by the Communists in 1949. These two-wheeled carts that transport one or two passengers were still frequently used until the 1970s throughout Hong Kong. Rickshaws are still commonly used in other Asian countries including India and Bangladesh.

]]>Lama Temple, located in northeastern Beijing (Peking), was originally built in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty. It was the official residence for court eunuchs. In the 1700s, half of the buildings were converted into a monastery for Tibetan Buddhist monks, and the other half remained an imperial palace. Lama Temple remained largely untouched throughout the cultural revolution due to the intervention of Prime Minister Zhou Enlai.

]]>While the first train appeared in China in the late 1870's, it wasn't until the 1890's before the development of a rail network began. The Shanghai-Nanking Railway was one of the most important routes in China. The railway station in Shanghai that served this route had decidedly gothic architectural influences. The trains that traveled this route as well as others in China were fueled by coal until the 1980s when electric trains replaced them.

]]>One of the most common ceremonial costumes worn in China was the pien-fu. The costume consisted of a tunic and pants for males and skirts for female. Silk was commonly used for the construction of pien-fu as was cotton. Bright colored fabrics were favored for Chinese boys.

]]>The word rickshaw is derived from the Japanese word jinrikisha that literally means "human-powered vehicle." Rickshaws first began being utilized in Japan in 1868. Soon thereafter, they became widely used throughout much of Asia. Some believe that the rickshaw was invented by an American blacksmith who designed it for a missionary who traveled to Japan. However, the Japanese believe that a Japanese inventor responsible for developing a particular horse carriage invented the rickshaw. By the 1880s, the rickshaw became the main source of transportation in China, India as well as Japan.

]]>Located 50 km north of Peking (Beijing), the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs' site was chosen to comply with the rules of feng shui prinicples. The site was chosen by the third Ming Emperor Yongle who also moved the capital of China from Nanking to its current site, Beijing. In 1420, Emperor Yongle chose his own burial site and created the design for a mausoleum. The Emperor, along with 12 other Emperors, was buried at this site. The tombs were off limits to commoners until 1644 when Li Zicheng and his army destroyed much of the site before going on to capture Beijing.

]]>Shanghai's customs house is one of the most beloved symbols of Shanghai. The first customs house was built in 1684. The British consul insisted that a new customs house be built within their concession in the mid 1800s, and it was built on the Bund. The building was burnt down several times during political uprisings before it was rebuilt in a gothic style with a five story clock tower. This building was demolished in 1925 to make way for a newer customs house that was completed in 1927.

]]>Street produce vendors selling a wide variety of fruits and vegetables are common throughout China. Fruits such as melons, mangoes and particularly lychees are frequently sold to customers who will bargain with the salespeople for the best possible deals. Both lychees and mangoes have long histories in China and were favored by the Chinese elite. The mangosteen, which resembles and tastes similar to a plum, is another favorite of the Chinese. It was also the favorite fruit of Queen Victoria.

]]>Chopsticks have been used by the Chinese as eating utensils since early antiquity. The even length tapered sticks are used as tongs to pick up small pieces of food. Often made of either bamboo or wood, there are many rules of etiquette in the use of chopsticks such as only being used in the right hand and not being used for pointing or picking up bowls or plates.

]]>It is a Chinese custom for a funeral procession to escort a coffin through the streets of the deceased's neighborhood before being buried. The parade will stop at places familiar to the dead to allow their spirits one last visit. Drums and cymbals are played to scare away ghosts. Often a full band will accompany the procession. Family members frequently place valuable objects into the coffin to ensure their loved one's prosperity in the afterlife.

]]>The Hata Men Gate, formally known as Ch'ung-Wen Men, was part of the expansive city wall. The People's Republic government began tearing down the wall in the 1950s, and by the late 1960s, the wall and the gates were primarily leveled to widen boulevards in Peking. The destruction of the walls, gates and many of Peking's historic buildings was part of China's cultural revolution.

]]>The tartars responsible for the construction of the outer city wall of Peking were originally from the areas north of China in what is now known as Mongolia, Manchuria and Turkestan. The wall is fortified with buttresses, several gates and is made from stone, brick and mortar. It is estimated that the tartars first clashed with the Chinese in 206 AD. and continued to fight them until 1644 AD.

]]>The Baochu Pagoda stands seven stories or 45 meters tall. Originally constructed in 963 AD, it is made of brick and stone and doesn't have an internal staircase. The name Baochu literally means "protect Chu" and refers to the last king of Wuyue. The most recent reconstruction of the pagoda was in 1933 when a lantern was placed on its top.

