Treasures of China: Stele Forest at the Confucius Temple and Imperial Academy in Beijing.

(Click this link to listen)

Treasures of China is a celebration of dramatic contrasts, a unique blend of cultural journeys and far-flung destinations where a world of adventure awaits.

Every once in a while you come across a place that sets your imagination on fire. In September 2015 I felt that way at the Confucius Temple and the Imperial Academy in Beijing. The trees, temples and grounds are peaceful and solemn in the heart of a neighborhood of hutongs. 

I was with a graduate of Beijing Sihai Confucius Academy during my visit. Ms. Liu told me that students like her were required to memorize the texts and even copy the calligraphy for handwriting exercise.

Higher learning has been the foundation of this place for centuries. This is the second-largest Confucian temple in all of China. The Great Sage Confucius has been honored since ancient times as China’s First Teacher. All around me I found a profound sense of tradition.

What really caught my attention was the stele forest. A stele is an upright stone slab that has been inscribed and used as a monument or commemorative wall. 

The stele forest contains the text of the Thirteen Classics. 

I beheld before me the Analects, Book of Documents, Classic of Filial Piety, Mencius, Book of Changes and more, all inscribed on tall stone slabs. 

It took 11 years for an imperial scholar to copy the manuscripts -and 4 years to engrave them. 

The emperor himself would conduct lessons on Confucian ethics while seated in a great hall. His words would he relayed by senior ranking officials to lower ranking officials, from the inner to outer halls and finally to scholars seated outside.

I was amazed- and pleasantly surprised. Who wouldn’t be?

The Confucius Temple and Imperial Academy in Beijing is about a great philosopher and teacher of ethics, morality and justice that transcends time and national boundaries. The Stele Forest is worth a visit. Set among beautiful and classical Chinese temples, serene cypress trees and water features, this is another treasure of China you won’t want to miss. 

Confucius Moment: November 19, 2016

It's time for this week's Confucius Moment. 
(Click here to listen) 
The Sage Confucius is the epitome of Chinese classical civilization. Confucius is legendary for teaching his disciples the cultivation of personal virtue, veneration for one's parents, love of learning. loyalty to one's superiors, kindness to one's subordinates and a high regard for civility.

Here is today's lesson:
"Make it a guiding principle to do your best for others and to be trustworthy in what you say. Do not accept as friend anyone who is not as good as you." 

Confucius Moment: November 12, 2016

It's time for this week's Confucius Moment. 
(Click here to listen) 
The Sage Confucius is the epitome of Chinese classical civilization. Confucius is legendary for teaching his disciples the cultivation of personal virtue, veneration for one's parents, love of learning. loyalty to one's superiors, kindness to one's subordinates and a high regard for civility.

Here is today's lesson:
"When you make a mistake, do not be afraid of mending yours ways." 

Confucius Moment: November 5, 2016

It's time for this week's Confucius Moment. 
(Click here to listen) 

The Sage Confucius is the epitome of Chinese classical civilization. Confucius is legendary for teaching his disciples the cultivation of personal virtue, veneration for one's parents, love of learning. loyalty to one's superiors, kindness to one's subordinates and a high regard for civility.

Here is today's lesson:
"Observe what a man has in mind to do when his father is a living, and then observe what he does when his father is dead. If, for three years, he makes no changes to his father's ways, he can be said to be a good son."

Treasures of China: Hongcun Ancient Village, Yi County, Anhui Province

(Click this link to listen)

Treasures of China is a celebration of dramatic contrasts, a unique blend of cultural journeys and far-flung destinations where a world of adventure awaits.

Hongcun Ancient Village is a place lost in time. 

Located in Yi County in the ancient Huizhou region of Anhui Province, visitors are invited to immerse themselves in this enchanting village. 

Hongcun's comprehensive design, landscape and architectural minutiae date from the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Hongcun was built by prosperous merchants and officials returning home from the pressures of business and appointment.

The unique, ethereal style of these Anhui buildings are both plain yet elegant. They are embellished with ornate carvings pleasing to the eye.

The topography of Hongcun village was designed according to traditional feng shui concepts. Innovative blending of the elements of water, trees, gardens and farmland resulted in a harmonious ambience that exhibits classical Chinese sophistication.

Villagers are able to divert water via narrow canals into their courtyards, thus turning their houses into exquisite garden settings.

