As a heaven of food, Beijing has so many kinds of snacks which have attracted a lot of people from home and abroad. The most popular food are the following.

Clay Oven Roll (Shaobing)
Shaobing or Huoshao are baked layered flatbread with sesame on top. They are usually made in two flavors: savoury or sweet. According to Mandarin cuisine, Shaobing are served with hot pot in winter.

Fried Bread Stick (Youtiao)
Youtiao sometimes called fried bread stick, is a long, golden-brown, deep fried strip of dough in Chinese cuisine and is usually eaten for breakfast. It is also known as (Guozi) in northern China. It is also a popular breakfast food in Myanmar (Burma), where it is called e kya kway.

Steamed Bun (Mantou)
Mantou sometimes known as Chinese steamed bun, is a kind of steamed bun originating from China. It is typically served in Chinese cuisine. Made with milled wheat flour, water and leavening agents, they are similar in nutrition and eating qualities to the white bread of the West.

Soybean milk
Soybean milk is a healthy alternative to cow’s milk. Soybeans are composed of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, and a powerful array of phytonutrients, and have been known to help reduce blood cholesterol, thereby promoting cardiovascular wellness.

Eight Treasures Rice (Ba Bao Fan)
Ba Bao Fan is a traditional Chinese dessert with more than a thousand years of history. This dessert is made in all regions of China with their own local ingredients and recipes; however, all recipes are based upon the ingredients of sticky rice and eight different dried fruits. The most famous Ba Bao Fan recipe is from “Jiang Nan”, a southern area of China.

Boiled Dumpling
Jiaozi are believed to bring fortune and good luck to their eaters, perhaps because of their appearance as shoe-shaped gold or silver ingots. There is no doubt that Jiaozi will appear on most tables during any given Spring Festival. Generally, people prepare them before midnight on the last day of the previous year, before eating them after the New Year’s bell is sounded

New-year’s Hard Rice Cake
This staple food is made of glutinous rice flour and comes in thumb sized nuggets. Its popularity during Spring Festival has come about since it has a homonym, which translates as “getting higher and higher year after year.” This preserved food is therefore a must-eat in many parts of China, especially its southern provinces.

Full-moon Dumpling (Yuanxiao)
Yuanxiao is a special dumpling in China for the Lantern Festival (the 15th night of the 1st lunar month). It is a “ball” made of glutinous rice flour. As the 15th night of the New Year was later called “Shangyuan” and the “Yuanxiao” festival, so the dumplings came to be known by the name of the festival.

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“Under the sky there is nothing stable, nothing lasts forever”
Buddha

Louyang and around

Louyang We reached after more than 5 hours by train from Xiamen. It had happened many villages, hamlets scattered among crops, and far we assumed smoking chimneys of a factory or plant. At this time we felt entering the tunnel of time. After the mega-cities of Shanghai and Hanzhou, finally saw the real China that we were looking for, rural as possible, without the imprint of the remaining western eastern cities.

Louyang station still maintains the look of the old China and feel immersed in the maelstrom. There are people everywhere. Although believed to reach a small town, Louyang has 810 thousand inhabitants, according to some sources, more than 1,300,000 according to others, so that China is actually a small town.

Longmen View across the bridge

Louyang is located west of Henan Province in central China, and extends to the edge Luoshi River, a tributary of the Yellow River (Huang He). Founded in 900 BC, from 770 BC was the capital of many empires, prior to its period and period Tui Tang. The nine dynasties Louyang chose as the capital, left many monuments, so the Chinese state has decided to protect.

In late spring when the peonies bloom is the best time to visit, since that is the flower that symbolizes the city. They say that the Empress Wu Zetian, the Tang period (654-705), decided one night in midwinter, order a 100 flowers open at once. All were open, except the peony, as Wu Zetian, furious, the demoted Louyang be carried, where it flourishes by millions.

It is worth entering in the old town, the few that still can be visited in China, where the main street are still numerous craft shops to enjoy watching.

White Horse Temple

The tour of the city is not considered finished until it is visited the White Horse Temple (Baima). This is the first Buddhist temple in China, built around 68 AD At the entrance are two stone horses that recall the legend that derives its name, in which an emperor of the Han Dynasty (25-220), sent canonical books seek to India (sutras written in Sanskrit) and these were taken astride a white horse.

The temple is surrounded by a red wall, topped with green tiles. It has numerous stelae and inscriptions, various pavilions, kiosks. In the second court is the sanctuary of Ming era. On the east side stands the pagoda Qiyun, with 13 floors and 24 meters.

