CHINA World Heritage UNESCO Sites by talktravelmag

talktravel WE EXPLORE â&#x20AC;&#x201C; YOU DISCOVER

Food, W ine & Lifestyle Magazine

www.talktravel.ca

CHINA WORLD HERITAGE UNESCO SITES TOKYO

Tech & Tradition

MEXICO

Beyond the Beaches

Sail on the gorgeous MSC Meraviglia, boasting the longest LED Dome at sea and showcasing magnificent visual effects, and enjoy the exclusive Cirque du Soleil at Sea Show only available on MSC Cruises.

EXPERIENCE MSC MERAVIGLIA, A MASTERPIECE AT SEA, WITH UNLIMITED FREE DRINKS* & FREE WI-FI*

7-NIGHT CRUISES FROM

$629PP*

CALL SUNCLUB TRAVEL & REWARDS TO BOOK TODAY:

SunClub Travel & Rewards Free- 1-855-578-6258 SunClub Travel &- Toll Rewards Toll Free 1-855-578-6258 www.sunclubvacations.com #69460 www.sunclubvacations.com B.C.B.C. RegReg # 69460 *Terms and conditions: Rates are cruise only per person based on double occupancy with the exception of FLA & FLP categories and quoted in USD. The lead rate of $629 is for Category I1 and applicable for the following dates on MSC Meraviglia: 1/12/20, 1/19/20 and 1/26/20. Offer is valid for U.S. & Canadian residents only. Government fees and taxes (GFT) are additional for each guest. Offer is capacity-controlled, subject to availability, can be withdrawn at any time with prior notice. Cannot be combined with any other promotion. One (1) of the following discounts may be applied as applicable per stateroom: MSC Voyagers Club; Civil Service; Military; Interline. FREE Cirque du Soleil at Sea Dinner & Show is valid for all stateroom categories. Stateroom reservation does not guarantee a Cirque du Soleil at Sea Show seat; guest must book seat on board as soon as possible. MSC Cruises reserves the right to pass on any fuel surcharge without prior notice to all guests and refuse to honor any prices/sailings that are erroneously printed or quoted. DRINK PACKAGE TERMS & CONDITIONS: Easy Package is included with the promotion. Service charges are included. This package is for personal use only and valid for one booking at a time. The ID card issued with the package is nontransferable. Abusing the terms of the package may result in the service being withdrawn and the remaining days not being refunded. The package applies to each day of the cruise except for the day of disembarkation. Once activated on board, the package cannot be terminated and refunded. The following items are not included in the package: tobacco, souvenir glasses, ice cream menu, retail items, mini-bar and room service. Any drink packages provided are available exclusively while aboard the ship; therefore excluding MSC Cruises’ private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. WI-FI PACKAGE TERMS & CONDITIONS: The Standard Internet package is provided, connects up to 2 devices, and allows access to all social networks and chat APPs, check email and browse the web. Data limit provided: 7-night cruises from Miami: data limit 2 GB, 8-14 night cruises from Miami and New York: data limit 3.5 GB. Wi-Fi packages provided are available exclusively while aboard the ship; therefore excluding MSC Cruises’ private island, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve. Other restrictions may apply. Ask for “FREE CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ALL IN” promotion when booking. $99 reduced deposit is applicable with this promotion. Offer expires May 31, 2019. Ship’s registry: Malta.

talk travel

MAGAZINE

2019 • ISSUE 3 • VOLUME 11 • TABLE OF CONTENTS

Features 3. Ireland - Is History in Stone 4. Medical Tourism Growing Worldwide 6. Explore the natural wonders and cultural treasures of China’s 53 World heritage UNESCO sites 18. Mexico Beyond the Beaches 20. Tokyo the Perfect Mix of Tech and Tradition 22. What’s Cooking in Cuba 23. Cuba tries its hand at wine making

IRELAND – IS HISTORY IN STONE

A small island with a big reputation: breathtaking landscapes and fascinating, friendly people, whose lyrical nature is expressed in the warmth of their welcome. Everything you’ve heard is true: Ireland is a stunner. The locals need little prodding to proclaim their’s the most beautiful land in the world, and can support their claim with many examples. Everyone will argue over the must-sees but you can’t go wrong if you put on your to-visit list the brooding loneliness of Connemara, the dramatic wildness of Donegal, the majestic mountains of Mourne, the world-famous scenery of counties Kerry and Cork, and the celebrated Causeway Coast. History is everywhere, from the breathtaking monuments of prehistoric Ireland at Brú na Bóinne, Slea 3

Head in Kerry and Carrowmore in Sligo, to the fabulous ruins of Ireland’s rich monastic past at Glendalough, Clonmacnoise and Cashel. The island’s newest tourism venture, Ireland’s Ancient East, is all about its rich heritage. More recent history is visible in the Titanic Experience in Cobh and the forbidding Kilmainham Gaol in Dublin. And there’s history so young that it’s still considered the present, best experienced on a blacktaxi tour of West Belfast or an examination of Derry’s colourful political murals.

letter from the publisher Wayne Hansen, Senior Editor

MEDICAL TOURISM GROWING WORLDWIDE Falling ill while abroad seems like the worst sort of travelling nightmare. Yet, for growing numbers of travellers, the lure of combining affordable medical care with attentive room service is a chief draw for packing a suitcase and boarding a plane. For many medical tourists, though, the real attraction is price. The cost of surgery in India, Thailand or South Africa can be one-10th of what it is in the United States or Western Europe, and sometimes even less. For Canadians the difference is the no wait time where a surgery can take place the day after you arrive. A heart-valve replacement that would cost $200,000 or more in the U.S., for example, goes for $10,000 in India— and that includes round-trip airfare and a brief vacation package. Similarly, a metal-free dental bridge worth $5,500 in the U.S. costs $500 in India, a knee replacement in Thailand with six days of physical therapy costs about one-fifth of what it would in the States. Cosmetic surgery savings are even greater: A full facelift that would cost $20,000 in the U.S. runs about $1,250 in South Africa. Inferior medical care would not be worth having at any price, and some skeptics warn that Third World surgery cannot possibly be as good as that available in North America. In fact, there have been cases of botched plastic surgery, particularly from Mexican clinics in the days before anyone figured out what a gold mine cheap, high-quality care could be for the developing countries.Yet, the hospitals and clinics that cater to the tourist market often are among the best in the world, and many are staffed by physicians trained at major medical centers in the United States and Europe.

