Billy September 3, 2016 Leave a Comment

China, A Little History, Part 12

Red China

The one and only Chairman Mao watches over Tiananmen Square for eternity. Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China, Asia. — The one and only Chairman Mao watches over Tiananmen Square for eternity.

Civil War, World War II, and Back to Civil War

Back in 1934, the Chinese Civil War between the Nationalists of the KMT and the Communists of the CPC was in full bloom. In October, the KMT overwhelmed CPC forces in southern China. The CPC began a long, slow retreat of over 5,500 miles to northwestern China. This “Long March” (actually a series of retreats) took over a year and cost many lives. As many as 90% of those who initially escaped the KMT didn’t make it. But the CPC grew in isolation [Read more…]

Billy August 1, 2016 4 Comments

Fun With Chinese

Imperial inscriptions in Chinese characters above and beside the Dragon Throne in the Forbidden City's Hall of Supreme Harmony. Forbidden City, Beijing, China, Asia. — Imperial inscriptions in Chinese characters above and beside the Dragon Throne in the Forbidden City’s Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Here are some fun (fascinating, actually) facts about China and Chinese.

Middle Kingdom

Ever heard of China referred to as “the Middle Kingdom”? I had heard this but didn’t really understand what it meant. It turns out, the explanation is surprisingly simple. As I started to understand as I was planning my trip, the [Read more…]

Billy July 9, 2016 4 Comments

China, A Little History, Part 4

Qing Dynasty (17th and 18th Centuries)

Jade Belt Bridge at the Summer Palace in Beijing, built in the 18th century during the golden age of the Qing Dynasty. Summer Palace, Beijing, China, Asia. — Jade Belt Bridge at the Summer Palace in Beijing, built in the 18th century during the golden age of the Qing Dynasty.

Way back in 1387, barely a decade after driving the Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty back to Mongolia, the Ming Dynasty were nervous about the possibility of an invasion by Mongols then ruling in Manchuria, to the northeast. In a preemptive strike, the Ming invaded Manchuria and loosely annexed it into China. About 200 years later, with the Mongols gone and the Chinese only governing Manchuria casually, native Manchus began to organize and by 1616 declared their own dynasty, eventually named Qing (pronounced “Ching”). The Manchu rebellion overthrew the declining Ming [Read more…]

Billy July 2, 2016 4 Comments

China, A Little History, Part 3

Ming Dynasty

In 1378, the Mongols of the Yuan Dynasty were overthrown and sent packing back to Mongolia by what became the Ming Dynasty. Thus was ushered in perhaps China’s most shimmering golden age of all. In fact, Ming means “brilliant” or “bright”. In Beijing, the Ming picked up where the Mongols left off, creating a master-planned imperial city centered on the new imperial palace, known today as the Forbidden City. The Great Wall as it exists today is mostly due to construction performed during the Ming Dynasty. Ming emperors were enthusiastic patrons [Read more…]

Billy May 14, 2016 3 Comments

5 Reasons Why You Should Go To Asia

Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Asia — Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A few people have mentioned to me that they love traveling to Europe, but they have no desire to go to Asia. I have a brief response to that: You’re missing out! Sure, it’s a longer trip from the US to Asia than it is to Europe. But it’s a completely different world, one definitely worth visiting. Here are 5 reasons why you should go: [Read more…]