The top 50 foods according to CNNGo readers

The top 50 foods according to CNNGo readers are below. Bon appetit.

50. Goi cuon, Vietnam 

This snack made from pork, shrimp, herbs, rice vermicelli and other ingredients wrapped in rice paper is served at room temperature. It’s “meat light,” with the flavors of refreshing herbs erupting in your mouth.
Dipped in a slightly sweet sauce laced with ground peanuts, it’s wholesome, easy and the very definition of “moreish.”

49. Lechon, Philippines 

Young pigs, chosen for their tender meat, are rotated and roasted thoroughly over a fire pit for hours. The result is a thin layer of crispy skin on juicy, succulent meat. Every mouthful makes you wonder why you eat anything else.
Great way to kick off this list.

48. Parma ham, Italy 

Possibly the most versatile food of all. You see it folded around melon, wrapped around grissini, placed over pizza, heaped over salad.
There’s good reason for that: these salty, paper-thin slices of air-dried ham lift the taste of everything they accompany to a higher level, following the same theory as the Italian guy who thinks carrying around a copy of “Candide” makes up for the tiny Speedos.

47. Fettucini alfredo, Italy 

Saying no to fettucini alfredo is like turning down Monica Bellucci. It's just wrong.
The main ingredients are butter and Parmesan cheese; it's rich and creamy and it can be made in 15 minutes (consumption time included). A good serving of this can turn dinner with the family into something you actually look forward to.

46. Maple syrup, Canada 

With poutine and Montreal-style smoked meat not making the top 50, maple syrup becomes the sole Canadian representative in the list. But before selling you on its natural flavor and balanced sweetness, we must give credit to its mentor, the waffle, playing Batman to maple syrup's edgier, sexier Robin.

45. Roti prata, Singapore 

The truth is curry wouldn't be curry if it wasn't for this dough-based pancake.
Looks and tastes like Indian naan, roti prata is flipped and turned and flipped again before it's heated over a grill plate. Its preparation is so theatrical you'll feel like dancing a jig while you're eating it.

44. Laksa, Singapore 

Whether it originates in Singapore, Malaysia or Indonesia as reader Bob Haris Mandela claimed, an authentic bowl of laksa always comes with slippery vermicelli, a spicy broth (the spicier the better), generous toppings of shredded chicken and fresh prawns.
One whiff of its pungent curry-coconut aroma and you'll be transported to all three countries. Best way to travel ever.

43. Fajitas, Mexico 

This assembly kit of a dining experience is a thrill to DIY enthusiasts everywhere.
Step 1: Behold the meat sizzling on a fiery griddle. Step 2: Along with the meat, throw side servings of capsicum, onion, guacamole, sour cream and salsa into a warm, flour tortilla. Step 3: Promise all within hearing range that you’ll have “just one more.” Step 4: Repeat.
38. The dessert you can use to compare all the world's restaurants.

42. Hamburger, Germany 

When something tastes so good that people spend US$20 billion each year in a single restaurant chain devoted to it, you know it has to fit into this list. McDonald’s may not offer the best burgers, but that’s the point -- it doesn’t have to.
The bread-meat-salad combination is so good that entire countries have ravaged their eco-systems just to produce more cows.

41. Galbi, Korea 

"Yeah, I would have thrown Kalbi Jim or something similar on there," wrote reader Nobody. "Some Korean dishes are savagely good." 
We could forgive Nobody for opening 222 Facebook accounts to put Galbi in the list. But we're pretty sure the balance of sweet and savory in Korean short ribs means there's no underhand vote-rigging required.

40. Bibimbap, Korea 

Mixed vegetables and beef, sitting atop steaming-hot rice, held together by a half-raw egg. The beauty of this Korean dish lies at least partially in the diner's DIY mixing of the ingredients.
Bibambap is best when served in a heated stone bowl, and eaten with metal chopsticks.

39. Masala dosa, India 

A crispy, rice-batter crepe encases a spicy mix of mashed potato, which is then dipped in coconut chutney, pickles, tomato-and-lentil-based sauces and other condiments. It’s a fantastic breakfast food that’ll keep you going till lunch, when you’ll probably come back for another.

38. Warm brownie and vanilla ice cream, Global 

There are some diners who will not frequent an establishment if it does not have brownie and ice cream on the dessert menu. You may call them fools.
We do, too, but having done so we then happily leave the first restaurant after the main course to visit one we know has this perfect dessert on offer.
32. If you were on a million menus you'd have big claws too.

