In ancient times, people could not explain a great number of natural occurrences and their causes, always feeling they were too mysterious to understand, that people imagined that between the heaven and the earth there were supernatural beings, who created everything and dominated the heaven and earth. Every time they were confronted by natural disasters such as earthquakes, strong winds, heavy storms, inundating floods, ravaging beasts and fires, people would think that these deities were angry, and thus would grow very frightened. Then at times of propitious winds and rains, as well as abundant harvests of all food crops, people would think the gods were blessing them. In a word, out of awe, gratitude and admiration, people would offer a variety of sacrifices to these deities, praying for their protection and blessing. The worship of deities became rituals to demonstrate people's respect and gratitude to various deities and to pray for their protection.
TongLi is known as a museum of architecture of the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911).Among the stunning structures there are the Fuji HALL, the Chongben Hart, the Former Residence of Ji Cheng and the OLd Residence of Chen Qubing, aLL wett preserved ancient houses. The Tuisi Garden epitomizes garden architecture in southeast China. The "bridge gatLery" - a bridge that spans a corridor - and the stone boat are the garden's main attrac- tions. Sitting in the stone boat, visitors can enjoy the green hilts and crystaL-dear water.
在北京，外国朋友的夜生活大多集中在三里屯—工体周边、五道口学院集中地、国贸CBD商圈、什刹海区等地。这本书中展现北京时尚夜生活集中地，同时也挖掘北京夜色的边边角角，带读者更多地了解北京的夜色。
Many friends have assisted with the information in this book, fartoo many to list here, and I thank them all. However much help I've had,the errors are all mine. iSpecial thanks to Sun Weihua, Dr. 'Kevin Stuart, Litaiji, TillieSctuton, Dana Pope, Alix Fortson, Shelly Sutton, my late sister Betty Richardson, Cai Zisheng, Lun Xin, Lobsang Tsering, Prof. Yingting Zhang, Ilse Huntley, Marv Vickers, Frans Hoenderken, Dave Zeretzke,Gretchen Wagner, Tan Jingyun, Dr. Stan W~lliams, Prof. Tao Renchuan, Carson Sprenger, Millie Thorson, Ollie Wilgress, Jim Lovering, Anita Anderson, Gerald Roche, Josie Scruton, Mark Minlder, Anthony Robinson, Sam and Sally Green, Sybil , Jared Roach, Nurse Yan Aili, Niu Xiaojun, and many, many more.
Since China's tidal wave of Reform and Opening reached Shanghai in the early 1990s, the city has developed at a pace that has astounded observers and broken all historical precedent. Yet on December 3, 2002, an event occurred that accelerated developments to a new pitch of feverish activity: Shanghai won its bid to host the 2010 World Expo, at the 132nd general assembly of the Bureau of International Exhibitions (BIE), held in Monte Carlo, Monaco. The future shifted,and the city went wild.
Beijing drew the whole world's attention with the 2008 Olympics. But it is also an ancient city that has been the nation's capital for 850 years in its total history of more than 3,000 years. It is a great city with the magnitude of a vast country and the hustle and bustle of a thriving cosmopolis. It is home to the humorous Beijingers, who take immense pride in world-known landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. The long, glorious history has brought Beijing an air that is elegant, unconventional, yet reserved; the fast-developing economy and culture have never stopped making facelifts to the old city. The interesting and amazing contrast between the old and new has enticed numerous people to admire and experience the city's unique charm.
