Beautiful Place In China — Shanxi

Shanxi province is a beautiful place in China. It looks fantastic and truly amazing on these photos. Shanxi Province got its name due to its location to the west of Taihang Mountain. Shanxi neighbored on Hebei, Henan, Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia & Autonomous Region. It is located to the east of the Yellow River, and is also known as Hedong. Shanxi belonged to Jin State in Spring and Autumn Period, so it is abbreviated in Jin. Shanxi occupies an area of 156,000 square kilometers and has a population of over 32 million, including its minority ethnic population. Its capital is Taiyuan City. More images after the break...

Being at a high altitude, Shanxi Province has a cold and dry climate and has an annual rainfall of between 400-600 millimeters. The province is also frequently plagued by sandstorms, especially in the spring, so it is often useful to bring along both sunglasses and a hat when visiting. Generally speaking, the province’s climate is the best between May and October. Shanxi is one of the birth places of Chinese civilizations with a long history and traditional culture. As early as one hundred million years ago, the ancestors of the Chinese lived and propagated in this region. Legend tells us that the Yellow Emperor, founder of the Chinese nation, once lived in Shanxi for a certain period. Today, many Neolithic sites from that period can still be seen dotted across the vast expanse of the province.

Shaanxi is also abundant in natural beauty beyond its rich historical legacy. As one of the five best-known mountains in China, Mt. Huashan, 120 kilometers east of Xian, is famous for its breath-taking cliffs and awe-inspiring landscape. The Hukou Waterfall on Yellow River, the second biggest one in China, is very overbearing and magnificent. And Moutain Lishan and the nearby Huaqing Hot Springs  are very attractive. Their beautiful legends will bring you into a moving love story between emperor Xuanzong and a beauty named Yang Yuhuan. Shaanxi is both a base area of Chinese new-democratic revolution and a place with unique folk customs. The loud resounding Shaanxi opera, the joyous clattering of gongs and drums, the exquisite cut – paper art and the peasants’ paintings full of a rich flavor of life attract more and more tourists’ attention from home and abroad.

 

The deepest Valley in the world (Patalkot)

Green and fine-looking ranges of Satpura encircle the Chhindwara district in Madhya Pradesh. Chhindwara is not only known for oranges, cotton and coal but its natural and scenic beauty also attracts everyone who comes here for the first time. Chhindwara district is separated into four forest zones. In all, Chhindwara is a complete forest district. Patalkot is positioned in the Tamia block the district.

Patalkot is of great importance because of its geographical and scenic beauty.  The Patalkot valley is spread over an area of 79 Sq. Km. at an average height of 2750-3250 feet above Mean Sea Level from 22.24 to 22.29 ° North and 78.43 to 78.50 ° East. The valley is located at a distance of 78 km from Chhindwara in the North-West direction and 20 km from Tamia in the North-East Direction. 'Doodhi' river flows in the picturesque valley.


There are total 12 villages and 13 hamlets with a total population of 2012 (1017 male and 995 female) in the valley. These villages are located at the distance of 2-3 km each. Main villages of the valley are: Rated, Chimtipur, Gujja Dongri, Sahra Pachgol, Harra-ka-Char, Sukhabhand, Dhurni malni, Jhiram, Palani Gaildubba, Ghatlinga, Gudichattri, Gaildubba, Kareyam, Ghana, etc. Gonds and Bharias are the main inhabitant of this gorge.  This horse –shoe shaped valley is surrounded by giant hills and there are several pathways to reach the villages located inside the valley.

'Patalkot' name comes from Sanskrit word "Patal" that means very deep. There is a belief that after worshipping 'Lord Shiva', Prince 'Meghnath' had gone to Patal-lok through this place only. People say that Kings ruled this place in 18th and 19th Century and that there was a long tunnel connecting this place to 'Pachmarhi' in Hoshangabad District. 

