At first glance, you may think these photos were taken in Provence, France at their world famous lavender fields. You may be surprised to find out that they're actually photographs of a large lavender field in Somerset, England, a place where, if you're lucky (or skilled), you can capture a once-in-a-lifetime shot.
The Somerset Lavender Farm is home to more than 50,000 lavender plants, rows of vibrant bushes spread amongst a 5-acre field. If you come at just the right time (usually June or July), you may be able to capture a photo that looks very similar to an Impressionist painting.
Photographer Antony Spencer, who shot the photo immediately above and below told The Daily Mail, "You have a window of just ten days each year when the lavender is at its best before it's harvested so it's a matter of getting up early and getting down to the field before sunrise. The light was absolutely phenomenal and made the lavender look beautiful. As a landscape photographer you only get those kind of moments once a year."
Especially love the photos of the lavender fields set against dramatic skies.
As an herb, lavender has been in documented use for over 2,500 years. In ancient times lavender was used for mummification and perfume by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and peoples of Arabia.
Romans used lavender oils for bathing, cooking, and scenting the air, and they most likely gave it the Latin root from which we derive the modern name (either lavare--to wash, or livendula--livid or bluish). The flower's soothing "tonic" qualities, the insect-repellent effects of the strong scent, and the use of the dried plant in smoking mixtures also added to the value of the herb in ancient times..
Lavender is mentioned often in the Bible, not by the name lavender but rather by the name used at that time--spikenard (from the Greek name for lavender, naardus, after the Syrian city Naarda). In the gospel of Luke the writer reports: "Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the odor of the ointment."
Another ancient Christian reference to lavender involves how it got its scent. The plant is believed to have been taken from the Garden of Eden by Adam and Eve. However, the powerful perfume came later. According to legend, the clothing of baby Jesus bestowed the scent when Mother Mary laid them upon a bush to dry. This may explain why the plant is also regarded as a holy safeguard against evil. In many Christian houses, a cross of lavender was hung over the door for protection.
Perhaps first domesticated by the Arabians, lavender spread across Europe from Greece. Around 600 BC, lavender may have come from the Greek Hyeres Islands into France and is now common in France, Spain, Italy and England. The 'English' lavender varieties were not locally developed in England but rather introduced in the 1600s, right around the time the first lavender plants were making their way to the Americas. In Medieval and Renaissance Europe, the washing women were known as "lavenders" and they used lavender to scent drawers and dried the laundry on lavender bushes. Also during this time, lavender was grown in so-called "infirmarian's gardens" in monasteries, along with many other medicinal herbs. According to the German nun Hildegard of Bingen, who lived from 1098-1179, lavender "water,"--a decoction of vodka, gin, or brandy mixed with lavender--is great for migraine headaches.
Its holy reputation may have increased during the Great Plague in London in the 17th century, when it was suggested that a bunch of lavender fastened to each wrist would protect the wearer against the deadly disease. Furthermore, grave-robbers were known to wash in Four Thieves Vinegar, which contained lavender, after doing their dirty work; they rarely contracted the disease. In 16th-century France, lavender was also used to resist infection. For example, glove-makers, who were licensed to perfume their wares with lavender, escaped cholera at that time.
European royal history is also filled with stories of lavender use. Charles VI of France demanded lavender-filled pillows wherever he went. Queen Elizabeth I of England required lavender conserve at the royal table. She also wanted fresh lavender flowers available every day of the year, a daunting task for a gardener if you consider the climate of England. Louis XIV also loved lavender and bathed in water scented with it. Queen Victoria used a lavender deodorant, and both Elizabeth I and II used products from the famous lavender company, Yardley and Co. of London.
Lavender is a unique fragrance produced by the combination of 180 different constituents and is widely used in the perfume industry to add a top or middle note to commercial products. In the world of professional sniffers, it has a green, hay-like sweetness and gives "fruity aspects" to perfumes and other scented products. Lavender is widely grown in England for commercial use, and the Provence region of France is renowned as a world leader in growing and producing lavender.
In the United States and Canada, the Shakers were the first to grow lavender commercially. A strict sect of English Quakers who most likely had little use for lavender's amorous qualities (they were celibate), they developed herb farms upon their arrival from England. They produced their own herbs and medicines and sold them to the "outside world." Later a New York advertising firm picked them up and sold the simple products worldwide.
As an herbal medicine, lavender is widely utilized. For soothing, relaxing qualities few herbs can be claimed as effective. Constituents of the oils found in lavender can treat hyperactiviety; insomnia; flatulence; bacteria, fungus, and microbial activity on gums, airborne molds, and (in mixture with pine, thyme, mint, rosemary, clove, and cinnamon oils) Staphyloccus bacteria. Lavender may even be useful against impotence. In a study of men, the scent of pumpkin and lavender rated as the scent found most arousing.
Lavender and love are an ancient match. In an apocryphal book of the Bible, we again hear of the use of lavender. Here the story tells us that Judith anointed herself with perfumes including lavender before seducing Holofernes, the enemy commander. This allowed her to murder him and thus save the City of Jerusalem. The overwhelming power of this seductive scent was also used by Cleopatra to seduce Julius Cesaer and Mark Antony. The Queen of Sheba offered spikenard with frankincense and myrrh to King Solomon
Lavender is one of 39 flowering plants that form a part of the mint family. Its flowers are very scented and are a range of mauve and violet colours. It grows natively in the mediterranean regions such as Provence in France, the tropics of Africa and south east India. Its cultivation both on a large scale and as a garden plant has meant that different varieties and locations are now widespread. It now grows in places as far spread as Russia, Canada and Tasmania. For the most part it grows well in dry, sunny and limestone soils such as those found in the Baronnies.
Its use for medicinal and herbal purposes dates back to the time of the ancient Greeks. The Romans used it in their baths to scent the water. In Provence, Lavender has been used since the middle ages to make perfumes and medicines, but it was not until the 19th century that the plant was cultivated on a large scale creating the fields that we now see walking through Provence. The French production reached its height in the mid 20th century with the installation of perfume manufacturers in southern Provence.
There are four main types of Lavender all of which can be seen in Provence, France on our guided walking tours to a greater or lesser extent.
Lavandula angustifolia or sometimes called true lavender is the best for making essential oils. This variety in its wild state grows particularly well in Provence on sunny mountain slopes at between 500m and 1700m in altitude and naturally flowers early (April - May). The plant is large and can grow as tall as 1m. Only oils from this variety of lavender benefit from a label or AOC and can be called essential oils from Lavender of Haute Provence. Over a total of 4 French departments there are 4000 hectares cultivated with this variety.
The Lavandula latifolia or lavender aspic, flowers much later and is far less perfumed. This naturally grows in the southern Provence on lower altitudes. It can be differentiated from the true lavender as the flowers grow on the end of long stems.
Lavandula intermedia is a hybrid and is the most commonly grown lavender in French Provence with about 17,000 hectares. It is less perfumed but has a higher production of oils than the true lavender.
Lavandula stoechas is the most common in terms of its geographic coverage as it is found almost everywhere. One of the main reasons is that it will also grow on schist based soils such as flints.
Harvesting of the flowers takes place during the flowering from the end of June to August. Cutting is done by machines with the exception of flowers used for ornamental purposes which are cut by hand. Our French guided walks in mid to late June should see the lavender plants coming into flower.
Uses of Lavender from Provence include essential oils, medicines, perfume and cooking. Essential oils: After the the lavender has been dried for a day or two, the lavender used for essential oils is distilled with water vapour for a short time of only 45 minutes. Oils produced from mountain zones are of better quality but the yields are much lower. These essential oils are said to have certain beneficial qualities including as an antiseptic, disinfectant, anti-bacterial and calming agent.
Even if we haven't been to Provence or France, most of us have some dried lavender somewhere in our house to perfume rooms or cupboards. Dried lavender is very resistant and may have been used in sachets to perfume clothes from as far back as the the middle ages. Small scale family run distilleries of lavender have gradually disappeared during the 20th century. The largest consumer of lavender these days is the perfume industry in soaps, detergents and wipes. In perfumes it is more commonly used in men's aftershave.
Lavender flowers from Provence also yield abundant nectar from which bees make a high-quality honey. Lavender flavours baked goods and desserts (it pairs especially well with chocolate), as well as being used to make "lavender sugar". Lavender flowers are occasionally blended with black, green, or herbal tea, adding a fresh, relaxing scent and flavour.
Though it has many other traditional uses in southern France, lavender is not used in traditional southern French cooking. In the 1970s, a herb blend called herbes de Provence and usually including lavender was invented by spice wholesalers, and lavender has more recently become popular in cooking. On our guided walking holiday in Provence, you'll have plenty of chance to sample the local products and cuisine. On one of our day walks we'll also visit a lavender producer to find out more about this typically Provence plant.

