Urban Impression

[Billy]

Originally Posted by Promenea

I think Billy meant that the botonists grafted a new branch from an unrelated ginko onto the old guy and that somehow this stimulated the old guy to new efforts. Sort of like a tansfusion I guess. I'd love to know how that worked.

You are right. I didn't know how to explain it. The travel guide did not tell us more information about it.

[Billy]

There mainly lived and lives Bao Clan in the village. Bao was one of the richest nabobs of his day, Ming and Qing Dynasty. It has the largest torii group (7 toriis) in China now. The toriis were built by emperors or permitted by emperors to honor "loyalty, chastity, righteousness and filial piety" (not sure if the expression is right, I cant find the references). Tangli possesses all the styles. Zhang Jiemin, former Chinese Chairman, visited this village.

[Billy]

I rememdered that the upper was the oldest in the group.

[Billy]

The toriis were built on the main road to the village. There is a saying "7 toriis and 8 stories" becasuse every torii has its history story and there is also a pavilion for rest.

[Clodfobble]

Your English really is noticeably improving, Billy. Great pictures, as always!

[BigV]

Billy. Thank you thank you thank you for letting me travel with you on your journeys. I am awed at the wonderful pictures and the evocative descriptions you share with all of us. Please, continue.

To my fellow vicarious adventurers: am I the only one that wishes Billy had this? I would be willing to kick in some $$ for the effort. Of course, Billy, your vote counts too. Plus, you'll need the minimum hardware as well. I don't know what all is involved, but I see your pictures and wonder what it would be like to see more. This does some of that.

[Elspode]

I am always astounded at what can be expressed in so few, yet elegant, written characters.

What do these philosophical characters say to us, Billy?

[wolf]

What do the Zhu Xi inscriptions say, Billy?

[Promenea]

Thank you Billy. I especially love the curves and timbers.

[Happy Monkey]

The elephants in the rafters are a nice touch.

[Lucy]

Billy, your photos are really wonderful. Thank you.

[Billy]

The Great Wall of China was built over 2,000 years ago, by Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China during the Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty (221 B.C - 206 B.C.). In Chinese the wall is called "Wan-Li Qang-Qeng" which means 10,000-Li Long Wall (10,000 Li = about 5,000 km).

After subjugating and uniting China from seven Warring States, the emperor connected and extended four old fortification walls along the north of China that originated about 700 B.C. (over 2500 years ago). Armies were stationed along the wall as a first line of defense against the invading nomadic Hsiung Nu tribes north of China (the Huns). Signal fires from the Wall provided early warning of an attack.

The Great Wall is one of the largest building construction projects ever completed. It stretches across the mountains of northern China, winding north and northwest of Beijing. It is constructed of masonry, rocks and packed-earth. It was over 5,000 km (=10,000 Li) long. Its thickness ranged from about 4.5 to 9 meters (15 to 30 feet) and was up to 7.5 meters (25 feet) tall.

During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to 6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period, with watch-towers and cannons added.

The Great Wall can be seen from Earth orbit, but, contrary to legend, is not visible from the moon, according to astronauts Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, and Jim Irwin.

[Billy]

The Great Wall like a long dragon in the north China. What I saw is the First Compass in Shanhaiguan, Qinhuangdao, HeBei.

The South Gate of the ShanHaiGuan.

[Billy]

First Pass Under Heaven
The five huge Chinese characters, "Tian Xia Di Yi Guan," mean, "First Pass under Heaven" with each character on the plaque measuring about 5 feet from top to bottom.

[Billy]

The two-story tower of the Pass