Christmas Songs

Well, Christmas is right in the corner, have you prepared well a present for your families? A piece of chocolate, a toy, a coat or sth. else?

During Christmas, there is one thing should never be forgotten to mention: listen to Christmas songs, whether you are deliberately going for finding one or just come across a piece of song on the street.

Here is a list of Top 6 Christmas Songs according to general knowings:

1. Jingle Bells
2. Silent Night
3. White Christmas
4. Winter Wonderland
5. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
6. Chipmunks Christmas Song

While beyond these traditional songs, there are still quite a few new made songs, one of them is Mistletoe by Justin Bieber, nice and beautiful, have you heard it before?

Top 10 Photographs of 2011

As 2012 is approaching, it is time to make a conclusion of 2011, from your work, your life, your progress or some aspects else.

Here is a brief summary of top 10 photographs of 2011, have a look and welcome to speak out your ideas about photographs:

Rift in Paradise by Albertine Rift, Uganda

A tree-climbing lion stirs in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Too Young to Wed

Herat, Afghanistan

A veil of gauze protects a patient named Zahara from flies in a burn ward in Herat, Afghanistan. Afghan women who set themselves on fire may do so to escape abuse at home, believing they will die instantly. Yet many linger on with terrible injuries.

Baghdad After the Storm

Iraq 

Moviegoers at Baghdad's first 4-D cinema get an extra thrill from shaking seats and wind machines during a 3-D sci-fi film. During the worst years of violence, families stayed home to watch TV or DVDs. Most cinemas closed, as did this one, though it has plans to expand and reopen.

Taming the Wild

Novosibirsk, Russia

This brown rat's angry display at the photographer reflects 73 generations of breeding for hostility to humans. Scientists at Novosibirsk and in Germany are comparing the aggressive rat genome to that of rats selected for friendliness, attempting to untangle connections between DNA and behavior.

Orphans No More

Nairobi Elephant Nursery, Kenya

Dedicated keepers at the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's Nairobi Elephant Nursery in Kenya protect baby Shukuru from the cold and rain, and the risk of pneumonia, with a custom-made raincoat.

Spirit Bear

Great Bear Rainforest, British Columbia

In a moss-draped rain forest in British Columbia, towering red cedars live a thousand years, and black bears are born with white fur.

Sami

Sven Skaltje was saddened to find the carcasses of two female reindeer whose antlers had become entangled during a dominance struggle in northern Sweden. He estimates it took three days for them to die of starvation. After separating the bodies, he saw from the ear markings that one belonged to him and the other to his cousin. Skaltje is much admired by the younger Sami in his herding group, but he is unsure whether the skills he teaches them will endure.

Rift in Paradise

North Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Rule of the gun prevails in North Kivu, a conflict-ravaged province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Mai-Mai Kifuafua, one of many local militias, flaunts its power on a road where it extorts money from villagers and travelers. For almost 20 years near-constant fighting over land, mining riches, and power has terrorized the

people.

Beautiful Teenage Brains

Austin, Texas

No elbows, no knees. Their "fight club" had rules. At least one Friday a month, boys gathered after school in the backyard of Bryan Campbell (at far left) to wrestle and box. Campbell's mother made sure they kept it safe; a bloody nose was the worst injury. The boys often used phones to film their contests, posting the videos to a private Facebook group so more friends could admire their prowess. The rush of a headlock, a bond between friends—their fights delivered both excitement and social rewards.

Conquering an Infinite Cave

Minh Hoa, Vietnam

JANUARY ISSUE

A giant cave column swagged in flowstone towers over explorers swimming through the depths of Hang Ken, one of 20

new caves discovered last year in Vietnam.

Gällivare, Sweden

Top 9 Lakes in Tibet

1. Namsto Lake
As the second largest salt water lake in China, the Namsto Lake is also the largest lake standing in the highest altitude. All around the lake, there are verdant mountains and vast grassland.

2. Basum Lake
Compared to Namsto Lake, Basum Lake may be not that well-known, it is the largest fresh water barrier lake in Tibet.

3. Tangra Yumco Lake
Besides in myths and legends, Tangra Yumco Lake is rarely known, let alone those who has ever been there. It is the largest sacred lake for Tibetan Bonism and also the third largest lake in Tibet, covering an area of 1,400 sq.km at an elevation of about 4,600 m.

4. Raksas Tal Lake
Closely nestled another sacred lake Mapam Yumco, the Raksas Tal Lake is noted for a sacred devil lake, though closed situated, the water in these two lakes are quite different. In Mapam Yumco, the water is fresh and clean, sweet while in the Raksas Tal Lake, the water is, however, bitter to swallow.