Large areas of northwestern China are sparsely populated, and contain stunning scenic locations unheard of by outsiders. On this trip, the highlight is the Danxia Landform of Zhangye—magnificently multi-coloured mountains, valleys, hills, and cliffs that ripple away towards the horizon.
While facilities can be rustic and flights expensive, visits to these remote, off-the-beaten track areas are very worthwhile. You’ll be going somewhere comparatively few people have gone before, and you’ll see things in a more natural state, before the inevitable development for tourism.
The name of the province we’re visiting, Gansu, was first used in the Song Dynasty (960–1279 AD), after two areas belonging to previous dynasties were combined. One area was previously named Gan; the other, Su.
The Silk Road passed through Gansu, following a narrow route between the Tibetan Plateau (too cold!) and the Gobi Desert (too hot!) that’s known as the Hexi Corridor.
Zhangye was one of the stops on the Silk Road, and Jiayuguan was at the westernmost end of the area controlled by the Ming Dynasty. While the main focus of this trip is the Danxia Landform, the Buddhist sites and relics left by Silk Road travelers, and the Great Wall in the area of Jiayuguan, are also well worth a look.
China boasts many different kinds of unique and beautiful landscapes, from towering limestone karst mountains to expansive grasslands that reach as far as the eye can see. Formed from red sandstone beds by combination of erosion and uplift, the Danxia Landforms are also spectacular sights. Some Danxia Landforms have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Danxia landforms are sandstone formations, known for being very dramatic and colorful. The landform near Zhangye City has colourful and magnificent cliffs in a hilly and mountainous land. Danxia refers to isolated peaks, steep pillars, ravines, mountains and hills that have formed after a long period of erosion by wind and running water. Unlike limestone karst, Danxia landforms are composed of red sandstone, which gives them their characteristic crimson colouration. Several Danxia Landforms are listed by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites because of their profound natural and aesthetic value. The area we’re visiting boasts majestic, multi-coloured slopes that give you the sensation of walking into a painting.
The Zhangye Danxia Landform is characterized by magnificently multi-coloured sandstone hills and mountains that ripple away towards the horizon. The area we’ll be visiting was recently used as the backdrop for the Zhang Yimou film, “A Woman, A Gun, and A Noodleshop.”

Han Dynasty and Ming Dynasty relics near Jiayuguan

Some of the earliest Great Wall was built during the Han Dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), including a line of rammed earth ramparts that stretched out into the desert. It’s said that these fortifications, and the soldiers stationed on them to repel attacks from nomadic tribes and bandits, played a large role in making the Silk Road safer for travelers and increasing the volume of trade along the way..
Some Han Dynasty sites remain, and on this trip we’ll visit ancient tombs to see frescoes that are illustrative of the customs and dress of the times, and we’ll take a look at a section of the Han Dynasty wall known as the Hanging Wall, said to have been restored using the Han Dynasty construction techniques.
The fortress at Jiayuguan marked the western end of the main line of Ming Dynasty (1368–1644 AD) Great Wall, but some watch towers were built further to the west. Near a deep canyon, we’ll find ‘The First Beacon Tower’, built to give early warning, via smoke signal, of approaching attackers.

We are living in times when Photoshop is capable of practically anything, but this time it has nothing to do with this article! Zhangye Danxia Landform in China is just one of those places that are hard to believe really exist. Located in Gansu province, a naturally formed landscape astonishes its visitors with the burst of colors – its streaks of yellow, orange and red to emerald, green and blue make it hard to believe it’s all real. The vast area of intensely colored valleys, waterfalls and natural pillars looks surreal in the pictures, reminding more of a impressionistic painting than a photograph.

