Yangtze River

Tomb Sweeping And Yangtze River Cruise to Three Gorges Dam

Tomb Sweeping or Qingming Festival is a day to remember and honor your ancestors at grave sites. People pray before the ancestors, sweep the tombs and offer food, tea, wine, chopsticks, and paper accessories.  Fake money is sold and burned for their ancestors. This festival has a long tradition in Asia, especially among farmers. Some people carry willow branches with them on Qingming, or put willow branches on their gates and/or front doors. They believe that willow branches help ward off the evil spirit that wanders on Qingming.

We had a 4 day weekend for the holiday so I joined other teachers on a 400 mile river cruise down the Yangtze River through the Three Gorges and ending at the Three Gorges Dam.

The Three Gorges Dam is the world's largest power station and the dam is intended to increase the Yangtze River's shipping capacity and reduce the potential for floods. Currently the dam supports only about 2% of electricity demand in China.

The long reservoir has remained controversial in China.  About 1.3 million people were “relocated” and the reservoir flooded about 1,300 archaeological sites and altered the appearance of the Three Gorges as the water level rose over 300 ft.  Many cultural and historical relics have been moved to higher ground but the flooding inevitably covered many historical relics. The other major controversy is the impact the project has had on the environment and wildlife.  Over 50 plant species and many aquatic animals are now endangered and the river dolphin is possibly now extinct. 

Sailing out of Chongqing

We had a little mist or rain every day ... but it actually added to the beauty

A friend like to recite this little poem every day we had rain :-)

One of the most interesting stops along the river was a "Ghost City" in Fengdu.  This city combines the cultures of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism with the mystique of ghosts.  During the Tang Dynasty a huge black temple was erected depicting life in hell. It displays demonic images and torture devices and reflects the notion that good people will be treated well in the afterlife and that bad people will be punished by going to hell.

In the Chinese vision of the afterlife, the dead must undergo three major tests to enter the netherworld. And just so you know ... I passed all three tests :-)

Taking a ride on the Sampans was great fun even though it was in the rain.  The oarsman enjoyed a little friendly competition  and it was beautiful getting into the narrow gorges.  I was glad I didn't have to cross the hanging bridge.  But most of those working on the Sampans had to cross and then hike up the mountain a couple of miles to get to their homes.

The original "trackers" worked without clothes because the heavy weight of the ropes
rubbing on cloth cut their skin. The ropes are make of bamboo
which get's stronger when it's wet but doesn't hurt the skin

Here is a picture of a hanging coffin in the Qutang Gorge.  This was an ancient custom of some minority groups in China between 722-481 BC.   They are mostly carved from one whole piece of wood and to be buried in a hanging coffin was to protect the body from wild beasts and bless the soul eternally.

The 5 hour ride from Yichang to Wuhan was beautiful countryside.  It was so green and farms were terraced up the mountain.

The park by me is now blooming with thousands of tulips and peonies.

The cow is a big hit ... kids are all getting their picture on it

Couldn't resist a picture with the lovely Dutch maiden and prancing deer :-)

I'm loving the long spring and all the blossoms.

We finally had a little rain which helped clear the skies and today on my way home from class I took some pictures on campus of all the cherry, pear, and apple blossoms.  We are also seeing more lilacs and the tulips and peonies are starting to bloom.  I try to get in a walk every day because something new is always blooming.

Last week end I went with our department chair and friends of her's to visit a historical site a short distance from Xi'an.  Chang Kai Shek's Cave at Fragrant Springs Park was interesting and the blooms were colorful.  Chang Kai Shek was a southern warlord who came to Xi'an in 1936 for a conference with the northern warlords. The conference ended badly and he had to flee and hide in a cave.  This even is called the "Xi'an Incident."  He was later captured but then freed after agreeing to certain terms. The cave is scooped out of the side of a high plateau with several tunnels and rooms.  The cave was interesting but also a little creepy because it was so dark ... I had to use the light on my phone to see where we were going.  When the communists came to power in China, Chang Kai Shek and the Kuomintang regime were forced to flee to Taiwan. 

In addition to the blossoms on campus, the park continues to be beautiful and many people are out enjoying the nice weather and beautiful color.  I love how the Chinese often pose for pictures.

Today I went with Li Yali again to explore Xi'an and we visited the Beilin Museum with a Confucian Temple, Forest of Stone Tablets dating back to 500 AD and the Mausoleum Stone Sculptures.  Her friend is very knowledgable and was able to give us a great tour and point out some of the most historical and valuable pieces.  He also has pieces that he has contributed to the museum because he collects and sells ancient artifacts. 

Entrance to Forest of Stone Tablets

Making a paper rubbing of ancient stone caligraphy

Ancient hitching posts ...  horses could not enter the Confusion Temple

The turtle is a symbol on longevity and this is a replica of the tomb a young prince was buried in

Door to the tomb

A few more photos from campus taken on Saturday with Chinese friends

posing beside the Ancient Xi'an Jiaotong Bell

The Xi'an Jiaotong University spoon ... no cherry on top like in Minneapolis but ...
4 animals surround it indicating  North, South, East and West

The symbol in the circle is used to represent the university and is on stationary and brochures 

 Last night we had a bridal shower for a young gal from church at a new pizza restaurant close to my university that was recently opened by 3 Canadians.  Her mother and several relatives and friends in the US had sent me letters to read so it was almost like having her family with us.  Tomorrow is Easter and our church group will meet together for an Easter dinner.  I'm on my way shortly to pick up a couple of key lime pies that we all love ... I ordered them from a Mexican restaurant we like to eat at.  :-)