37. Potato chips, United States 

Despite major criticisms suggesting that potato chips aren't real food, voters like Deepti Ravi believe that they "rock."
What started as a chef's trick on a fussy diner is now one of the world’s most child-friendly foods. But think of them this way -- if a single chip cost, say, US$5, it’d be a far greater (and more popular) delicacy than caviar, a prize worth fighting wars over.

36. Moo nam tok, Thailand 

Grilled pork combined with lemon juice, green onions, chili, mint sprigs, fish sauce and toasted rice. Legend has it the blood from the meat along with the dressing inspired some happy carnivore to name this brilliant dish “waterfall (nam tok moo) meat.”

35. Neapolitan pizza, Italy 

The best pizza was and still is the simple Neapolitan, an invention now protected by its own trade association that insists on sea salt, high-grade wheat flour, the use of only three types of fresh tomatoes, hand-rolled dough and the strict use of a wood-fired oven, among other quality stipulations.
With just a few ingredients -- dough, tomatoes, olive oil, salt and basil (the marinara pizza does not even contain cheese) -- the Neapolitans created a food that few make properly, but everyone enjoys thoroughly.

34. Shrimp dumpling, Hong Kong 

Succulent shrimps, steamed well but not overdone, wrapped inside translucent rice paper. This simple form of dim sum has been a must-eat dish for decades.
Words on the street say the more pleat folds there are the more skillful the chef is.

33. Seafood paella, Spain 

The sea is lapping the shore by your feet, a warm breeze whips the tablecloth around your legs and a steamy pan of paella sits in front of you. Shrimp, lobster, mussels and cuttlefish combine with white rice and various herbs, oil and salt in this Valencian dish to send you immediately into holiday mode.
Though if you have it in Spain, you’re probably there already.

32. Lobster, Global 

Forget all your fancy, contrived lobster dishes deployed by showoff chefs eager for Michelin endorsement. When you have something as naturally delicious as these little fellas, keep it simple. The best way to enjoy lobster is simply to boil it and serve with a side of melted butter and slice of lemon.

31. Fried chicken, United States 

"I have had almost everything. But they left off fried chicken... " reader Michelle Souza commented.
Michelle: your fellow readers have made up for this unforgivable lapse. This all-time American favorite makes its entry with all the artery-choking goodness that made Colonel Sanders a very happy, if not healthy, man.
28. The best pork comes barbecued and honey-drizzled.

30. Cheeseburger, United States 

The power of cheese? Add it to an ordinary hamburger, the food gets pushed up 13 spots in the poll.
26. As photogenic as a food can get.

29. Chili crab, Singapore 

Reader ST suggested that chili crabs, contrary to popular beliefs, aren't difficult to make. "Fantastic list of delicious food! Chilli Crabs are actually very easy to prepare.
ST forgot to mention, however, that it is difficult to stop eating it.

28. Barbecue pork, Hong Kong 

Along with many comments left by reader Louis4, s/he wrote, "TX bbq tastes like turds. Is that all you have beside that boring food?"
Here you go, Louis4. Your fellow readers suggested the Chinese version of barbecue pork. This honey-coated meat is sweet, tender and it goes well with everything -- rice, noodles or even by itself.
Ask for the half-fat, half-lean barbecue pork to really indulge in this delicacy.

27. Tacos, Mexico 

A fresh, handmade tortilla stuffed with small chunks of grilled beef rubbed in oil and sea salt then covered with guacamole, salsa, onions, cilantro or anything else you want -- perfect for breakfast, lunch or dinner. This is the reason few visitors leave Mexico weighing less than when they arrived.

26. Penang assam laksa, Malaysia 

Poached, flaked mackerel, tamarind, chili, mint, lemongrass, onion, pineapple … one of Malaysia’s most popular dishes is an addictive spicy-sour fish broth with noodles (especially great when fused with ginger), that’ll have your nose running before the spoon even hits your lips.

25. Chocolate, Mexico 

The Mayans drank it, Lasse Hallström made a film about it and the rest of us get over the guilt of eating too much of it by eating more of it. The story of the humble cacao bean is a bona fide out-of-the-jungle, into-civilization tale of culinary wonder.
Without this creamy, bitter-sweet confection, Valentine’s Day would be all cards and flowers, Easter would turn back into another dull religious event and those halcyon days of gorging yourself to eruption point at Christmas would be fanciful imaginings.

24. Fried rice, Thailand 

It's true, anyone can fry rice. But can you fry it as well as the Thais? We suspect not.

