中國CN＞北京BJN＞鳥巢、水立方Bird Nest & Water Cube

延著所謂的「龍脈」，北方出現了當代偉大的建築－鳥巢。
Along the so-called "Dragon Path", there is a great architecture in the northern – The Bird Nest.

鳥巢原名為北京國家體育館，是為了北京奧運2008建立的主會場，建築師為瑞士的赫爾佐格、德梅隆及中國建築師李興剛聯合完成的。整座鳥巢用鋼筋鐵骨與混凝土為主要材質，鋼結構相互交錯形成鳥巢構造因而得名。
It formerly known as the Beijing National Stadium, was built for the main venue of Beijing Olympic Games 2008 by Swiss architects Herzog, de Meuron and Chinese architect Li XingGang. The main materials are the reinforced steel frame and concrete; and it was named because of the cross steel formation construction.

整座鳥巢沒有一根直立柱。要將所有的鋼鐵焊起來真是一個大工程；近觀所有的焊接口幾乎都很完美，所有結構看似一體的。鳥巢的另一個特殊功能就是沒有避雷針，因為本身就是一個避雷網，可直接將雷電傳到地下。
You can’t find any vertical column in the structure. To weld all the iron and steel together is really a huge project; however if you go nearer, you will find all the structure welding perfectly. Another special feature of the Bird's Nest is there is not any lightning rod, because it itself as a lightning rod which can transmit the thunder directly to ground.

結合中國人一句「天方地圓」，鳥巢旁邊就是水立方，這也就是08奧運所有游泳項目的場館。每個「水泡泡」都是個氣枕，鑲在鋼架內，錦瑩剔透看似脆弱；但散熱佳、防腐強、清理易。外觀像是泡沫；又像是細胞。水立方門口還有噴泉，不怕溼的話還可以去玩水喔～
Due to a Chinese phrase “Tian Fang Di Yuan” (direct translate means Square Sky and Round Ground XD), the Water Cube is just beside Bird Nest. (According the phrase, the Bird Nest is round; the Water Cube is square)　This is the venue for all swimming events during Olympic 08. Each "water bubble" is an air pillow, framed in steel, seems crystal clear and fragile; but it’s good at heat dissipation, anticorrosive and easy to clean-up. They look like bubble; and also look like cells. In front of the Water Cube has fountain, you can have fun there~

許多為奧運特別建立的場館在風光之後一定會面臨經營的問題，目前水立方除了開放公眾使用，也轉型成為休閒、育樂、商業、餐廳、時尚等場所，經營還算頗完善的。以下是我網路上搜尋到在水立方內辦的噴泉音樂會，很特別、很漂亮～
Normally the stadium which specifically built for Olympic will surely meet the operation problem after the grand ceremony, nowadays the Water Cube not only open for public, but also a place for leisure, recreation, business, food, fashion etc, consider quite well managed. Following picture is search from web, there’s a indoor fountain concert, so special, so pretty~

照片摘自網路 Photo from web

這兩棟建築物一剛一柔；夜間一藍一紅，再加上獨特的外型，如果能在夜晚從上空照相，一定非常奪目、非常壯觀。
These two buildings represent tough vs. tender; blue vs. red at night, with the unique design, it will be eye-catching, very spectacular to photograph from the sky at night.

這兩棟建築的外觀、特色肯定已在中國建築史上留名；科技的運用當然也是如今絕頂、沒話說得的；建築也具環保功能，善用光線及雨水循環使用等，周圍奧運公園的綠化宜人，充分結合2008奧運所提場的：人文、科技、綠色。
The appearance of two buildings, features had surely credited in the China’s Architecture History; the technology used definitely is the latest and excellent at the moment. Besides, the constructions also environmental friendly, make good use of light and reuse rain water etc, the pleasant Olympic park around. So, these make the two constructions stick to the theme of Olympic 2008: Humanistic, Sci-tech and Green.

