The Yellow River has turned out many a wonder in its 5,464-kilometer-long river course, which has been largely shaped by natural dynamics with its channel varying in depth and width. Advancing sometimes rapidly and so...The Yellow River has turned out many a wonder in its 5,464-kilometer-long river course, which has been largely shaped by natural dynamics with its channel varying in depth and width. Advancing sometimes rapidly and sometimes slowly, the flow forms lots of tiny islets along its system. All these islets, however, can not be inhabited either because of being too small in size or because of the river’s ever shifting course. But when the Yellow River flows through Hequ, its course becomes wide and open, gradually branching out into two channels, finally forming a triangle-shaped landmass, which has become the only isle in the Yellow River with permanent human inhabitants. Then, how did the isle eventually become called Niangniangtan (Empress Beach)? According to legend, Empress Dowager Lu of the Han dynasty was so power hungry that she forced all those she considered might be potentially dangerous to her regency out of the palace or exiled to far away lands. Among those exiled, there was Consort Bo (later became Empress Dowager Bo), who was exiled to Yunzhong Prefecture. Wary of Empress Dowager Lu’s further persecution, Consort Bo escaped deep into this lush green islet smack dab in the middle of the Yellow River. Later on, she had her son (later became Emperor Wen of the Han dynasty) hidden in a smaller stone islet not far from this uninhabited islet. Having overcome untold difficulties, they stayed on and did not finish this hard life in exile until her son was crowned as Emperor Wen of the Han. So it is because of Consort Bo who had lived some time in this desolate island that it got this beautiful name Niangniangtan.展开更多
The 3-year-old Pingyao International Photography Festival has brought much more international dimension to the rich and venerable culture of this ancient city of Pingyao. Three editions later, people are thinking abou...The 3-year-old Pingyao International Photography Festival has brought much more international dimension to the rich and venerable culture of this ancient city of Pingyao. Three editions later, people are thinking about not only photographic art but also given something of a sweet lingering flavor. In 2001, the bustling Old Pingyao Bar emerged as a beautiful scene, attracting an untold number of domestic and foreign photographers to this watering hole, where they talked about friendship as well as photography. The group exhibition featuring five female photographers became the most visited exhibition of the 2002 Pingyao International Photography Festival. And in 2003, visitors found a serendipitous delight at the creative venue, where rows of looms in giant workshops of a now-defunct textile factory turned into exhibiting tables, which created a brand new aesthetic touch.展开更多
文摘The Yellow River has turned out many a wonder in its 5,464-kilometer-long river course, which has been largely shaped by natural dynamics with its channel varying in depth and width. Advancing sometimes rapidly and sometimes slowly, the flow forms lots of tiny islets along its system. All these islets, however, can not be inhabited either because of being too small in size or because of the river’s ever shifting course. But when the Yellow River flows through Hequ, its course becomes wide and open, gradually branching out into two channels, finally forming a triangle-shaped landmass, which has become the only isle in the Yellow River with permanent human inhabitants. Then, how did the isle eventually become called Niangniangtan (Empress Beach)? According to legend, Empress Dowager Lu of the Han dynasty was so power hungry that she forced all those she considered might be potentially dangerous to her regency out of the palace or exiled to far away lands. Among those exiled, there was Consort Bo (later became Empress Dowager Bo), who was exiled to Yunzhong Prefecture. Wary of Empress Dowager Lu’s further persecution, Consort Bo escaped deep into this lush green islet smack dab in the middle of the Yellow River. Later on, she had her son (later became Emperor Wen of the Han dynasty) hidden in a smaller stone islet not far from this uninhabited islet. Having overcome untold difficulties, they stayed on and did not finish this hard life in exile until her son was crowned as Emperor Wen of the Han. So it is because of Consort Bo who had lived some time in this desolate island that it got this beautiful name Niangniangtan.
文摘The 3-year-old Pingyao International Photography Festival has brought much more international dimension to the rich and venerable culture of this ancient city of Pingyao. Three editions later, people are thinking about not only photographic art but also given something of a sweet lingering flavor. In 2001, the bustling Old Pingyao Bar emerged as a beautiful scene, attracting an untold number of domestic and foreign photographers to this watering hole, where they talked about friendship as well as photography. The group exhibition featuring five female photographers became the most visited exhibition of the 2002 Pingyao International Photography Festival. And in 2003, visitors found a serendipitous delight at the creative venue, where rows of looms in giant workshops of a now-defunct textile factory turned into exhibiting tables, which created a brand new aesthetic touch.
