北京 香山 秋 Autumn on Fragrant Hills, Beijing Nature is very much in Chinese philosophies, religions and literature, in Chinese life and culture. Chinese have special words for enjoying and appreciating different seasons. For example, 踏青， meaning stepping on tender grasses in early spring; 赏秋， meaning appreciating autumn etc., enjoying nature is also often accompanied by ancient poems or stories.
Since many ancient religious temples were built in beautiful seclusive mountains or areas, some have become cultural heritage sites, visiting these sites is often part of enjoying nature. Imagine yourself in the picture above, how beautiful and humble you would feel when quietly walking up the steps under the old trees. Chinese often call nature 大自然， meaning GREAT NATURE, reminding us that nature is much larger than the lives of human being.
This is not a war movie but a history drama, about the War of Liberation and the founding of The People's Republic of China, "with the best cinema technology in China and the best Chinese actors/actresses including those from Hong Kong" according to the media. It has been released in mainland China, will be released in Hong Kong on Oct. 1, and may be in Taiwan in Oct. It will also be released internationally with English subtitle. For those who are unfamiliar with modern Chinese history this movie will be a good introduction, for those familiar with Chinese history of 1945-1949 he/she would find it fascinating because every story in this film has a true story behind in history. Here is a trailer:
No one can understand China, Chinese revolution and modern Chinese history without understanding Long March. The Long March (October 1934 – October 1935) was not only an historic military journey of 6,000 miles, along which the Red Army soldiers fought and died heroically, only fewer than 6000 (some said 3000) of some 80,000 soldiers survived the epic journey, but also it became the central event in Chinese revolutionary, a symbol for the revolution itself, and a source of inspiration ever since. Here is a documentary film in English, again interpreted from American point of view.
Summer is receding but before it's completely over I was able to catch the last outdoor symphony concert in a beautiful grove. The grove is deep with towering trees such that it can hold a few thousands of audiences and a full stage concert.
We arrived very early to avoid the traffic and to get the best seats. The grove has a 3 mile walking trails, which led to a very seclusive lake on its west side and a lovely meadow on its east side, the trail also went up to the slope of the surrounding area, where still had wild flowers, surprising and pleasant. Of course we explored every bit of the trail.
I was concerned if they would put up the same programs and performers for this outdoor concert as they did in the city Opera House, they did! The first half of the concert was the exciting Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1, one of my favorites, the solo pianist, an Israeli young pianist, was very good but the orchestra was slightly lack of dynamic tension with the pianist, only slightly. The 2nd half was featured with Dvorak's beautiful Symphony No. 9 ""From the New World"", very moving, perfect! When it came to the end, the crowds simply refused to leave, so the orchestra repeated a very lyrical part of the 2nd movement as an encore, a beautiful ending.
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