Formed from red-colored sandstones and conglomerates, Danxia landform is a unique example of petrographic geomorphology. The name actually refers to various different landscapes in southeast and southwest China, that formed due to special nature’s conditions, such as water flow fissures, erosion, oxidization and tectonic plate movements. The formation process of Zhangye geopark took over 24 million years, dating back to the Cretaceous age.

Today the Danxia landform is a huge tourist attraction, with six of its landscapes inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage Site list in 2010. If you plan on visiting it, hope for the rain, as the vibrant hills glow even brighter after rainfallDanxia Landform' is a broad term used to describe geological formations composed of limestone and conglomerate that have been molded through a series of specific, complex geological processes. These structures are unique to China and are characterized by their deep red hues, steep cliffs, and distinctive shapes. Mount Danxia of China's Guangdong Province is home to some of the bigger (ahem) Danxia Landform attractions. Of particular interest is a natural pillar known as Yangyuanshi, or Male Stone, for reasons that are immediately obvious (see photos). Not far from Yangyuanshi is its female counterpart, Yinyuanshi, effectively reenforcing the conviction that Mother Nature has a sense of humor, and possibly a rather juvenile one at that.
Other noteworthy Danxia landscapes include the Zhangye Danxia Landform Geological Park, which is home to some of the largest examples of Danxia. Located in the Gansu Province, the Zhangye Danxia are particularly striking for their beautiful multicolored patterns of rock strata.Without going into the geological jargons, eye candy is what would best describe the Zhangye Danxia Landform. It is literally a massive piece of art that spans more than 400 square kilometers in the Linze and Sunan counties of the Gansu Province in northwest China. A canvas cloth would envy the rolling hills and landscapes painted with all colors imaginable. It is as though either an artist had accidentally spilled his color palette on it and let it drip or purposely created this multicolored masterpiece. There are several danxia landforms in China but this one in Zhangye is known as the largest and the most typical, and referred by geologists as the “window lattice and palace-shaped danxia topography”.
The Zhangye Geology Park, which allows for a panoramic view of this attraction, welcomes local and foreign tourists alike. Visitors will usually have to start from Lanzhou, which is Gansu’s capital, and then make a choice between bus, train or plane travel to Zhangye. Buses are the most common mode of transport to the park and is often preferred by many, and they would say that the view is best enjoyed right after rainfall when all the colors of the rocks are more striking than usual. But in this part of the country known to be an arid region, rainfall or no rainfall, the site has always been able to captivate the curiosity and interest of tourists. In fact, the Chinese National Geography has nominated it as one among the seven most magnificent danxia landscapes in China since 2005.
So next time you crave for sweets or feel like going after that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, come to China and find what you’re looking for in the eye candy that is the danxia landform in Zhangye.

Luoping is a small county in eastern Yunnan, China, located about 228 kilometers north east of Kunming close to the border of Yunnan with Guizhou and Guangxi provinces. In early spring, when the yellow rapeseed flowers (also known as canola) are in full bloom, the area takes on the look of a “golden sea” – a spectacle that has made Luoping something of a Mecca for photographers. The sprawling farmlands get covered in golden, yellow rapeseed flowers stretching as far as the eyes can see, all the way to the horizon. The best time to visit Luoping for this visual fiesta is February through March, by June the show is over.
The town was previously overlooked by tourists passing through the area, who usually headed to the more commercialized tourist attractions in the center and eastern part of the province. Today, Luoping’s canola fields attracts photographers from all over, who flock to this small county every early spring to capture the magnificent “sea of yellow” of blooming rapeseed flowers. The majestic photos in turn, draw more and more tourists to this beautiful rural photographic haven.
Aside from photographers, Luoping’s blooming rapeseed flowers and the refreshing smell of spring attract bees. Luoping is a national base for raising bees and producing honey products.
Rapeseed flowers are planted to harvest cooking oil from their seeds after the flowers had withered after their colorful bloom. They are planted all over China but bloom at different times of the year, depending on the temperature of the locations. The rapeseed farms in Luoping are among the largest scale in China.
Spring is also the season for beekeeping and honey processing. Beekeepers set up base in tents amongst the rapeseed farms every spring to keep bees and harvest their honey- the bees feed on the rapeseed flowers. Hence most rapeseed farms are also abuzz with bees in the spring and can be a little irritating. These beekeepers move on to other locations within Luoping after the rapeseed season, using wildflowers as feedstock for their bees.
The most famous spot to view the rapeseeds flower is Jinjifeng (Golden Chicken Peak). It is located only a few kilometers outside of town and is easily accessible by bus. The landscape here is flat, punctuated by a few mounds of little hills, breaking the monotony. The flatness allows the gentle breeze to move the flowers in mesmerizing sways.Luoping is a small county in eastern Yunnan, China, located about 228 kilometers north east of Kunming close to the border of Yunnan with Guizhou and Guangxi provinces. In early spring, when the yellow rapeseed flowers (also known as canola) are in full bloom, the area takes on the look of a “golden sea” – a spectacle that has made Luoping something of a Mecca for photographers. The sprawling farmlands get covered in golden, yellow rapeseed flowers stretching as far as the eyes can see, all the way to the horizon. The best time to visit Luoping for this visual fiesta is February through March, by June the show is over.

The town was previously overlooked by tourists passing through the area, who usually headed to the more commercialized tourist attractions in the center and eastern part of the province. Today, Luoping’s canola fields attracts photographers from all over, who flock to this small county every early spring to capture the magnificent “sea of yellow” of blooming rapeseed flowers. The majestic photos in turn, draw more and more tourists to this beautiful rural photographic haven.

