Discover China

Today is the traditional Chinese “Laba Rice Porridge Festival” celebrated on the 8th day of the 12th month in the lunar Chinese calendar, heralding the coming Spring Festival. The tradition has its roots in Buddhist practices, when on this day large Buddhist temples would offer rice porridge to the poor to show their faith to Buddha. find out more in the CNTV story “Laba Rice Porridge Festival” celebrated in China.

In 1983 a list of the “142 key Buddhist Temples in the Han Area of China” was produced, and since 2009 James Baquet has been visiting them during his holidays. His fascinating website Chinese Pilgrimage features images and brief descriptions from his “epic” three-year journey to these sometimes exquisite, always interesting temples.

You can also read the stories of James’ visits to many of these temples and other sites in the travel section of the Shenzhen Daily newspaper.

James Baquet is an American living in Shenzhen and many of his great insights into Shenzhen and its history and Chinese temples have previously been featured in Discover China News.

Over the past few days I’ve had the pleasure of attending the Shenzhen Open tennis tournament, where in a close battle yesterday China’s Grand Slam champion Li Na (at left) defeated Klara Zakopalova from the Czech Republic to take the singles title. The Shenzhen Open is a new addition to the annual WTA calendar in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

Located in the northwest of China, Xi’an, capital of Shaanxi Province, is one of the oldest cities in China with more than 3,100 years of history. The ancient walled city is home to the famous terracotta warriors and also has many other historical relics and attractive natural scenery. Find our more in the Shenzhen Daily article Xi’an: Experience Chinese culture in ancient capital.

Chongqing is a major city in southwest China known for its “hot summer, hotpot and hot girls”. Some tourists find the city’s sweltering summer unbearable, but its hot food and great attractions make it a good place to warm up in winter. Find out more in the Shenzhen Daily article Chongqing: An appealing winter destination.