Yue Yang is the second largest city in the Hunan Province. It was Chairman Mao-Zedong's (sometimes referred to in the States as Mao-Tse-Tung) home province and is located on the southern bank of the Yangtze River and the source end of Dong Ting Lake which is the largest fresh water lake in China.
The Yue Yang Tower is 66 feet high and is one of three renowned towers in this region. It became famous when a poet named Fan Zhongyan wrote a poem in 1045 A.D. which was entitled "On Yue Yang Tower". It describes the beauty of the structure and his concern about the country and it's people.
Unfortunately it's a little misty outside, so the humidity is WAY up there and the visibility could be better. I didn't really expect to see much of anything but was I ever wrong! Because of the big festival that's coming here tomorrow everything was spotlessly clean and everyone was getting ready for the celebration. 
They will be celebrating the 1,000th anniversary of the Hunan Province (I can't even imaging thinking back that far!) 
There will be world-wide television coverage with over 180 International TV stations filming.
There will also be over 1000 boats on the lake which will be decorated for the event and red flags and sails will be flying everywhere. 
As Viking Passengers, we were given special T-shirts, badges and hats for the big event along with VIP passes. We will be included at this Gala event as honored guests!
Viking always gives so much to the community that the local officials wanted to give back, so we were very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. Nothing like this will happen again for another 100 years. When Viking received the invitation for us to attend, they changed our itinerary in order for us to be at this special event. I was to be a once in a lifetime experience for all of us!I took lots of shots of the preparation for this event. We toured the gardens and the tower which were both outstanding.
They had made small bronze pagodas that stood about 12-15 feet tall all over the gardens that have been made especially for this celebration. They are exact replicas of the original tower and were amazing. 
After we toured, we went to a Tea Garden and enjoyed "Dancing Tea". It didn't have much flavor but it was fun to watch. You had to wait until all the leaves settled in the bottom before you could drink it. They would bob up and down, hence the name, "Dancing Tea". We drank it from a glass rather than a cup and it was very hot.
They had made small bronze pagodas that stood about 12-15 feet tall all over the gardens that have been made especially for this celebration. They are exact replicas of the original tower and were amazing. After we toured, we went to a Tea Garden and enjoyed "Dancing Tea". It didn't have much flavor but it was fun to watch. You had to wait until all the leaves settled in the bottom before you could drink it. They would bob up and down, hence the name, "Dancing Tea". We drank it from a glass rather than a cup and it was very hot.After out visit to the Lake and Tower, we returned to the boat and had a Bloody Mary to take the taste of the "Dancing Tea" out of our mouths ;-) and then ate a bite of lunch.
While we were at the Gardens, I purchased a beautiful silk fan.
It is hand painted and has an image of the Yew Yang Tower on it. I don't usually buy many things when we travel at this point in our lives, but this fan didn't weigh much, so I succumbed. If you remember, we're very limited where the weight of our luggage is concerned.
It is hand painted and has an image of the Yew Yang Tower on it. I don't usually buy many things when we travel at this point in our lives, but this fan didn't weigh much, so I succumbed. If you remember, we're very limited where the weight of our luggage is concerned.Mid-afternoon we went to the Culture Show which was presented by the Yue Yang Singing and Dancing Ensemble. When I arrived they were just about to start the performance.
It was by far the BEST production that we have seen so far. 
The costuming was exquisite ( as were the girls) and it was a beautiful production.
They played ancient Chinese instruments for part of the performance and I couldn't believe the amount of music that came out of two small instruments. 
I was fortunate enough, thanks to our waiters in the bar, to have a seat on the front row, so I took a LOT of photographs.
Our little bar servers take very good care of us.
Of course Papa always wants to get into the act when there are pretty girls around, but then, can you blame him?
It was by far the BEST production that we have seen so far. The costuming was exquisite ( as were the girls) and it was a beautiful production. They played ancient Chinese instruments for part of the performance and I couldn't believe the amount of music that came out of two small instruments. I was fortunate enough, thanks to our waiters in the bar, to have a seat on the front row, so I took a LOT of photographs. Our little bar servers take very good care of us. Of course Papa always wants to get into the act when there are pretty girls around, but then, can you blame him?Tonight we will dock on Dong Ting Lake. Tomorrow is the big day ... the Festival! I promise you many surprises. We can hardly wait.
Pcasso
2 comments:
Great post, PK! I so enjoy the photos of all the buildings and people.
Thanks again for sharing!
maw
All your commentary has been wonderful and especially the photos.
Lindak
Post a Comment