The Tianzi Mountains located, in China, are made of thousands of art like peaks. The highest peak of the mountains is 1262.5 meters above sea level. Around it you can find rolling ridges and peaks and high picturesque rocks. On the top of the mountains, one can have a bird‘s eye view of numberless inter winding hills and deep valleys of the Wulingyuan area as well as downpouring waterfalls and lofty old pines in drifting mists and clouds.The Tianzi Mountain in China is no less magnificent from the ground, but some say it is best viewed from a cable car. It takes only a few minutes for visitors to reach the summit where they are greeted by the Tianzi mountain peaks rising one after another. Located in the Northern side of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, the Tianzi Mountain is at a higher elevation, providing users an expansive view of the Wulingyuan Area.Tianzi Mountain is named after Xiang Dakun who led the local farmers’ revolt and called himself Tianzi---the Son of Heaven. Bounded by Suoxi Valley on the east, Zhangjiajie on the south, Sangzhi County on the north, Tianzi Mountain is one of the four scenic zones in Wulingyuan. It lies on the highest point of ”Golden Triangle”, its highest point being 1262.5m(Kunlun peak) and lowest point being 534m(Shilan valley). It has an area of 67 square kilometers, a touring line of 45 kilometers, an average temperature of 12oC, an annual waterfall of 1800 mm, a frost-free period of 240 days and a frozen period of 60-80 days. Except a layer of limestone and a few areolate stones at the peak, some hundred meters above sea level, the majority of scenic spots is formed of quart stones, belonging to sandstone ground feature which is the same as Suoxiyu Valley and Zhangjiajie. The 500-meter or 600-meter thick quartzite sandstone has evolved from neptunic rocks that subsided from oceans 380,000,000 years ago and after a complicated and long process formed strangely shaped spectacles. To sum up, the landscape in Tianzi Mountain is natural and primeval. Every scenic spot is created by nature and of no artificial trace. There are not only primeval forests and beautiful water but also plain folkways, special customs and local specialties and delicacies awaiting tourists from home and abroad. No wonder people make comments, like ” people who have climbed Tianzi Mountain will not climb any other mountains” and ”It can not be said that you have been to Wulingyuan without reaching Tianzi Mountain”.
The landscape here varies in different seasons and also in one day, which makes Tianzi Mountain a very interesting destination. There are four highlights for the breathtaking sceneries: peak forest, cloud sea, sunrise and winter snow. Cloud and mist in Tianzi Mountain enjoys high reputation nationwide, especially just after the rain, which adds much charm to Tianzi Mountain.
An Austria-imported cable car was built on the cliff of Tianzi Mountain Scenic Area, which offers a perfect angle to see the stunning views. But in some parts the cable cars will be suspended over half of the sky; it is so steep, not recommended for the faint- hearted.Located in the northwest of Wulingyuan Scenic Area, Tianzi Mountain makes up a ''golden triangle'' along with Zhangjiajie Forest Park and Suoxiyu Valley. The range undulates 40 kilometers and covers an area of 5400 hectares. The main peak of Tianzi Mountain dwarfs others and rises 1262.5 meters above sea level. What makes the distinct contrast is the Si Nan Yu, which is only 534 meters above sea level. Thanks to the advent of cable car, we are able to admire its fairy-tale landscape with the minimum effort. Besides, Tianzi Mountain provides us with some 100 natural viewing platforms.

Sea of clouds, sunrise, snow-covered peaks in winter and wavelike rocky peaks are the four most splendid sights of Tianzi Mountain. Major attractions in Tianzi Mountain Nature Reserve include: Sheng Tang Wan Gulf, Imperial Brush Peak, Fairy Offering Flowers, Helong Park and Fields in the Air. All that and more awaits tourists to explore.

Tianzi Mountain is a geological smoking gun that illustrates how fantastic the Earth can be. The range’s formation is surprising: there were once sedimentary rocks growing beneath the waters of an ancient ocean, which ultimately became quartz sandstones. Today, the layer of quartz rocks as old as 380 million years old, as thick as 500 or 600 meters, caps the Tianzi Mountain.
The Tianzi Mountain was named as ''Qing Yan Mountain'' before Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) for green stones. It was not until the year of 1353 when Xiang Dakun, the leader of Tujia ethnic group, started a revolt, established kindom on Tianzi Mountain, and called himself ''King Xiang'' - son of heaven. In the year of 1385, they encountered the fierce siege of ten thousand soldiers commanded by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang (1328-1398), the first emperor of Ming Dynasty. Unfortunately, King Xiang died in the battle and fell into the Sheng Tang Wan Gulf. To show their respect and support to Xiang Dakun, people set up villages along the Tianzi Mountain. The mounatin was renamed as ''Tianzi Mountain''.Sheng Tang Wan Gulf still remains untouched by human footprints, just like a mythical and green labyrinth. A bottomless gorge with bluffs is bathed in misty all the year around. Legend goes that the King Xiang died there. There is only one way leading to the heart of Sheng Tang Wan Gulf - a threatening 9-step natural ladder, which allows only one foot to stand on. In the heart of the basin is a dark pool. You will be horrified by every single glimpse of the bottom. What’s particularly surprising is, sounds of beating drums and gongs, human voice and horses neigh can be heard from the canyon. Fields in the Air rises 1000 meters above sea level. Beneath it is a chasm with protruding sheer cliffs, above which is a piece of terraced field covering 3 hectares. The field is on three sides surrounded by trees and white clouds, just like a splendid landscape painting.

Imperial Brush Peak has inspired artists and photographers for a long time. It was once shown on over 30 magazines and newspapers. It is located in a valley on the west of Tianzi Pavilion (Heaven’s Son Pavilion). Looking from the vantage point on the northeast, ten rolling peaks soar up to the blue sky. The right peak looks like an inverted brush. And the peaks on the left looks like a finished picture. Legend has it that the stone brush is left by King Xiang

Fairy Offering Flowers faces the King’s Brush Peak. Flowing mists weave themselves around the peaks and turn them into isolated islets. Stone buttes hide themselves in clouds and mists. When wind blows away the mists, a beautiful ''fairy'' was unveiled. She carries a basket of flowers and spread them to the world.　

-One Dangerous Step

Two peaks were cut through by a one-meter-wide gap. Life and death are so close here. Do you dare to across it?

-Training Horses by a Warrior

Tens of peaks rise from valley. Here you will see a horsed-shaped peak, beside which is a stone looking like a soldier with his hand on a bridle. According to a legend, they were horse and guard of King Xiang.