]]>The cultivation of rice dates back over 6500 years ago in China. Originally grown in the Yangtze River delta, it is grown throughout the southern portions of the country where rain is plentiful. The grain is the most important staple food in China and is one of the leading food exports. The production of rice is particularly suited for China because of its low labor costs.

]]>Rice has always been the most important staple food in China and the grain has greatly influenced its people and culture. For over 6500 years, the Chinese have cultivated rice. The labor intensive crop requires several steps before it is ready for consumption including extensive milling that removes the husks and germ. While this process is now done with the use of machines, it was once the manual work of farmers.

]]>Large amounts of water are required for irrigating rice paddies. Thus, most rice is grown in areas along rivers and marshes where a system of flood irrigation helps grow the rice crops while detering weed growth. In China rice is predominately grown in the south where rain is plentiful. In many villages, rice is still cultivated primarily by hand without the use of machinery.

]]>Located on the Bohai Sea, Chefoo, or Yantai as it's now called, is a popular summer retreat for the Chinese. The city was opened as a treaty port by the British in 1862 and served as a summer station for the U.S. Asiatic fleet between World War I and II. As it was a destination for soldiers on liberty, it was once referred to as the "Brighton of China."

]]>Construction began in 1420 on the complex of Taoist structures called the Temple of Heaven. Every subsequent Emperor during the Ming and Qing dynasties visited the temple during his reign. The temple grounds span nearly 3 square kilometers and all the buildings have dark blue roof tiles that represent heaven. The temple underwent a $6 million renovation in 2005 and is registered as a UNESCO Heritage site.

]]>The Palace complex is comprised of over 800 buildings that sit in the heart of Peking, what is now called Beijing. The grounds cover over 700,000 square meters and is surrounded on three sides by Imperial gardens. The design of the City was planned in great detail to reflect certain religious and philosophical principles, especially the majesty of Imperial power.

]]>The Summer Palace in Peking has 70,000 square meters of classical-style buildings, a variety of different gardens and a lake. During the Anglo-French Allied invasion of 1860, the Palace was ransacked twice. It was also attacked again during the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. The Palace and gardens were later rebuilt and were placed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1998.

]]>The Chinese began constructing umbrellas out of silk and paper over two thousand years ago as a means to protect themselves from the sun. They also developed a method of applying lacquer and wax to umbrellas so that they could be used in the rain. Most umbrellas were made with either bamboo or mulberry wood. Royalty would carry red or yellow umbrellas and commoners carried blue ones.

]]>Symbolizing the "Four Men of Honor," bamboo, along with plum, orchid and chrysanthemum are the four most beloved plants in China. In fact, almost every garden in the country has bamboo and the plant can be seen in many aspects of Chinese culture. Everything from chopsticks and umbrellas to flutes and paint brushes are made from bamboo. Cities throughout China hold annual bamboo festivals and many people keep bamboo shoots in their homes for good luck.

]]>With over 300 different species of bamboo in China, it is widely grown throughout the country. Some bamboo grow to 37 meters high and 30 centimeters in diameter. Bamboo is considered a multipurpose plant as it's used for food, shelter and tools. Once called "poor man's timber," it is now considered an environmental friendly alternative to wood. Management of bamboo resources has contributed greatly to the alleviation of deforestation throughout Asia.

]]>Peking's Summer Palace is one of the world's most famous imperial parks. The Palace is a vast complex of structures that includes pagodas, gardens, lakes, pavilions and hills. The grounds are dominated by the 60 meter high Longevity Hill and Kunming Lake. Easily accessible from almost anywhere in Peking (Beijing), it's located 10 km from the city wall.

]]>Queen's Road in Hong Kong spans across Victoria City from Shek Tong Tsui to Wan Chai and marks the original shoreline before land reclamation projects extended the land into Victoria Harbor. The original road was four miles long and was divided up into four parts - Queen's Road West, Queen's Road Central, Queensway and Queen's Road East. After the road's completion, it became a hub of activity with many pubs, military encampments and Christian churches. It was originally built by the British between 1841 and 1843.

]]>Hong Kong was a crown colony of the United Kingdom from 1842 until 1997 when sovereignty was transfered to China. The name Hong Kong literally means "fragrant harbor" and consists of Hong Kong Island, Lantau Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories. In total, Hong Kong has over 262 islands in the South China Sea and has a population of over 7 million people.

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