2008-10-10

Posted at 15:48 UT by Tamara

SEGMENT 325
XIAN, China
Big White Goose Pagoda Buddhist Temple
Opening Cut from Tang Dynasty Dinner Show
Part 8 of a 16 part series on China

http://GreatGetawaysOfTheWorld.blogspot.com

Featuring Mr. Cho Shuo Ru as Xian Tour Guide for China Spree.

Here we will delightfully experience a bit of theatrical magic that transports us back in time to the Tang Dynasty for a modern take on the Tang Dynasty Palace Music and Dance, a vibrantly produced, exquisitely costumed and choreographed magical performance that must have wowed the visitors to Xian during this Dynasties " Golden Age ". It would be no surprise that travelors of the world would leave China with stories of great cultural treasures.

We see modern choreography which stylizes the dance movements on ancient paintings of court life, movements traditionally Chinese, instruments of ancient origin, with a touch of modernity that leaves the audience breathless and enchanted, falling more in love with the charming and elegant beauty of China.

I was allowed to capture short cuts of the performance to share with the world, through the grace of the producers, and hopefully this taste will tantalize everyone with the unique artistry of the performers and production, giving them the rightful notice they deserve. Stayed tuned in this series for a following segment devoted entirely to their artistry.

The major journey in this segment begins with a peaceful visit to a famous Big White Goose Pagoda and Buddhist Temple where crowds gather to light candles, burn incense, and offer prayer cards to the Buddha.

In the western Han Dynasty, silk spinning and weaving prospered at Chang'an, now called Xian. Before 119 BC, the silk road opened to the Mediterranean Sea, and brought back with it , during the Eastern Han Dynasty of 25 AD.,Indian Buddhism.

During the early Tang Dynasty in 629, master XuanZang traveled this road to India to bring back Buddhist Scriptures, returning in 645 to build the expansive Big Wild Goose Pagoda of Da Ci' en temple, and to translate these scriptures into Chinese.

The segment begins and ends with one of the performance cuts from the Tang Dynasty Dinner Show, to share a bit of the excitement to come in the last segment on Xian, which is made up entirely of cuts from the fantastic cultural music and dance experience. Stay tuned!

We will be staying at the Xian Titan Times Hotel, which is beautifully detailed, newly constructed, and includes the standard luxuries of house slippers, bathrobes, and usual bathroom amenities.

I was born in the year of the water dragon, so love to swim, and I missed not having a wonderful swim here, but there is a pool just a few blocks away, although I am too tired at the end of a full production day from walking around to think of walking anywhere to use it.

No one else in the group seemed to notice or mind, and the only slight fault I could find was the Chinese sized water saving bathtubs which are a little narrow for bigger sized American bodies. I was still able to fit in for a relaxing evening soak and beautiful, large glassed shower options are available in each room as well.

Breakfast was served on the 2nd floor and was delicious and good, alrhough not as large as the Joy City spread in Beijing, the basics were all covered, and perfectly adequate to begin a day with good protein rich choices.

You may find more information on this Hotel on-line and may reach them by phone at
029-8862-6666

SEGMENT 325
XIAN, China
Big White Goose Pagoda Buddhist Temple
Opening Cut of Tang Dynasy Dinner Show
Part 8 of a 16 part series on China

Airing Schedule for
SEGMENT 325
Part 8 in the 16 part series on China

Tuesday, December 16th
5:30 p.m. news primetime
and again at
2:00 a.m.
when all other programming goes off the air.

Friday, December 19th
5:30 p.m. news primetime
and again at
2:00 a.m.
when all other programming goes off the air.

Labels: CHINA - 16 Part Mini-Series - GREAT GETAWAYS of the WORLD