＊旁邊是北京最貴的七星級酒店－盤古
This is the most expensive hotel around Beijing—PanGu Hotel

地圖供您參考

Map for your reference

中國CN＞北京BEIJING

對於北京的認識始於中學歷史書上朱棣遷都北京開始，這也是北京歷史的開端，至今已經800多年的歷史了；但從秦始皇開始建成至今也3000多年了，可說是一座古城了。
I first heard about Beijing was from my high school’s history text book, it stated Emperor Zhu Di moved the city to Beijing and it is the origin of this city. It had been through 800 years; but if you wanna track back from the Emeperor Qing Shi Huang who first built up Beijing, it should be 3000 years history.
*Beijing also known as Peking

倘若你以為北京就是中國傳統的代表，到處可見四合院、老房子，那你就大錯特錯了！經過了2008北京奧運的洗禮，北京已經趕上時代的腳步，變化成為高樓林立的現代化都市。
If you think Beijing is the symbolic city of traditional China which is full of SiHeYuan (central courtyard) or old houses, you are exactly wrong! After 2008 Beijing Olympic, Beijing had catch up the trend and became a modern city which full of high building.

北京政府的規劃蠻完善的，整座城市呈放射性發展，就此分化出新舊城區。舊城區位於一環及二環公路之內；三環至五環公路為新城區；其外便是北京的郊區。這些環狀公路寬闊通暢，沒有交通燈，就算上下班時間也少見交通阻塞。
Beijing government did a great job on urban planning. The whole city owns a system of roads radiates from the city centre to divide the old and new zone. Within the 1st and 2nd ring road is the old zone with ancient building; from 3rd to 5th is the new zone with tall buildings; further is the outskirt. All the ring roads are wide and smooth, no traffic lights, hardly seen serious traffic jam even in peak season.

為了管制交通，北京政府施行車牌尾數管制；而公交車（公共交通）車數多且費用低廉，從而減少交通堵塞的狀況。但每天限制不同車牌尾數車輛上路，每個月後又再輪替，對我這種善忘的人來說，可真是件苦差事。
In order to control the traffic, Beijing government implements the “License Plate Regulation” (I think it’s not the official proper name); besides there are lots of public bus with a low fare. But for forgetful people like me, to remember which day to go on road according different license’s plate last number, and change ever few months, that’s really tough for me.

中國人深信風水，城區、住宅分布也與此息息相關。
Chinese believe in Feng Shui, the division also related to it.

傳統建築四合院是古代富貴人家所住的房子，之所以稱之為四合院是因為三面房子，中間為露天的庭園，多種植石榴、養只肥狗與一缸紅魚。入口處擺放屏風擋煞，面對門的房是主人家住的；兒子住東邊、女兒住西邊。
The oldies structure, SiHeYuan is for riches, it was named because the house was 3 sided surrounded; centre was the courtyard which will normally have Pomegranate, a fat dog and a bowl of red fish. There will be a shield to avoid the evil spirit; the room faced the entrance is the master room; the son will stay in the east while the daughter will stay in west.

一般品民老百姓則住在大雜院，一條巷子住了好幾十戶人家，因人口混雜而得其名。
Normal citizen will stay in DaZaYuan which is a resident area with many families; it was named because there are people from different area or profession.

中國人稱小巷子為胡同，在穿梭其中的人為胡同串子。
Chinese named the alley as HuTong; the people shuttle there was called HuTongChuanZi.

北京的中軸線也稱為「龍脈」，由南至北依序排列著永定門、天安門、紫禁城、景山、鼓樓、鐘樓、鳥巢、水立方、奧林匹克公園。為了體現人文奧運，北京將「龍脈」衍生於北方建立鳥巢與水立方，因此從南至北表現出從古至今的歷史演變。
Beijing ZhongZhou Road, literally meaning "Central Axis", from south to north arrange in order by YongDing Gate, TianAn Gate, Forbidden City, JingShan, Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Bird Nest, Water Cube, Olympic Garden. To present the humanistic Beijing, they expand the ZhongZhou Road and built the Bird Nest and Water Cube in the northern part. From south to north shows the development of China, from antique to modern.

