Nexus of the Arts

The Met, MoMA and the Guggenheim are just the beginning of a dizzying list of art-world icons. You’ll find museums devoted to everything from fin de siècle Vienna to medieval European treasures, and sprawling galleries filled with Japanese sculpture, postmodern American painting, Himalayan textiles and New York City lore. For a glimpse of current and future greats, delve into the cutting-edge galleries of Chelsea and the Lower East Side, with their festive opening-night parties (usually Thursday night if you want to join in), or head to new frontiers in Brooklyn and Queens.

Urban Wanderers

With its compact size and streets packed with eye candy of all sorts – architectural glories, Old World cafes, atmospheric booksellers – NYC is a wanderer’s delight. Crossing continents is as easy as walking a few avenues in this jumbled city of 200-plus nationalities. You can lose yourself in the crowds of Chinatown amid bright Buddhist temples and steaming noodle shops, then stroll up to Nolita for enticing boutiques and coffee tasting. Every neighborhood offers a dramatically different version of the city, from the 100-year-old Jewish delis of the Upper West Side to the meandering cobblestone lanes of Greenwich Village. And the best way to experience it is to walk its streets.

The Night Is Young

When the sun sinks slowly beyond the Hudson and luminous skyscrapers light up the night, New York transforms into one grand stage. Well-known actors take to the legendary theaters of Broadway and world-class soloists, dancers and musicians perform at venues large and small across town. Whether high culture or low, New York embraces it all: in-your-face rock shows at Williamsburg dives, lavish opera productions at the Lincoln Center, and everything in between. This is a city of experimental theater, improv comedy, indie cinema, ballet, poetry, burlesque, jazz and so much more. If you can dream it up, it’s probably happening.

Culinary Capital

There’s never been a better time to dine in New York. It's a hotbed of seasonal and locally sourced cuisine – with restaurants growing vegetables on roof gardens or upstate farms, sourcing meats and seafood from nearby sustainable outfits, and embracing artisanal everything, from coffee roasting and whiskey distilling to chocolate and cheese making. Bars have also taken creativity to new heights, with pre-Prohibition-era cocktails served alongside delectable small plates – indeed, gastropubs are some of the most creative places to eat these days. Of course, you can also hit a gourmet food truck or dine at one of the city's 75 Michelin-starred restaurants.

West Lake?is a freshwater lake in Hangzhou, China. It is divided into five sections by three causeways. There are numerous temples, pagodas, gardens, and artificial islands within the lake.

West Lake has influenced poets and painters throughout Chinese history for its natural beauty and historic relics, and it has also been among the most important sources of inspiration for Chinese garden designers. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, described as having "influenced garden design in the rest of China as well as Japan and Korea over the centuries" and reflecting "an idealized fusion between humans and nature". The earliest recorded name for West Lake was the "Wu Forest River" (Wǔlín Shuǐ). The Book of Han's "Geography Column" says, "Qiantang, affiliated to the western governor general. Wu Forest Mountain (Wǔlínshān) is the origin of the Wu Forest River. Running east into the sea, it covers 830 li" (roughly, 350 km or 220 mi). Other former names include the "Qian River", "Qiantang Lake", "Mingsheng Lake", "Jinniu Lake", "Shihan Lake", "Shang Lake", "Lianyan Lake", "Fangsheng Pond", "Xizi Lake", "Gaoshi Lake", "Xiling Lake", "Meiren Lake", "Xianzhe Lake", and "Mingyue Lake". But only two names were widely accepted in history and recorded in historical documents. One is "Qiantang Lake", due to the fact that Hangzhou was called "Qiantang" in ancient times. The other name is "West Lake", due to the lake being west of the city. The name "West Lake" first appeared in two poems of Bai Juyi, "Bestowed on guests as returning from West Lake in the evening and looking back to Gushan Temple" and "On the returning boat to Hangzhou". Since the Northern Song dynasty, most poems and articles of scholars used the name "West Lake", while the name "Qiantang Lake" was gradually deprecated. "The request of dredging West Lake" written by Su Shi was the first time that "West Lake" appeared in an official document.

Nanjing Fuzimiao is located in southern Nanjing City on banks of the Qinhuai River. Within the area are cultural attractions, arts, shopping, and entertainment. Rather than being a place of quiet reflection and study, the area has become a tourist trap of the first order, overrun with people and souvenir shops and with prices to match. If you wish to go inside the temple, you must buy a ticket for 30RMB.

