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Published: August 7th 2010
Bao With
Silkworm CocoonsThe Hutong area of Beijing represents the old residential district. The houses are hundreds of years old and are designed in a grid pattern, with 9 houses, three across and three down, forming the basis of the grid. Each set of nine houses shares a well. There are very few of these houses left. Although the structures are extremely simple and ten families must share a bathroom (yikes!), they represent some of the priciest real estate in Beijing, due to their rarity.
Silk making, is of course, an ancient craft in China, and for many years, the beautiful silk produced was reserved only for imperials. Many people don't realize that silk is actually processed from silkworm cocoons and it is a long and laborious process for the people who make it. Natural silk ranges from a white to a beige color.
China is known for four key inventions - papermaking, printing, the compass, and gunpowder. The government designed its opening ceremonies at the Olympics around this theme, with the culminating fireworks representing the gunpowder invention. Four hotels were built right at the Bird's Nest Stadium itself, and the four hotels were designed to represent four parts of a dragon,
and were set along what is known as the dragon line of Beijing, according to feng shui principles.
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Diane
non-member comment
great!
I am really enjoying your posts and information. (: Looks like you are all having an amazing time.