The Chinese use the word “翻新” (fanxin). Individually, the character “翻 ” means “to turn upside down” and “新” means new. The two characters together mean “to revamp”, “to make over”. Many ancient towns and villages have had a major make over in China. Usually, the make-over or fanxin process consists in tearing down the…
This is a relatively old piece of news by now, but it will definitely leave a scare in Weishan 巍山, an ancient town on the old Tea and Horse Road (茶马古道) in Yunnan for a while. The 600-year old Gongchen Tower (拱辰楼), an impressive tower gate topped with a Chinese style pavilion that was home…
As Jim Morrison once famously sang, “keep your eyes on the road, your hands upon the wheel”. Wise words indeed, especially for those who have the good fortune to experience one of these spectacularly scenic drives. Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia, Canada Proud Canadians from St. John’s to Victoria regard the Cabot Trail as a venerable…