Patalkot is a home to a tribal culture skilled at using the forest plants to make effective medicines. The Patalkot forest is so well hidden that people on the outside did not even know it ever existed. The modern world has been completely unaware of its existence. Now there are increasing threats of deforestation and exploitation of the people there. The natives (Bharias and Gonds) who live there know how to collect and grow the plants they need for food, clothing and building their homes. They know the secrets of the medicinal plants. This special skill has been passed down every generation. More than 2,000 natives live in villages scattered throughout the forest. There is a great harmony among them living in a comfortable balance, gladly helping each other, growing and collecting their own food. They are unusually skilled at making pulps and extracts of plants for curing illnesses. They have medicinal treatments for many illnesses including, measles, cholera, hypertension, diabetes, coughs, snake bites, and even pains. Patalkot was becoming famous for its treasure of medicinal plants. With the discovery Patalkot's treasures, some other things began to happen. The natives are generous with their knowledge and offer their medicinal secrets with open hearts. This is how the people there have always survived, by sharing information and supplies with each other. People who came to the forest, however, saw a way to profit from this. They brought in teams of harvesters to strip the forest for valuable herbs. They sold them outside for great profit. Important and endangered medicinal plants are at the verge of death/ extinction. And even more, whole sections of forest were cut to gain easier access to collection sites. In return, outsiders gave the tribal people portable radios that blared through the forest, frightening off wildlife and quickly replacing the communal music that bound the tribes together. This enabled the loggers to cut down the trees very easily.

I have experienced great harmony among the inhabitants of Patalkot. They love to help each other. They cook their food in a very simple and sustainable way. They use their own cultivated yields to prepare delicious food. They use pulp or extracts of plants as juice. Tribals residing here belong to 'Bharia' and 'Gond' tribes. Because of the inaccessibility of this area, the tribals of this region were totally cut off from the civilized world.  Patalkot is known for its richness of medicinal flora. This valley is covered with tropical forests, which are supposed to be rich in biodiversity. Hundreds of economically important medicinal plants are found in abundance and endemic & rare flora is also found in this valley.

The deepest Valley in the world (Patalkot) - Discovered 12 Years ago - Rediscovered by Us

Top 10 Most Walkable Cities in the United States

Top 10 Most Walkable Cities in the United States

10. Portland, OR

 Population: 2.14 million
% commute by walking: 2.8%
% commute by mass transit: 5.9%
Average commute: 25.3 minutes
Number of parks: 39.5

09 Cities more after the break...

09. Providence, RI

Population: 1.62 million
% commute by walking: 3.2%
% commute by mass transit: 2.5%
Average commute: 22.3 minutes
Number of parks: 54.2

08. Chicago, IL

 Population: 7.9 million
% commute by walking: 3.2%
% commute by mass transit: 12.8%
Average commute: 33.7 minutes
Number of parks: 160

07. Philadelphia, PA

Population: 3.9 million
% commute by walking: 4.5%
% commute by mass transit: 12.1%
Average commute: 30.6 minutes
Number of parks: 36

06. Honolulu, HI

Population: 914,163
% commute by walking: 5.4%
% commute by mass transit: 8.3%
Average commute: 30.5 minutes
Number of parks: 46

05. Washington, DC

Population: 4.2 million
% commute by walking: 3.1%
% commute by mass transit: 11.3%
Average commute: 35.9 minutes
Number of parks: 102

04. Seattle, WA

Population: 2.5 million
% commute by walking: 3.2%
% commute by mass transit: 7.9%
Average commute: 30.1 minutes
Number of parks: 23

03. New York, NY

Population: 11.5 million
% commute by walking: 8.4%
% commute by mass transit: 42.4%
Average commute: 38 minutes
Number of parks: 242

02. Boston, MA

Population: 3.2 million
% commute by walking: 5%
% commute by mass transit: 12.5%
Average commute: 31 minutes
Number of parks: 29

01. San Francisco, CA

Population: 1.7 million
% commute by walking: 5.7%
% commute by mass transit: 18.2%
Average commute: 34.1 minutes
Number of parks: 71.4

Via — Link

Patalkot - the bottom of the Earth

We were traveling in a hired vehicle from Raipur to Pachhmarhi via Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh (India). After a drive of about 62 km's. on a plateu like terrain, we came across a sign board on the right side of the road reading "Patalkot".

We were reminded of the people living in the bottom of the earth and indeed it was!. We alighted from the van and saw an extremely deep gorge surrounded by high mountain ranges. The place looked heavenly beautiful and scenic. In a way the formation resembled the great canyons of the Americas. But it was not barren. There was plenty of greenery. All of us climbed down carefully using the stairs provided but when we reached the bottom of the 3000 feet cliff, we were told that we need to walk for about 3 km's to reach the nearest human habitat. Since we were required to reach Pachhmarhi the same evening, we found our way up with a heavy heart.

