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黄河远上白云间，一片孤城万仞山； 羌笛何须怨杨柳，春风不度玉门关。 More than 1300 years ago, a poet wrote this poem to describe the landscape around Yumen. I am not a good translator, meanwhile, you know that the poem is always very difficult to show its feeling in a different language. From the poem, we get the information that the land outside Yumen Gate was already barren and infertile. The Yellow River was flowing far away. The only town stood besides the barren mountains. Plants should not be blamed not living there, since the spring wind couldn’t get through the Yumen Gate. It seems that the Yumen Gate is the line between life and desert. Back to the 21 century, the situation seems worse and worse. Not only the area outside the Yumen Gate is difficult for all creatures. In fact the Yumen Gate is ... read more

It is a good rest to spend several days in a quiet village without many tourists. Meanwhile, it is also a happy experience of enjoying a couple of days in a famous Miao village, which has good facilities and entertainments for tourists in the middle of August according to Chinese lunar calendar. Xijiang is the most famous village in Kaili area. I chose it as my first stop to get used to Miao’s life easier. Once your enter the main gate of the village, beautiful Miao girls will come to offer you a cup of traditional rice wine. It is sweet and nice. You even can’t feel the alcohol. But be careful, don’t drink too much, you will know its power afterwards. Various entertainments seemed to be hold all the time, from sunrise to sundown. Young ... read more

I do like traditional folk songs. But I didn’t think I like the folk songs in this area. I prefer the songs in northwest of China, which seems more powerful and primitive. Songs in Guizhou’s minority groups are more resonant by high pitch. I used to think it is a little bit ear-piercing when I listened through TV. But I completed changed my mind when I enjoyed the live performance in Xiaohuang, a small ‘Dong’ village which is famous by its songs. I was late. Every year there is a big singing competition from 13rd to 15th August according to Luna calendar. In that day, many choruses from ‘Dong’ villages come there to compete. It is not a formal competition. The key point mostly focuses on the fun. It is a big party for these ‘Dong’ ... read more