Japan's "Garden of Six Qualities"

Posted on Sunday, March 06, 2011

In Kanazawa, Ishikawa is the Kenroku-en Gardens, which is one of three of the greatest gardens in Japan alongside Kairaku-en and Koraku-en. The gardens date back to 1676 when the 5th lord Maeda Tsunanori moved to the Kanazawa Castle and began to landscape the gardens, which are located just outside the gates of the castle.

83 years later, in 1759, the original garden was demolished by a fire. The 11th lord Harunaga began restoration in 1774, and he created Midori-taki (Emerald Waterfall) and a teahouse called Yugao-tei. In 1822, improvements continued with the 12th lord Narinaga when he created the winding streams throughout the garden by drawing water from the Tatsumi Waterway.

At Narinaga’s request, Matsudaira Sadanobu named the garden Kenroku-en, which was taken from the Chinese poet Li Gefei’s book, "Chronicles of the Famous Luoyang Gardens" (Rakuyo Meienki). Kenroku-en translates to "Six Attributes Garden", and was named for the 6 attributes of a perfect landscape: antiquity, artifice, panoramas, seclusion, spaciousness, and waterways.

There are a few well-known highlights of the gardens. Inside is the oldest fountain in Japan, which is operated by natural water pressure. There are four different teahouses: Yugao-tei, Shigure-tei, Uchihashi-tei, and Funano-ochin. One of the most famous focal points is the Kotoji-toro, which is a two-legged stone lantern that is emblematic of Kanazawa. There’s also the Kaiseki Pagoda, which is rumored to have been donated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi to the Maeda.

Each season is uniquely beautiful at the Kenroku-en Gardens. In the spring, the garden’s cherry trees are in full bloom, and are an amazingly gorgeous sight. During the cherry blossom season, the gardens are free of charge. In the summer, the foliage is a brilliant, healthy green due to the short rainy season, and the banks of the streams are covered in bright pink azaleas. In autumn, all the leaves of the trees turn stunning shades of crimson, scarlet, gold, and tangerine. At sunset, it seems as if the treetops are set ablaze by the sinking sun’s lingering beams. During the winter, the trees and shrubbery must be protected from damage caused by the weight of snow and ice. If you visit during the winter, you can see Kenroku-en’s yukitsuri, which is a support system for the trees made of bamboo poles and ropes tied to the branches in a cone-like shape.

From March 1st to October 15th, admission hours are 7 am to 6 pm. From October 16th through February, hours are 8 am to 5 pm. The admission fee is 300 yen. However, if you visit during the early admission hours, it’s free of charge. Early admission hours are from 4 am April to August, and from 6 am November to February

Yangon, Myanmar

Posted on Tuesday, February 01, 2011

City of Immortality:  Founded in 849 AD, Bagan became the first capital of a unified Myanmar Empire under the reign of King Anawrahta.  Bagan is world-renowned for its more than 2,000 religious shrines.  This "immortal city" is home to Mahagandayon Monastery, one of the largest in Myanmar.  Nearby, you can cross U Bein's famous teak footbridge, the longest wooden bridge in the world.  The 13th century Gubyaukgyi Temple of Wet Kyi-in is famed for its fine murals of scenes from the Jatakas.  Easily recognized by its soaring white exterior.  The Thatbinnyu Temple is known as the "Temple of Omniscience."  The Dhamayangyi Temple is the most massive in Bagan.  You will be awed by the details of each masterpiece.   

Li River, Guilin

Posted on Monday, December 13, 2010

Towering limestone pinnacles and misty waters form the backdrop of your leisurely cruise on the fabled Li River in Guilin.  Gorgeous karst peaks provide surprises at each bend of this calm river.  It is a Chinese tradition to give each peak an imaginative name like Elephant Trunk Hill, which resembles an elephant drinking water from the river with its long truck.

Water buffalo patrol the fields, and peasants reap river paddies, while school children and fisherman float by on bamboo rafts.

Exploring Beijings Hutongs

Posted on Wednesday, December 01, 2010

A hutong is an ancient city alley or lane typically found in Beijing.  Surrounding the Forbidden City, many were built during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties.  In the prime of these dynasties the emperors, in order to establish supreme power for themselves, planned a city and arranged the residential areas according to the etiquette systems of the Zhou Dynasty.  The main buildings in the hutong were all quadrangles - a building compete with four houses and according to the social status of the family. 

Many enjoy roaming through Beijing's old, narrow streets, hutongs, in a fashioned pedicab. 

About Sichuan Province

Posted on Thursday, October 28, 2010

Home to the famous Chengdu Panda Reserve, the Leshan Grand Buddha and the magnificent Nine Villages Valley with its crystal clear lakes and lush forests.