Bangkok’s Bumrundgrad hospital has more than 200 surgeons who are board-certified in the United States, and one of Singapore’s major hospitals is a branch of the prestigious Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. In a field where experience is as important as technology, Escorts Heart Institute and Research Center in Delhi and Faridabad, India, performs nearly 15,000 heart operations every year, and the death rate among patients during surgery is only 0.8 percent—less than half that of most major hospitals in the United States. In some countries, clinics are backed by sophisticated research infrastructures as well. India is among the world’s leading countries for biotechnology research, while both India and South Korea are pushing ahead with stem cell research at a level approached only in Britain. In many foreign clinics, too, the doctors are supported by more registered nurses per patient than in any Western facility, and some clinics provide single-patient rooms that resemble guestrooms in four-star hotels, with a nurse dedicated to each patient 24 hours a day. Added to this, some clinics assign patients a personal assistant for the posthospital recovery period and throw in a vacation incentive as well, and the deal gets even more attractive. Additionally, many Asian airlines offer frequent-flyer miles to ease the cost of returning for follow-up visits. Some important trends guarantee that the market for medical tourism will continue to expand in the years ahead. The health of the vast Baby Boom generation will begin its slow, final decline, and, with more than 220 million Boomers in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, this represents a significant

market for inexpensive, high-quality medical care. Medical tourism will be particularly attractive in the United States, where an estimated 43 million people are without health insurance and 120 million without dental coverage—numbers that are both likely to grow. Patients in Britain, Canada and other countries with long waiting lists for major surgery will be just as eager to take advantage of foreign health-care options.

talk travel MEDIA

Gina Hansen, CTC, ECC Publisher, Executive Editor

publisher@talktravel.ca Wayne Hansen, Publisher, Senior Editor editor@talktravel.ca Daryl Cooper, Asst. Editor editor@talktravel.ca Jana Schweitzer Graphic Design

janaschweitzer00@gmail.com John Kenchenten

Video Editing/Production

editor@talktravel.ca Rita Rong IT Manager

rita@talktravel.ca Steve Klein

Associate Editor/Director Business Development

steve@talktravel.ca

Suite 205 – 475 Main Street Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2T7 Tel: 604-629-0877 Fax: 604-629-0878 Talk Travel Magazine is published monthly. Canada Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement No. 4213851 Copyright 2013 ISSN 1925-7449

’s S t i ’ r A NT o f D s ! A n r E r a N u V t Ye CA L E Re

E h N t V 4 TER RA

T S T E W GES R A L Vancouver International Travel Expo September 28, 2019 Vancouver Convention Centre

East Exhibition Hall B • 11am - 5:30pm - Open to Consumers 10am - 11am - Open to Travel Trade

New for 2019

One-On-One Business Appointments with Qualiﬁed Travel Agents the evening of Sept. 27th Optimize your time by scheduling appointments in advance.

Reserve your spot today! First Come First Served for Prime Locations! Contact us now to obtain early-bird rates Steve Klein, Show Manager

steve@vitexpo.ca Direct Line 604-910-3204

China, home to some of humanity’s earliest great civilizations, currently has 53 world heritage sites which include 36 that are cultural heritage sites, 13 are natural heritage sites, and 4 are cultural and natural (mixed) sites. While most will recognize the Great Wall. the Forbidden City and the Terr-Cotta Warriors and Horses in Xi’an as the most recognizable sites there are still 50 other sites that all deserve visiting and exploring.

in China include royal relics, cultural relics, religious sites, natural attractions, famous people’s residences, palaces perched on mountaintops, giant panda sanctuaries, and traditional villages that will transport you back in time. The immense nation of China offers an incredible wealth of World Heritage Sites, just waiting to be explored. Most tours to China will contain several of these important historical locations across the country.

China joined the International Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage in 1985 and ranks second in the world in Heritage Sites. Many of these world heritage sites

The Great Wall of China was the first world heritage site listed by UNESCO in 1987 followed by 52 others Here is a partial list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in China and their locations.

Explore the natural wonders and cultural treasu 1. Grand Canal The Grand Canal forms a vast inland waterway system in the north-eastern and central eastern plains of China, passing through eight of the country’s present-

day provinces. It runs from the capital Beijing in the north to Zhejiang Province in the south. Constructed in sections from the 5th century BC onwards, it was conceived as a unified means of communication for the Empire for the first time in the 7th century AD (Sui Dynasty). This led to a series of gigantic work sites, creating the world’s largest and most extensive civil engineering project ensemble prior to the Industrial Revolution. Completed and maintained by successive dynasties, it formed the backbone of the Empire’s inland communications system. Its management was made possible over a long period by means of the Caoyun system, the imperial monopoly for the transport of grain and strategic raw materials, and for the taxation and control of traffic. The system enabled the supply of rice to feed the population, the unified administration of the territory, and the trans-

port of troops. The Grand Canal reached a new peak in the 13th century (Yuan Dynasty), providing a unified inland navigation network consisting of more than 2,000 km of artificial waterways, linking five of the most important river basins in China, including the Yellow River and the Yangtze. Still a major means of internal communication today, it has played an important role in ensuring the economic prosperity and stability of China over the ages. 2. Site of Xanadu, Inner Mongolia North of the Great Wall, the Site of Xanadu encompasses the remains of Kublai Khan’s legendary capital city, designed by the Mongol ruler’s Chinese advisor Liu Bingzhdong in 1256. Over a surface area of 25,000 hectares, the site was a unique attempt to assimilate the nomadic Mongolian and Han Chinese cultures. From this base, Kublai Khan established the Yuan dynasty that ruled China over a century, extending its boundaries across Asia. The religious debate that took place here resulted in the dissemination of Tibetan Buddhism over north-east Asia, a cultural and religious tradition still practised in many areas today. The site was planned according to traditional Chinese feng shui in relation to the nearby mountains and river. It features the remains of the city, including

ures of China’s 53 World heritage UNESCO sites temples, palaces, tombs, nomadic encampments and the Tiefan’gang Canal, along with other waterworks. 3. Mount Wutai, Shanxi With its five flat peaks, Mount Wutai is a sacred Buddhist mountain. The cultural landscape is home to forty-one monasteries and includes the East Main Hall of

