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The Women of Yao

11/27/2018

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Last month, I visited the Longsheng rice terraces in Guangxi Province.  We were fortunate to see a music performance by the local Yao women.  The Yao are one of 55 ethnic minority groups in China. The Han people are the majority, and make up about 92% of the population.

Sources claim that there are approximately 2.5 million Yao. They live in Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, Jiangxi and Hunan provinces.  The Yao women in the village we visited wear red embroidered dresses and have unusually long, black hair.  There are 60 women in the village whose hair is more than 3 feet long and one whose hair is seven feet.  We did not see any gray or white hair and the women claim that washing their hair with rice water (the water that is drained after cooking rice), keeps their hair long, shiny and black through old age.

The women's hair is cut only once in their lives, during a coming of age ceremony, around age 18, that precedes marriage.  The cutting of the hair signifies that the girl is an adult and may marry.  The women keep the hair that is cut off.  After marriage and childbirth, the cut hair is weaved into the bun that the women wear. 

Many of the women perform in the troupe that we saw. Two of our male travelers were called onto the stage to be a part of a mock marriage ceremony.  It was quite amusing to see them paraded around on-stage when they had no idea what anyone was saying.  They were great sports!  Come to China with Chow Fun Tours and meet the locals.    
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Tai'chi in the Morning

11/20/2018

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In every neighborhood in Chinese cities is a local park.  And in almost every park, there is morning Tai'chi.  The teacher is a volunteer, usually a local Tai'chi expert. Classes usually begin around 8 am.  Generally, the population at these morning exercises is aged 50+, but more and more, I am seeing younger people in the parks, particularly if the class is on the early side, before work.

Like yoga, Tai'chi is designed for enlightenment and self awareness.  Whereas yoga is a series of postures, many of which we hold for a period of time, Tai'chi is fluid.  When done properly, there is constant, deliberate motion.  Tai'chi strengthens the body and improves flexibility.  It is also taught as a form of self defense.  

Regardless of where we are in China, I try to take travelers to a park in the morning to watch and participate in Tai'chi.  The local people are always thrilled to have us join the exercises and welcome us to come back the next day.  Join me on a Chow Fun tour and experience the Tai'chi mind-body connection. 

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Yangshuo Traditional Tai'Chi School

11/13/2018

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The Yangshuo Traditional Tai'Chi School is run by a young Master Ping.  The school is housed in a Qing Dynasty era home, and is set in a small farming village near the Yulong scenic area in Guangxi Province.  In October of 2018, I had to privilege of joining Master Ping in a class at the school.  

Tai'chi is a calm, soft and graceful exercise, with smooth transitions between movements.  The purpose is to help blood circulate throughout the body.  Breathing and actions are connected throughout the exercise and there is an emphasis on mind, body and spirit.

As a slow, meditative exercise, Tai'chi is practiced by a large portion of the elderly population in China.  It has been studied for its positive effects on memory in the elderly who practice.  Studies have also shown that Tai'chi can improve stress, improve balance and help with high blood pressure.

Join me in a Tai'chi class in Yangshuo or in any park in any city, town or rural village in China!

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The Rice Terraces of Longsheng

11/6/2018

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The rice terraces of Longsheng in Guangxi Province were built over 650 years ago.  The name of the terraces means "Dragon's Backbone," named because the the terraces resemble the backbone of the mythical creature.

China is the world's top producer and consumer of rice.  In Longsheng and in most of China, the planting, weeding, irrigating and harvesting is done by hand with the help of water buffalo for plowing.  Between 1000 and 2000 man hours are required to raise a crop on 2.5 acres of land (
http://factsanddetails.com/china/cat9/sub63/item344.html).  In the Yangtze River Valley, rice is generally planted from April through June and is harvested from August through October.  In other parts of China, there are two harvests, one in July and one in October.  

Come see the countryside and experience village life in China with Chow Fun Tours!
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    Lauren Drazen

    I have traveled all over the world, including adventures in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Israel, Jordan, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, England, Denmark, Russia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Dominican Republic, Canada and Mexico.  My greatest love is introducing Americans to the sites, traditions and people of China.  My hope is to give travelers a new lens through which to see the world.

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