Shaolin Monastery

Another attraction of the province of Henan’s Shaolin Temple. Located at the foot of the peak Wuru, on the northern slope of Mount Shaoshi, also called “First Buddhist temple under heaven”. It was built in 495 during the Northern Wei Dynasty and the reign of Emperor Xiawen. An Indian monk, Boddhidarma, settled there and founded the Chan sect. The temple covers an area of over 30 thousand square meters and most of its buildings are from the Ming and Qing periods.

Forest of Pagodas

During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), monks of the temple formed a martial arts school to help the future emperor Li Shimin to fight his enemies. From this comes the Shaolin Wushu and therefore is also considered the birthplace of kung fu. Now houses an impressive school where students are prepared around the world. Representations are made continuously for travelers, while in the fields surrounding it can be seen testing those students who are internally since childhood.

Visitors should not miss “The Forest of Pagodas”, with about 240 of these quaint buildings. The Forest is annexed to the temple with their pagodas and retains the ashes of the great masters.

Longmen Grottoes

People who come to this region of China do not casually, but attracted by the reputation of a magical place: the famous Longmen Grottoes. The arrival they should be walking along the Yi river, a tree-lined boulevard that delights us at this hour of the morning. The heat is stifling and humid and fog is permanent, but this atmosphere will make the discovery-to the right of the river even more daunting.

The cliff

It puts us goosebumps before the cliff, completely bored of niches and caves that hide thousands of representations of Buddha. Before starting the tour, dip your feet in a little spring of clear water, which the Chinese attach properties of eternal youth. We’re ready to go up and down the steps into the rock that connect the various caves.

The cultural revolution and looting have taken a toll on Longman, so it is not unusual to meet with many statues defaced, resulting from the zeal of the Revolutionary Guards. There are also gaps instead of some statues that were stolen, especially during the 1940s – and are now present in European museums. It is unimaginable to think that this happens in a country with an ancient civilization that has been home to many of the greatest inventions of mankind. Buddhism was persecuted during the Cultural Revolution and many monuments suffered a terrible fate. Nevertheless, Longman still retains the original grandeur and its caves we discover that the Buddha awakened fervor among his followers for hundreds of years.

Longmen Grottoes, which in Chinese means “Dragon Gate” – are within 16 km. Louyang City. The sculptures can be seen at the site belong to two different dynasties: the Northern Wei and Tang, covering a period from the year 494 to 907. They are images of Buddha in various avatars (representations of the Buddha) and represent the pinnacle of Buddhist art.

Panoramic view of the cliff

The caves occupy about 1 kilometer in the cliff that borders the Yi River, between the Longmen Mountains and Xiangshan. Have been counted more than 2,300 caves and over 97 thousand Buddhas, plus thousands of carved stelae. The sizes of the statues are also varied, ranging from a height of 2 centimeters, to the spectacular 17-meter main Buddha.

In the west there are about 50 main caves that were carved between periods Wei, Sui and Tang. On the hill east, the caves are those of the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

The construction of these statues originated in the 494-for-Xiaowen’s reign and continued for over 400 years. Began when the Northern Wei capital decidiron place in Louyang. That was just the time that Buddhism spread to China and the imperial court began to venerate the figure of Buddha. The statues that we are the Buddhist art without any foreign influence.
The caves are divided into two main periods during which they were built. The most important are:

Caves Northern Wei (386-534)

1. Guyang Grotto
It is one of the oldest and richest caves throughout the complex. It is the main Buddha Sakyamuni, with 7.82 meters tall and slender figure. The Buddha is accompanied by two bodhisattvas * skirts and bare breasts. It is the cave which contains more information about the life of Buddha, so many that are posted over 800 entries. The emperor did carve for his grandmother.

2. Caves Binyang
There are three caves Binyang and are in the north west of Mt. The center was sculpted in-Wei Period, by order of Emperor Xuanwu to the memory of his father took 24 years to complete. It is said that over 800 thousand laborers worked in construction. It is considered the most beautiful grotto. He is 12 meters deep and 9.3 meters long. The Sakyamuni Buddha is *, with her smiling face, accompanied by his disciples. The floor is covered with lotus flower patterns on the ceiling and you can see a huge lotus flower carved, surrounded by musicians and heavenly creatures. At the entrance, covered with frescoes, the tales of the Buddha. In this cave-in disappeared 30s – two bas-reliefs depicting the Emperor and his wife worshiping Buddha, and today are exhibited in the United States.

