Discover China

In 2008 I had the pleasure of visiting the White Horse Temple in Luoyang in central China’s Henan Province (see story and pictures). With over 1900 years of history, White Horse Temple is described as the cradle of Buddhism in China.

Over the next eight years, the temple will be expanded into an 87 hectare cultural park, the largest in China, with an International Temples Zone showcasing 10 exotic shrines from foreign countries. One can already be visited – an Indian shrine opened in May 2010. Two more will open shortly – a Thai shrine built in the 1990s is being expanded and will open in April, and a Myanmar Buddhist garden will be created in April.

Find out more in the China Daily article ‘Cradle of Chinese Buddhism’ embraces world.

The 28th Luoyang Peony Festival is set to be held in Luoyang City in central China’s Henan Province from 1 April to 5 May 2010. The peony is a traditional flora symbol of China, with very beautiful color and fragrance, and during the festival Luoyang will be turned into a sea of flowers. Read more in the Confucius Institute Online article Luoyang Peony Festival Opens Next Month.

While in Luoyang make sure to visit the extraordinary World Heritage listed Longmen Grottoes, and the White Horse Temple which is described as the cradle of Buddhism in China. I had the pleasure of visiting both on my trip to Henan Province in 2008. These are among the many cultural and natural attractions of China’s Henan Province – to find out more visit the Henan Province Tourism Administration’s “Amazing Henan” website.

CRI Online, the multilanguage website of China Radio International, has launched an online event titled “2010 Chinese Cities Ranking – Top Chinese Tourist Cities”. The event provides a platform for Chinese tourist cities to present their unique charms to the world and introduces global internet users to China’s tourism, cultural and folk resources. The list includes Luoyang, Kaifeng, Huangshan and Hangzhou – great destinations that I have already visited – and many other interesting places that I have yet to see.

To cast your vote in “2010 Chinese Cities Ranking – Top Chinese Tourist Cities” visit CRI Online.

I’ve just finished reading the second issue of the new international edition of Chinese National Geography magazine from cover to cover—a fascinating read complemented by stunning photography!

The theme for this second issue is ‘Extreme China’. It showcases the incredible range of climatic zones and geographic features in the world’s third-largest country, such as the world’s deepest (and longest) canyon, the largest loess landscape, and the most sediment-laden river on earth.

Launched in May this year (2009), the Chinese National Geography International (CNGi) English Edition has the mission of bridging the gap between China and the world, helping non-Chinese to unveil the mystery that is the Middle Kingdom and overseas Chinese reconnect with their roots in China. Chinese National Geography is China’s leading magazine on geography and culture since 1949.

The English edition is CNGi’s first step towards internationalisation, with the magazine soon to be published in other major foreign languages. I stumbled across the second issue of CNGi in my local newsagency in western Sydney, Australia. Sadly I missed issue one, the launch issue, but look forward to receiving it with my subscription. The launch issue has the theme “Where China Began”, and includes the feature “Henan: Heartland of the Middle Kingdom”. I had the pleasure of visiting Henan in 2008 as a guest of close Chinese friends. We celebrated Lunar New Year in their home town of Xiangcheng and visited historic sites in Kaifeng and Luoyang, including the incredible Longmen Grottoes which are featured in the CNGi launch issue. Xiangcheng is the friendliest town I have ever visited, and experiencing Lunar New Year in regional China is one of the best experiences of my life.

In 2007 I started my exploration of China with a visit to Shenzhen, described as the “window of China’s opening up policy”. To read about my trips see My China Trips and find photos from the trips in the Galleries.