-Marshal Rock

Marshal Rock is said to be the embodiment of King Xiang. It looks like a general who is rallying his troops.

-Tianzi Peak

At the southwest of Tea-tray Pagoda, stands a 1200-meter-high peak, which is called ''Tianzi Peak''. It looks like a great man, who sits there, dressed in armor, holds an arrow in right hand, and scowls ahead, as if he was going to have a war.

Tianzi Mountain provides stunning views of peaks, which rise one after another. It is known as 'the Monarch of the Peak Forest'. At the top of the mountain, visitors can see the full extent of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Beautiful scenes of the mountain greet visitors in different seasons. There are four wonders: the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, Rays of Sunshine and the Snow in winter.
Tianzi Mountain takes its name from a man, Xiang Dakun. He was the leader of the Tu ethnic group during the last years of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 -1279). Xiang Dakun led a revolution and avowed himself as Tianzi (Son of Heaven). Visiting the Tianzi Mountain Area, visitors can see many sites about his story, the most impressive being: the Yu Bi Peaks, the Xian Nü San Hua, and the Shen Bing Ju Hui.
With pine trees on the top, the Yu Bi (imperial brushes) Peaks rise upward into the sky. Legend goes that they are brushes the Tianzi-Xiang Dakun used that became stone peaks after his martyrdom. The Xian Nv San Hua (floral tributes by fairies) is slightly opposite the Yu Bi Peaks. A legend goes that Xiang Dakun and his army were defeated to fall back on the Tianzi Mountain. He fought to the finish, but finally jumped off the cliff. A girl in love with him went across the mountain to search for him. She strewed flowers over the cliffs and turned into a stone statue. Shen Bing Ju Hui is a forest of soldier-like peaks arrayed for a review.
Visitors can take a cable car to see these charming peaks. With 692 meters' (about 2,270 feet) difference in elevation, the aerial tramway is 2,084 meters (about 2,279 yards) in length. The minimum running time is six minutes and twenty-two seconds for a single trip during which visitors can keep the wonderful scenery of the Tianzi Mountain in view.
The yearly average temperature of Tianzi Mountain is 12 degrees centigrade, and annual average rainfall is 1,800 millimeters. There are around 240 frost-free days. The best months to explore this mountain are April, May, September and October.Tianzi Mountain provides stunning views of peaks, which rise one after another. It is known as 'the Monarch of the Peak Forest'. At the top of the mountain, visitors can see the full extent of the Wulingyuan Scenic Area. Beautiful scenes of the mountain greet visitors in different seasons. There are four wonders: the Sea of Clouds, the Radiance of the Moonlight, Rays of Sunshine and the Snow in winter.

     Tianzi Mountain takes its name from a man-Xiang Dakun. He was the leader of Tu ethnic group during the last years of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127 -1279). Xiang Dakun led a revolution and avowed himself as Tianzi (Son of Heaven). Visiting the Tianzi Mountain Area, visitors can see many sights about his story. And the most impressive sights are: the Yu Bi Peaks, the Xian Nv San Hua, and the Shen Bing Ju Hui.

     With pine trees on the top, the Yu Bi (the imperial brushes) Peaks rise upward into the sky. Legend goes that they are brushes the Tianzi-Xiang Dakun used. They disintegrated into stone peaks after his martyrdom. The Xian Nv San Hua (floral tributes by fairies) is slightly opposite the Yu Bi Peaks. A legend goes that Xiang Dakun and his army were defeated to fall back on the Tianzi Mountain. He fought to the finish, and finally could not help but jumped off the cliff. A girl in love with him went across the mountain to search for him. She strewed flowers over the cliffs and turned into a stone statue in the end. Shen Bing Ju Hui is a forest of soldier-like peaks that arrayed for a review.

     Visitors can take a cable car to see these charming sights. With 692 meters' (about 2,270 feet) difference in elevation, the aerial tramway is 2,084 meters (about 2,279 yards) in length. The minimum running time is six minutes and twenty two seconds for a single trip. Visitors can keep the wonderful scenery of the Tianzi Mountain in view on it.

     The yearly average temperature of Tianzi Mountain is 12 degrees centigrade, and annual average rainfall is 1,800 millimeters. There are around 240 frost-free days. The best time to explore this mountain is April, May, September and October.

     There are two other notable people from the town worthy of mention. The first is Xiong Xiling the famous philanthropist who was the first premier of the Republic of China (1921-49) following the fall of the Manchu. The other famous citizen is Huang Yongyu, an outstanding contemporary painter in the traditional Chinese style. His frescoes illustrating Buddhist stories in the Zhunti Nunnery are a major tourist attraction.

     Feng Huang Cheng does not rely entirely upon natural beauty to attract the visitor for this ancient town with a history spanning 1300 years has a number of remarkable old gardens as well as distinctive residential buildings, elegant bridges and mysterious towers and pagodas. These architectural delights date from the Ming and Qing Dynasties (1644-1911). Those of special interest are the Wengchen Pavilion, Huang Si Qiao Castle, Tian Wang Temple, Da Cheng Hall, Chao Yang Palace, and the tomb of Shen Congwen and the residence of Xiong Xiling. Here too there are the North Gate and South Great Wall both excellent examples of municipal fortification.ianzi Mountain (Heaven's Son Mountain) got its name due to the uprising of Xiang Dajun, "Xiangwang-son of Heaven," who was the chieftain of the Tujia nationality in the early Ming Dynasty. It is located in the center of Wulingyuan. It is low in four sides and high in the center. It has a large forest and spectacular scenery. Looking from the top, the magnificent view stretches with distinct layers, so that it is an ideal spot for viewing Wulingyuan peak forest. The most beautiful sceneic spots are the Imperial Writing Brush Peaks, Yunqing Rock, Shentang Culf and Grand Sightseeing Platform.

When this friendly, relaxed city on the Rhine became West Germany’s ‘temporary’ capital in 1949 it surprised many, including its own residents. When in 1991 a reunited German government decided to move back to Berlin, it shocked many, especially its own residents. More than 15 years later, no-one need feel sorry for Bonn. Change brings opportunity, and rather than plunge into the dark depths of provincialism, the ex-capital has reinvented itself with creativity and vigour. Its cosmopolitan openness has attracted an international cast of businesses, students, scientists and even such world organisations as the UN.

