#119 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (Part 2,The Silk Road near DUNHUANG, Gansu)

Asia » China
September 20th 2009

Published: September 18th 2009

***** "It is with deep sadness, that I heard of the recent events and tragedy at my former school in Miami. From so far away, in Taizhou, China, I wish to share in your pain and suffering, that must be overwhelming you, my dear friends and collegues and students at Coral Gables H.S. My memories of almost 20 years with you were of great joy and satisfaction, and I wish I could be there with y... Read Full Entry

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Hans J. Schneider

Hans

After 38 years as a Foreign Language Teacher and Foreign Language Dept. Chair at Coral Gables Sr. H.S., and A.J. Professor of German at the University of Miami, I have left Florida in June of 2006, where my home is in Miami Beach, Florida, USA. I have just signed another year's teaching-contract (my 8th year now) with Taizhou University in the city of Taizhou, located about 3hrs north of Shanghai, in Jiangsu Province, CHINA. I thought it would be informative for others and rewarding for me personally, to log the progress of my efforts from beginning to end, as a Travel and Photo Jo... full info

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Interiors of some of the Grottoes in Dunhuang, Photo #12

Details

Interiors of some of the Grottoes in Dunhuang, Photo #13

Details of some wall paintings. There are tens of thousands of square yards of these painting within the grottoes.

Interiors of some of the Grottoes in Dunhuang, Photo #14

The paintings tells visitors and scholars so much about China's past.

Interiors of some of the Grottoes in Dunhuang, Photo #15

Details of wall-paintings.

A Stunning Sight for the Ancient Travelers along the Silk Road.

A copy of a postcard showing the Mogao Grottoes at sunset.

YUMEN PASS near Dunhuang,Gansu

Our next visit was a visit deep into the desert, about 50 miles from Dunhuang. It was a very hot day, when we arrived at the Yumen Pass, a fortress that once helped control the flow of goods along the ancient Silk Road.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #1

This desert highway takes us on a one hour journey through the desert from Dunhuang to the Yumen Pass. The A/C of our small bus protected us well from the extreme desert heat.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #2

The desert highway ends after an hour bus ride. In the distance the fortress of the Yumen Pass is now visible in the distance. We made our way on foot toward the massive, ancient clay fortress.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #3

My fellow travellers along the Ancient Silk Road. Arthur (left), to my right: Mr. Xu, Ms. Yang, and Mr. Huang.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #4

The ruins of the ancient fortress is now protected by a fence, and can only be admired from the distance. It is still an impressive sight, standing like a massive block of desert stone.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #5

The walls of the ancient fortress are made of clay bricks, which have been baking in the hot desert sun for centuries. From here, much of the jade trade passed along the Silk Road.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #6

The protective wall of the fort are many feet thick. The construction also provided some shade and cool from the desert elements.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #7

If you take a closer look toward the horizon, a large patch of green point toward a source of water near the fort. It is an area that must be walked carefully, since quick-sand has swallowed humans and camels for centuries. On the far horizon are the mountains, where the first portions of the Great Wall were constructed.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #8

The fort controlled much of the Western Frontier of China, and must be imagined with a thriving community surrounding it. It was the gateway into the desert oasis of Dunhuang.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #9

Two gates open the ancient fort to the travelers and merchants along the Silk Road. Centuries of Chinese history have passed this once thriving trading region, connecting East and West.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #10

Leaving the Yumen fort ruins, we walk quietly along the road, that has felt the steps of man, horses, and camels for so many centuries. In the distance, the fortifications now stand as a reminder to history, when travel and trade was a greater adventure.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #11

Today the fort ruins of Yumen Pass stand lonely, and only few visitors brave to desert heat to take a closer look at this, once so important outpost, on the western borders of the Chinese Empire.

Yumen Pass in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #12

On our way back to our bus, I was greeted by this lonely sun-flower near the car-park. Some life is possible in this arid region from minimal sources of water.

New Tree Plantings along the Desert Highway, once known as the Silk Road.

Returning to Dunhuang on the desert highway, new tree planting is seen everywhere. These will have a difficult time growing larger under the scorching desert sun. Hundreds of Millions of trees are planted around China's. I have seen the plantings in all of my travels. In the West of China it is hoped, that trees will slow the expansion of the desert toward the East.

Evening Entertainment in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #1

After a wonderful dinner, we enjoyed this colorful show in the center theater of Dunhuang. It was telling us the story of China's birth as an empire, and much of the history, which developed along the Silk Road.