In first year of Jianwu reign of Jin Dynasty (CE 317), Nanking Imperial University was founded, initially on northern bank of Qinhuai River, and in the 3rd year of Xiankang (CE 337) the campus extended to southern bank. Temple of Confucius was firstly constructed in the national school in the 9th year of Taiyuan (CE 384). The place was later destroyed. In the 1st year of Jingyou during Song Dynasty (CE 1034), Confucius Temple was newly constructed on former site of imperial university, and was called Fuzimiao area along with Nanking Fuxue. The place became Imperial University again in 1365 in the early year of Ming Dynasty, and sixteen years later recovered to be the campus of Fuxue. During Qing Dynasty, there were two Xianxue (county schools of Shangyuan and Jiangning) in Fuzimiao area. In the end of Qing a primary school jointly sponsored by counties of Nanjing (Jiangning Fu) was established there. The current buildings date from the 19th century, in Qing Dynasty, with additions made since then. The temple lost all financial support by the state as a result of the revolution of 1911. During the late 1920s to 1931 and again in 1932 it was used as army barracks for troops the KMT regime and left in a dilapidated state. Some halls were used as picture gallery.In 1985 Fuzimiao area was restored. There is Jiangnan Gongyuan near Fuzimiao Temple. It's the largest imperial examination hall in Ming and Qing dynasties. Throughout its history, the temple along with the around area has been a place for study of Confucianism. There is a small exhibit of folkart within the temple.

The Grand Buddha is located at the south of the Longshan Mountain, near Mashan, town of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, People's Republic of China. It is one of the largest Buddha statues in China and also in the world.

The Grand Buddha at Ling Shan is a bronze Amitabha standing Buddha outdoor, weighing over 700 tons. It was completed at the end of 1996. The monument is 88 meters in total height, including 9 m lotus pedestal.

In 2008, a Five-signets Palace and a Hindu inspired Brahma Palace were built south-east of the Grand Buddha Statue.

Zhangjiajie National Forest Park Located in the northwest of Wulingyuan, it is in the neighborhood of Suoxiyu Valley and Tianzi Mountain. It has an area of 72,000 acres, an average rainfall of 1200-1600mm, an average temperature of 16oC and a frost-free period of 240-300 days. 97 percent of the park is covered with plants which have 98 families, 517 species, over twice the total in Europe. Its gymnosperm species take up half of the total in the world. Zhangjiajie opens to the outside at the beginning of the 1980s and is the earliest tourist zone exploited in Zhangjiajie. It is noted for its queer peaks, tranquil water and beautiful forests. It is the first National Forest Park approved by the State Council in 1982. Its main scenic spots include Golden Whip Stream, Huangshi Fort and so on. Numerous pinnacles rise abruptly from the level ground in the shape of huge bamboo shoots pointing to the sky. Both sides of Golden Whip Stream stand grotesque peaks and are covered with old trees and vines. The stream, like colorful ribbons, flows through valleys. Watching mountains on Huangshi Fort, one can't help acclaiming as the acme of perfection. Huangshi Fort Huangshi Fort, named after a hermit Huangshi, is 1080m above sea level. It is higher on the south and elevated by stiff cliffs, covering an area of 16.5 hectors. It provides the largest collection of marvelous spectacles and also provides the larges sightseeing terrace above sea level in Zhangjiajie. The chief scenic spots include Treasure Box of Heavenly Books, the Magic Sea-suppressing Needle, the South Pillar of Heaven, the Golden Tortoise Watching the Sea and so on. If you stand on the terrace and watch as far as you can towards the south, you can see all kinds of queer pinnacles. If you watch towards the east, you can see numerous grotesque peaks by the Golden Whip Stream which resemble a clear, crystalline jadeite. Hence, there is a saying: " It can't be said that you have been to Zhangjiajie without reaching Huangshi Fort. Golden Whip Stream Located in the east of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, named after the 380-meter high Golden Whip Rock, Golden Whip stream meanders 15 Li. Flowing from Laomo Gully first to Confluence of Four Rivers then to Suoxi Stream, it finally joins Li river, one of the four rivers in Hunan Province. It flows between steep grotesque peaks and luxuriant trees. Here, the meandering streams, the crystal-clear waterfalls, exotic plants and rare animals co-exist and constitute the extraordinarily beautiful, tranquil and natural ecological environment. No wonder it is called "the most beautiful valley in the world" and "the most poetic stream". The major scenic spots include Rock of Welcoming Guests, Golden Whip Rock, Reunion Rock and the Purple Grass Pond. The Southern Heaven Gate If you want to go to Tianzi Mountain through Suoxiyu Valley, you'll have to pass by a huge stone peak with a natural passage through it. The mouth of the passage is shaped like a gate. Thus, it is named the Southern Heaven Gate. The Imperial Brush Peak Walking a few steps from the scenic spot named the Fairy Maid Presenting Flowers and then watching towards the southwest on the sightseeing terrace, you can see a pinnacle resembling a huge imperial brush on the right of some graceful peaks, and some short pinnacles on the left in the shape of some brushes on the rack. It brings back the memory of King Xiang who read over official papers and drew a circle around his name on a document. How heroic he was. When you enjoy the view at dusk with red evening clouds in the sky, you'll see that the peak is glittering brightly on its tip as if there were red paint remaining on the point of the brush. Therefore, it is not surprising that more than30 domestic pictorials have its photos printed. Seeing West Sea on the Heavenly Terrace Heavenly terrace, resembling a little platform in heaven, is high and perilous, walled by stiff and crisscrossed precipices. The only way to it is a straight flight of 186-step stone stairs. Seen on the Heavenly Terrace with a bird-eye's view, the west sea is a great sea, a sea of clouds and fogs, of peaks, of greenness, and of mystery. The forest of pinnacles stand, strange stones cover the ground. The clouds roll and rays shine. Old trees' branches and roots curl up. How mysterious and unpredictable.