Foguang Temple, the highest surviving timber building of the Tang dynasty, with life-size clay sculptures. It also features the Ming dynasty Shuxiang Temple with a huge complex of 500 statues representing Buddhist stories woven into three-dimensional pictures of mountains and water. Overall, the buildings on the site catalogue the way in which Buddhist architecture developed and influenced palace building in China for over a millennium. Mount Wutai, literally, ‘the five terrace mountain’, is the highest in Northern China and is remarkable for its morphology of precipitous slopes with five open treeless peaks. 7

4. Temple of Heaven, An Imperial Sacrificial Altar in Beijing The Temple of Heaven is an axial arrangement of Circular Mound Altar to the south open to the sky with the conically roofed Imperial Vault of Heaven immediately to its north. This is linked by a raised sacred way to the circular, three-tiered, conically roofed Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests further to the north. Here at these places the emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties as interlocutors between humankind and the celestial realm offered sacrifice to heaven and prayed for bumper harvests. To the west is the Hall of Abstinence where the emperor fasted after making a sacrifice. The whole is surrounded by a doublewalled, pine-treed enclosure. Between the inner and outer walls to the west are the Divine Music Administration Hall and the building that was the Stables for Sacrificial Animals. Within the complex there are a total of 92 ancient buildings with 600 rooms. It is the most complete existing imperial sacrificial building complex in China and the world’s largest existing building complex for offering sacrifice to heaven.

and Wandu Mountain City, 14 tombs are imperial, 26 of nobles. All belong to the Koguryo culture, named after the dynasty that ruled over parts of northern China and the northern half of the Korean Peninsula from 277 BC to AD 668. Wunu Mountain City is only partly excavated. Guonei City, within the modern city of Ji’an, played the role of a ‘supporting capital’ after the main Koguryo capital moved to Pyongyang. Wandu Mountain City, one of the capitals of the Koguryo Kingdom, contains many vestiges including a large palace and 37 tombs. Some of the tombs show great ingenuity in their elaborate ceilings, designed to roof wide spaces without columns and carry the heavy load of a stone or earth tumulus (mound), which was placed above them. 5. Fujian Tulou, Fujian Fujian Tulou is a property of 46 buildings constructed between the 15th and 20th centuries over 120 km in south-west of Fujian province, inland from the Taiwan Strait. Set amongst rice, tea and tobacco fields the Tulou are earthen houses. Several storeys high, they are built along an inward-looking, circular or square floor plan as housing for up to 800 people each. They were built for defence purposes around a central open courtyard with only one entrance and windows to the outside only above the first floor. Housing a whole clan, the houses functioned as village units and were known as “a little kingdom for the family” or “bustling small city.” They feature tall fortified mud walls capped by tiled roofs with wide over-hanging eaves. The most elaborate structures date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The buildings were divided vertically between families with each disposing of two or three rooms on each floor. In contrast with their plain exterior, the inside of the tulou were built for comfort and were often highly decorated. 6. Capital Cities and Tombs of the Ancient Koguryo Kingdom, Ji’an, Jilin The site includes archaeological remains of three cities and 40 tombs: Wunu Mountain City, Guonei City

The capital cities and tombs are exceptional testimony to the vanished Koguryo civilization. The layout and construction of the capital cities influenced the city planning and building of later cultures. 7. Summer Palace, an Imperial Garden in Beijing The Summer Palace in Beijing integrates numerous traditional halls and pavilions into the Imperial Gar-

den conceived by the Qing emperor Qianlong between 1750 and 1764 as the Garden of Clear Ripples. Using Kunming Lake, the former reservoir of the Yuan dynasty’s capital and Longevity Hill as the basic framework, the Summer Palace combined political and administrative, residential, spiritual, and recreational functions within a landscape of lakes and mountains, in accordance with the Chinese philosophy of balancing the works of man with nature. Destroyed during the Second Opium War of the 1850s, it was reconstructed by Emperor Guangxu for use by Empress Dowager Cixi and renamed the Summer Palace. Although damaged again during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 it was restored and has been a public park since 1924. 8

China’s earliest and most precious timber structure buildings in existence.

8. Kulangsu: a Historic International Settlement, Fujian Kulangsu is a tiny island located on the estuary of the Chiu-lung River, facing the city of Xiamen. With the opening of a commercial port at Xiamen in 1843, and the establishment of the island as an international settlement in 1903, this island off the southern coast of the Chinese empire suddenly became an important window for Sino-foreign exchanges. Kulangsu is an exceptional example of the cultural fusion that emerged from these exchanges, which remain legible in its urban fabric. There is a mixture of different architectural styles including Traditional Southern Fujian Style, Western Classical Revival Style and Veranda Colonial Style. The most exceptional testimony of the fusion of various stylistic influences is a new architectural movement, the Amoy Deco Style, which is a synthesis of the Modernist style of the early 20th century and Art Deco. 9. Ancient City of Ping Yao, Shanxi Founded in the 14th century and covering an area of 225 hectares, the Ancient City of Ping Yao is a complete building complex including ancient walls, streets and lanes, shops, dwellings and temples. Its layout reflects perfectly the developments in architectural style and urban planning of the Han cities over more than five centuries. Particularly, from the 19th century to the early 20th century, the Ancient City of Ping Yao was a financial centre for the whole of China. The nearly 4,000 existing shops and traditional dwellings in the town which are grand in form and exquisite in ornament bear witness to Ping Yao’s economic prosperity over a century. With more than 2,000 existing painted sculptures made in the Ming and Qing dynasties, Shuanglin Temple has been reputed as an “oriental art gallery of painted sculptures”. Wanfo Shrine, the main shrine of Zhenguo Temple, dating back to the Five Dynasties, is one of 9

10. Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties The Imperial Tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasties were built between 1368 and 1915 AD in Beijing Municipality, Hebei Province, Hubei Province, Jiangsu Province and Liaoning Province of China. The Ming and Qing imperial tombs are located in topographical settings carefully chosen according to principles of geomancy (Fengshui) and comprise numerous buildings of traditional architectural design and decoration. The tombs and buildings are laid out according to Chinese hierarchical rules and incorporate sacred ways lined with stone monuments and sculptures designed to accommodate ongoing royal ceremonies as well as the passage of the spirits of the dead. They

illustrate the great importance attached by the Ming and Qing rulers over five centuries to the building of imposing mausolea, reflecting not only the general belief in an afterlife but also an affirmation of authority. They are fine works combining the architectural arts of the Han and Manchu civilizations. Their siting, planning and design reflect both the philosophical idea of “harmony between man and nature” according to Fengshui principles and the rules of social hierarchy, and illustrate the conception of the world and power prevalent in the later period of the ancient society of China. 11. Imperial Palaces of the Ming and Qing Dynasties The Forbidden City was the Chinese imperial palace from the Ming dynasty to the end of the Qing dynasty. It is in the centre of Beijing, and now houses the Palace Museum. It served as the home of emperors and their households as well as the ceremonial and political centre of Chinese government for almost 500 years. The complex consists of 980 building and cov-

ers over 180 acres. The Palace Museum is the most visited art museum in the world. 12. Peking Man Site at Zhoukoudian In December 1929, a Chinese paleoanthropologist named Pei Wenzhong discovered the complete skull of “Peking Man” on Dragon Bone Hill northwest of Zhoukoudian, in the southwest suburbs of Beijing. Later, archaeologists unearthed 40-odd individually fossilized skeletons of “Peking Man”, male, female, young and old, all at the same site. The discovery

pushed the history of Beijing’s civilization back to some 600,000 years. These fossilized remains prove that “Peking Man” was in an evolutionary process between ancient ape to modern humans, and one of Chinese civilization’s earliest known ancestors.

outstanding example of ongoing biological and ecological evolutionary processes. The site also extends into the Taklimakan Desert, one of the world’s largest and highest deserts, known for its large dune forms and great dust storms. Xinjiang Tianshan is moreover an important habitat for endemic and relic flora species, some rare and endangered. 14. Mount Sanqingshan National Park, Jiangxi Mount Sanqingshan National Park, a 22,950 hectares property located in the west of the Huyaiyu mountain range in the northeast of Jiangxi Province (in the east of central China) has been inscribed for its exceptional scenic quality, marked by the concentration of fantastically shaped pillars and peaks: 48 granite peaks and 89 granite pillars, many of which resemble human or animal silhouettes. The natural beauty of the 1,817 metre high Mount Huaiyu is further enhanced by the juxtaposition of granite features with the vegetation and particular meteorological conditions which make for an ever-changing and arresting landscape with bright halos on clouds and white rainbows. The area is subject to a combination of subtropical monsoonal and maritime influences and forms an island of temperate forest above the surrounding subtropical landscape. It also features forests and numerous waterfalls, some of them 60 metres in height, lakes and springs. 15. West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou West Lake is surrounded on three sides by ‘cloudcapped hills’ and on the fourth by the city of Hangzhou. Its beauty has been celebrated by writers and artists since the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). In order to make it more beautiful, its islands, cause-

Inside the 140-meter-long Peking Man Cave is 40 meters deep and contains more than 300,000 years of remains, as well as stone tools and implements used to build fires. 13. Mount Tianshan Xinjiang Tiashan comprises four components—Tomur, Kalajun-Kuerdening, Bayinbukuke and Bogda— that total 606,833 hectares. They are part of the Tianshan mountain system of Central Asia, one of the largest mountain ranges in the world. Xinjiang Tianshan presents unique physical geographic features and scenically beautiful areas including spectacular snow and snowy mountains glacier-capped peaks, undisturbed forests and meadows, clear rivers and lakes and red bed canyons. These landscapes contrast with the vast adjacent desert landscapes, creating a striking visual contrast between hot and cold environments, dry and wet, desolate and luxuriant. The landforms and ecosystems of the site have been preserved since the Pliocene epoch and present an

ways and the lower slopes of its hills have been ‘improved’ by the addition of numerous temples, pagodas, pavilions, gardens and ornamental trees which merge with farmed landscape. The main arti10

ficial elements of the lake, two causeways and three islands, were created from repeated dredgings between the 9th and 12th centuries. Since the Southern Song Dynasty (thirteenth century) ten poetically named scenic places have been identified as embodying idealized, classic landscapes - that manifest the perfect fusion between man and nature. West Lake is an outstanding example of a cultural landscape that display with great clarity the ideals of Chinese landscape aesthetics, as expounded by writers and scholars in Tang and Song Dynasties. 16. Mount Wuyi Mount Wuyi, located in China’s south-east province of Fujian, contains the largest, most representative example of a largely intact forest encompassing the

diversity of the Chinese Subtropical Forest and the South Chinese Rainforest. Of enormous importance for biodiversity conservation, the property acts as a refuge for an important number of ancient, relict plant species, many of them endemic to China, and contains an extremely rich flora and fauna, including significant numbers of reptile, amphibian and insect species. The serene beauty of the dramatic gorges of the Nine-Bend River is of exceptional scenic quality in its juxtaposition of smooth rock cliffs with clear, deep water. Situated along this river are numerous temples and monasteries, many now in ruins, which provided the setting for the development and spread of Neo-Confucianism, a political philosophy which has been very influential in the cultures of East Asia since the 11th century. In addition the area contains tombs, inscriptions and rock shelters with wooden boat coffins dating back to the Shang Dynasty (2nd century), and the remains of more than 60 Taoist temples and monasteries. 11