There were people standing near our vehicle to greet us. We then spoke to them and learnt many things about the place. We also supplemented ourselves with additional information about the wonderful place and now we share it. Here it goes..

Deep in the valley, in an area around 79 square km's, there are tribal hamlets in 12 villages situated approximately at a distance of 2 km's apart. The inhabitants are tribal of Bharia and Gond denominations. They are above 2000 in number and solely depend on the mother earth for their livelihood. The vegetation in the valley is more akin to the tropical forests. The Doodh river which flows inside the valley lends grace to the terrain.

The important aspect of the flora and fauna is its bio diversity and abundance of rare plant species, medicinal plants and herbs. The inhabitants are skilled at using the forest plants and herbs to make effective medicines for every known ailment. The Bhumkas who provide health care in the hamlets have inherited the divine knowledge from their ancestors. However, the modern world was completely unaware of the existence of Patalkot and the people of the valley had an isolated existence until recently. Now there are increasing threats of deforestation and exploitation of the people.

The State Government has formed a Patalkot Development Agency which has been entrusted with the responsibility of welfare of the tribals. A middle school, primary health centre and veterinary services have now been made available. Self Help Groups have also been formed for the effective use of forest produce. Pure vegetarian Honey which comes out of Patalkot is really something to relish.

Incidentally, we may add here that one Dr. Deepak Acharya, a research scholar, who hails from that area, has been engaging himself in understanding, protecting and preserving the unique bio-diversity and the traditional knowledge of medication of the adivasis (Ethnobotany). Clicking the highlighted words will lead you to the respective sites.

Reports suggest that out of greed, a cartel of traders is active in the area and are engaging themselves in smuggling out the rare herbs and medicinal plants which are even being exported abroad. Their activities, unless checked, may lead to further deforestation and loss of the unique bio-diversity found in the valley.

Photos: Dr.Deepak Acharya हिन्दी में यहाँ देखें

Badeschiff, the Floating Swimming Pool in Berlin

The Badeschiff is one of Berlin’s most unusual attraction - a floating public swimming pool in the East Harbour section of the River Spree. The Badeschiff allows citizens to swim in a safe and sanitary environment in their river, at least in a figurative sense. The Spree itself is far too polluted to permit safe bathing.


Since its opening in 2004, it has become a true hot spot in town: deep blue swimming pool, wooden boardwalks, an open-air bar, with a stunning view. Each year between November and March the entire area is covered by a translucent shell and transformed into an enclosed wellness area. The Badeschiff was created by local artist, Susanne Lorenz, as an art project organized by the City Art Project Society of Berlin. The pool was converted from the hull of a vessel measuring eight by thirty-two metres.

London to Brighton Vintage Car Race 2010 London to Brighton Vintage Car Race 2010

The route along the A23 from London to Brighton in south-east England is popular for races, tours, charity rides and rallies. The route was originally popularized by the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run which begun in 1927 for cars built before 1904. The race was an reenactment of the original 1896 Emanicipation Run, held on 14 November 1896 to celebrate the passing into law of the Light Locomotives Act which raised the speed limit to 14 mph and did away with the need for a person to walk in front of a vehicle waving a red flag to warn other road users.
A total of 572 vintage cars took part in the rally from Hyde Park to the East Sussex resort in this year’s annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run, but only 433 of them made it to the finish line some 60-miles away.

According to the rules, only cars registered before 1905 were eligible to take part. A rally spokesman said: "These cars are all over 100 years old so they're not the most reliable and many break down along the way, and there are always a few non-starters." He added that though a number of the larger vehicles could touch speeds of up to 60mph, a majority were going at around 20mph.

One of the first cars to cross the start line was a circa 1894 Benz Victoria. A 1904 Darracq, which starred in the 1953 comedy film Genevieve, also took part in the race.

The driver checks the engine of his car Argyll 1904, standing on Westminster Bridge in London .

The French Teste et Moret, 1900.



Peugeot 1903

The driver sits in his car Argyll 1901, which broke down again.


Australian car Bergmann Orient Express 1898 edition.



Stanley steam car, 1903 edition