Yang Guan Pass of China Great Wall, Gansu Yang Pass, Yangguan Pictures

Yang Guan Pass of China Great Wall, Gansu Yang Pass, Yangguan Pictures

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/picture/china_great_wall/gansu/dunhuang/yangguan/
http://www.travelchinaguide.com/china_great_wall/scene/gansu/yangguan.htm
Located in Nanhu Village, along the Hexi Corridor and 43 miles southwest to Dunhuang City in Gansu Province, Yangguan Pass is one of the two important western passes (the other one is Yumenguan Pass) of Great Wall in Western Han Dynasty (206BC -24AD). The Emperor Wu ordered to build it in the purpose of consolidating the frontier defense as well as developing the remote western region.

In Chinese, Yang means the south. Because it is lying to the south of Yumenguan Pass, people gave its name - Yangguan Pass. Together with Yumenguan Pass, it has also witnessed the prosperity of Silk Road in the past times. In Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), it welcomed the glorious return of Xuan Zang, a great monk who pilgrimaged to the west in search of Buddhist scriptures. Many Chinese get to know this important pass mainly from the poem Farewell to Yuaner to Take Office in Anxi, written by Wang Wei, a famous poet in Tang Dynasty. From the last two lines "Oh, my friend, I sincerely entreat you to have another cup of wine; you will see no more friends west out of the Yangguan Pass.", we can see the Yanguan Pass has always been the place of desolation and sadness since ancient times. In the Song (960 - 1279) and Ming (1368 - 1644) Dynasty, because of the decline of the Silk Road, the Pass was generally forgotten by people.

Yangguan bricks in Yangguan Pass Museum

For years and years, the flowing dunes have eroded this Great Wall pass into a broken beacon tower, standing alone in the boundless desert. It measures 15.4 feet high and 8.7 yards wide. Around the relic, you cannot even see the dismantled walls, because they were all eroded by the wind and buried under earth. South to the pass, there is a "Curio Beach". It is a small valley where you can find lots of dynasties' tiles, coins, weapons, and decorations.

Today's Yangguan Pass is not only a historic place of recalling the remote past, but also a hometown of tasty grapes. Come here, appreciate the beauty of vicissitudes of the Great Wall, enjoy the natural view combined by oasis, desert and snow peaks, and taste the juicy fruits.

Yangquan Travel Guide: Location, Scenic Spots, Shanxi China

http://www.travelchinaguide.com/picture/china_great_wall/gansu/dunhuang/yangguan/

Yangquan Travel Guide: Location, Scenic Spots, Shanxi China

Population: 1,289,500

Area: 4,451 square kilometers (1,719 square miles)

Nationalities: Han

Administrative Division: 3 districts (Downtown District, Mining District, Suburban DIstrict); 2 counties (Pingding, Yuxian)

Useful Telephone Numbers:
Tourist Complaints: 0353-2042817
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
Bank of China: 0353-2024446

Location: Yangquan lies at the western foot of the middle Taihang Mountains, it is the political, economic and cultural center of the eastern Shanxi Province, and is adjacent to Hebei Province in the east, located midway between Shijiazhuang and Taiyuan and about 400 kilometers (249 miles) from Beijing and Tianjin.

Physical Features: The city is situated on the eastern edge of the Loess Plateau in the mountainous area of eastern Shanxi. The terrain of the city slopes downward from the west to the east with the mountains as its main part of the land.

History: Yangquan is a time-honored city and gains its name for the five bubbling springs of former days in the downtown city. Historically, it was always a strategic point that commenced construction as a military fortress as early as in the late Warring States Period (476BC-221BC). In the Tang Dynasty (618-907), Yangquan was exalted to a prefecture. By 1905, it had a train station to facilitate the exploitation of the mines, making the city one of the birthplaces of Shanxi's modern industry.

Climatic Features: It belongs to the warm temperate zone with a semi-humid continental monsoon climate, Yangquan has four clear seasons: windy and rarely rainy spring; hot and wet summer; cool autumn and cold dry winter. Additionally, winter and summer are longer whilst spring and autumn are shorter. As the weather can be rapidly changeable in autumn, temperature difference between the day and night is great.

When to Go: from April to October of a year

Scenic Spots:
Niangzi Pass: Apart from the sites of old berm, the gate and the wall, this pass of the Great Wall also has a waterfall nearby which counteracts the occasional pervading gloom.

Nanshan Park: It is a comprehensive hilly park that assembles imitations of ancient buildings, fountains, pavilions, and children's playground. It is a perfect place for people to relax.

Other Scenic Spots: In northeastern Yuxian County, there are a group of karst caves extending for 20 kilometers (12 miles) with the largest one half kilometer (0.3 mile) long. It is one of the largest caves in North China.

