Shan Hai Pass

Posted on March 1, 2024 by Nolli

山海关 or the Shan Hai Pass is one of the most important and the most easterly of the passes through the Ming Great Wall.

It is built as a square, with a perimeter of around four kilometres (2.5 mi). The walls reach a height of 14 metres (46 feet), and are seven metres (23 feet) thick – see bottom picture. The east, south and north sides are surrounded by a deep, wide moat with drawbridges over it. In the middle of the pass stands a tall bell tower.

The location where the wall meets the Bohai Sea is nicknamed the “Old Dragon’s Head” (老龙头). The pass lies nearly 300 kilometres (190 mi) east of Beijing and if I could be bothered there’s a picture in this blog of that as well, guess you’ll just have to find it yourself.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanhai_Pass

Wucai (五彩）Porcelain

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Nolli

The Wucai (五彩）Porcelain shown above is all from the Qing dynasty and dates from the 18th century.

Although Wucai can be translated as ‘five-colour’ the colours are not limited to that number and it can best be understood as multicoloured.

Characterised by the over glaze decoration of coloured enamels after the porcelain had been fired once with a blue under glaze design. The over glaze enamels included a variety of colours such as red, green, blue, yellow and purple. Once the coloured over glaze enamels had been applied, the porcelain was then fired a second time, but at a lower temperature.

https://theme.npm.edu.tw/selection/Category.aspx?sNo=03000129&lang=2

Cicada – Genus Meimuna

Posted on November 21, 2023 by Nolli

Probably a cicada of the genus Meimuna, possibly Walker’s cicada, Meimuna opalifera which is commonly found in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Mainland China. They feed on the sap of trees and are harmless and are believed to live for a total of 2 – 3 years.

In Summer they can be very loud due to their large numbers. In Japan they are commonly called “tsuku-tsuku-bōshi” due to the sound they make.

Scholar’s Stones in the Snow

Posted on January 23, 2022 by Nolli

供石 (Gōng shí) or scholar’s stones vary in colour and shape. Their size also varies from hundreds of kilos to less than one kilo.They are placed in traditional gardens and the grounds of colleges , schools and universities.

These examples are to be found in the grounds of a university in Tianjin.

New Header Picture: Pingdingshan

Posted on November 25, 2021 by Nolli

Nei Mengu — The extinct volcanoes of Pingdingshan, Xilin Gol, Nei Menggu

平顶山, 锡林郭勒盟，内蒙古

Pingdingshan in Xilingol League in Inner Mongolia has a very distinctive landscape. There are many extinct volcanoes from a time when this was the sea floor. This photo was taken in early October and the lush green grasslands had already faded to their winter brown. Even so you can see a flock of sheep in the foreground.

The interactive map is a new feature which I’ll maybe use again now that I know how to do it.

For tourist info click here

Crataegus pinnatifida

Posted on September 26, 2018 by Nolli

Commonly known as Snow Hawthorn these red fruits which grow up to about 35 mm in diameter are now in season.

The ones in this picture, taken yesterday, are from Xiong Xian County in Hebei Province, near the city of Baotou.

Chinese Hawthorn, click for larger image — **山楂 (mountain hawthorn) or 大红果 (big, red fruit)**

They are used to make a number of deserts and snacks. In Northern China they are often sold dipped in a sugar candy coating on a wooden skewer much like toffee apples are in Europe and are called 糖葫芦 (tanghulu).

They have been associated with various medicinal properties especially as a digestive aid.

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Tag Archives: China