Jinli Street, Chengdu

Chengdu is a city brimming with a strong leisurely ambience. Jinli Street is particularly representative of this city.

It is recorded that as early as the Qin Dynasty (221 BC - 206 BC), Jinli Street was the most famous place for baldachin - a rich, ornate cloth. And it was one of the busiest commercial streets during the Shu Kingdom (221-263). Hence, it is known as 'First Street of the Shu Kingdom'.

In order to reclaim the street's prosperity of former days, it was restored with contributions from the Wuhou Memorial Temple and was opened to public in October of 2004. Since then, visitors from all over China and abroad gather in this ancient street to relax, admire the traditional-style buildings, and taste some local snacks.

Copied from - http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/sichuan/chengdu/jinli-street.htm - more info on their site.

I really enjoyed visiting Jinli street with my chinese friend who lives in Chengdu, she said you haven't really been to Chengdu until you've visited Jinli Street.

Ducks?

From a friend in the South

Christmas in Australia

These are a few of my favourite things about Christmas in Australia

1) Time with my family - the whole family getting together around the table, sharing memories from the year.

2) Yummy Yummy Food!!! - so many special treats like: Choc Self-Saucing Pudding - with Icecream, Fruit Cake - with custard, Lebkuchen, and so much more!! I also love baking with my mum and making our own chocolates with my brother. ^.^

3) Summer Sunshine - I really enjoy going to the beach with friends, going on picnics by the river, blue skies and misty mountain mornings.

4) Bushwalking - there is something so beautiful about wondering thru gumtrees, along the trodden path, finding native plants and animals, and stumbling across a waterfall tucked in a valley. I like going with friends so we can point out things we spot to each other.