Shanxi Province...Yangquan

Shanxi (help·info) (Chinese: 山西; pinyin: Shānxī; Wade–Giles: Shan-hsi; Postal map spelling: Shansi) is a province in the northern part of the People's Republic of China. Its one-character abbreviation is Jin (晋 pinyin jìn), after the state of Jin that existed here during the Spring and Autumn Period.

The name Shanxi literally means "mountain's west", which refers to the province's location west of the Taihang Mountains.[1] Shanxi borders Hebei to the east, Henan to the south, Shaanxi to the west, and Inner Mongolia to the north. The capital of the province is Taiyuan.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shanxi

* Jinci in Taiyuan, famous for its temples and Song Dynasty paintings and architectures.

* Zuoquan County, famous for its China Communist Party battlefield sites.

* The Ancient City of Pingyao is a World Heritage Site near Taiyuan. Once a great financial center of China, it is noted for its preservation of many features of northern Han Chinese culture, architecture, and way of life during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

* The Yungang Grottoes, a World Heritage Site in Datong, consist of 252 caves noted for their collection of 5th and 6th century Buddhist grotto sculptures and reliefs.

* Mount Wutai (Wutai Shan) is the highest point in the province. It is known as the residence of the bodhisattva Manjusri, and as a result is also a major Buddhist pilgrimage destination, with many temples and natural sights. Points of interest include Tang Dynasty (618–907) era timber halls located at Nanchan Temple and Foguang Temple, as well as a giant white stupa at Tayuan Temple built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644).

* Mount Hengshan (Heng Shan), in Hunyuan County, is one of the "Five Great Peaks" of China, and is also a major Taoist site. Not far from Heng Shan, the Hanging Temple is located on the side of a cliff and has survived for 1400 years despite earthquakes in the area.

* Pagoda of Fogong Temple, in Ying County, is a pagoda built in 1056 during the Liao Dynasty. It is octagonal with nine levels (five are visible from outside), and at 67 m (220 ft) in height, it is currently the tallest wooden pagoda in the world. It is also the oldest fully-wooden pagoda in China, although many no-longer-existing wooden pagodas have preceded it, and many existing stone and brick pagodas predate it by centuries.

* Hukou Waterfall is located in the Yellow River on the Shanxi-Shaanxi border. At 50 meters high it is the second highest waterfall in China.

* Dazhai is a village in Xiyang County. Situated in hilly, difficult terrain, it was a holy site during the Cultural Revolution, when it was set out to the entire nation as exemplary of the hardiness of the proletariat, especially peasants.

* The Cloud Ridge Caves are shallow caves near Datong. There are over 50,000 carved images and statues of Buddhas and Boddhisatvas within these grottoes, ranging from 4 centimeters to 7 meters tall.

Childers Queensland Australia

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Childers/2005/02/17/1108500202242.html

Well preserved historic town on the main road between Brisbane and Bundaberg.
Located 325 km north of Brisbane, 60 km north of Maryborough, 52 km south of Bundaberg and 108 m above sea level, Childers is a town which was created and sustained by the sugar cane which grew around it until there were 8 years of drought. The local council, determined to capitalise on the tourist traffic which drove through town without stopping, then embarked on a campaign which has resulted in the title 'Historic Childers - The National Trust Town' and now offers people speeding north to the resorts an ideal place to stop and explore a little of the region's interesting past.

Given the age of the unusual Brazilian Leopard Trees which line the main street it is surprising that people ever drove through the town without so much as a pause of curiosity.

The Childers area was first explored by Europeans in the 1850s. The name of the town of Childers comes either from the village of Childre in Oxfordshire (there are other Oxfordshire names in the area including Didcot, Abingdon and the Isis River) or from the Rt Hon Hugh Childers, Auditor-General of Victoria.

The area grew slowly as teamsters stopped in the town and the land around was taken up by pastoralists eager to raise cattle on the fertile soil. In 1902 the town was virtually wiped out by a fire which demolished nearly all the buildings on one side of the main street. Those that survived are now the interesting and important buildings in the town.

Wind Farm at Ravenshoe Queensland Australia

Windy Hill Wind Farm is a wind power station near Ravenshoe on the Atherton Tablelands, Queensland, Australia. Windy Hill has 20 wind turbines with a generating capacity of 12MW of electricity.