For visitors, the birthplace of Ludwig van Beethoven has plenty in store, not the least the great composer’s birth house, a string of top-rated museums, a lovely riverside setting and the nostalgic flair of the old government quarter. Bonn can be seen on an easy day trip from Cologne but also makes for an excellent jumping-off point to the Siebengebirge nature reserve and other attractions Here in our two churches we have many different people, we cover different ages, nationalities and genders.  We have one full time Chaplain, Andrew Sillis, who has been with us since early 2012 and two assistant Curates, Richard Gardiner and Matthias Grebe.
The Cologne-Bonn Anglican Chaplaincy serves the English speaking community in the Cologne Bonn area bounded by Aachen in the West, Siegen in the East, Dusseldorf in the North (where there is another Anglican chaplaincy) and Koblenz in the South. The centers of Anglican worship are in the cities of Cologne and Bonn. Both cities are on the river Rhine, about 30 minutes (20 miles) apart by car (on one of two motorways), tram or train. 

Bonn (Bonna in Latin; pop. 315,000) was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of reunified Germany until 1999.
Nowadays, Bonn remains a major centre of politics and administration. The city hosts 12 United Nations institutions, and is the seat of some of the largest German corporations, chiefly in the areas of telecommunications and logistics (e.g. Deutsche Post, Deutsche Telekom, T-Mobile or Deutsche Welle).
Bonn is also famous for being the birthplace of classical composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827). Another famous composer, Robert Schumann (1810-1856) lived the last years of his life and died in Bonn.
Founded by the Romans as a military settlement on the Rhine, the first century wooden fort was known as Castra Bonnensis or simply Bonna. It was located at a strategic position on the Roman road (now known as Römerstraße) linking the provincial capitals of Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium (Cologne) and Moguntiacum (Mainz).
The fort was later rebuilt in stone, and was designed to accommodate a full legion (over 5,000 men), with houses of varying size, barracks, stables and a military jail.. It was the largest ancient fort of its kind, covering an area of 250,000 m2.
Occupied by Roman legions until the last decade of the empire in the 5th century, with allied Frankish tribes supplying most of the troops against other Germanic invadors. After the fall of Rome, the fort was used by Frankish kings, who renamed the place "Bonnburg".
The medieval town grew around the Münster basilica (pictured right), south of the Roman settlement. Many Romanesque edifices were constructed between the 11th and the 13th century.
From 1597 to 1794, Bonn was the residence of the Archbishops and Prince-electors of Cologne. Bonn's characteristic Baroque architecture owes a lot to Clemens August of Bavaria (1700-1761), who during his life accumulated the titles of Archbishop-Elector of Cologne, Prince-Bishop of Regensburg, Paderborn, Münster, Hildesheim, and Osnabrück, and a Grand Master of the Teutonic Order (among others !). In addition to his official palace in Bonn, Clemens August had a private residence built for himself in Brühl (halfway between Bonn and Cologne), the monumental Palace of Augustusburg.
Another memorable ruler was Maximilian Franz of Austria (1756-1801, ruled 1784-1794), who founded the university and the spa quarter of Bad Godesberg, a few kilometres south of the city centre. He is also the one who financed Ludwig van Beethoven's first journey to Vienna.
Taken by the French Revolutionaries in 1794, Bonn remained under French control until 1815. The Congress of Vienna granted it to Prussia, which kept it until the unification of Germany and creation of the Second Reich in 1871.
In the aftermath of World War II, Bonn was in the British zone of occupation. In 1949, it became the provisional capital of West Germany (instead of Frankfurt, that was originally proposed), thanks to the advocacy of Konrad Adenauer, who became the first Chancellor of West Germany (1949-1963). Because of its relatively small size for a capital city, Bonn was sometimes jokingly referred to as the Bundesdorf (Federal Village).
The old town is centered around the Market Square (Markt) and the Minster Square (Münsterplatz). Parts of the old city wall have survived to the East, in the Stadtgarten ("city gardens").
Standing on the Market Square, the pink-and-grey Rococo-style Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus, built in 1737) is one of the finest buildings left by Clemens August of Bavaria (=> see History above). It is the office of the mayor and is used for official receptions. Quite a few famous heads of state have come here, such as French president Charles de Gaulle or US president J.F. Kennedy.ust south of the Old Town Hall is the Palace of the Prince-Electors (Kurfürstliches Schloss), erected in 1705, and used as the main official residence of the Electors of Cologne until 1818. Since then, it has become the main building of the University of Bonn. At the back of the palace spreads the Hofgarten (park) , where is situated the Academic Art Museum (Akademisches Kunstmuseum). A bit further south is another university-owned museum, the Arithmeum.
Take the broad, chestnut tree-lined Poppelsdorfer Allee. At the end you will reach the Poppelsdorf Castle (Poppelsdorfer Schloss) in the Botanical Garden. It was designed in the Baroque style by French architect Robert de Cotte and constructed from 1715 till 1746. It served as the Bonn residence of the Archbishop of Cologne. Heavily damaged by Allied air raids in 1944, the palace was restored in a humbler fashion in 1955.
Münsterplatz owes its name to the Romanesque Bonn Minster (Bonner Münster), one of Germany's oldest churches. Its construction started around 1050, on the assumed site where Cassius and Florentius, two Christian Roman legionaries were beheaded for refusing to fight against fellow Christians (an early Christian belief promptly abandoned in the Middle Ages, once most of the European population had converted to Christianity). The minster, famous for its five spires, was completed in 1239. It was badly damaged by wars in 1583-1589 and 1689, and extensively restored in 1883-1889, 1934 and after WWII. During its long history, it served briefly as the cathedral of the Archbishopric of Cologne. It now has the rank of "Papal basilica".
The western side of Münsterplatz is occupied by the Palais Fürstenberg (now the central post office). Just opposite stands the Beethoven Memorial (Beethovendenkmal), a bronze statue of the composer erected in 1845 in honour of his would-be 75th birthday, and mostly financed by Franz Liszt. Fans of the musical genius won't miss his birthplace, now called Beethoven Haus (pictured right), at 20, Bonngasse, 100m north of the Markt. On display are his last piano, and a brass ear trumpet (used by the composer to combat his gradual deafness), as well as private letters, musical scores and other personal belongings.

