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Cinevision International is a Motion Picture Acquisitions Company with offices in Los Angeles, California and Beijing. We acquire and distribute properties in a wide variety of genres to a variety of platforms both domestic and international. Cinevision also employs a full time creative services division (Cinevision Digital)which specializes in BLU-RAY Authoring , Menu Compression/Design, Visual Effects, HD Sound, Editing and Key Art Design.

AVAiLABLE in tHESE foRMAtS:

CRC Jianian (CRCJ) is a joint venture and international partnership be-tween Los Angeles based consultancy firm Global Entertainment Media (GEM) and China Record Corporation (CRC), the Chinese government’s oldest and largest record company.

Established in 2003, CRC Jianian has the exclusive worldwide rights to publish and distribute CRC’s historical catalog, including the largestcollection of traditional Chinese instrumental music, some of the oldest recordings dating back to the 1920s and 1930s.

the contemporary catalog includes Chinese rock and pop artists such as Pang Long (“two Butterflies”) and tanggula, a remarkable tibetan “folk-fusion” music catalog.

CRC Jianian is located in Los Angeles, California and Beijing, China.

in 2008, CRC Jianian released a collectable CD box set (series) featuring the most complete collection of Chinese music ever available in the West!this historical series is packaged into 6 beautifully designed boxes, each containing 4 discs. Each set focuses on a specific genre surrounding Chi-na’s astonishing 5000-year old culture. the genres include instrumental, Vocal, folk, opera, Classical and tibetan music.

the website employs an expansive and vast data base of the entire cata-log for your review and needs.

We welcome you to visit CRC Jianian and explore the largest website and leading provider for Chinese Music in the world.

www.crcjianian.com

DISCOVER CHINAfor most of human history, China has been the world’s leading civilization, far outpacing any other group of people in science, art, and philosophy. for over five thousand years, the Chinese have used and maintained the longest continuously used written language. the detailed records kept in this language conclusively prove that the Chinese contributed much of the bedrock for modern civilization, covering the complete range of human endeavor, both great and small. in 105 A.D., ts’ai Lun invented the process for manufacturing paper, introducing a medium for writing superior in quality to the baked clay, papyrus and parchment used in other parts of the world. By 593 A.D., the first printing press was invented in China, and the first printed newspaper was available in Beijing in 700 A.D. Paper currency was being used by the end of the 9th Century A.D., something that so im-pressed Marco Polo, that he devoted an entire chapter in his book of his travels to the use of money in China.

Gunpowder, both for military use as bombs, and for recreational use as fireworks, was first invented and used in China, as was the cross-bow, the latter marking a huge advance in military technology at the time. the Chinese were the first to use matches, were using flame-throwers in military conflicts as early as 904 AD, and were using multi-stage rockets in naval engagements by the mid-14th Century.

Despite this resplendent history of innovation and progress, in the 19th and early 20th centuries, China eventually turned inward and declined, as it was beset by civil unrest, famine, and foreign occupation. China’s obsession with keeping the rest of the world at bay is most famously exemplified by the Great Wall. Constructed by Emperor Qin, the first emperor to unify China (and the name from which the country’s name is derived), to defend his realm against marauding nomadic tribes. Ultimately stretching some 6,350km (3,946 mi.), and being maintained and expanded through successive dynasties, the Great Wall failed in its strategic purpose, and today, China has opened to the world like never before.

With over one hundred cities with populations of one million or more (America, in comparison, has 9, while Europe has 36), China has witnessed the largest migration in human history. its peasants have moved into the metropolitan cities to participate in the tremendous growth of China’s economy, which has expanded an average of 10% annually for more than twenty five years. China’s vast manufacturing infrastructure, along with the swelling appetites of its billion-plus consumers, have turned China into what is arguably the greatest natural resource on the planet.

China as never Seen before filmed in High-Definition

U.S. viewers will have a chance to see China like never before through “Discover China,” a documentary series filmed in high-definition (HD) that unlocks the mysteries of the Middle Kingdom both past and present, and explores its incredible cultural legacy and diversity. in partnership with China Central television (CCtV) and the Zhong Wen fa inter-national film Company, and sponsored by Ministry of Culture, Cinevision presents this landmark series that will shed new light on the China’s storied past. this landmark series provides truly unique insight to Western viewers on the present, as well as the past history of China. outlined in this remarkable series are the various lifestyles, tourist attractions, and the new economic miracle that is China, along with stunning perspectives on UnESCo World Heritage Sites such as the Great Wall, the forbidden City, and the tomb of the terra Cotta Warriors (Emperor Qin’s tomb). Spanning China’s five-thousand-year history, “Discover China” will highlight the people of China in all of their ethnic variety (over fifty five minority groups call China their home), while exploring a heritage that could be called the history of the world.