23. Bulgogi, Korea 

Literally meaning "fire" and "meat", this Korean dish has been in existence for nearly 1,000 years.
A bowl of bulgogi gives everything you need in a balanced diet -- carbohydrate (rice), protein (beef and egg), vitamins and minerals (mixed vegetables), and fat (oil). Four good reasons to order a second bowl.

22. Egg tart, Hong Kong 

Flaky on the crust with a sweet and smooth egg custard in the middle, egg tarts are best eaten hot when they're fresh out of an oven. This dessert can be ordered in the most rundown bakeries and most glamorous hotels in Hong Kong.
Former Governor of Hong Kong, Chris Patten, declared eating egg tarts one of his favorite pastimes in the city.

21. Fish 'n' chips, England 

Anything that’s been around since the 1860s can’t be doing much wrong. The staple of the Victorian British working class is a crunchy-outside, soft-inside dish of simple, un-adorned food fundamentals.
Sprinkled with salt, vinegar and dollops of tartar sauce, it is to nouveau cuisine what Meat Loaf is to Prince (or whatever he's calling himself now).

20. Pho, Vietnam 

This oft-mispronounced national dish (“fuh” is correct) is just broth, fresh rice noodles, a few herbs and usually chicken or beef. But it’s greater than the sum of its parts -- fragrant, tasty and balanced, the polar opposite of the moto rider who brought you to the little café where you find the best stuff.

19. Green curry, Thailand 

Kermit got it wrong. It's not hard being green, it's delicious. For many this coconutty-creamy and spicy curry should have made the top 10. Goes with steamed rice like bikinis go with Thai beaches.

18. Croissant, France 

Flaky pastry smothered in butter, a pile of raspberry jam smeared over the top and a soft, giving bite as you sink in your teeth; there’s nothing not to love about this fatty, sweet breakfast food that must be married to a cup of strong coffee.

17. Gelato, Italy 

Thanks to "Eat, Pray, Love," the best dessert in Italy is now more popular than ever. True gelato makers use only fresh ingredients and no artificial flavors or colors, and allow you to mix and match as many different flavors as you want.
With a higher density and less fat than ice cream, gelato often tastes richer but healthier -- perfect for your own "no-carb-left-behind" experiment.
11. Lasagna is right on so many levels.

16. Kebab, Turkey 

For keeping starvation at bay for the entire student population of the United Kingdom, the doner kebab should clearly be honored. But they are hardly the delicious prototype worthy of representing a region.
Reader Elena Vorobyeva told us, "There are so many forms and shapes of it: doner, iskender kebab, shish kebab, chop shish kebab, orman kebab, etc."
So summon the shish kebab. Pick your meat, shove a stick through it, grill. Then wonder why you don’t eat like this every day.

15. Ice cream, United States 

Somehow there’s always room for a tooth-rotting, U.S.-style pile of ice cream with nuts, marshmallows and chocolate sauce.
Thank God for extra long spoons that allow you get at the real weight-gain stuff all mixed up and melted at the bottom of the glass.

14. Satay, Indonesia 

Reader Paul Peh wrote, "I can make satay too but the prep will take at least half the day and [the eating will be done] in less than half hr. lol."
Half an hour? What's the hold up? Last time we drowned some skewered meat with this peanut-based sauce we were ready for seconds before you could say "mmmm".

13. Chicken rice, Singapore 

Often called the “national dish” of Singapore, this steamed or boiled chicken is served atop fragrant oily rice, with sliced cucumber as the token vegetable. Variants include roasted chicken or soy sauce chicken.
The dipping sauces -- premium dark soy sauce, chili with garlic and pounded ginger -- give it that little extra oomph to ensure whenever you’re not actually in Singapore eating chicken rice, you’re thinking of it.

12. Kimchi, Korea 

Is Korea the most generous nation or what? Korean restaurants provide this starter dish of fermented vegetables for free. Perhaps because few Koreans can last more than two days without it.

11. Lasagna, Italy 

Lasagna overtook pizza to become the most sought-after Italian food in this delicacy list. There’s a reason this pasta-layered, tomato-sauce-infused, minced-meaty gift to kids and adults alike is so popular -- it just works.
Dee Dodge wrote, "I love Lasagna." The lack of exclamation marks tells you how seriously true fans take this dish.
10. Still a top 10 entry.