Geographical Location:

Bonn, the gateway to the romantic Middle Rhine, is situated north of the Siebengebirge

hills on the southern end of the Cologne

Embankment (50° 43’14’’ north, 7° 7’4’’ east).

Roughly three quarters of the city are situated west of the Rhine and one quarter east of

the river.

Climate and Weather:

Temperate weather dominates in winter, bringing little snow and few days of frost (

56) or

ice (10). Summers are continental; with an average temperature in July of over 18° C,

there are a number of summery days (33) and very hot days (5). Average annual

precipitation: 669 mm.

City Area:

Total area: 141.2 km2. Built

-

up area: 46.3 km2,

or roughly one third of the total city area

(33%). Forests extend over 39,4 km2.

Tallest Structures:

The radio transmission mast on Venusberg (180m), the Post Tower (162m), the Main

Building of the United Nations Campus (114.7m), the smokestacks of the

Southern

Thermal Power Station (98.8m) and the recycling plant (98m), the crossing tower of the

Münster Basilica (81.4m), and the Stadthaus (City Hall) (72.1m).

Population Structure:

As in 2006: 314,020 inhabitants (149,652 male, 164,368 female). 42,249

foreigners from

171 different countries are registered in Bonn. Added to this number are around 800

diplomats, embassy personnel, United Nations staff and their families

-

a total of about

2,500 persons. The largest group is the Turks (15.4%), followed by

the Moroccans (4.9%),

Italians (4.6%), cit

i

zens of Serbia & Montenegro (4.4%), Poles (3.9%), Russians (3.1%),

Spaniards (2.7%), Chinese (2.9%), Greeks (2.4%), Iraqi (2.8%), Ukrainians (2.2%),

Portuguese (2.1%), French (2.0%), US

-

Americans (1.9%), Iranian

s (1.9

%), citizens of

Bosnia & Herzego

wi

na (1.6%) and of Slovenia and Croatia (1.2%). 27.1% of the foreign

citizens come from EU member states and 9.4% from countries of the Commonwealth of

Independent States (CIS

-

former USSR

).

Approximately 41.3% of

Bonn's population is Catholic, 23.2% Protestant and 35.5% is of

other religious denominations, agnostic or atheist

The first traces of human existence in what is now the City of Bonn date from as far back

as 50,000 years ago, but only the dog of Oberkassel has risen to lasting fame. After all, it

is the world's oldest recorded pet, havi

ng accompanied a human couple at around 12,0

00

B.C. The

elevated fortification on Venusberg is a good 6,000 years old, the oldest in

Germany, even older than Babylon and the Egyptian pyramids.

In the 1

st

century B.C. the Germanic tribe of the Eburons liv

ed on the western side of the

Rhine. They were wiped out by Caesar during the Gallic War. In around 30 B.C. the

Ubie

r

s built a fortified settlement on the flood

-

resistant site where the Bonner Altstadt

quarter is situated today and with which the name of B

onn is associated.

Bridging

When Emperor Augustus prepared to conquer free Germania on the eastern side of the

Rhine and turn it into a Roman province, a general, who was also his stepson, built a

bridge spanning the Rhine from Bonn to the other side in

around 11 B.C. He secured it

militarily, a good reason for Bonn to celebrate its first written mention by the Roman writer

Florus over 2000 years ago.

In order to prepare for the founding of Cologne, successors to Augustus transferred the

two legions

s

t

ationed there, one to Neuss, the other to Bonn, where it was based north of

the Altstadt. The "

C

astra Bonnensia", or Bonn

camp

, was immediately put to the test by

the Batavi revolt recounted by the famous historian Tacitus. The camp accommodated

Roman sold

iers for nearly four centuries as part of the Lower Germanic Limes. Seeing as

the soldiers needed provisions, a civilian settlement grew up around the camp to provide

supplies and skills. Moreover, many estates were established in the surrounding area.

Abo

ut 14,000 people may have lived in Bonn in the 2

nd

century, many more than during

the Middle Ages that followed the Roman presence.

The town patrons of Bonn, Cassius and Florentius, two early Christian martyrs, were

buried in one of the Roman cemeteries.

In around the year 400 A.D. one of the first

churches was built on their grave, the precursor of the Bonner Münster (Bonn Minster),

which was completed in the 13

th

century. The canonry convent, adjacent to the church,

one of the finest in the Archbishopric

of Cologne, became a religious and cultural centre.

The Marketplace

At around the turn to the second millennium the growing settlement swallowed the market

village of Dietkirchen situated on the site of the former Roman camp and adopted Bonn as

its nam

e. During the High Middle Ages the ruler of Bonn, the Archbishop of Cologne,

enlarged an ancient junction, turning it into Bonn's large marketplace, a first step towards

the civic settlement dominated by business and trade becoming a town. In 1244

Archbish

op Konrad von Hochstaden, founder of the Cologne Cathedral, ordered the

citizens of Bonn to fortify their town with a wall. Later, in 1286, his successor, Siegfried

von Westerburg, gave permission for a council to be elected: Bonn was now a fully

-

fledged c

ountry town and part of the Cologne electorate.

The archbishops frequently visited their town of Bonn situated as it was next to Godesburg

palace. After the Battle of Worringen it became their favourite residence, seeing as the

victorious citizens of Col

ogne now only opened the practically free imperial town to their

Archbishop in his capacity as head of the church, but no longer as the ruler of the

electorate.

7

In the 16

th

century, Bonn

-

as the political centre of the Archbishopric of Cologne

-

became

the focus of a bid to support the reformation.

Bonn, officially designated as capital and

residential city in 1597, owes its development as a baroque city to the five archbishops

and electors of Cologne from the Bavarian House of Wittelsbach.

Prince Elec

tor Joseph Clemens built the Residential Palace (now the University) and

Poppelsdorf Palace

in the

early

18

th

century

.