中國在滿清末年遭受歐美日勢力的壓迫，造成很多古老建築被摧殘，歷史文物無法保存真的很可惜。目前可看到很多地方在修復建築，試圖恢復古人的建築；但無論建得多麼雷同，少了時間的洗禮，依然少了幾許味道。
China was oppressed by some countries during late Ching dynasty, that caused a lot of antique building were destroy. It is really pity not to retrain the antique. Now people try to fix the old building to recover the previous scene; but no matter how it works, there’s still something missing…

北京Beijing

經緯度：北纬39度54分　东经116度23分
Coordinates: 39°542’N 116°23’E

時間Time：UTC+8

貨幣：人民幣Chinese Yuan

中國CN＞大同DT＞懸空寺XuanKong Temple

從北京到大同需要約莫6個小時，從大同到懸空寺又需要大概2個小時。雖然一路奔波很疲憊；但當我第一眼看見懸空寺，覺得一切都值得了。
From Beijing to DaTong needs about 6 hours, from DaTong to XuanKong Temple needs nearly 2 hours. When I first saw the XuanKong Temple, I feel that really worth for the long and tiring journey.

一個建立在恆山峭壁上的建築物任誰看了都會讚嘆，更何況早在1400年前就建立，但如今依然堅固無比。
XuanKong Si is also known as Hanging Temple. Anyone will amazed by the structure built on cliff, let alone it was constructed 1400 years ago but still firm and solid.

除了建築本身，其二特色就是懸空寺是中國僅存以佛、道、儒合一的寺廟。
Besides the structure, another feature of XuanKong Temple is it is the only temple that combines 3 religious which are Buddhist, Taoist and Confucian around China.

遠觀整座建築，底下李白所提的字便足以形容。
話說由於「壯觀」二字無法完全表達出李白對懸空寺的讚嘆，所以就隨筆加上一點(、)，做為強調的用意。
The well known poet, Li Bai’s had wrote down "spectacular" on a rock underneath XuaKong Temple, he then added a dot (、) beside intend to emphasis his indescribable emotion. This can fully express my admiration toward this special structure, too.

近看懸空寺，除了有歷史的痕跡；還能看到精緻的雕刻與設計。
狹隘的走廊、陡峭的梯階、中國建築必備的龍與媲貅......
Look at XuanKong Temple, there’s full of historical traces, you can see the exquisite carvings and design. The narrow corridors, steep staircase, and also the MUST in Chinese construction, the dragon and Pi Xiu.

置身於懸空寺感覺很涼爽。第一是因為它是建築於峭壁的木屋；第二是因為山脈環繞，成日接受日照的時間非常短。
Feel cool being in XuanKongs Temple because it is a hut which built on cliff; secondly, it surrounded by mountains and doesn’t much ray of light illuminated.

懸空寺下直立的木條根本沒有支撐作用，主要由建築物底下插入岩石的橫梁支持鄭左懸空寺。經歷了多少的天災卻能夠屹立不到，真是蠻奇妙的，古人的智慧好強呀～
The vertical strips under the building don’t really play a supportive role, the horizontal beams which inserted into the rock were the mainly support of XuanKong Temple. After experiencing so many disasters, it stills the same, without any damage. What a brilliant architect who build this great structure.

很好奇百年之前沒有樓梯，古人如何登上懸空寺呢？難道都如電影中的俠客用輕功飛上去嗎？
I wonder how ancients board XuanKong Temple without any staircase long long time ago. Should they fly as what we saw in “Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon” (What a funny direct translation, it means: talent who haven’t been discovered)

＊我旅行最愛看到的就是大自然的奧妙、歷史的痕跡。後天的修補、油漆都會讓歷史建築蒙上一層「假假」的感覺。所以看到懸空寺能保留得還算完善，讓我感到很欣慰。
＊ My favorite way of traveling is to see the wonders of nature and history traces. The patch and repaint afterward will make the historic buildings look “fake”. I’m really pleased to see XuanKong Temple to retain the same perfectly.