10. Massaman curry, Thailand 

Although not the world's most delicious food, it is still emphatically the king of curries. Spicy, coconutty, sweet and savory, its combination of flavors has more personality than a Thai election.
Even the packet sauce you buy from the supermarket can make the most delinquent of cooks look like a Michelin potential. Thankfully, someone invented rice, with which diners can mop up the last drizzles of curry sauce.
8. World's loudest food?
“The Land of Smiles” isn’t just a marketing tag-line. It’s a result of being born in a land where the best curry is sold on nearly every street corner.

9. Peking duck, China 

We can only guess Shan Cao was in the middle of forking a piece of this maltose-syrup glazed duck dish into his/her mouth and forgot to finish the sentence. Slow-roasted in an oven, the crispy, syrup-coated skin is so good that authentic eateries will serve more skin than meat, and bring it with pancakes, onions and hoisin or sweet bean sauce.
Other than flying or floating, this is the only way you want your duck.

8. Ramen, Japan 

Japanese protocol says the tastier your ramen is, the louder you should slurp it up to show respect to your chef. Not that they need more respect. One mouthful of this most Japanese of noodle broths will quickly tell you that either you have a ramen trigger in your brain, or Japanese chefs are geniuses.

7. Dim sum, Hong Kong 

Equally fun and delicious to eat, a trip to Hong Kong isn't complete without trying this traditional Cantonese lunch food. Popular with everyone from pass-through tourists to local kids and the elderly, most dim sum come in bite-size pieces so you don't have to waste time cutting the stuff up.
Bring a few friends and wash the food down with the free-flow tea.
5. Even better when it's messy.

6. Som tam (Papaya salad), Thailand 

After reading reader Kun Chotpakdeetrakul's comment, "Papaya salad and som tam [are] the same thing. You should combine vote for these two together," we did just that, pushing som tam to just 80 votes shy of the top five.
To prepare Thailand's iconic salad, pound garlic and chilies with a mortar and pestle. Toss in tamarind juice, fish sauce, peanuts, dried shrimp, tomatoes, lime juice, sugar cane paste, string beans and a handful of grated green papaya.

5. Pad thai, Thailand 

Here's a food Thai people can't live without.
Similar to Bulgogi (see #22), pad Thai is packed with nutrients stirred into one glorious fried-noodle dish.
The secret's in the sauce -- tamarind paste. If anyone ever creates a Hall of Food Fame, that should be first on the list.

4. Tom yam goong, Thailand 

Reader Supot Sakulwongtana made it clear that "delicious includes a little bit hot." A little bit hot is right because you need room for a load more flavors too.
This Thai masterpiece teems with shrimp, mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal and kaffir lime leaves. Usually loaded with coconut milk and cream, the hearty soup unifies a host of favorite Thai tastes: sour, salty, spicy and sweet. Best of all is the price: cheap.

3. Sushi, Japan 

When Japan wants to build something right, it builds it really right. Brand giants such as Toyota, Nintendo, Sony, Nikon and Yamaha may have been created by people fueled by nothing more complicated than raw fish and rice, but it’s how the fish and rice is put together that makes this a global first-date favorite.
This perfect marriage between raw fish and rice has easily kept sushi in the top five. And like one reader, Nymayor, wrote, "Now to be fair, DELICIOUS can be simple."
The Japanese don’t live practically forever for no reason -- they want to keep eating this stuff.

2. Nasi goreng, Indonesia 

"I like rendang and nasi goreng, two of most popular food in Indonesia!" Reader Rizky Ramadhika's got it. And thousands of other voters agreed.
The wonder of combining rice with egg, chicken and prawns strikes again. The second fried rice to make the list, this Indonesian delight received more than 10 times the vote of its Thai counterpart (see #23), propelling the former from non-runner to runner-up.

1. Rendang, Indonesia 

Reader Kamal F Chaniago showed great foresight when he wrote, "Rendang is the best." A clear winner with a loyal following, this beefy dish can now rightfully claim the title of "World's Most Delicious Food."
Beef is slowly simmered with coconut milk and a mixture of lemongrass, galangal, garlic, turmeric, ginger and chilies, then left to stew for a few hours to create this dish of tender, flavorful bovine goodness.
The Indonesian dish is often served at ceremonial occasions and to honored guests. It's not only delicious but also comes with a simple recipe. If you haven't already, go ahead and take reader Isabela Desita's advice: "Rendang should be the first! It's really nice, you should try!"

Siheyuan

Siheyuan (courtyard), also known as Sihefang, is a combined residential architecture found in Northern China. The basic layout of courtyard is four houses at four sides circling into a square, hence the name Siheyuan. The four houses include the main house, the wing houses, the opposite house, and the back house.