5. Mapam Yumco Lake
For Buddhists, Mapam Yumco Lake is the most sacredest, the water in the lake can help wash away all annoyance in one's heart.

6. Ram Naco Lake
The lake resembles a piece of skull, hidden in dense forests, the Tibetans believe they can receive true enlightenment from the lake and they can see their own prelife and life after death.

7. Yamdrok Lake
The water in Yamdrok Lake is noted as the freshest, which mainly comes from the melting snow.

8. Siling Lake
Together with Raksas Tal Lake, the Siling Lake is known as a devil lake.

9. Lake Palgon
The last lake comes to Lake Palgon, there is no religious myths about the lake, while it is one of the most famous lake in Tibet.

Where to Go in this Winter

Shelly said that: If winter comes, can spring be far behind? On the other hand, why not enjoy the gift given by nature? Winter, though cold, boasts its own attractiveness. Here recommended a routes in 7 days Northeast China tour for you:
From where you are to Harbin, have a general understanding of Harbin on the Central Street, and in Saint Sophia Cathedral;

the Central Street

Saint Sophia Cathedral

Then the second day, leisurely walk on the Central Street, Stalin Park, Sun Island Snow Expo, Snow and ice macrocosm, enjoying "Chinese-Baroque" architecture;

The third day, go to Shanghe Town in Wuchang City and later go to Dongsheng;

something like the view in Jiangnan?

The forth day, start from Dongsheng, hiking to Shuangfeng forestry station;

The fifth day, begin your visit from Shuangfeng forestry station to Jingpo Lake, then Dunhua City,

later to Erdaobaihe Town, the autonomous district of Korean nationality in Yanbian;

the temperature of the water is as high as 80C, so eggs can be boiled within 30 minutes

The sixth day, start from Erdaobaihe town to Mt. Changbai scenic area, enjoying wonderful view in the Tianchi Lake, the hot spring, the forest underground and the waterfalls, and stay in Dunhua City for a night;

The last day, from Dunhua to Jilin and enjoying the world-known Rime.

 

Orange & Movie Day

Heard about Valentine's Day or various kinds of Movie Festival before, while have you ever known about Orange Day? It maybe the most bitter sweet days among the 12 Valentine's Day, with no flagrant of roses, no sweetness of chocolate, while it is a day for lonely ones to find someone to accompany and enjoy a movie in the cinema.

Almost fogot to mention the date: November 14, the 1st day of the tenth month according to Chinese lunar calendar, right today!!! So happy Orange & Movie Day!!! Which movie do you want to watch?

 

How Do Chinese Celebrate the Singles' Day?

Chinese Singles' Day, falls on November 11 every year since 1990s, started from Nanjing University and quickly accepted by almost all Chinese people. And the November 1 is usually called the small Singles' Day by the combination of three 1.

 

Baozi and Youtiao for breakfast

On this day, some interesting customes are formed, for instance, the breakfast, singles often eat four Youtiao (deep-fried dough sticks) representing the four "ones" in "11.11" and one Baozi (steamed stuffed bun) representing the middle dot.

For those who decided to draw an end to their single many attend 'blind date' parties. Interestingly, quite a number of and many people choose to marry on this day. In addition to meaning 'single,' the four 'ones' of the date can also mean 'only one' as in 'the only one for me'.

 

Happy Marriage on the Singles' Day

It has been a convention that on the day, young single people would stay together, enjoy a banquet then arrange for other activities, KTV for instance. Though called Singles' Day, it is not a lonely day for those singles in my eyes. And in 2011, there is a movie on, called Love Is Not Blind, drawing quite a number people to watch, anyway, Happy Singles' Day!

Pilgrimage Begins

Five pillars of Islam are Testimony of faith (Shahaadah or Kalima), Prayer (Salat), Almsgiving (Zakat), Fasting (Sawm) and Pilgrimage (Hajj). Pilgrimage is the fifth pillar of Muslim and one of the must-obey rules of Muslims, every Muslim bearing capacity in financial and material capabilities as well as physical strength should go hijj at least once to Mekka. The pilgrimage is the biggest activity falls on every year at the 12th month of Islamic calendar, millions of Muslims would get togather around Mekka, praying, dining and learning. In November 3, over 2,500,000 Muslims rush to Mekka, symbolizing the beginning of Pilgrimage in 2011, which may last for 5 days.

The photo above says ten thousands of Muslims pray on the roof of the Grand Mosque.

 It is calculated that all around the world, there are about 1.2 billion Muslims, dotted within 204 countries and regions, taking some 19.6% of the whole world population, and there are in total 45 Muslim countries, half of which venerate the Muslim as state religion.