3. Grotte de la Flor de Loto
Lianhua Dong The cave takes its name from a lotus flower carved 3 meters in diameter in the roof, with 6 apsaras * floating around bearing gifts. It contains a Buddha, his face shattered, two disciples and two Bodhisattva. The central Buddha is Sakyamuni and is 5 feet high. On the side walls there are niches with sculptures of clouds, beads, herbs, lotus flowers …

4.-Grotto Huangfugong or Shikusi
This cave of nearly 1,500 years old, was completed in 527. Before entering a ceiling is carved with 7 Buddhas. The wall also has 7 main statutes, which highlights a Buddha and two Bodhisattvas. On the roof there is a lotus flower surrounded by 8 apsaras musicians. It is one that is more uniform, while retaining its original appearance, as in other caves have been added, product donations.

Caves Tang (618-907)

The statues of the Tang caves are characterized by an energetic, smart and realistic.

1. South Cave Binyang
It’s a transition grotto was built by Emperor Li-Tai-Tang’s first emperor in memory of his mother. It was completed around the year 641. The main statue is a Buddha Amitabha * and also highlight the dragon heads that underlie the columns.

2. Yaofangdong Grotto (Grotto of the medical orderlies)
Its construction dates from a period in which ruled the Wei and Tang dynasties. The works can be seen inside perfectly illustrate the development of artistic style over 150 years. The name of the cave is because both sides of entry can be read 140 entries that describe various medical treatments at the time.

3. Feng Xian If
This is undoubtedly the grotto in which converge all visitors to Longmen, completely absorbed by its spectacular. To reach it you must climb a huge staircase carved into the rock. Once in the cave, the scenery seems unreal and people are sensitive to the grandeur of the statues.
Feng Xian Si-or Cave of the Ancients “was carved in the Tang period (672-675), during the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, which according to legend, the Buddha takes his central lines. It measures 35 meters long and has 9 statues of colossal size. The central Buddha figure is the more surprising. His height is 17.14 meters, only his head is 4 meters and 1.9 meters each ear. It is known as Vairocana or Buddha of infinite light, and is a Buddha before us full of serenity, with his two disciples Ananda and Kaçyapa. There are also two Lokapalas (heavenly guardians) and two dvarapalas (gatekeepers) who guard the temple.

4. Cave of Thousand Buddhas 10
Wanfo or is called Cave of the 10 Thousand Buddhas as containing 15 thousand small Buddha statues of about 2 inches high. The main Buddha is seated on a lotus throne and has a height of 4 meters. Behind him you can see 54 lotus flowers on each of them a celestial nymph. It also contains representations of musicians and dancers. This cave has the distinction of having been carved by two women, one of which was official and the other a Buddhist monk.

5. Kanjingsi
It is the largest grotto in the mountains with a stunning 8.4 meters in height, 11.1 meters wide and a depth that reaches 12.6 meters. It was carved in the time of Empress Wu Zetian. On the roof we see a huge lotus flower around which distinguishes 4 apsaras. On the walls east, north and south are deployed 29 statues of arhat *, summit Longmen sculpture.

6. Northern Binyang Grotto
This grotto (595-610) began to be built in the reign of the Wei dynasty and finished the period of the Sui and Tang dynasty. Amitabha Buddha is the most important figure, his round face and full lips. There are many inscriptions that decorate the walls.

In 2000, UNESCO declared the World Heritage Caves Longman.

Xiangshan monastery

Xiangshan monastery, or the Fragrant Hill, located just across the river, along the walk and crossing a bridge. It should go up some steep stairs between trees through a majestic landscape. The Empress Wu Zetian organized here a recital of poems and the famous Chinese poet Bai Juyi much appreciated this site, who lived there for 18 years and is buried here in the garden Bai, north of the monastery.

Entertainment

In Henan province, as in the rest of the less cosmopolitan China the people have simple entertainment, mostly community occasions. Participating in these activities is one of the best ways to know your people.

Morning Workout

In the morning, before work begins, the Chinese are taking the time to the practice of Tai Chi. So as parks, sidewalks and plazas are filled with practitioners for a few minutes. In the park of the City of King, in Louyang, hundreds of people practice together the art of Tai Chi. The rest of the day in the same place can make use of exercise equipment that are available to walkers.