The Siheyuan is a kind of square or rectangular courtyard, composed of a Sanheyuan and front gate houses. If it resembles Chinese character ‘Kou’, the courtyard is called ‘Er jin yi yuan’; if it resembles Chinese character ‘Ri’, the courtyard is called ‘San jin er yuan’; and if it resembles Chinese character ‘Mu’, the courtyard is called ‘Si jin san yuan’. In general, in larger Siheyuan, the first row is gate houses, the second row is the hall, and the third or last row is private rooms or boudoir, which are women or dependents’ space and are not freely accessible. There are many types of Siheyuan throughout China and the Beijing courtyard is the most typical representative of all.


The planning and layout of the courtyard features north and south longitudinal symmetry and a closed and independent yard. It takes the family yard as the center, neighbors as the route, and community as a social network system, and, meanwhile, contributes to a harmonious environment, which meets people’s psychological needs, maintains traditional culture and cultivates a healthy neighborhood rapport. From the layout and construction, a courtyard is typically symmetrical, pays attention to the differentiated exterior and interior, humble and noble, and loses touch with the outside world to enjoy tranquility and share the happiness of a peaceful family union. In terms of the basic spirit of architecture, the courtyard house seeks serenity, peacefulness and embraces earth and enjoys its own entertainment. Living in a comfortable courtyard, we can cultivate our soul, settle down and get on with our pursuits, and recharge our life and spirit in a serene place.


The Courtyard is not only part of the art of life practice, but is also the product of Chinese people’s toil and wisdom and the crystallization of Chinese people’s artistic talent. It records our strong national feelings and is a rich historical and cultural heritage.


Formal courtyards usually refer to one yard with one family and the plane pattern is flexible. The homeowner can build the house according to the size of the land and the household of the family. It can be one-row house, three or four rows of houses, as well as two-courtyard wide cross yard. Small courtyards have 13 rooms, One-row or two-row courtyards have 25 to 40 rooms. The back wall of wing house is also the yard wall. An independent wall is built around the corner. A big courtyard has a tall and independent yard wall and does not open windows, so as to maintain its privacy. In terms of construction style, many palaces and temples are also designed and constructed in accordance with the layout of the courtyard.

tracking back http://english.chinese.cn/chineseculture/article/2013-05/02/content_493607.htm

庄子·蝶梦 A Dream of the Butterflies

Once upon a time, I, Chuang Chou, dreamt that I was a butterfly, fluttering hither and thither, to all intents and purposes a butterfly. I was conscious only of my happiness as a butterfly, unaware that I was Chou. Soon I awaked, and there I was, veritably myself again. Now I do not know whether I was then a man dreaming that I was a butterfly, or whether I am now a butterfly, dreaming that I am a man. Between a man and a butterfly, there is necessarily a distinction. The transition is called “the transformation of material things.”