Clemens August, his successor, completed

the building works, had the tree

-

lined Poppelsdorfer Allee boulevard laid out and entrusted

the

famous architect Balthasar Neumann with the building of the Holy Staircase on the

Kreuzberg. In neighbouring Brühl, the splendid Augustusburg and Falkenlust palaces

were built. They have become famous throughout the world on account of sumptuous

state rece

ptions given there by the Federal Republic of Germany. At about the same time,

in 1738, Prince Elector Clemens August laid the cornerstone of Bonn's Old Town Hall.

After 180 years of Wittelsbach rule over the Rhine, there was little time left for the last

two

electors of Cologne to carry on the development of Bonn. In 1770, during the time of Max

Friedrich von Königsegg, Ludwig van Beethoven was born in the Bonngasse, and Max

Franz of the Habsburg dynasty, the younger son of Empress Maria Theresia, founded

the

beautiful classicist Redoute ballroom and casino. It was also the venue of important state

receptions during Bonn's period as Germany's capital.

In 1794 the revolutionary French occupied Bonn, the time of the electors of Cologne had

passed, the town

became impoverished, the number of inhabitants decreased. At the

Congress of Vienna (1812/13), the Rhineland was allotted to the Kingdom of Prussia. For

the first time, the Bonn region was put under one common rule following the centuries of

governance fro

m Cologne on the western side of the Rhine, and "

B

ergisch" rule on the

eastern side.

Town and Gown

The founding in 1818 of the Rheinische Friedrich

-

Wilhelms

Sagano Bamboo Forest is located in Arashiyama, a district on the west outskirts of Kyoto,  Japan.
Sagano Bamboo Forest is one of the most amazing natural sites in Japan.
One of the most interesting facts about Sagano Bamboo Forest is the sound which the wind makes while it blows amongst the bamboo. Amazingly enough, this sound has been voted on as one of the ”one hundred must-be-preserved sounds of Japan” by the Japanese government.
As mentioned he Sagano Bamboo Forest is not too far from Kyoto’s main streets – (30 minutes by train).
Another interesting fact –  the railing on the sides of the road is composed out of old, dry and fallen parts of bamboo.
In the western outskirts of Kyoto, Japan there is a popular tourist district called Arashiyama. The area has been a frequent destination since the Heian Period (794-1185), when nobles would enjoy its natural setting. Arashiyama is particularly popular during the cherry blossom and fall color seasons. Within this area lies the famous bamboo forest of Sagano. [Source]
There is a walking path that cuts through the bamboo grove making for a pleasant and popular trek. When the sun is shining and there’s a gentle breeze to cause the trees to sway, the setting becomes quite picturesque. The bamboo in this grove is still used to manufacture various products such as cups, boxes, baskets and mats in the area.
Several travellers online have mentioned that the bamboo forest path can get quite busy. Hopefully if you visit this beautiful area, it’s not too busy so you can pause to admire the beauty and tranquillity of this special place.

The Sagano Bamboo Forest is located to the northwest in Kyoto Basin, Japan, covering an area of 16 square kilometers. It is one of the most beautiful natural environment in entire Japan, not only because of its natural beauty but also because of the sound the wind makes as it blows through the thick bamboo grove.
"The sound of the wind in this bamboo forest has been voted as one of "one hundred must-be-preserved sounds of Japan" by the Japanese government. Back in the 1870s when Edison was looking for a good bamboo as a material of a filament for his early light bulb, the governor of Kyoto recommended two sources for bamboo, this being one of them. Edison used the other one."The Arashiyama Bamboo Path is a 500 meter (1/3 of a mile) pathway through the Sagano Bamboo Forest between Nonomiya-jinja shrine and Tenryu-ji temple in Kyoto. The Sagano Bamboo Forest is one of Japan’s national treasures.  It is about a half-hour out of the ancient capital of Kyoto and covers a total area of about 15 square kilometres.  It is spectacularly beautiful – not just visually, but aurally as well.  The sound of culms knocking together and the wind sighing through the upper branches is an extraordinary sensory experience, as is the filtered, moving light and shade.
Bamboo is still used extensively in Japan in art, building, furniture, paper making and textiles.  Historically, there would have been many similar forests as, in common with most Asian countries, the Japanese have a reverence for bamboo and all it provides to the community.  Unfortunately, population and farming pressures throughout Asia have resulted in a significant decline in bamboo forests in the past 30 years.
The genera here is Phyllostachys edulis, better known as Moso.  It is a running variety that originated in China.  The shoots are highly prized as a food and the long straight culms are up to 25 metres in length, making them excellent for building.
While Moso is not suitable for most gardens, there are many totally non-invasive clumping bamboos that well bring exceptional beauty to your home.  There are even temperate varieties capable of withstanding temperatures as low as -20F.
Arashiyama district is located 10 km west from the Kyoto city center and has long been a scenic leisure spot with mountains and a river. Ancient aristocrats had their villas here a thousand years ago and enjoyed making literature and poetry. Then Buddhist temples were built over the centuries, and many restaurants and hotels were built, and today, the area became one of the most popular tourist sites in Kyoto. Togetsukyo bridge, as the area’s landmark, dates back to 9th century and provides a good photo taking spot for visitors today.
When the area gets very crowded in spring and autumn seasons, especially during the period of cherry blossom and fall foliage, you may want to eat lunchbox in the park by the river if weather is fine, instead of queueing for $10 noodle at a tourist restaurant. In summer and winter, the area is quieter and relaxing but the view of the mountain is not very good. So ideally, you should be there in early morning in high seasons to enjoy the best of Arashiyama.

As it takes an hour to get there from the city center, I would only recommend making a half-day or full day tour, if it includes the tram and boat, for people who stay in Kyoto for three days or more. The sites to see are Tenryuji temple, Monkey Park, and the walkway through the bamboo forest.A rowing boat allows you to enjoy the views only available from being out on the water. That used to be a pastime for noble people 1000 years ago and now is popular with families and couples. There are choices of boat types: a small boat for three people (1400 yen / hour), middle size boat for two people which is manipulated by a man with a long pole (3500 yen / half-hour), ten seats boat to view the cormorant fishing in the summer night (Jul.1 to Sep. 15, 1700 yen /hour), and some more types which serve lunch on board