Discover China

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 1911 Revolution, which began with the Wuchang Uprising on 10 October 1911. The great revolution led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen led to the collapse of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and brought an end to the imperial rule in China. Learn more in the CNTV Special Feature 100th Anniversary of 1911 Revolution.

The Double Ninth Festival, or Chongyang Festival, falls on the ninth day of the ninth month of the Chinese traditional lunar calendar, or Oct. 5 this year. It is an annual festival to show respect to the seniors. Find out more in the CNTV story Double Ninth Festival celebrated across China.

On 1 October each year China celebrates it’s National Day, this year marking the 62nd anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China. Find out more in the CNTV Special Feature Happy National Day Holiday.

Shaoxing in eastern China’s Zhejiang Province is a typical ancient water town where there are many rivers to cross. And a visitor can do so on more than 4,000 stone bridges of various styles and sizes. Abundant waterways and the number of stone bridges are among the most memorable features in this fascinating town – read more in the China Daily article Venice of China.

The China Daily article Hefei well worth a visit introduces the capital of eastern China’s Anhui province. Hefei is at the junction of Dongfei and Nanfei rivers, and is known as a garden city because of its many parks, which include Belt Park, a “green necklace” that circles the old town.

Hefei has many historical and cultural sites, such as the Memorial Temple of Lord Bao (999-1062) and the former residence of Li Hongzhang (1823-1901), a leading statesman during the late Qing Dynasty. It is also a great base for exploring the many other attractions of Anhui Province such as the beautiful Huangshan (Yellow Mountain), the ancient villages of Hongcun and Xidi, and the Yangtze River city of Wuhu.

I was fortunate to be able to visit Hefei and other Anhui attractions during my trip to Henan, Anhui and Zhejiang Provinces in 2009.