昔者庄周梦为胡蝶，栩栩然胡蝶也。自喻适志与，不知周也。俄然觉，则蘧蓬然周也。不知周之梦为胡蝶与？胡蝶之梦为周与？周与胡蝶，则必有分矣。此之谓物化。

Korea in Chinese history

In 108BC the Han emperor Wudi conquered the northern part of the Korean peninsula. The Han empire proceeded to administer the area around modern Pyongyang for nearly 400 years.
Memories of such early conquests inspired later Chinese rulers. The Sui dynasty, after reunifying China in the sixth century AD, soon turned their sights on their neighbours. At the time, the Goguryeo kingdom ruled central and northern Korea and held territory extending into parts of Manchuria and Siberia. They considered themselves to be on a par with the Sui emperors. The Sui disagreed. Yet their campaign to chastise the recalcitrant Goguryeo proved disastrous. Despite having mobilised more than 1m soldiers, the Sui armies failed to make substantial gains on the battlefield. The expense of money and manpower crippled their dynasty. Within a few decades the Sui had given way to an even mightier Chinese empire: the Tang.
Like their Sui predecessors, the new rulers were obsessed with bringing Goguryeo to heel. Then, as now, Korea was divided among warring states. The Tang allied with one of Goguryeo’s Korean enemies in a protracted struggle for supremacy on the peninsula. In 668, the Tang armies with their Korean allies finally captured the Goguryeo capital of Pyongyang. Unfortunately for the Tang, they misjudged their own allies in Korea, who turned on the Chinese interlopers soon after and forced them back over the Yalu river, across the border from modern Korea.
In the 13th century, the Mongol Yuan dynasty used Korea as a jumping-off point for what was supposed to be an invasion of the Japanese islands. A stout Japanese defence and a fortuitous wind storm prevented the Mongols from landing and provided fodder for the myth of the “Divine Wind”—kamikaze—that protected Japan from invaders.
A few centuries later, into the rule of the Ming dynasty, Japan enjoyed the opportunity to turn the tables. Toyotomi Hideyoshi launched a series of invasions of the Asian mainland, again using Korea as his point of attack. While Koreans suffered the worst of Hideyoshi’s aggression, his stated goal was nothing short of the complete conquest of China. At the time Korea was a tributary state of the Ming, sending missions bearing gifts in exchange for nominal protection, and so Japan’s challenge could not go unanswered. While the combined armies of the Ming and the Koreans managed to beat back the Japanese invasion, the war devastated the peninsula.
Nor did Korea fare much better against the Ming’s hated rival, the Qing empire of Manchuria. Straddling the zone between the Ming Empire and Korea, the Manchus began by pressing the Koreans to renounce their loyalty to the Ming court. In 1636, eight years before they conquered China itself, the Manchus had forced the Korean government to submit to Manchu authority. When the Manchus moved south and changed the name plates at the Forbidden City, one of the first visitors was a Korean delegation which came bearing tribute to the new lords of China.
In the 19th century, Korea’s continuing status as a tributary would lead China once again into war with Japan over the fate of the peninsula. Not long after the Meiji restoration of 1868, the Japanese started aggressively testing China’s willingness to defend her tributary satellites. In a mixture of imperial expansion and employment programme (for legions of suddenly unemployed samurai), the Japanese army sought to wrest the Ryukyu islands and Korea from China, as concessions. Alarmed, the Chinese sent an official to Seoul to act as a “resident counsellor” for the Korean king. His charge, somewhat ironically, was to preserve Korean independence in the face of Japanese ambitions.
Finally, in 1894 a rebellion at the court in Seoul provided Japan with a critical opportunity. Japanese troops seized the palace and installed a regent loyal to their own interests. The war that resulted was an outright disaster for China. The humiliating peace treaty that China signed with Japan gave “full and complete independence and autonomy” to Korea. In reality, Korea had swapped one suzerain for another. Japan would complete the process in 1912 by annexing Korea. This gave imperial Japan a foothold on the mainland for its eventual conquest of Manchuria and China, in what was to become the second world war.

tracking back:http://www.ecocn.org/thread-185686-1-1.html

Entrance fee of Fenghuang Begin

The ancient town of Fenghuang county, Hunan province. Saturday was the first weekend day admission was charged to enter the town. (Xinhua/Zhao Zhongzhi)
The introduction of an entry fee for an ancient scenic town in Hunan province has led to a sharp decline in tourists, and Chinese Internet users say the policy discourages visitors.
"We have begun to witness the impact of the new policy," a female employee at March Inn in Fenghuang county, which is well known for its historical and scenic attractions, said on Sunday. She declined to give her name.
"All the rooms in my hostel were usually booked up during weekends in the past, but this weekend we have seen a sharp drop in guests and reservation. There are far fewer tourists on the streets than before."
According to an online poll by Sina, one of China's most popular news websites, nearly 93 percent of respondents said they will not go to Fenghuang because of the charge. The poll had drawn nearly 90,000 participants by late Sunday.
Six percent said they do not care about the policy since they are not interested in visiting Fenghuang.
Only 1 percent said they will go to the ancient town regardless of the cost.
Tourism is Fenghuang'a main industry. According to the county government, Fenghuang received around 2.3 million travelers and earned 5.3 billion yuan ($856 million) in tourism revenue last year. The industry provided more than 20,000 jobs, and about 60,000 people make a living by serving tourists.
To "regulate the tourism market", the county issued a ticket policy on Wednesday that stipulates tourists must pay an entrance fee of 148 yuan to visit the old town of Fenghuang, which includes admission to 10 scenic areas.
Entry to the town used to be free but tourists had to buy tickets for each scenic spot they visited.
The measure has sparked a backlash from businesses and tourists.
"The policy's results are not very clear since it just took effect, but I think it will have a substantial impact on us in the long run," said the owner of Bianke Cafe, who only gave his surname Cai.
"As far as I know, some hostels have begun to receive calls from people wanting to cancel their reservation. The number of customers to my cafe has also been declining over the weekend compared with the past."
Concerned business owners staged a protest on Thursday, blocking access to tourist sites and requesting authorities adjust the charge policy.
The crowd was later dispersed by law enforcement officers, and four people involved in a physical conflict with officers were taken away by police, Cai Long, deputy head of the county government, said on Saturday.
He said the policy was introduced to regulate the tourism market and will help to protect the old town and benefit business in the long run.
Meanwhile, Zhao Haifeng, executive deputy head of Fenghuang county, said the government is aware of the policy's effect on small businesses and will take measures to assist them.
"It is inevitable that hostels will receive less independent tourists than before, and reforms will definitely produce some pains," he said. "During this process, the government is going to help those affected overcome difficulties."
However, business owners remain skeptical toward the policy and its possible consequences.
"The government never contacted or negotiated with us before the policy was made, and we have not seen any concrete efforts by the government to help us," the employee at March Inn said.
"Authorities claim that one of the measure's intentions is to address 'illegal businesses and irregular operations' in the tourism market, and I am OK with that. But I think the ultimate solution to those problems is to help people get better jobs rather than taking their bread."

