Our brief visit to mountain Tai

Mountain Tai is one of the most famous sights in China. The most impressive of Tai is the cultural relics such as caligraphy on the stones, made by ancient calligraphers over many dynasties.

Also famous of Tai is the sunrise. The scene from the mountain top is unique, where you can see clouds under your feet like oceans.

We arrived in Tai An in the afternoon, and started climing at 3am the next day. We climbed on foot from the middle of the mountain, with many other young people. While we were passing by the stones, I saw some ancient calligraphy vaguely in torch light. Water sound was heard, but I could find no streams.

It was almost daybreak when we reached mountain top. It was very cold up there. We rented thick cloaks but still felt the freezing chill.

We did not see sunrise that day because there were some mist. But the trip was still a pleasant memory.

Snow in Hangzhou: memories from 2004

It snowed across China this year, and I heard that the West Lake had snow again. My memory of the travel three years ago is brought up to me.

This pond is very beautiful in spring with fish, but it looked serene like a mirror after snow. The winter sunshine was beautiful.


This picture was taken by the west lake, on the north-east bank.

Snow in Hangzhou: memories from 2004

Southern China has always been mysterious with romantic colour to me. Being used to the grey courtyards and houses in Beijing, the first visit to Hangzhou was unforgettable to me. I was amazed at the black roofs over the white southern buildings, which were often accompanied by their reflections on water.

Also amazing to me was the green grass in winter. The colour of the north is monotonously yellow and grey at this time. But in Hangzhou, you never miss the joyful colour of the plants. Snow, however, was a rare scene here. In december 2004 I had the chance to see snow in Hangzhou, by the West Lake. "Snow left on the Broken Bridge", the famous sight, attracted thousands of tourists that day.


This photo was taken on Long Jing.

Neimeng portrait: sunset after rain

Rains on the vast land could be terrifying. One afternoon I sat by a small river, watching the serene sight of the river and flock, waiting for sunset when I would return with the shepherds. Suddenly I felt that it was darker than usual. So I looked up and saw that clouds was stretching from behind me to the south, where the sun was. I looked back and was shocked. All the northen world was shrouded in darkness. Light came from the south and dimed when it went further. I couldn't see the far end of the land, which was without light.

I was petrified by the abyss of darkness, and sat still for a while. When I turned my head back to the south to seek for the shepherds, I found that the sky was almost covered by the dark cloud. Only a small hole was left, shrinking in size. Now I could hardly see my own hands. The warm sunshine on my face was gone, and wind started to chill. I was called to run back immediately, so that I won't be caught in a rain.

So I ran, looking to the ground. Actually I could hardly see anything, for the whole sight was darkness. I heard thunder. Then I saw lightening striking down from the dark sky. I was completely in awe of the sublimity of the sight.

Only with the help of a shepherd sitting on a horse did I manage to find my way home. I couldn't forget this unique experience of rain, in this huge land.

The photo was taken when I walked out after the rain.

Neimeng portrait: northen pasture

Distant Rain
This photo shows rain from the distant. Being far across the meadow, rain looked like a small beam. But it was completely different at the spot covered by the rain fall.


A flock
This photo shows a flock on the meadow.

Neimeng portrait: land of dust

Believed to be one of the origins of China culture, the Yellow River runs through this land. 5000 years ago, the land used to be meadow and nourished with water. However, Time turns earth into sand and mountain into plain. Years pass by and the beautiful pasture has now become bare earth. In spite of this natural trend, people are still living there, planting trees and shepharding flocks in the meadows left.


This is part of the shephards' building. Though being made of earth, it was quite durable.