17. Mount Huangshan, Huangshan City, Anhui Mount Huangshan, often described as the “loveliest mountain of China”, has played an important role in the history of art and literature in China since the Tang Dynasty around the 8th century, when a legend dated from the year 747 described the mountain as the place of discovery of the long-sought elixir of immortality. This legend gave Mount Huangshan its name and assured its place in Chinese history. Mount Huangshan became a magnet for hermits, poets and landscape artists, fascinated by its dramatic mountainous landscape consisting of numerous granitic peaks, many over 1,000m high, emerging through a perpetual sea of clouds. 18. Classical Gardens of Suzhou, Jiangsu The classical gardens of Suzhou date back to the 6th century when the city was founded as the capital of the Wu Kingdom. Inspired by these royal hunting gardens built by the King of the State of Wu, private gardens began emerging around the 4th century and finally reached the climax in the 18th century. Today, more than 50 of these gardens are still in existence, nine of which, namely the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden, Net Master’s Garden, the Mountain Villa with Embracing Beauty, the Canglang Pavilion, the Lion Grove Garden, the Garden of Cul-

tivation, the Couple’s Garden Retreat, and the Retreat & Reflection Garden, are regarded as the finest embodiments of Chinese “Mountain and Water” gardens. Classical Suzhou gardens are intended to be a microcosm of the natural world, incorporating basic elements such as water, stones, plants, and various types of building of literacy and poetic significance.

bears witness to the first and most enduring encounter between China and the West, based on the vibrancy of international trade. As a gateway between China and the western world, Macao played a strategic role

19. Ancient Villages in Southern Anhui– Xidi and Hongcun Xidi and Hongcun are two outstanding traditional villages, located in Yi County, Huangshan City in south Anhui Province, with commercial activities as their primary source of income, family and clan-based social organization, and well known for their regional culture. The overall layout, landscape, architectural form, decoration, and construction techniques all retain the original features of Anhui villages between the 14th and 20th centuries. Deeply influenced by the traditional culture of premodern Anhui Province, these two villages, Xidi and Hongcun, were built by successful officials or merchants returning home from official appointments and business, and gradually developed into models of conventional Chinese village construction. Xidi is surrounded by mountains and built along and between three streams running east-west, which converge at the Huiyuan Bridge to the south. Hongcun is located at the foot of a hill next to a stream which forms two pools, the Moon Pond in the centre of the village and the other to the south. Characterized by rhythmic space variation and tranquil alleyways; and with water originating from a picturesque garden, the whole reflects the pursuit of coexistence, unity and the harmony of man and nature. The rigid patriarchal system together with gentle and sincere folk customs reflects the cultural ideas of scholar-bureaucrats in feudal society who paid special respect to Confucianism and Neo-Confucianism. These surviving villages bear scientific, cultural and aesthetic values with their 600-plus-year history. 20. Historic Centre of Macau Macao, a lucrative port of strategic importance in the development of international trade in Chinese territory, became a Portuguese settlement in the mid-16th century and returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1999. The inscribed property presents a group of 22 principal buildings and public spaces that enable a clear understanding of the structure of the old trading port city. With its historic streets, residential, religious and public Portuguese and Chinese buildings, the Historic Centre of Macao provides a unique testimony to the meeting of aesthetic, cultural, religious, architectural and technological influences from East and West. It

in world trade. Different nationalities settled in this hub of a complex maritime trading network, along with missionaries who brought with them religious and cultural influences, as illustrated by the introduction of foreign building types (China’s first westernstyle theatre, university, hospital, churches and fortresses), many still in use. 21. Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art Cultural Landscape , Guangxi Located on the steep cliffs in the border regions of southwest China, these 38 sites of rock art illustrate the life and rituals of the Luoyue people. They date from the period around the 5th century BCE to the 2nd century CE. In a surrounding landscape of karst, rivers and plateaux, they depict ceremonies that have been interpreted as portraying the bronze drum culture once prevalent across southern China. This cultural landscape is the only remains of this culture today. Each site enclosed by mountains and rivers has preserved the rock art in its folds for over 2000 years. The location and setting of the rock art is authentic. The

rock art is generally located high up on the cliffs, revered by the local inhabitants and although subject to weathering over time is authentic in terms of materials and substance. The motifs and figures of the rock art were related to the beliefs of the inhabitants of the area surrounding them. Today the painted mountains are revered by local people and rituals and sacrifices are performed to appease the invisible forces affecting their lives. 22. Yungan Grottoes, Datong, Shanxi The massive Yungang Buddhist grottoes were cut from the mid-5th Century to early-6th Century AD. Comprising 252 caves and niches and 51,000 statues within a carved area of 18,000 square meters, the Yungang Grottoes represent the outstanding achievement of Buddhist cave art in China. The Five Caves created by Tan Yao are a classical masterpiece of the first peak of Chinese art, with a strict unity of layout and design. The will of the State is reflected in Buddhist belief in China during the Northern Wei Dynasty since the Grottoes were built with Imperial instructions. While influenced by Buddhist cave art from South and Central Asia, Yungang Grottoes have also interpreted the Buddhist cave art with distinctive Chinese character and local spirit. As a result, Yungang Grottoes have played a vitally important role among early Oriental Buddhist grottoes and had a far-reaching impact on Buddhist cave art in China and East Asia.

23. Lushan National Park, Jiangxi Mount Lushan is one of the spiritual centres of Chinese civilization. Buddhist and Taoist temples, along with landmarks of Confucianism, where the most eminent masters taught, blend effortlessly into a strikingly beautiful landscape which has inspired countless artists who developed the aesthetic approach to nature found in Chinese culture. More than 200 historic buildings are located in the Lushan National Park; complexes of prayer halls that 13

have been rebuilt and extended many times to create an ongoing centre for study and religion. The natural beauty of Lushan is perfectly integrated with its historic buildings and features. Combining nature and culture, Mount Lushan represents the Chinese national spirit and epitomizes its cultural life.

24. Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries Sichuan Giant Panda Sanctuaries - Wolong, Mt Siguniang and Jiajin Mountains is principally renowned for its importance for the conservation of the giant panda, recognized as a “National Treasure” in China and as a flagship for global conservation efforts. The property is the largest and most significant remaining contiguous area of panda habitat in China and thus the world. It is also the most important source of giant panda for establishing the captive breeding population of the species. In addition to the giant panda, the property features a great number of endemic and threatened species of plants and animals, including other iconic mammal species such as the red panda, snow leopard and clouded leopard among the 109 species of mammals recorded (more than 20% of all Chinese mammals). The property is an important centre of endemism for some bird taxa with 365 bird species recorded, 300 of which breed locally. However the property is particularly important for flora, being one of the botanically richest sites of any temperate region in the world with some 5,000 – 6,000 species recorded. Many species are relicts, such as the dove tree, and there is significant diversity in groups such as magnolias, bamboos, rhododendrons, and orchids. The property is a major source and gene pool for hundreds of traditional medicinal plants, many now under threat. 25. Temple and Cemetery of Confucius and the Kong Family Mansion in Qufu åConfucius, a renowned philosopher, politician and educator in ancient China whose system of belief involving philosophy, politics and ethics (subsequently

protects the largest primary forests remaining in Central China and provides habitat for many rare animal species, such as the Chinese Giant Salamander, the Golden or Sichuan Snub-nosed Monkey, the Clouded Leopard, Common Leopard and the Asian Black Bear. Hubei Shennongjia is one of three centres of biodiversity in China. The site features prominently in the history of botanical research and was the object of international plant collecting expeditions in the 19th and 20th centuries.

known as Confucianism) has exerted profound influence on Chinese culture, was revered as the Sacred Model Teacher for Ten Thousand Generations by Chinese emperors. Located in his birthplace, Qufu City of Shandong Province, the Temple of Confucius was built to commemorate and offer sacrifices to Confucius in 478 BC. Having been destroyed and reconstructed over the centuries, it now covers 14 hectares, with 104 buildings. The Temple is the prototype and model for all the Confucius temples widely distributed in countries in East Asia and Southeast Asia, particularly in terms of layout and style. Located 1,100 meters to the north of Qufu City, the Cemetery of Confucius covers an area of 183 hectares. It contains Confuciusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; tomb and more than 100,000 graves of his descendants.

27. Longmen Grottoes The Longmen Grottoes, located on both sides of the Yi River to the south of the ancient capital of Luoyang, Henan province, comprise more than 2,300 caves and niches carved into the steep limestone

Lying to the east of the Temple, the Kong Family Mansion developed from a small family house linked to the temple into an aristocratic mansion in which the male direct descendants of Confucius lived and worked. 26. Hubei Shennongjia Located in Hubei Province, in central-eastern China, the site consists of two components: Shennongding/ Badong to the west and Laojunshan to the east. It

cliffs over a 1km long stretch. These contain almost 110,000 Buddhist stone statues, more than 60 stupas and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles. Luoyang was the capital during the late Northern Wei Dynasty and early Tang Dynasty, and the most intensive period of carving dates from the end of the 5th century to the mid-8th century. The earliest caves to be carved in the late 5th and early 6th centuries in the West Hill cliffs include Guyangdong and the Three Binyang Caves, all containing large Buddha figures. Yaofangdong Cave contains 140 inscription recording treatments for various diseases and illnesses. Work on the sculpture in this cave continued over a 150 year period, illustrating changes in artistic style. The sculptural styles discovered in the Buddhist caves of the Tang Dynasty in the 7th and 8th centuries, particularly the giant sculptures in the Fengxiansi Cave are the most fully representative examples of the Royal Cave Templesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; art, which has been imitated by artists from various regions. 14

plex reached its apogee during the Ming dynasty, with 9 palaces, 9 monasteries, 36 nunneries and 72 temples, following the major building campaign undertaken by Emperor Zhu Di to align his imperial regime with Taoism. Today, 53 ancient buildings and 9 architectural sites survive. They are examples of religious and secular buildings closely associated with the growth of Taoism in China and lavishly endowed by successive Emperors.

28. The Great Wall Like a writhing dragon’s tail, the Great Wall of China snakes its way across China’s northern border. As its name suggests, the Great Wall is an imposing architectural marvel, and it’s often hailed as one of the greatest man-made wonders of the world. The Great Wall is a series of fortifications across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese Empire against various nomadic groups. The walls were being made as early as the 7th century BC and later joined between 220-206 BC by the first Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang. It is the longest man-made structure every built. Twisting and turning up mountain and down valleys, the great wall, is really a marvellous civil-engineering project in ancient times. 29. Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountainside The palaces and temples of the Ancient Building Complex are located amongst the peaks, ravines and gullies of the picturesque Wudang Mountains, Hubei Province. Established as a Taoist centre from the early Tang Dynasty, some Taoist buildings could be traced back to the 7th century. The surviving buildings exemplify the architectural and artistic achievements of China’s secular and religious buildings of the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. The Ancient Building Com-

30. Old Town of Lijiang The Old Town of Lijiang is located on the Lijiang plain at an elevation of 2,400 metres in southwest Yunnan, where a series of strategic passes give access through the surrounding mountains. The Yulong Snow Mountain to the north-west is the source of the

rivers and springs which water the plain and supply the Black Dragon Pond, from where waterways feed into a network of canals and channels to supply the town. The Old Town of Lijiang comprises three component parts: Dayan Old Town (including the Black Dragon Pond), Baisha and Shuhe housing clusters. Dayan Old Town was established in the Ming dynasty as a commercial centre and includes the Lijiang Junmin Prefectural Government Office; the Yizi pavilion and Guabi Tower remaining from the former Mujia compound and the Yuquan architectural structures in the Heilongtan Park. Numerous two-storeyed, tileroofed, timber- framed houses combining elements of Han and Zang architecture and decoration in the arched gateways, screen walls, courtyards and carved roof beams are representative of the Naxi culture and are disposed in rows following the contours of the mountainside. … to be continued in May issue

China National Tourist Office, Toronto www.tourismchina.org Tel: 416-599-6636 â&#x20AC;¢ Toll Free: 1-866-599-6636

It’s true what they say – the beaches of Mexico are where dreams of romance become reality. Imagine relaxing on the beach with the warm sun on your skin, then splashing playfully in crashing ocean waves before chasing each other back to a giant daybed on the beach. Enjoy lunch served alfresco beneath a picturesque beachside cabana, its airy curtains swaying gently in the ocean breeze. It sounds like the perfect lazy day or two, but with Mexico’s impressive colonial architecture, ancient civilizations and rich culture, there is so much more to this paradise than its perimeter. Dump the sand from your shoes and spit out that saltwater– here are our top 10 ways to explore Mexico beyond its beautiful beaches.