Top Rivers in China

reprint from: http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_6050ef2b0101a06v.html
1. Yangtze River (Changjiang, 长江)
Any China trip cannot be complete without a Yangtze River cruise, which is a vacation within your fast-paced China land trip. The Yangtze River is the longest river in China, the third longest in the world. It originates from the snow-capped Geladandong—the main peak of Tanggula Mountains of the Qinghai and Tibet plateau, flows through Qinghai, Tibet, Yunnan, Sichuan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Anhui and Jiangsu, and finally enters into the East China Sea in Shanghai. The 6300-kilometer-long Yangtze River has eight major tributaries and a catchment area of 1.8 million square kilometers, which equivalent to 1/5 of the total land of China.
Yangtze River Curise has become a must-do activity when visitors visit China. The Yangtze River winds its way through high mountains and deep valleys with many tributaries. The cruise always includes a variety of exciting shore excursions to local riverside villages and historic sites. The highlights of the Yangtze River are the magnificent Three Gorges and the famous Three Gorges Dam.
2. Yellow River (Huanghe 黄河)
The Yellow River, with a total length of 5,464 kilometers, is the second longest river in China. The Yellow River is the birthplace of ancient Chinese culture and the cradle of Chinese Civilization. It is originated from the Bayanhar Mountain Range in Qinghai Province, meandering across 9 provinces and finally emptying into the Bohai Sea at Kenli of Shandong Province.
The unique scenery of the Loess Plateau is extremely attractive. Along the Yellow River, tourists can not only fully enjoy the breathtaking natural scenery of the Yellow River, but also explore the Chinese history and culture. The multiplying and growing sites of Chinese ancients can be found along the Yellow River, showing the rise and decline of China's history.
3. Heilongjiang River (Heilongjiang, 黑龙江)
The Heilongjiang River (also called Amur), the Sino-Russian boundary river, runs eastwardly across the northern part of north China and finally empties into the Sea of Okhotsk. Its entire length is 4,370 kilometers, the 11th largest river in the world. Wherever the Heilongjiang River flows across, the forests are luxuriant and the aquatic grasses are verdant. The river is in the shape of a black dragon and the name of the Heilongjiang River was thus formed.
4. Songhuajiang River (Songhuajiang, 松花江)
The Songhuajiang River (also known as the Sungari River in English) is a river in Northeast China, and it is the largest tributary of the Heilongjiang River, flowing about 1,927 km from Changbai Mountains through the Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces. In winter, the beautiful rime along the banks of the Songhuajiang River is the unique feature of the river. Experiencing the white fairytale land in winter is amazing.
5. Zhujiang River (the Pearl River, 珠江)
The Zhujiang (the Pearl River) is the third longest river in China (2,200 km, after the Yangtze River and the Yellow River), and second largest by volume (after the Yangtze). It is the largest river in south China, flowing into the South China Sea between Hong Kong and Macau. Its lower reach forms the Pearl River Delta. The Pearl River is formed by convergence of three rivers---the Xijiang, Beijiang and Dongjaing. The river flows through the majority of Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, and Guizhou Provinces, and parts of Hunan and Jiangxi, forming the 409,480 km² Pearl River Basin, which has a network of rivers, fertile soil, abundant natural resources and a sense population.
6. Brahmaputra River (Yaluzangbujiang, 雅鲁藏布江)
The Brahmaputra is a trans-boundary river and one of the major rivers of Asia. From its headsprings in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, the Brahmaputra River flows first east and then south into the Indian Ocean. About 1,800 miles (2,900 km) long, the Brahmaputra boasts the Brahmaputra Grand Canyon, the largest canyon in the world, 504.6 km long and 6,009 m deep. The river is an important source for irrigation and transportation.
7. Lancang River(Lancang Jiang, 澜沧江)
The Lancang River, also known as the Mekong River, is the longest river in the Southeast Asia, with a total length of 2,354 kilometers. It takes its source from the Tanggula Mountain Range in Qinghai Province, China. The Lancang River runs south until it leaves China at the Nanla Bayout of Yunnan Province and there from changes its name from the Lancang River to the Mekong River. The river finally empties into the Pacific Ocean in the south of Vietnam. The Lancang River is China's main artery of water carriage connecting Southeast Asian countries, and it is reputed as the "Danube of the East". The Lancang River is a fantastic river with more than ten ethnic minorities living along the river. The ethical cultures and customs are special and the scenic spots and historical sites are numerous.
8. Nujiang River (Nujiang, 怒江)
The Nujiang River is originated from the southern slope of the Tanggula Mountain Range in Tibet Autonomous Region, flowing north to south across the Tibet Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province, with a total length of 2,816 kilometers and a drainage area of 324,000 square kilometers. The name of the river is changed into the Salween River after flowing into Burma from China, and it finally empties into the Andaman Sea of Indian Ocean at the Moulmein.
9. Hanjiang River (Han Jiang, 汉江)
The Hanjiang River, also called Han Shui River, is one of the most important tributaries of the Yangtze River with a total length of 1532 km. It rises in southwestern Shaanxi and then crosses into Hubei. It merges with the Yangtze at Wuhan in Hubei Province. The name of the Han kingdom and the later Han Dynasty and subsequently of the China's majority ethnic group apparently derives from this river.
10. Liaohe River (Liao He, 辽河)
Being one of the largest rivers in northern China, the Liaohe River is called the Mother River by people in Liaoning Province. Originated in Qilaotu Mountain in Heibei Province, it flows 1,394 kilometers through Hebei, Inner Mongolia, Jilin, and Liaoning provinces, and at last empties into the Bohai Sea, with a drainage area of 201,600 square kilometers.

