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.