The power station was commissioned in 2000 and was initially operated by the Stanwell Corporation. However, as of December 2007, Windy Hill was sold to Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund as part of Queensland Government's ClimateSmart 2050 strategy.

http://www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au/cec/resourcecentre/casestudies/Wind/Windy-Hill.html


Windy Hill Wind Farm is Queensland's largest wind farm with 20 windmills producing enough power for 3500 homes.
Windy Hill Wind Farm is located about three kilometres from Ravenshoe, which is situated 920 metres above sea level (highest town in Queensland,) on privately owned Atherton Tableland dairy farmland.
It is capable of a generating capacity of 12 megawatts, and the number of wind turbines is 20.

Wind turbine operation

Phase 1 of Windy Hill wind farm consists of 20 turbines with a combined capacity of 12 MW. The turbines are Enercon E40, each with an electrical capacity of 600 kW. The turbines are mounted on tubular towers 44 metres high, the hub height is 46 metres. The rotors have total diameters of 46 metres. The blades pitch to optimise the power produced and to control the rotational speed. The turbine rotates from 14 rpm to 38 rpm maximum.

The rated output is produced at wind speeds of between 13 m/s (47 km/hour) and 25 m/s (90 km/hour), the cut-in wind speed is 2.5 m/s (9 km/hour).
Transmission

Power is generated at 400 volts and is stepped up to 22,000 volts with a transformer for connection to the grid. The turbines are connected through underground cables before being connected to the overhead transmission lines passing through the wind farm. Ergon has constructed a new substation closer to Ravenshoe to enable the wind farm power to join the 66kV service to the Tablelands and North Queensland.
Site Ownership

Stanwell Corporation does not own the land around the wind farm. Two local farmers have entered into lease access agreements with Stanwell. The wind turbines have minimal impact on their activities and the farmers continue with normal land use.
Phase 2

Phase 2 of the project is planned to consist of another 22 turbines, taking the total capacity to 25 MW. The project will proceed if the Shire Council and the local community are fully satisfied with project impacts.
Environmental impact

Windy Hill's 12 MW wind farm will produce enough energy to supply 3500 homes (equivalent to the towns of Atherton and Mareeba) and will reduce carbon dioxide emissions from non-renewable sources by 25,000 tonnes. Stanwell undertook wind monitoring to assess the potential of the site and optimum turbine layout. The consultation process with stakeholders considered issues such as aesthetics, impact on wildlife, noise levels and compatibility with telecommunications systems.

Karumba Queensland Australia

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Karumba/2005/02/17/1108500203462.html

Karumba (including Sweers Island)
The major fishing port on the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Located on the banks of the Norman River 69 km from Normanton and 443 km north of Cloncurry, Karumba is a fishing town. It is nothing more than a port, a few shops, a pub, a lot of inexpensive accommodation for fishermen and a river front which abounds with wharves, refrigerated storage areas, slipways and engineering services.

In the 1870s a telegraph station was built on the site of the present town. It was known simply as Norman Mouth. It served a purpose but was hardly reason for a settlement to develop. Karumba first came to importance in the 1930s when it became a stopover point for flying boats on the run from London to Australia. By the 1950s it had become a popular spot for people eager to go fishing in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The town went through something of a boom period in the 1960s and 1970s when it became the centre for the Gulf fishing industry. Today the prawn fishing industry and the barramundi industry earn over $130 million each year.

Karumba itself is an unimpressive town. It looks like any hastily thrown together coastal settlement. Lots of fibro and haphazard urgency. Most of the houses look like holiday homes and the town has a temporary feeling about it.

Karumba's existence is connected to the simple fact that it is on the banks of the river and it is set on sand ridges which allow direct access to the river and the sea. As Burke and Wills found out in 1861 large areas of the Gulf's coastline are inpenetrable because of the dense mangrove swamps. In fact the bank of the river opposite the town is still inpenetrable mangroves.

The journey to the town from Normanton passes over an area of very flat Gulf Country. The land is alive with birdlife and it is common to see flocks of cranes and brolgas feeding beside the road.

A sign outside the town seems to sum it up 'Welcome to Karumba - population small'. As the road enters the town the all-pervading fishing industry becomes obvious with signs like - Karumba Marine Service, Karumba Charter, Net Mending and Seafood Supplies. Even the police station has a boat outside it.

In spite of its industry there is something quite beautiful and exotic about the place.

Karumba North Queensland..the Sunset

Karumba is famous for its magnificent sunsets.
Tours regularly take boatloads of tourists to sit in the middle of the ocean out of Karumba, in what is like a bowl of sunset to enjoy the spectacular changing of colors as the sunset deepens and changes and finally burns to the night.

Undarra Resort Queensland Australia

http://undara.com.au/

Set in the Gulf Savannah country, Undara is as ancient and alluring as the continent itself, the Undara Lava Tubes stand as silent sentinels to our pre-history. Here you can walk in the path of a volcano and sleep cocooned in an antique railway carriage as your dreams connect you with the essence of this timeless land.