MEXICO – MEXICO Jose Cuervo, Sauza and La Cofradia. Learn how tequila is made and sample a taste of the fiery fluid – maybe you’ll even find a new favorite to bring home with you.

10. See a Show in Mazatlán

An elegant pink colonial building in the heart of Mazatlán, The Angela Peralta Theatre is an iconic date night destination to catch an opera, symphony or ballet performance. After the show, wander the surrounding Plaza Machado, admiring its impressive colonial architecture, grabbing dinner on a charming patio or watching as street performers and boisterous nightlife envelop the square.

9. Take a Cooking Class If you want to further your knowledge of Mexican cuisine, consider taking a cooking class from a local cocina! Classes are often a great mix of cooking, sampling and learning together. Peso for peso, you’re often able to taste a wider variety of authentic dishes for what you spend than simply eating out. Learn the culture, traditions and history of some of your favorite Mexican dishes. Bring home recipes to recreate together to remember your trip.

8. Visit Paseo de Montejo in Mérida Experience the Mayan and colonial heritage of the capital of the Mexican state of Yucatán, along the main street of beautiful Mérida. Paseo de Montejo is Mexico’s Champs-Élysées – a picturesque tree-lined boulevard encompassing dozens of elegant 19th century mansions. Start at

6. Visit the Xcaret Eco Park

Plaza de la Independencia walking north towards calle 59. You’ll pass the beautiful architecture of Mexico’s old aristocracy, peppered with various museums, historical monuments, and charming cafes. Stop at the art galleries and handicraft shops of Plaza Santa Ana before continuing towards Monumento a la Patria. The walk itself only takes about 35 minutes, but with all the noteworthy stops along the way, it’s easy to spend an entire afternoon exploring this romantic area.

If you’re thinking this sounds like a boring theme park, think again. Xcaret in Playa del Carmen was once a port for Mayan maritime trade and home to several important ceremonial sites. Today, its archaeological remains are part of a larger cultural heritage park paring the beauty of the Riviera Maya with exhibitions celebrating the vibrant

7. Tour the Tequila Trail in Guadalajara Travel inland to rolling hills lined with rows of spiky agave plants where some of the world’s most recognized tequilas are born, just outside Guadalajara in the town of Tequila (yes, it’s a place!). This UNESCO world heritage site is a cluster of picturesque neighboring towns on the forefront of tequila production. Train tours carve through the scenic countryside visiting both boutique and big-name equilibria’s, such as

Mexican culture. Its grounds encompass over 50 different attractions, including a Mayan village, scenic beachside chapels, a shopping plaza, waterpark, wine cellar and the main performance area, where over 300 artists lead an interpretive journey through the history of Mexico. Experience it all and see for yourself why Xcaret was voted the best park in the world. 18

– Beyond the Beaches 5. Take a Salsa Class! Salsa originated in the Caribbean, but it has since become one of the most popular pastimes in Mexico. Learn the culture firsthand with a private lesson. Many clubs host classes earlier in the day before their doors open to the seasoned evening crowd. Then, take to the floor and show off your new moves! Dancing is a great way to learn the culture and bond together. Take a salsa class and come home with a souvenir that you can continue to build upon and remember for a lifetime.

4. Plan Your Trip during Día de los Muertos The Day of the Dead Festival might sound like a morbid extension of Halloween, but the truth is just the opposite. This public holiday on November 1st is an opportunity for Mexicans to gather at cemeteries and celebrate the lives of deceased loved ones, not through somber grieving, but through extravagant parties, colorful decorations and elaborate costumes. Once a closely-held family tradition, Día de los Muertos is now a community event with picnics, parades and music performances in and around cemeteries and town squares across Mexico. Share in some pan de muerto (a sweet braided bread) or Calaveras (colorfullydecorated candy skulls) in a festival meant to replace the gloomy associations of death with ones of joy, community and celebration. 19

3. Stroll along El Malecón Boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta Stretching from downtown to Los Muertos beach, El Malecón Boardwalk in Puerto Vallarta is the ideal path for a romantic sunset stroll or bike ride along the beach. Shop for handmade artisan goods and souvenirs, enjoy authentic Mexican food from beachside vendors and see artists construct elaborate sculptures in the sand, or simply wander along the beach and enjoy the view. At night, the boardwalk comes alive with twinkling lights, energetic live music and plenty of lively bars to break out those salsa moves and dance the night away.

2. Go Museum-Hopping in Mexico City If you’re into art and history, don’t miss the cultural (and literal) capital of Mexico. Visit mammoth museums like the world-famous Palacia

de Bellas Artes (fine art museum) or el Museo Nacional de Antropologia (National Anthropology Museum). See the curvaceously-modern Museo Soumaya and niche galleries featuring individual artists such as Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera. With over 150 galleries and museums, there’s everything from traditional to modern, impressionist to surrealist, historical, hip and downright strange. You won’t be able to see them all, so pick your favorites and save a few for the next trip… anniversary plans, anyone?

1. Travel through Time with a Trip to the Mayan Archeological Sites There is no better way to gain appreciation for the Mexican culture than discovering its decorated ancient history. The Mayans were most known for their mysterious glyphic codices and chilling sacrificial rituals, their reverence for mathematics and astronomy (as evidenced by their sophisticated calendar system), and, of course, their meticulouslyengineered temples. Some of our favorites sites and cities include Chichén Itzá, Palenque, Tulum, and Uxmal, and there are various other archeological sites scattered around the Yucatan peninsula. Discover ancient history and build upon your own history together with an aweinspiring tour of Mexico’s foremost architectural attractions.

