Top memories of China in 2008

2008, it’s not an easy year for all Chinese people. We enjoy the happiness that Beijing Olympic Games brought, also we suffer from the pain of the Wenchuan Earthquake. Today, let’s have a review of the big things happened in 2008.

1. Winter storm relief
Heavy snow -- the worst in 50 years -- hit southern, central and eastern areas of China in January,2008. The record snowfall has closed airports and expressways and shut down rail service. More than 77 of millions of people in 14 provinces are affected.

2. Wenchuan Earthquake
May 12th, 2008 is the day that people in China and around the world will never forget. A 8-magnitude earthquake devastated wide areas of Sichuan Province in China´s southwest. This is a rare and catastrophic natural disaster that has resulted in heavy loss of lives and properties.

Fortunately, we are strong enough. The whole country unite together to face the disaster, companies and individuals made lots of donation. Also, we got boundless Love and help from people around the world, which help us recover and rebuild out the area.

3. Beijing 2008 Olympic & Paralympic Games
On Aug. 8th, China´s 1.3 billion people open their arms and welcome the world! Under the banner of "One World, One Dream", Chinese People offered the world a spectacular festival of sport. The world is impressed by the wonderful Olympic opening and closing ceremony.

4. Shenzhou-7 Mission (China’s first space walk)
On September 25th, the Shenzhou-7 spacecraft was launched. It was China´s third spcae mission and the first to include a space walk. It also made China became the third country in the world to complete a spacewalk.

Chinese President Hu Jintao had said it was a small step from a Chinese astronaut, but a big step for the nation's scientific and technological innovation.

5. Three Direct Links Across Taiwan Straits
Dec. 15th, 2008 -- The Chinese mainland and Taiwan started direct air, sea transport and postal services. It’s the latest and important step to further improve the once strained ties between the two. Obviously, many people can benefit from these improvement.

6. 30 Years Anniversary of Reform & Opening Up
2008 marks China´s 30th anniversary of the Reform and Opening Up which was led by late Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping. After the development of the last 30 years, the dramatic transformation has immersed in the country's growth, even in tiny details. Some changes of China may get people stunned. But we still have a long way to go.

7. Global Financial Crisis
We all know that global economy turndown in 2008, China also suffer a lot. Many people lose their jobs, companies are bankrupted. Chinese government has a big challenge in the economy development. China's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to drop to 8.4 percent this year from last year's 9.1 percent, but the country remains an engine for East Asia and even for global growth, according to a forecast report released by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Friday in Beijing.


2008 is past and 2009 is a new start. No matter what happens, we have our faith and will do best to get better life. Wish the world peace and people around the world live a happy life.

Series of Mountain (7): Travel to Emeishan

Today we will explore Emeishan and all that it has offered. Located in Sichuan Province, Emeishan's history has been recorded for over 2,000 years, during which time a rich Buddhist cultural heritage has accumulated. Together with Wutaishan, Jiuhuashan, Putuoshan, Emeishan's one of the four shrines of Buddhism in China.

Visit the Leshan Giant Buddha scenic area! It’s said to be the biggest Buddha statue in the world, carved on the mountain, stands 71 m high. There are more than 90 stone carvings and Buddhist shrines on both sides of the Giant Buddha. The way in which the cultural features have been integrated with the natural scenery is considered to be a precious legacy.

While here, don’t miss the four famous and special physical phenomenons. They are sunrise, seas of clouds, "Buddha's halo", and holy lights. Atop the Golden Summit, which is 3,099 meters high, one can enjoy the sunrise, seas of clouds.

Then what’s "Buddha's halo" and holy lights? When the sun projects the shadow of the viewer on the clouds in front of him or her, ice crystals and tiny drops of water in the clouds may reflect the light to form a rainbow around the shadow. Only in few places(such as Golden Summit) with appropriate sync of light, landform and clouds could the Buddha's halo be enjoyed.

Holy lights: On evenings when the moon can not be observed (either in the early or late period of a lunar month), and after rain, tourists may see countless shining balls of light rising from the foot of the cliff and floating up in the air. This is the mysterious scene of "holy lights".

There are some other wonderful scenery and temples, such as Wannian Temple, Baoguo Temple, and Fuhu Temple, etc. Don’t take our word for it, see for yourself!