Evening Entertainment in Dunhuang, Gansu, Photo #2

With the figure of the Buddha towering in the background, the story of the birth of the Chinese Empire was told with music, song, acrobatics, and fabulous costumes.

18th September 2009

Stefanie Kinnamon
non-member comment

Sounds like you had a wonderful trip! Pictures of my adventures would involve five-year-olds with their fingers up their noses. Not quite as picturesque I feel. Its funny, I went to Gansu as well and visited completely different areas. I think two people could have basically the same itinerary and come back with completely different stories. Drop me a line sometime and tell me how you are doing.

18th September 2009

Sue Storr
non-member comment

More blue skies!
Hi Hans, may I also express my sadness to you regarding Coral Gables High. I know you will be suffering a bit also. You've excelled yourself again! Great blog- still on my "must-see" list! Van cooked itself and cracked the head (of the motor). Too expensive to fix, so trying sans vehicle for a while and see how it goes. Of course that means getting out on my bike a lot more (to and from work especially). Good for the knee rehab- and my return to China- whenever! BTW, you're looking a shadow of your former self!! Hope you are well. Hugs Sue

18th September 2009

Julie
non-member comment

Keep them coming!
I tune in every morning to see what you've written. I feel like I'm right there with you. I remember the trip to Spain; that was a blast! I still have my rug from Morocco and the many pictures I took. P.S. You're still dressing very sharply! :)

18th September 2009

Sandra Cordoba
non-member comment

always splendid!
I'm glad you're still posting :D your trips are amazing!

22nd September 2009

Susan Goodman
non-member comment

lucky you, I loved Dun Huang
Hans, I read your blogs and wish I were back in China. My trip to Dun Huang with Linell was wonderful. The place is absolutely unbelievable. I'm wondering how you got the photos of the inside of the caves (but that's a different issue). We saw our alloted number of caves and then went to the hotel on the outskirts with the fantastic top floor bar and met a French artiste manager who had finally got permission to visit many of the caves. These caves are still unknown to most non-Chinese, and probably most Chinese. I was so glad that Linell knew about them and arranged our trip there. You and she should hook up before she decides to return to the US. She's been in China at least 15 years, maybe closer to 20. Thanks for continuing to do your blogs. I love China, but can't return because of lung problems. I wish I had met you while I was teaching at Nanjing. Susan

29th September 2009

June
non-member comment

Motivated by what kind of spirit, dare those tresspassers steal away other nation's unreplaceable treasures? Well, while the cowarded, corrupted rulers turned their blind eyes on the robbery, why not to sacrifyce ancesters' legacies for exchange of a few cash, as done by a taoism monk, who was then garding the side? Sad indeed, never mind, these things do happen.

30th September 2009

Julie
non-member comment

Address
Hans, If you could post or email to me your address, I would like to send some things to you. Thank you!

30th September 2009

June
non-member comment

Thanks for your tireless work!
Your genuine appreciation of the Chinese culture must have made great impact on many of your students.

3rd October 2009

Hans
Hans J. Schneider

My e-mail for Julie:
HansSchneider102@msn.com

3rd October 2009

Hans
Hans J. Schneider

my address for Julie:
Hans J. Schneider c/o Taizhou Teachers College #100 Chunhui Rd. Taizhou, Jiangsu, PRC 225300

13th October 2009

Julie
non-member comment

Great, thank you! I'll put together a package for you to be mailed some time in November. I'll let you know when I post it. Have a great week!

21st December 2009

Julie
non-member comment

Fröhliche Weihnachten!
Hello Hans! I wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas and hope that you have a wonderful holiday. I do have a package for you but I have decided to wait until after the holidays to mail it. I once sent a package to a friend in Italy and he never received it. I know the mail service (especially international) is very chaotic around the holidays. I will be celebrating Christmas at my mother's house. She does the traditional Italian Feast of the 7 Fishes. I am looking forward to it. The family has dwindled now that I am older and I miss having everyone around but they will be remembered as we celebrate. Speak to you soon!

29th October 2010

The main portal of the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang, Gansu

杨吟卉
non-member comment

You are cool

29th October 2010

tony
non-member comment

how a u
how are you ?do you remember me ?where a u now?

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#119 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (Part 2,The Silk Road near DUNHUANG, Gansu)

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