Xibaipo is a township-level division of Pingshan County, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China.The Hebei Xibaipo, Xishan District of Hutuo River north of the small village, not only beautiful and fertile soil. Once the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Chairman Mao have commanded the three major battles that shocked both China and the world, such as Liao, Huaihai and Ping and Tianjin, held the great historic significance of the second Plenary Session of the 7th CPC Central Committee and the national land conference, emancipated all China, and therefore had the reputation of "new China coming from here" and "the destiny of China to this village".As one of the revolutionary sites in China, it is a national key cultural relic protection unit and a national AAAAA level tourist attraction.

Wuzhen enjoys a history of over 1,000 years since its establishment in 872 A.D. However, according to the textual research of the Tanjiawan site, one of the important cultural relics under state protection, ancestors of the Wuzhen people existed here during the New Stone Age 7,000 years ago. The ancient Grand Canal nurtured the splendid culture of Wuzhen, and a long historic accumulation endowed Wuzhen with deep cultural deposits. Over more than 1,000 years, Wuzhen has never changed its name, address, system of waterways or lifestyle.

The superior natural conditions and convenient geographical location of Wuzhen provide an ideal base for the development of culture and arts in Wuzhen. Throughout history, natives of Wuzhen have become celebrities in the fields of literature, history, and natural science, leaving behind them a great deal of cultural heritage. Wuzhen has organized art exhibitions for many local writers and painters and offers an abundance of magnificent folk arts, including Huagu Opera (literally "flower drum opera”), shadow puppet theatre, and many other art forms, all of which are well protected by the developers of Wuzhen Scenic Area. Tourists from around the world can appreciate these unique performance arts in Wuzhen for themselves.

The traditional buildings remain well preserved after the passage of many rough years. Within the town, with its dense network of rivers and wharves, people build their houses along the water and establish markets close to bridges. Stone railings and arched bridges, arched gates across the street, imposing dwellings and spacious courtyards, river banks and verandas are all well preserved, presenting an authentic representation of a water town in Jiangnan (the Southern reaches of the Yangtze River). Inside town there are now more than 40 hectares of original buildings from the late 19th century, and more than 100 ancient stone bridges of different shapes. It is just like a natural museum of ancient architecture.

Wuzhen’s distinct natural environment contributes to its unique way of life. In Wuzhen, boats are the most important mode of transportation for locals, because this place is densely covered with waterways and local houses are built along rivers. Boats are widely used for passenger and freight transport. Even peddlers who go from street to street may paddle their small boats up to residents' windows making their transactions on water. Wuzhen still maintains its unique Market on the Water to this day.

Life in Wuzhen is closely related to water. In this water town, the two things that are most agreeable to locals are "skin wraps water” and “water wraps skin”. These two humorous phrases refer to drinking tea in a teahouse and showering at the baths, and it is readily apparent that the locals’ love of drinking tea is in their bones. Historically, the total number of Wuzhen’s teahouses reached more than sixty at its height, and locals maintain their tea drinking customs to the present day. Despite the tribulations of the past, the reason why teahouses remained a staple of local life is that they served as important venues for communication and the resolution of public affairs in times when communications outlets were far less developed than they are today. A teahouse played the role of the town’s information center where news of every type was posted. The significance of a teahouse in Wuzhen resembles that of a café in an ancient western city, and its historical significance is too deep to be supplanted by emerging modern entertainment facilities.

Many ancient traditions are well preserved in Wuzhen to this day, and are poised for further development in new ages. Take drama as an example. Storytelling and ballad singing has been passed down in Wuzhen for centuries, but modern drama will also be staged in Wuzhen before long when Wuzhen hosts an international theater festival. Cultures from all times and all places will meet in Wuzhen to create even more brilliant displays in the future.

