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Tour
Snapshots
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A sampling from
our scrapbook to give a taste of what awaits the traveler on
our tours. |
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| Glimpses
of China |
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Here we feature
the ancient town of Lijiang in western Yunnan Province, which
we visit on our 22-day Yangtze River/Land of Shangri-la Tour
each year in September. One of China's 23 World Heritage Sites,
Lijiang is home to the Naxi minority people, descendants of
Tibetans. The town, backed by Jade Dragon Mountain and exudes
harmony and tradition at every step with its narrow streets,
flagged in five-color stone, and architecture dating from the
Ming and Qing dynasties. |
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| Chinese
Opera Masks |
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Chinese Opera has
been a favorite vehicle to propagate Chinese history and culture
since the Tang Dynasty 1300 years ago. The makeup proclaims
the character. Chalked face shows treachery and craftiness.
Black around eyes signals intelligence and wit. A red face proclaims
a heroic figure, loyal and courageous. A butterfly mask over
alert eyes convey a complex personality. White circle in the
upper center of the face indicates a clownish or comic figure.
China has many different styles of opera. Peking Opera dates
from the mid-1700s. |
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| The
Art of Papercuts |
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A traditional folk
art dating back more than 1,500 years, papercuts are used and
sold all over China. They represent real or mythic figures from
plays, operas or traditional stories. Flowers, fruit and living
creatures are popular subjects, each auspicious in its own way.
Some designs include Chinese characters for luck, fortune or
longevity. |
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| Miniature
Beauty of Stamps |
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China has had a
mail system for thousands of years. The modern system, however,
was set up by an Irishman in 1896. It's efficient, effective
and cheap. Over the years China has published many beautiful
stamps. Some commemorate beauty spots, others legendary artifacts
and historic sites. The enormous range covers everything from
high-tech achievements to flowers, animals and gardens. Philately
is one of the most popular hobbies in China. |
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