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在线翻译:
szdaily -> Travel -> 
Country of the dragon
    2012-01-30  08:53    Shenzhen Daily

    CHINA is called “a country of the dragon.” The dragon features prominently in Chinese mythology and folklore. It traditionally symbolized the power, strength and fortune, and thus became a popular symbol of imperial power. Some places in China are associated with emperors and legends. At these places you can learn about Chinese history by tracing the footprints of the dragon. What could be better than visiting these places in the Year of the Dragon?

    Longmen Grottoes,Henan

    Longmen Grottoes (also known as Longmen Caves) are among the finest examples of Chinese Buddhist art.

    Housing tens of thousands of statues of Buddha and his disciples, they are located 12 kilometers south of present-day Luoyang, Henan Province.

    The 1,400 caves hold some 100,000 statues, ranging from 1 inch to 57 feet in height. The area also contains nearly 2,500 stelae and inscriptions, whence the name “Forest of Ancient Stelae,” as well as over 60 Buddhist pagodas.

    Situated in a scenic natural environment, the caves were dug from a 1-kilometer stretch of cliff running along both banks of a river. Thirty percent of them date from the Northern Wei Dynasty (386-557) and 60 percent from the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Caves from other periods account for less than 10 percent of the total.

    In 2000, the site was put on the UNESCO World Heritage List as “an outstanding manifestation of creativity,” for its perfection of a form, and for its encapsulation of the cultural sophistication of the Tang Dynasty.

    Transport: Direct flights from Shenzhen to Luoyang are very expensive with few flights each week. Fly to Zhengzhou from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and take a train to Luoyang and get to the grottoes via bus or taxi.

    Longji Terrace, Guangxi

    Longji Terrace is located in Longsheng County, about 100 kilometers from Guilin, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

    The terraced fields are built along the slope winding from the riverside up to the mountain top, the highest part being 880 meters in elevation while the lowest part is 380 meters. The coiling line that runs from the mountain foot up to the mountain top divides the mountain into layers of water that glitter in the sunlight, layers of green rice that grow in summer, layers of golden rice that grow in fall, and a layer of silvery frost in winter. The terraced fields were mostly built during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

    Longji (Dragon’s Backbone) received its name because the rice terraces resemble a dragon’s scales, while the summit of the mountain range looks like the backbone of a dragon. Visitors standing on top of the mountain can see the dragon’s backbone twisting off into the distance. In the early morning, when the weather is fine, the sunrise on the summit of Longji Terrace is magnificent.

    They are often considered most beautiful in early June. At this time, water is pumped over the rice paddies and young plants are transferred to the main terraces.

    Transport: Fly to Guilin from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and get to Longji by coach.

    Huanglong, Sichuan

    Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area is located in the southern part of the Minshan Mountain range, 150 kilometers northwest of Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.

    This area is known for its colorful pools formed by calcite deposits, especially in Huanglonggou (Yellow Dragon Gully), as well as diverse forests, snow-capped peaks, waterfalls and hot springs.

    Huanglong is also home to many endangered species including the giant panda and the Sichuan golden snub-nosed monkey.

    The travertine landscapes and pools are Huanglong’s main attraction. The total length of the travertine is 3.6 kilometers and it is thought to resemble a giant golden dragon wheeling through the snow-capped mountains of the valley. The main landscapes are travertine banks, amazingly colorful ponds and travertine waterfalls and caves.

    Huanglong was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1992.

    Transport: Fly to Chengdu from Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and take a long-distance coach to Huanglong. Visitors can also fly to Huanglong from Chengdu airport.

(Wang Yuanyuan)

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