At night, the scenery is changing and it is time that the Chinese go to dance. The groups meet in their hundreds in the plazas and parks and dance nonstop until 9 or 10 pm, when everything is collected and each returns home. Joining them is a magical moment, as the desire to know the stranger is real. We are an attraction for them and as soon as we want to share something, we have become the life of the party. We went from hand to hand, both male and female, and is no longer possible to stop: you have to dance. It is a simple and inexpensive fun. With a few words of English and gestures, we are fully inserted.

Other possibilities offered by the province are hiking, visiting monasteries and mountains, or excursions by hydrofoil, flying over the Yellow River.

Henan cuisine

One of the greatest pleasures when visiting China is able to prove its extraordinary cuisine, which is much more diverse than we thought in the West where only goes a tiny portion of what is actually its culinary heritage.

The cuisine of this region of China is one of the oldest and most traditional of the country. Louyang and Kaifeng are the best places displayed this ancient tradition. A good example is the so-called “water feast” of Louyang in the parade apace 24 plates. His name is because most of the dishes served are soup, without overlooking that are also brought to the rhythm of running water.

Another possibility offered by the local cuisine is to taste imnumerables insect-based dishes that can be bought live in many markets of the old part of town.

Louyang lives in a large Muslim community that has left its mark in the kitchen, so it is possible to taste dishes of lamb and grilled meats.

Some of the foods most common in the area are the Rouher (pie filled with diced meat and vegetables), soup lahuntun the xialong bao (pork dumplings), the jinpao (cakes stuffed with herbs) and many dishes based on fish that are caught directly in the Yellow River.

If you want to discover the gastronomic menu of Louyang, there is nothing better than to visit one of the restaurants offering buffet. This modality includes an extensive list of dishes, more than a hundred. Several cooks engaged in developing instantly what diners have chosen.

Buddhist Vocabulary

* Amitabha: the Buddha emanation of the fire. Call of the infinite light. It is immersed in meditation.
* Apsaras: Water Spirits.
* Arhat: Santo.
* Bodhisattva: Derived from Sanskrit. Sattva, ‘being’ and bodhi ‘awakening’. They are supernatural beings who seek enlightenment and one of the latest incarnations before achieving Nirvana.
* Lotus Flower: In Buddhism is considered a symbol of purity. In Tibetan Buddhism represents the heart of all living things.
* Sakyamuni: original Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
* Vayrocana: Buddha preacher and glowing.

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Beijing has a time-honored history of producing various kinds of snacks.With strong local flavors, Beijing’s snacks attract almost all visitors.now, let me recommend some famous street where you enjoy many Beijing snacks.
•Longfusi Snack street: All snacks of China gather here. Snacks of authentic Beijing style come from no others but Baikui Laohao where offers authentic soymilk, fried dough , Luzhu and diversified barbecues.It’s a very typical Muslim restaurant getting more blossoming when the night curtain falls. The 100m-long snack stall form a hot scene. Just buy some sausage or fried squid costing from 2 to 5 Yuan.

•Wangfujing Snack Street: As the curtain of night falls, diners gather here, among whom are a larger number of foreigners. Prices are not too low of course. Dazzling snacks from all corners of the land gather at here. If wanna have a seat to enjoy your food more comfortably, you might go to Sun PlazaRestaurant at 5th Floor as well.
•Gui Jie: Don’t be frightened by this name. Actually, the name of this street originates from that it is a round-the-clock food street. More late at night, more hot here. If you are a night owl too, just come here. Take a seat and eat something while chatting to spend the long night as a strange visitor at a
strange land. Stores here not so large but suitable for several friends drinking together and chatting quite well. Though with dated furnishing, they always have several dishes of everlasting aftertaste. Spicy Crab and Poached Fish in Pungent Sauce are eternally famous dishes yet. In summer, you can also go to the Yiyuan Restaurant. Under the umbrages in a Siheyuan with the moonlight overhead, it looks more like a grand party. Inside and outside of the restaurant flow courteous greetings of waiters and sweet smell of delicacies. Hungary at night ? Do not put yourself to a great inconvenience. Go to the Gui Jie directly by a taxi, and then, all is ok.
•Donghuamen Night Snack Street: Situated at the entrance of north street of Wangfujing, Donghuamen Night Snack Street is the most famous one in Beijing, but also foreign visitors also enjoy it. Currently, stroll this street has been the reserved program. At night, the flavored foods and voice of huckster had been a bright spot in Beijing evening.

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