泰山以其雄伟著称于世，松云泉石、日出日落，都是风景。泰山又是一座神圣的祭坛，秦皇汉武、唐宗宋祖，都在这里祭祀天地。本画册介绍了泰山上下的风景名胜以及周边地区的风俗民情，供读者一睹这座名山的风采。
北京，拥有丰富的历史名胜古迹与灿烂辉煌的文化艺术，更是一座高度发达的现代化大都市，是倍受瞩目的中国首都。本书以全新的视角，带您深入游走于北京，探访文化古迹和自然风光。本书图文并茂，具有很强的可读性。本书为英文版。
平遥古城是中国明清时期汉民族城市的杰出范例，它向人们展示了中国历史进程中文化、社会、经济和宗教的发展状况。本画册向游客介绍古城内保存完整的城墙、街道、店铺、居民；有“国定”之誉的双林寺内的彩塑和镇国寺古老的木构建筑，以及中国银行鼻祖——日升昌票号。
桂林山水早已驰名于世。清澈明净的漓江，千姿百态的奇峰，构成如诗如画的山光水色。本画册介绍了从桂林到阳朔的一系列风光佳景和文物古迹，供读者神游胜境。
弗雷德·马克斯，1924年生于德国一个犹太家庭，1939年跟随父亲从纳粹德国逃至中国上海，在上海生活了十年之后移民美国，后成为一位著名犹太教育者。在上海生活的十年间，他坚持每天用德语写日记，无比翔实地记录了那一段动荡、艰难的岁月。本书由加州中国犹太人学会的公共事务官员Rena Krasno根据弗雷德·马克斯1939—1949十年间的日记撰写而成。 作者简介： Rena Krasno was born in Shanghai, China, in 1923 and lived there until 1949. Her parents, stateless Russian Jews from Siberia, arrived in China in the early 20th century. In her professional life, Krasno worked as a simultaneous freelance interpreter for international organizations in Europe and Asia. Krasno has lectured at Stanford University, U.C.L.A., U.C. Berkeley, the Commonwealth Club, and other well-known institutions in America, Asia, and Europe. She is currently Public Affairs Officer of the Sino-Judaic Institute
万里长城上有著名关隘数十座，关关雄奇壮观，景色迥异。在河北省秦皇岛市东北，长城由山脉从北向南飞身而下，直捣渤海，形成“天下关”山海关，入海入即是著名的长城东端点----“老龙头”。此关山海相连，关城居中，呈四方形，挟两侧的墩堡、关隘沉稳拱立，有“一夫当关，万夫莫开”的气势。俯卧于北京西北50多公里处的燕山峡谷之中的，是京郊著名风景胜地居庸关。此关于明代修建，由两山夹峙其间。关城内遗有雕刻精美的云台。关沟中清溪萦绕，四击层峦叠嶂，以“居庸叠翠”跻身燕京八景。明长城的西端嘉峪关，位于甘肃西部，是现存的长城关城中完整的一处。
紫禁城是明、清两代的皇宫，是中国现存规模*的古建筑群。1987年被联合国教科文组织列入《世界遗产名录》。 紫禁城(故宫)始建于明永乐五年(1407年)，至1420年基本建成。占地72万平方米，共建有殿宇房屋9000多问，建筑东西对称，皆沿南起午门北至神武门的中轴线排列并向两旁扩展，是按照中国传统的规制设计布局，体现出皇权至尊的封建思想。紫禁城中宫殿的高度、位置、颜色及至门钉的数目等都有严格的规定和讲究，使这座宏大的皇宫既辉煌壮丽、又变化有序。 紫禁城宫殿区域按功能分为前朝、内廷及外东路三大部分。前朝由气势雄伟的三大殿：太和、中和、保和及东西两座独立的宫殿：文华、武英殿组成。前朝的宫殿基本上用于皇帝举行各种大典、仪式。在前朝的后面，为内延区，中路为乾清、交泰、坤宁三宫及御花园，左右两边分别为东西六宫、
《长城》用英、汉、法、德、日、俄、意、西、韩九个国家的语言描述了中国的世界遗产——长城。
在一地的生活、旅游，都会细化到口印象深刻的吃。而北京作为中国的首都，2008年奥运会的举办地，正变得越来越国际化、多元化。这里，有全国各地的美食，又有全世界各国的佳肴。纷繁的美食，使得中国人可以感受世界，外国人可以更亲近中国。 美食的美妙之处需要静心的细细品味，这与优雅的环境、精致的餐具、可口的食物，特别是个人的心境大有关联。透过美食，感受到的不仅只有美味，还有美食中的文化、美食中的意境、美食中的哲理。因此美食虽不是生活的全部，但*是生活中不能缺少的部分。 “让美食丰富并滋润着我们的每一餐和每一天”，《世界美食在北京》正是以这样的主旨出现。全书共分“异域风情”、“商务宴请”、“时尚休闲”等七个大类，搜集了250多家值得推荐的餐馆，更贴心提供了餐馆的地址、订餐电话、招牌菜、人均消费等