TOKYO, the

Tokyo is a wonderful blend of advanced living and traditional culture, efficient ultra-modern devices and pretty cartoon mascots. This enormous, affluent and intriguing city carries high-tech dreams of the future along with impressions of old Japan and has something for everybody. Traditions mix with the modern lifestyle in Tokyo where you can take a stroll at the sanctuaries in the day and rock at a karaoke bar at night.

Tokyo attractions

Tokyo is the national capital of Japan and the most populous city in the world. It has 23 central city wards and several cities, towns and even a few villages.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden: A quiet, beautiful garden to get an escape from the city hustle. Autumn is the best time to visit when the vivid colors of leaves and cherry blossom can be enjoyed. This garden is a great outing and picnic spot with friends and family.

Tokyo offers an extensive choice of shopping, entertainment, activities, culture and cuisine to its guests. The cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history and culture might be explored in regions like Asakusa, and in numerous top notch exhibition halls and prominent sanctuaries. Tokyo also offers various alluring green spaces in the city center and nearby areas that takes a relatively short train ride to reach.

Offering everything from traditional culture and amusement to the most recent fashion and innovations, Tokyo is a rousing place to visit equally for the first timers or returning visitors. Spend a fun day at the amusement parks or discover the Japanese culture and history in the art galleries and museums or experience the serenity of the Japanese gardens in the middle of buzzing Tokyo.

Odaiba: This is a cool place to play, shop and look at the new waterfront development. It has some nice places for the tourists, incorporating Rainbow Bridge, a model of Statue of Liberty, the gigantic Gundam robot and some contemporary structural designs and landscape. 20

Perfect Mix of Tech and Tradition This manmade island is home to amusement parks, dining, shopping and interesting architecture.

Fuji also peeps from the horizon that makes the view more stunning.

Tokyo National Museum: This famous museum has the largest collection of Japanese antiques and artworks in the world. If you are a history buff or not, art enthusiast or not, Tokyo National Museum presents really interesting exhibits that will provide you an awesome experience and insight about Japanese history and culture.

You will be busy all day everyday with the various activities across Tokyo during your trip. An array of Japanese traditions you can experience through various learning sessions and classes of cooking and crafting. Enjoy cycling across Tokyo streets and explore the city or join the excitement in the legendary sumo wrestling in an arena.

Ueno Zoo: Ueno zoo is one of the most popular zoos in Japan. You can see many rare animals, such as wild cormorants, Japanese macaques, Hokkaido brown bears and of course Pandas. You will enjoy your time here viewing the animals and appreciating the bronze sculptures scattered around the park. Tokyo sky tree: This metallic 634 meter high broadcasting tower is a spectacular landmark in Tokyo. The viewing deck at the height of 350 meters gives you a panoramic view of the Kanto region. In a clear day, Mt. 21

Things to do

Tsukiji Fish Market: This fish market is the largest and busiest fish market in the world where you will see the live tuna auctions. Catch the auction at 5:00 in the morning where fish merchants bid for tuna and fill their truck with tons of tuna to deliver the

whole of Japan. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not an early riser, take a stroll there to see the environment of the fish business of Tokyo before 9:00 am. Tsukiji fish market visit is not complete without having a sushi breakfast. There are plenty of sushi stalls throughout the bazaar. Just take a seat in any of a sushi counters and order your chosen sushi. Watch sumo: If you happen to be in Tokyo in January, May or September, you can catch the action of the grand sumo tournament at Tokyoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s national sumo stadium. You can also catch a training session at a sumo stable and that is pretty exciting and interesting experience too. Disneyland: Get your childhood back in Tokyo Disneyland. Let your children go beyond their dreams. Spend a day with all the exciting rides and attractions. It features the same attractions found in the Disneyland in Anaheim, California. So let yourself catch the thrill and adventure in Disneyland.

what’s cooking in

CUBA

SHRIMP IN GARLIC WINE SAUCE (Camarones al Ajillo)

Ingredients: 2 teaspoons butter 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro 4 cloves garlic, minced 1/4 cup olive oil 1 3/4 pounds raw shrimp, peeled and cleaned 1/4 cup white wine 2 lemons

Directions: • In a medium-sized pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. • Add the butter and whisk until it begins to subside after bubbling. • Add the minced garlic and saute for 1 minute. • Add the shrimp and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. You should start to see the shrimp change color and start to shrink. • Add the wine and lemon juice and cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently to make sure all the juices get through to the shrimp. • Serve the shrimp on a platter, and make sure to pour the sauce from the pan over the shrimp. Sprinkle the cilantro and serve.

REDWHITE talk WINE or

Cuba tries its hand at wine making Cuba’s popular mojitos and daiquiris may soon be competing with a wide range of wines from the island, sold in attractive bottles with labels featuring exclusive designs by well-known Cuban artists. Under the brands “Colonial,” “Cortes,” “Soroa” and “Castillo del Morro,” red, white and rose Cuban wines are being marketed by two companies, both joint enterprises between the Cuban government and European firms. Bodegas del Caribe, incorporated in March 2002, planted 22 varieties of grape brought over from Spain with the goal of adapting them to the climate and soils of the island. The businessmen, who represent the Spanish firm Palacio de Arganza, said the company tested varieties of Spanish grapes in some 60 hectares (148 acres) in Bainoa, Batabano and Wajay, in Havana province. The upshot is 4,000 cases of each type of wine the company is being marketed in the island’s main hotel chains. “Wine has great potential in Cuba. People are demanding a quality Cuban wine,” Palacio de Arganza have said. “The grape is harvested, processed in Ceiba del Agua in a plant with the latest technology and also bottled here. In other words, the process, from start to finish, is done in Cuba.” They predict greater yields and the possibility of exporting to the Dominican Republic, Britain and Germany. “A wine originally from Cuba, from Cuban vines, constitutes a curiosity for connoisseurs right now because Cuba does not have that tradition. We are taking advantage of this boom of sorts to make some sales and show the world we are capable of producing it.” 23

The promotion of Cuban wines, under the slogan, “Wine is also culture,” tries to tie the product to the best of the country’s culture. That is why the labels feature designs by the island’s visual artists.