“Discover China” is the highest quality and most comprehensive documentary production currently available on the country. Seven years in the making, it surveys China’s entire evolution, over its five thousand year history.

THE SECRETS Of YIN SHANg / THE UNDERgROUND CITY................6

EmpIRE IN THE UNDERwORlD / wARTORN fRONTIERS......................7

STOlEN TREASURES Of THE ImpRIAl CITY / ImpERIAl DESIgNS Of THE fORbIDDEN CITY..................................................................................8

THE fIRST EmpEROR / THE NINE KINgDOmS..........................................9

THE lEgENDARY lI bINg / CONfUCIUS................................................10

SEEKINg THE pEKINg mAN / DONg gA - THE pANDA.........................1 1

SHUYUAN - THE ANCIENT ACADEmIES / lIfE IN DRAmA...................1 2

bElOVED lU mOUNTAIN / THE lAND Of pEACH blOSSOmS .... . . . ...1 3

THE bEAUTY AND THE bEACON / CITIES AND wAllS.......................1 4

THE mYSTERY Of XUANwU / A lOST EmpIRE......................................1 5

DISCOVER wUHUAHAI lAKE / THE lEgEND Of YEllOw DRAgON........................................................................................................................1 6

THE SUTRA CAVES / flYINg DEITIES.....................................................1 7

mACAU / THE fORgOTTEN TOwERS Of DIAOlOU..............................1 8

THE TEmplE Of HEAVEN / bREAKINg TRADITION...........................1 9

ANCIENT pINg YAO / HUIzHOU mERCHANTS......................................20

mYSTERY Of THE THREE RIVERS / ODE TO THE NINE-bEND STREAm.........................................................................................................................2 1

A HAVEN Of pEACE / pATHS TO HEAVEN.............................................22

fOUR wONDERS Of YEllOw mOUNTAIN / INSpIRATIONAl HUANg mOUNTAIN................................................................................................23

lADY Of THE ClOUDS / THE EmpEROR’S fANTASY............................24

TwO CITIES (pART I, II).................................................................................25

pOTAlA (pART I, II).......................................................................................26

THE SIlK ROAD (pART I, II)........................................................................27

THE OlD TOwN Of lIJIANg / mYSTERY Of THE HU ClAN.................28

HOmElAND HARmONIES / SEVEN STRINgS.........................................29

CHENgDE mOUNTAIN RETREAT / SHIElDED fRONTIER...................30

SUzHOU gARDENS / THE ADmINISTRATOR’S gARDEN.....................3 1

DAzU ROCK CARVINgS / mYSTERY Of THE THOUSAND HANDS........32

YUNgANg gROTTOS / DRAgON gATE CAVES......................................33

TAOISm AND bUDDHISm / lEgEND Of THE NINE COlORED DEER...34

HOmETOwN AT DUSK / mEmORIAl ARCHwAYS...................................35

THE HISTORY Of THE fORbIDDEN CITY................................................36

Discover China chronicles the mystery of the oracle Bones, hand-carved records of China’s magnificent empires, inscribed onto tortoise shells and bone. the un-earthing of more than 17,000 of these records put China’s written history back 500 years earlier than previously believed. they reveal a glimpse into the sacrifices and battle history of the Shang Dynasty. opulent tombs of kings, queens, and generals are explored, giving a first hand look at how these powerful rulers lived, and how they journeyed into their afterlife with abundant wealth. Along with these revelations, an astonishing imperial secret comes to light.

Beneath the fields near a slumbering village in Henan Province, a dormant civili-zation was waiting to be brought back to life. from the discovery of etched bone fragments and tortoise shells, an ancient era in China’s history emerged. As exca-vations began, the archeologists feared that grave robbers had beaten them to this historical site. Discover China unearths the secrets of the underground city.