中國CN＞大同DT＞雲岡石窟 YunGang Grottoes

從中學所唸的歷史得知山西的雲岡石窟與敦煌的莫高窟及洛陽的龍門石窟齊名為中國三大石窟；但維基百科資料中卻多了一個天水的麥積山石窟，形成四大石窟。
From my secondary school’s history lesson, the 3 greatest grottoes from China was known as ShanXi’s YuGang Grottoes, DunHuang’s MoGao Grottoes and LuoYang LongMen Grottoes. But according to wikipedia, there is 4 greatest grottoes in China, which included TianShui’s MaiJiShan Grottoes.

石窟內的雕刻與佛教密不可分，石窟的雕工精細且內容豐富。對宗教有研究的人來到這裡，可能會耗上一整天 ；普羅大眾在沒有導遊的解說之下，多數人都很難知道其中的奧妙。
The grottoes are all about Buddhist, the sculpture is exquisite and fully contented. For those religious savants, they may stay for whole day long; for those who are not, you won’t know much without the tour guide explanation.

這麼壯觀的石窟，當然也被列入世界文化遺產啦～
A Grottoes like this, of course it was selected as one of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

可惜長年累月的風化摧殘下，石窟下半部的雕刻多數都變得模糊。清朝時為了修復石窟，在壁上打入木樁以鞏固泥層；但多年後泥層脫落使得壁上千瘡百孔，不甚雅觀。
As time passes, underneath part of the grottoes was ruined. While at the Qing dynasty, they drilled in the wooden stick to solidify the grouting; but few hundred years later, it came off and shows a lot of hole.

＊今天讓我真正體驗到「天氣晴朗」對攝影起的加分作用。♥開心♥
Today I realize the bonus of “Sunny Day” to photography. ♡HaPpY ♡

中國CN＞北京BJN＞居庸關長城 JuYongGuan Great Wall

居庸關長城位於北京昌平，距離北京市區大概60公里。目前為中國AAAA旅遊景點，受國家保護單位；同時也被聯合國列入《世界遺產》。
JuYong Pass located at Chang Pin country, it's about 60km far from Beijing city. Now is China's AAAA travel spot which protected by the country, meanwhile was selected as United Nation's "World Heritage".

居庸關被譽為「天下第一雄關」，因秦始皇「徙居庸徒」而得其名。
JuY0ng Pass was known as "The greatest pass of the world", it was named as Qing Shi Huang used this to imprison offender.

長城之偉大眾所皆知，據說長城是唯一能在月球透過肉眼看見的地球建築。
The Great Wall is one of the 7 wonders, and was reported to be seen in moon by human eyes.

目前秋高氣爽；但一整片駿勇、綿延的山脈依然翠綠。
相信不同季節來到這裡都會有不同的景觀、不同的體驗。
The autumn is nice and cool; the stretched mountain presents the glorious look and still emerald. I believe there will be different view and experience for four seasons.

上的時候臉紅氣喘腳沒力；下的時候提心吊膽腳顫慄。
長城的每個階梯間距都很大，而且非常陡峭，很難想像古代的兵將如何在長城操練、作戰。
When you up the stairs, you'll pant and legs feel weak; while you down the stairs, you'll nervous and legs shaking terribly. It's uneasy to climb the stair case which is excess normal distance and steep,too. Hard to imagine how's the soldiers marching or battling here.



與許多旅遊景點相同，都有「小孩」到此一遊。
Same as other travel spot, there would be "XXX was here", what a kid's behaviour.

＊八達嶺長城是最靠近居庸關、也是很多遊客必到的景點。
有些人甚至規劃兩天一夜的行程，夜宿長城，夜晚觀看燈光秀。

Another nearest Great Wall spot is BaDaLing which was also quite famous travel spot. Some event plan for 2 days 1 night there to see the lighting show at night.

＊隨著中國的崛起，很多大品牌隨之進入並以中國傳統特色為包裝，

其中還有以中國長城為背景的大型秀場。
According to China's growth these years, a lots of big brand came into China market which feature the chinese traditional. This is one of them who take The Great Wall as the grand runway

(照片摘自網路 Picture From Internet)