Wudalianchi places of scenic spot, is located in neuilly Hume river, covers an area of 1060 square kilometers. Scenic area is mainly composed of the new period and the old period volcano 14, 5 volcanic lake (five dalian pool), more than 60 square kilometers "shilong" (basalt platform) and has a high health care value of low temperature cold spring. Here is very rich in tourism resources, setting mountains, water, deep and remote, lava qiao fold, magical medicine springs, known as the natural volcanic park, opened the volcanic textbooks and famous tourist resort spa.

14 might wudalianchi volcanoes are arranged "well" glyph, name is: medicine mountain spring, WoHuShan, bijia mountain, north and south mountain, things coke granite ball cloth to the mountains, maura, tail mountain, longmen mountain, the xiaogushan, black dragon mountain and fire mountain, there are 12 remote volcano s, one of the earliest can reach tens of thousands of years, or even hundreds of thousands of years. Two younger volcano is the black dragon mountains and fire, between 1719 and 1721 eruption, history records the heilongjiang, "ning pagodas generations have written records. In with volcanic eruptions, lava put lots of Hume river tributary of rolling, middle cut into five sections, baihe formed five arranged as a string of beads connected to other volcanic lake, both head pool, pool, pool, four, five pool, pool known as wudalianchi. Five pool has a boundary river between communication, running more than 20 kilometers up to 40 m2 kilometers, the lake total capacity of 170 million cubic meters. Five pool of clear water ying ying, the ornament is between 14 volcano, with wide basalt platform together, draw into a set of strange mountain, water, stone landscape.

Wudalianchi volcanic landscape not only unique, but also is rich in a magical efficacy of mineral water.Of wudalianchi mineral water, there is a beautiful legend. According to legend a long time ago, wudalianchi area, towering old trees, the grass lush. An orogen hunter, looking for a sika deer shot. Deer with arrows in the previous run, chase after the hunter followed the blood. The deer don't run into the mountains, but ran into a pool, the hunter feel a little strange, standing at the edge of the rock to watch, see deer in not washing the wound, tongue licking and landed, blood flow, striding ran into the mountains. He went to the spring took to drink a mouthful of water with the hand, feel refreshed. Later, a hunter as long as a little ailment, small disaster to spring water treatment, are in addition to the water to the disease. It springs from then on, people are regarded as "holy water", after the fifth lunar month every year, people have to drink the water "zero". People drink, it is said, to "zero water" can eliminate the evil illnesses, longer live.

Although it is a legend, but five dalian pool of water does have prevention and cure and fitness function, according to scientific determination: mineral water contains more than 40 essential trace elements, but with the world famous "Vichy France, Russia, the Caucasus" mineral water, and called the world three big cold spring.

Nature guifushengong created wudalianchi unique landscape. Wudalianchi scenic area has been proven there are more than 100 scenic spots, is divided into seven major scenic spots. Has now developed more than 70 sites, the main award in fire mountain scenic area, medicine spring mountain scenic area and focal scenery area.

The Qiao Family Compound, originally the Zaizhong Hall and officially Qiao's Grand Courtyard, is a courtyard house located in Qi County, Jinzhong Prefecture, Shanxi Province, China, approximately 30 kilometers (20 mi) northeast of Pingyao. It is the residential compound of well-known financier Qiao Zhiyong , who was the most famous member of the Qiao family.Construction began in 1756 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor in the Qing dynasty and was completed sometime in the 18th century. The estate covers 9000 square meters and has 313 rooms with 4000 square meters within 6 large courtyards and 19 smaller courtyards.

Architects consider it to be one of the finest remaining examples of imposing private residences in northern China. It has been converted into a museum and has many period furnishings.

It is famous for being the chief location in the Zhang Yimou film Raise the Red Lantern. A 2006 Chinese television series, Qiao's Grand Courtyard, was also shot here. The series, directed by Hu Mei, chronicles the life of Qiao Zhiyong with some artistic license applied.

Pingyao, officially Pingyao Ancient City is a settlement in central Shanxi, China, famed for its importance in Chinese economic history and for its well-preserved Ming and Qing urban planning and architecture. Administratively, it comprises the town of Gutao in Pingyao County in Jinzhong Prefecture. It has a population of about 50,000.

The town is first recorded c.?800 BC and has been the seat of local government since at least the Qin. By the 16th century, it was a regional financial hub; in the late 19th century, some consider it to have been the financial centre of the Qing Empire. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a AAAAA-rated tourist attraction.