THE SECRETSOf YIN shang

THEUNDERgROUND city

Discover China goes deep underground to explore the elaborate mausoleum of the first Qin Emperor, Qin Shi Huang. this extravagant tomb took 38 years to build, and was filled with a massive collection of life-size terra cotta statues, most of which were vigilant warriors, poised to protect him against his enemies in the afterlife. Craftsmen toiled to create thousands of clay images for the Emperor, and many lost their lives. Buried over 2,000 years, this colossal tomb was not discov-ered until recently.

EmpIREIN THE underworld

the focus of this Discover China documentary is the Great Wall of China. this barrier is the single longest military construction project in the history of the world. it has survived several thousand years, and seen countless wars and invasions. Scientists are concerned that the walls, composed of many different types of mate-rial, are weakening in certain places. these experts have dedicated themselves to the preservation of this amazing man-made structure.

wARTORN frontiers

internal turmoil during the Qing Dynasty led to elaborate plots to pilfer the trea-sures out of the imperial City palaces. Discover China uncovers the secretive deal-ings of Emperor Pu Yi, the last Emperor, as he was spending his final days in the palace. thousands of royal works of art, and priceless calligraphy flowed out of the City, right under the watchful eyes of the guards. Conspiring servants and a devastating fire add to the mystery of this corruption.

STOlEN TREASURESOf THE ImpERIAl city

Discover China delves into the foundation of the forbidden City’s construction, and provides detailed examinations of the imperial architectural designs. two promi-nent Chinese architectural scholars came across an old sketch that appeared to be an ancient blueprint. they were shocked to find out the great importance of the document they held in their hands. they were able to unravel the secret methods of construction for the world’s largest palace complex.

ImpERIAl DESIgNS Of THE fORbIDDEN city

Called the greatest Emperor in history, Qin Shi Huang was filled with a desire to unite China. He rose to Emperor in 247BC, at the young age of 13. Suffering from cruel teasing and accusations as a child, he developed into a bitter and hardened ruler. Scandal and betrayal marked his powerful reign, but he is credited with unify-ing China, and the Qin Dynasty flourished under his autocratic rule.

During ancient China’s period of great floods, one man stood above his peers, as he led the nation to safety. in the celebration that ensued, he assumed the throne, and divided China into nine kingdoms. His remarkable achievements were cel-ebrated by casting nine bronze cauldrons, which would become imperial China’s ultimate symbol of power. As the ages passed, another unrivaled emperor fought to unify the nations into one. Discover China unlocks the secrets of the nine king-doms.

THE fIRST emperor

THE NINE kingdoms

Discover China goes back 2.500 years and looks at a marvel of engineering ac-complished without the help of modern technology. By channeling the power, in-stead of fighting the natural flow, Li Bing, Governor of Shu, harnessed the waters of the mighty Min River. this dam system created vast agricultural farmland for the local people, and stopped the frequent floodwaters that devastated their home-lands. He succeeded in transforming this untamed land into a staging ground for military invasion. Li Bing was later revered as a king in Chinese history, an honor not bestowed to many.

THElEgENDARY lI bing

Discover China follows the footsteps of one of China’s most important cultural icons, the scholar Confucius. no one could have foreseen that this man, born to a noble family in social decline, would become China’s most influential and revered historic figures. As a young man he traveled through China, advising kings and Emperors on the wise way to rule, and ultimately became a living legend.

confucius

Speculation and intrigue surrounding the discovery of an ancient skull highlight this Discover China documentary. Peking Man was unearthed in southwest Beijing in1929 by Pei Wen Zhong, a young Chinese paleontologist. this 500,000 year old missing link to the origins of man was much celebrated. Learn how Peking Man survived the savage times he lived in, only to fall into unscrupulous hands so many centuries later.

Discover China follows the footsteps of Dong Ga, the panda. the discovery of this ancient animal skull proved once, beyond doubt, that this lush, green valley was home to one of China’s greatest national emblems. Due to involvement from the local government, this once threatened species can now thrive in it’s homeland.

SEEKINgTHE pEKINg man

DONE gA-THE panda

on the fertile peaks of Lu Mountain, a poet came to continue his passion for learn-ing. Later, his original school saw expansion by a Confucian scholar, and it became one of the first academic institutions in China. White Deer Academy was soon a focal point for hundreds of students and eminent teachers. Even foreign scholars were welcomed, contributing new ideas, and sharing in this ancient learning envi-ronment.

