Shanxi, a land of 150,000 square kilometers, is noted for its beautiful scenery: sublime mountains, rushing rivers, rich resources, profound history and splendid culture. The ancient myths and lores associated with Sh...Shanxi, a land of 150,000 square kilometers, is noted for its beautiful scenery: sublime mountains, rushing rivers, rich resources, profound history and splendid culture. The ancient myths and lores associated with Shanxi are legion: Nuwa mending the sky; Jingwei filling up the sea; Hou Yi shooting down the sun; Da Yu leading the people in curbing floods; the Foolish Old Man removing the mountains; Yao abdicating the throne to the virtuous Shun; Ji, the God of grain, sowing a variety of cereals; Chang Jie creating Chinese characters, among others. It is also in Shanxi that one can visit the Wutai Mountains, the one and only Buddhist holy place where Han Buddhism has been coexisting with Tibetan Buddhism. Historically, Shanxi merchants had held sufficient economic sway in China, and even as far afield as some Asian and European countries, for half a century; yet their "headquarters" were tucked away in one after another of high-walled compounds. And these surviving courtyards are located nowhere other than in Shanxi. Once its windows are flung open, Shanxi will offer us an endless story, an endless feeling of warmth, and an endless list of people. In the back of Shanxi buries a rich treasure trove to be explored.展开更多
文摘Shanxi, a land of 150,000 square kilometers, is noted for its beautiful scenery: sublime mountains, rushing rivers, rich resources, profound history and splendid culture. The ancient myths and lores associated with Shanxi are legion: Nuwa mending the sky; Jingwei filling up the sea; Hou Yi shooting down the sun; Da Yu leading the people in curbing floods; the Foolish Old Man removing the mountains; Yao abdicating the throne to the virtuous Shun; Ji, the God of grain, sowing a variety of cereals; Chang Jie creating Chinese characters, among others. It is also in Shanxi that one can visit the Wutai Mountains, the one and only Buddhist holy place where Han Buddhism has been coexisting with Tibetan Buddhism. Historically, Shanxi merchants had held sufficient economic sway in China, and even as far afield as some Asian and European countries, for half a century; yet their "headquarters" were tucked away in one after another of high-walled compounds. And these surviving courtyards are located nowhere other than in Shanxi. Once its windows are flung open, Shanxi will offer us an endless story, an endless feeling of warmth, and an endless list of people. In the back of Shanxi buries a rich treasure trove to be explored.