It’s a place where you can explore natural geological wonders, enjoy the comforts and hospitality of a unique outback setting and where the local wildlife are as abundant as they are at home in their surroundings. In short, Undara needs to be experienced!

A short flight, historic train ride or scenic half-day coach transfer or drive from Cairns, Undara is the experience that defines Australia’s Outback.
You’ve heard it said “You have to get lost to find yourself” – this is where you’ll find the sense of place you’re seeking…

Undara Experience is Located on the eastern edge of the ruggedly beautiful Gulf Savannah region of northern Australia, the multi-award winning Undara Experience captures the essence of the real Australian Outback.

Undara Experience is located in pristine tropical savannah woodlands, within easy reach of the Great Barrier Reef areas of Cairns and Townsville in Tropical North Queensland.

From Undara Experience, you can visit the Undara Lava Tubes, part of the longest lava flow from a single volcanic crater on Earth. In the Microbat breeding season you can witness the unique spectacle of the Microbats and the Night Tigers.

Your stay at Undara Experience includes evening wildlife spotlighting walks, campfire evenings, delicious dining featuring the region’s best produce, or a quiet drink in the bar as the outback sunset fades into the clearest starlit night.

 Highly qualified Savannah Guides take you on tours that give a unique insight into the geology and ecology of the Undara Volcanic National Park, the local history and bushcraft of the Gulf Savannah region.
Tours cost $45 from the Resort.

Mission Beach.. Tam O'Shanter National Park..Djuru National Park

http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/djiru/index.html



The Traditional Owners of Djiru National Park, the Djiru Aboriginal people, welcome you to their country and ask that you respect their special place.
Location
Eight kilometres west of the town of Mission Beach

This park protects some of the last remaining lowland rainforest in the Wet Tropics and is home to the endangered southern cassowary. Two separate day-use areas feature pleasant rainforest walks and a longer bushwalk links the areas.

The Rain forest walk takes about 30 minutes walking through some very dense tropical rain forests which are home to the Cassowary. The walk is well created fully documented with detailed noticeboards and information, and stepped and designed to maintain the natural rainforest.

Wongaling Beach south of Mission Beach Queensland Australia

Mission Beach is a natural mid way point between Townsville and Cairns. Mission Beach is made up of four beach villages linked by 14 kilometres of wide golden beach, a perfect base to relax and explore this unspoilt natural environment. A blend of sophisticated eateries, boutiques and art galleries nestle against lush tropical rainforest. Mission Beach reminds us of how beautiful little beachside towns can be, blending vibrant art and culture with unique tourism attractions.

Visitors to Tropical North Queensland can plan a day trip from Cairns or Port Douglas; it’s just under two hours from Cairns to Mission Beach. Experiencing the beauty of Mission Beach, Cairns visitors often return.

The four villages of Mission Beach offer an excellent array of accommodation, from luxury resorts, and upmarket holiday homes to secluded rainforest retreats and superbly appointed B & Bs. Romantic getaways, family holidays, birdwatchers, backpackers, adventure travellers, campers and caravanners are all catered for. Mission Beach also offers the tourist a vast array of activities ranging from eco-friendly and environmental tours to extreme sports such as tandem skydiving and white water rafting for adrenaline junkies.

Wongaling Beach is the closest point to Dunk Island and enjoys spectacular views. Launch your boat directly off the beach or catch the water taxi to Dunk Island. Alternatively, take in the shops at the Wongaling shopping centre or enjoy a beer with your lunch in one of the beachfront bars.

Balgal Beach Queensland Australia

Balgal Beach is a beachside community popular as a day and overnight trip destination for locals and tourists to Thuringowa and Townsville. Just a few minutes from Rollingstone, Balgal Beach features a stinger net, which is installed and patrolled from November to May, and an excellent boat ramp facility with easy access to the Palm Island group. It boasts a superb sand beach as well as a wide creek mouth and is a renowned beach and river fishing location.

Other activities include visiting the Anzac memorial, viewing the interpretive historic signage, having a picnic and barbecue at the park, bird watching and fishing.

There is also a licensed cafe and a variety of accommodation which includes Holiday Units, Bed and Breakfast Retreat, and Council's two designated limited tent camping and vehicle camping areas. Download the flyer from their websites for more information on free camping.

St Lawrence Queensland Australia

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladymaggic/sets/72157624574525026/

St Lawrence
Tiny township between Rockhampton and Mackay.
Located 823 km north of Brisbane St Lawrence is a tiny, insignificant town which through some accident of history and location has managed to survive although it has outlived its usefulness. It sprawls around the railway line and, to the casual observer, seems to have no real reason for its continued existence.