With Hongcun located at the foot of the hill next to a stream which flows into the Moon Pond at the center of the village, and another to the south, the whole reflects the sublime coexistence and harmonious balance of man and nature.

Did you see the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon? You'll be pleased to learn that scenes from that movie were filmed here.

A walk around Hongcun's countryside is a wonderful experience anytime of the year, especially its renowned bamboo grove. In Spring the village is ablaze with the blossoms of yellow rape field flowers. In Autumn Hongcun is ignited by a sea of red foliage you'll never forget.

A stroll through Hongcun will evoke scenes from ancient Chinese scroll paintings. This truly is one of the treasures of China.

Treasures of China: Chengde Mountain Resort

(Click this link to listen)

Treasures of China is a celebration of dramatic contrasts, a unique blend of cultural journeys and far-flung destinations where a world of adventure awaits.

Constructed between 1703 in 1792, the Chengde Mountain Resort took 89 years to complete. Covering the total area of 2.2 square miles, this UNESCO World Heritage Site features a vast complex exquisite palaces, administrative and ceremonial buildings.

Impeccable, ethereal temples representing a diversity of architectural characteristics and sublime gardens blend in conjunction with the surrounding landscape dotted with lakes, forests and pasturelands.

Emperors and their courts often spent several months each year here. It was a marvelous setting to escape summer heat.

Chengde Mountain Resort is famous for its 72 scenic spots that were named by the Kwangxi and Qianlong emperors.

Scenic spots around the lake area were copied from famous landscaped gardens of Southern China. The plain area mimics the rich scenery of Mongolian grasslands.

The palace zone includes an area designed to resemble the Forbidden City in Beijing. It was here where emperors received high officials, foreign envoys and nobles of minority nationalities.

Interlaced with peaceful gardens, calm lakes, lovely buildings and steeped in history, it is no small wonder that the Chengde Mountain Resort is one of China's treasures, a must-see for all who come here.

Coming Up Next: Veterans Day Special Honoring the Mississippi Delta Chinese of World War II

Listen to the broadcast here.

Friday, November 11 marks Veterans Day across the USA. Tune in Saturday, November 12, 2016 for a show like no other on Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim broadcast from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA. 

I look forward to welcoming live from Hong Kong Dr. Gwendolyn Gong and from Los Angeles Ms. Devereux Gong Powers as we celebrate the Mississippi Delta Chinese veterans of World War II. 

They and Dr. John Powers are the co-authors of the book The Mississippi Chinese Veterans of World War II: A Delta Tribute. 

This book was more than just a labor of love and respect. It honors and preserves the legacies and stories of a group of extraordinary Chinese Americans in a time of war. 

Does all this sound vaguely familiar? That's because Dr. Gong and E. Samantha Cheng were on the July 2 broadcast. 

I met them at the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) in the heart of New York City's Chinatown. Listen to that broadcast here:

http://www.podcasts.com/marvels-of-china-pathways-to-the-pacific-rim-ec77abf8d/episode/Show-22-July-2-2016-dd2e

We will have our weekly Confucius Moment and Treasures of China segments, too!

Be sure to tune in Saturday morning, November 12, 2016 starting at 10:30 a.m. Eastern USA Time on AM1490 WGCH and anywhere by live audio streaming at WGCH.com.

Marvels of China: Pathways to the Pacific Rim's broadcasts are from AM1490 WGCH and anywhere on WGCH.com in Greenwich, Connecticut USA. 

This show is title-sponsored by Beijing AmBridge International Culture Development Ltd. You are invited to explore how an alliance with Beijing AmBridge can help your company or organization grow and prosper. Call Beijing AmBridge's office in Beijing at 86-10-80775517 or email ambridge01@163.com. 

Corporate Executive Offices (CEO) in Greenwich, Connecticut USA is a supporting sponsor of this show. Since 1989, CEO has been a provider of world-class offices in a prominent, modern building with contemporary services, advanced technology and amenities that will help you focus on productivity while keeping your monthly costs under control. The best thing about CEO is that they treat you like family -only better! Visit them online at www.ceooffices.com or call 203-622-1300 today. 

The Pacific Learning Consortium, based in Honolulu, Hawaii, is a supporting sponsor of the weekly Confucius Moment. Educational solutions. Global connections. Practical results. Advancement for all. Learning reimagined. Learn more online at www.pacificlearningconsortium.org.