Reading Koran

I myself is an atheist, to tell the truth, I cannot fully understand them, esp, when they  immersed in their belief, while I totally respect them. On the other hand, I always wonder what makes them so devoted and pious, their dedicated expression in talking about their Almighty Allah is indeed touching, anyway, wish them and those bearing religious belief peaceful and happy.

Chinese Housing Price

It is learnt that: China housing price is dropping in recent days, esp, in developed cities, like Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, etc. It is reported that the trading volume of houses in Shanghai in October, 2011 drops 19% than that in 2010 at an average price at 21,247 yuan/sq. m, 5% lower.

Chinese housing price once was like a wild house out of control

Since the end of 2007, Chinese housing price becomes increasingly crazy, from 7,000 yuan/sq.m in Shanghai in 2007 to almost 30,000 yuan/sq.m now, you can image how much pressure the Chinese bear since in China, house is regarded as a necessity for marriage, and so does it important in daily life.

Will you feel happy when stay in these concrete and steel box, bearing hundreds of thousands debt?

Luckily, it is falling, but at what range? Will it back to 7,000, or just keeps 5% lower? Nobody can accurately predict, we just need to sit and see. Maybe living in Shanghai and owing one's own nest is easier or maybe keeps an unreachable dream for most of us.

Are you standing in the queue, counting your pocket and waiting for the coming of the day when one of these houses belongs to you?

Harbin--A Transparent World in North China

When Autumn comes, I know Winter is just around the corner, and time to visit the transparent world--Harbin in North China.

Though nowadays, Harbin spring view also attracts large quatity of tourists, the scenery in Winter still keeps a highlight of Harbin and lots of Chinese as well as visitors from abroad would fly to Harbin to experience the bright and transparent world.

Ice sculptures of dolphins

I cannot help to image what I would do when stay there,  just huddling up to keep warm when going out to fight against the dreadful coldness or play happily, applying my creativeness to make an ice sculpture of my own, what would you do?

Huashan Mountain Exploration

I've known Mt. Huashan for long, it is said the mountain is quite precipitous, grand and magnificent, I thought I've known about it thoroughly through pics online and I've already prepared well for my Huashan Mountain exploration, while when I stayed there by myself, enjoying the precipitous mountains by my own eyes, I can still hardly believe. I always revere the Nature, but I've never thought about such a miracel made by Nature, it is almost beyond imagination.

From the following pics, you may have a general feeling of how I felt then when standing on such kind of stairs, more than 70°, have an image that what if I didn't hold tightly then?

Yes, the time is clearly recorded, it is definitely 00:10, we intended to appreciate the sunrise at the peak, so we started our journey late at night, understand?

The East Peak is at an elevation of more than 2,000m, and at the same time, it is still early in the morning, too cold, the coat was rented at the peak, RMB50/coat, a little bit expensive, isn't it?

Finally, the sun comes out, worth a whole night's wait and coldness, really magnificent

Wow, I am still a little bit dread when see the pic now

on the way to get down of Mt. Hua, strange, right? It is obviously a way to another peak. Listen to me patiently, it is because there are too many visitors that day, to maintain good transportation system, we are unwillingly to climb two more peaks, tired  

river on the foot of the mountain, so clear and clean, we wash our hands and faces there 

My Affection to Hulunbeier Grassland

Hulunbeier is one of the six national scenic spots and it is also the one of the richest ecosystem level in Inner Mongolia.

There are rich in tourist resources, including the Hulunbeier grassland, dense forest represented by Greater Khingan Mountains, numerous lakes represented by Hulun Lake, the "Gaxian Cave" of Xianbei nationality, the historical sites of ancient town in Heishantou, human skull fossil of Jalainur, what's more, it is right border on Russia and Mongolia giving rise to peculiar views and customs.

The best time to go a Hulunbeier visit is from May to August, during this period of time, the average temperature is around 13-28 C, neither too cold nor to cold, suitable for a tour to North China. When it goes to September, the temperature will obviously goes down, all around the year, Hulunbeier is covered by white snow for almost five monthes, the lowest temperature can reach -40 C, though it is cold then, also lots of tourists would like to go there for enjoying the particular snow-white view, and also, ice sculpture, skiing and some other activities are heatedly held here.

The folks in Inner Mongolia are quite warm, they would prepare much food and wine in case that you cannot eat your fill.

white sheep and black yellow cows foraging on the vast area

when walking on the grassland, you may cannot help to run with the soft wind or sing a song

what comes into my eyes is all green (except for the car, of course, I am not a achromatopsia)

Greater Khingan Mountains, a good place to find straight, rare and old trees. 

Hulun Lake, the water is so clean, which may make you cannot help to have a drink

historical sites of ancient town in Heishantou