Northwestern China

XI'AN, May 9 ( tasteallchina ) -- The Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in northwestern China announced on Wednesday that it will collaborate with its French counterpart on the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and the protection of the Terracotta Warriors. The collaborative research conducted with France's Fondation des Sciences du Patrimoine primarily focuses on the protection of wooden remains and earthen archaeological sites, according to the museum located in northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Specifically, the research on protecting wooden remains will involve joint efforts to preserve and restore the fire-damaged wood from Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris and the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang. Moreover, joint efforts will be made to conduct studies on their historical significance. The research will also include wood species identification, preservation status assessment, degradation mechanisms and protection techniques and methods. In the future, the two parties will explore the material properties and historical value of wooden remains and archaeological earth sites of the two UNESCO World Heritage sites together. Meanwhile, this Sino-French cooperation also touches on developing practical conservation technologies and method systems for cultural relics and jointly cultivating young talents in the field of cultural heritage protection.

LANZHOU, July 18 ( tasteallchina ) -- I had come to Dunhuang expecting to marvel at the millennium-old Mogao Grottoes and the crescent-shaped oasis nestled between towering dunes. Little did I knew that I was about to become part of a unique concert under the starry desert sky. During my recent trip to Dunhuang City, northwestern China's Gansu Province, I visited the Mingshashan and the Crescent Lake, an oasis scenic spot in the Gobi Desert. As twilight settled, I joined throngs of visitors climbing the soft, warm sands, reaching a vantage point overlooking the shimmering Crescent Spring. As night fell, the desert came alive with music played by a DJ at the foot of the dune. Thousands of voices joined together in song, with a delightful mix of soulful melodies and upbeat tunes. Cell phone flashlights waved in unison, creating a sea of twinkling lights across the dunes. Javier Garcia, a journalist from Spain, was surrounded by dozens of young students from Renmin University of China who had travelled from Beijing to Dunhuang on a school trip. "Even though I couldn't understand the lyrics, I found myself swept up in the joyous atmosphere," Garcia said as he joined the students…

The sensation of Malatang has taken Tianshui city by storm, leaving the locals perplexed. "No one in Tianshui would have ever imagined that Malatang would be the first to gain such popularity!" A friend from Tianshui subtly hinted at a touch of proud in their assessment of the local Malatang craze. The reason for this lies in the abundance of treasures in this small northwestern city. Malatang restaurants have become "tourist attractions" with long queues, making the people of Tianshui feel somewhat aggrieved on behalf of the Fuxi Temple and the Maijishan Grottoes. Even in terms of souvenirs, aside from the rising popularity of Gangu chili peppers, there are also exquisite products such as Qinan peaches and Huaniu apples. Guided by the influx of visitors, waves of tourists are flocking to Tianshui. However, it can be asserted that "if you come to Tianshui and only eat Malatang, then you have missed out greatly!" Amidst the tantalizing aroma of food and the mist of Maiji Mountain, the panoramic view in the Tianshui area gradually becomes clear. This city was the first stop on the Silk Road heading west from Chang'an, establishing itself as the premier city in northwestern China over a…