Shikumen – shanghai & Hutong – Beijing

wiki:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutong;http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikumen

Two unique cities, with two very different traditional housing styles.The most famous and distinctive buildings in China.

The origin of Shanghai Shikumen buildings can be traced back to the 1860s. In 1860, the Taiping Revolution led by Li Xiucheng advanced east, conquering a string of important towns in easternChina, causing an influx of refugees from southernJiangsuand northernZhejianginto the foreign settlements inShanghai. To accommodate this inflax of refugees, local merchants were encouraged to invest in housing for these people. To use the limited land more efficiently, the houses built were in most cases rows of Shikumen-style buildings

The term "hutong" appeared first during the Yuan Dynasty , and is a term of Mongolian origin meaning "town". Hutong, A quick addition: '胡同' is not actually a Chinese word originally; it comes from the Mongolian word for a water well, which is pronounced something like "hutuk" today.

At the turn of the 20th century, the Qing court was disintegrating as China's dynastic era came to an end. Many new hutongs Beijing, built haphazardly and with no apparent plan, began to appear on the outskirts of the old city, while the old ones lost their former neat appearance.

Following the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, many of the old hutongs of Beijing disappeared, replaced by wide boulevards and high rises.

Today, many of Beijing's ancient hutongs still stand, and a number of them have been designated protected areas.

Shikumen-style buildings have certain elements of the west, but most of the design and layout is in line with that of the “Jiangnan” area of easternChina.

After the early 1900s,Shanghai's households became smaller in size and the residents' living patterns underwent major changes. Smaller units, without wing rooms and suitable for small households, appeared, together with somewhat larger units with one parlour and one wing room.

After the 1930s,Shanghaifaced a housing shortage, so the owners of Shikumen-style buildings rented out some of the rooms. Since then most Shikumen-style buildings have had their original layouts altered and became mansions housing more than one family.

Since the mid-20th century, the number of Beijing hutongs has dropped dramatically as they are demolished to make way for new roads and buildings.

the typical Shikumen buildings of old Shanghai seem to be telling people beautiful stories about the history and culture of the city.

Hutongs represent an important cultural element of the city of Beijing. The quaint, almost village-like atmosphere has drawn increasing numbers of young people to set up bars and coffee shops in the last couple of years.