Originally it was created as a port to ship out the cattle which were grazed in the hinterland. Its existence depended almost entirely on the fact that it was located midway between the larger ports of Rockhampton and Mackay and, as such, was a sensible alternative to the relatively long droving runs which were required if cattle were to be shipped out from these larger ports. It is located 183 km from Rockhampton and 161 km from Mackay and it is now 6 km from the Bruce Highway consequently it doesn't benefit from the passing traffic.

Today it is nothing more than a strange country pub, a little butcher's shop, a couple of general stores, a railway station, a bowls club (which is a very popular weekend pastime), and a shire council office. The people in this tiny settlement are almost entirely shire and railway workers with just a few professional fishermen and local business people.

Hervey Bay

Where the Hell is Matt? (2008)

Philipines..Dumaguette

http://www.dumagueteinfo.com/
 Dumaguete City is known as 'The City of Gentle People' and for good reason. While the Philippines in general is famous for their hospitality,

Birds at Normanton Queensland Australia

Normanton
Unusual and fascinating town near the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria.
Normanton is a genuinely delightful town with an excess of old world charm. Located 712 km west of Cairns and 681 km west of Townsville it started life as a port for the Gulf of Carpentaria's cattle industry and grew in importance with the discovery of gold at Croydon in 1885.
The area was first explored by Ludwig Leichhardt on his epic journey from the Darling Downs to Port Essington. The next Europeans through the area were Burke and Wills who made their final dash to the Gulf (or, more correctly, to the mangrove swamps somewhere near the edge of the Gulf) only 26 km west of the town.
The location of Burke and Wills last northern camp is signposted on the main Normanton-Burketown road. It is only a 1.5-km drive into the bush to the spot which is marked by a couple of plaques.
The dedication reads: 'This monument marks the site of Camp No: 119 of the 1860-61 Burke and Wills expedition occupied on Saturday 9 February 1861 by Robert O'Hara Burke, William John Wills, John King and Charlie Gray. On Sunday 10 February Burke and Wills left on the attempted journey to the Gulf of Carpentaria returning on Tuesday 12 February. All four abandoned the camp the next day for the return journey to Coopers Creek, Depot No: 75, and home to Melbourne. During the return journey all died with the exception of King who survived with the assistance of a friendly Aboriginal tribe. This monument was provided through, and with thanks, to the generous donation of Mr. Douglas Jolly of Brisbane and the historical advice of the State Library of Victoria and was erected in 1978 by the Normanton Lions Club.'
It was Frederick Walker, one of the many explorers who went looking for Burke and Wills, who discovered and named the Norman River after the captain of a ship named Victoria.
In 1867 William Landsborough sailed up the Norman river and chose the site for the settlement of Normanton. Over the next decade it became an important port. The large Burns Philp building at the end of the town's main street is evidence of its importance at this time. There were even suggestions that it would become a port to rival Darwin as the main centre on the north coast of Australia.
In 1892 a boiling-down works was established on the river and shortly afterwards a meatworks was opened.
The town experienced a major boom with the discovery of gold at Croydon. By 1891 the population had reached 1251. However the gold diggings were short-lived and although the Normanton-Croydon railway line was opened by 1907 the whole area was on the decline. Even the cattle which had been the town's mainstay started heading south as the railway line was extended out towards Mount Isa. By 1947 the population had dropped to 234.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Queensland/Normanton/2005/02/17/1108500203650.html

Great Wall of China at Jinshanling and Simatai

http://www.kinabaloo.com/simatai_great_wall.html
SiMaTai Great Wall, 120 km northeast of Beijing, is 5.4 km long with 35 beacon towers. Simatai Great Wall is known for its steepness, Ruggedness and beauty                                                                                                   

SiMaTai is densely dotted with watchtowers; the nearest two are only 44m apart. The walls are in single, double and trapeze forms and the watchtowers are sometimes round in shape and composed of 2 or 3 floors. Even the roofs of the towers are diverse: some are flat, some cymbi form and some domical shapes.

There are two springs called the 'Mandarin Duck Springs' at the foot of SiMaTai Great Wall. The east one is cold, while the west is warm. The 2 springs join into one lake so half the lake is cold and the other half is warm. In winter, hot steam rises from the lake, forming a marvelous spectacle.

SiMaTai Great Wall is separated into two parts (east and west) by a valley. The west part is relatively gentle with 20 well-preserved watchtowers. The east part is steep and precipitous with 15 watchtowers on the 1000 m high peaks, making a journey you will never forget.