Discover China follows the history of Kun Qu, the centuries old opera that brings to life events in Chinese history through precision song and dance. Accompanied by string and percussion, dancers weave elaborate stories from the past and illus-trate how “life is like a dream”. northern and Southern Chinese opera influences came together to create the art form of Kun Qu. this ancient form was revived in the 1950’s as the youth desired to rekindle ties to it’s historic past. Combined with stage acting and expression, these passionate stories come to life in this vivid portrayal.

SHUYUAN-THE ANCIENT academies

lIfE IN drama

the extraordinary beauty and serenity of the Lu Mountain region is the focus of this documentary. this inspirational mountain was made famous in poetry for it’s peach blossoms, and utopian scenery. Lu Mountain was the summer home of young Pearl S. Buck, the famous author. Buddhist monks also saw the mountain as a place of refuge and spiritual enlightenment. the emerald mountain has drawn artists and great minds from far and wide, to form a bridge between East and West.

An enchanting story written by a fourth century poet in China, similar to the story of Shangri-La in the West, drove countless scholars, poets, and artists to pursue this magical place. However, this work of fiction seemed to have roots in the real world. Many locations around Southern China bear a striking resemblance to the land this poet described. one thousand years later, a novel with remarkable similarities was published in the West, introducing the world to the concept of Shangri-La.

bElOVED lU mountain

THElAND Of pEACH blossoms

the early beginnings of the Great Wall, and how a beautiful concubine cooled the aggression between China and hostile nomads, are the focus of this Discover Chi-na documentary. With humble beginnings as simple beacons that shined through the night to warn of enemies, these outposts were eventually linked to form the Great Wall. During the warring period, this barrier was instrumental in protect-ing China. then a beautiful concubine was sent to marry the Shanyu chief, and through her beauty and wisdom, restored peace between China and the Shanyu for half a century.

China’s history has always been accompanied by the strike of hammers, construct-ing the spine of the Middle Kingdom. through China’s tumultuous history, these ancient walls and cities have witnessed countless wars and tribulations. from the ambitious projects of China’s first Emperor, to the famous Great Wall, Discover China tells the story concealed within these cities and walls.

THE bEAUTYAND THE beacon

CITIES AND walls

Discover China delves into the mysterious Xuanwu shrine, a sprawling monument built into the Wudang Mountains. Wudang is a fire shaped mountain, and it was be-lieved that perfect harmony would result if combined with a water element. Xuanwu is a deity believed to be a rain god, and this gold, copper and brick shrine was built to honor the place where he became immortal. the mountain mist, divine black stone paths, and taoist structures make Xuanwu a ladder to Heaven.

THE mYSTERY Of xuanwu

in the grass-covered hills near the majestic Wuyi Mountain range, an ancient tem-ple’s remains can still be seen. this once mighty kingdom is gone forever. Discover China takes you on a magical journey to find the origins of this great mountain’s name, and how taoists believe an earthly deity resides there. this region has been described as the finest scenery in southeast China, comprised of 36 mountains and the famous nine-Bend Stream.

A lOST empire

Discover China delves into the mystery of Wuhuahai Lake, a sparkling alpine lake that never freezes, and seems to have an everlasting water supply. Local folklore claims that this deep turquoise lake was formed when the hand mirror of a beauti-ful goddess was shattered by a fierce monster, falling to earth in glittering pieces. this “magic lake” has held it’s secret for ages, baffling many scientists. now this significant geological discovery is unraveled in this enlightening documentary.

DISCOVERwUHUAHAI lake

this land of wonders bears a majestic name, Yellow Dragon. A great legend was born here beside the glowing travertine pools. taoist immortal god, Yellow Dragon Man, is worshipped by the local people in an ancient shrine in this lush valley. tourists come to visit this peaceful sanctuary, explore the mysterious caves, and marvel at the sparkling water that forms these vibrant, white pools.the origins of this legend are revealed through song, dance, and the prayers of the devout who come to worship Yellow Dragon Man.

THE lEgENDOf YEllOw dragon

the puzzling mystery and heartbreak of the Sutra Caves is the focus of this Dis-cover China documentary. Across the Gobi Desert sands, Buddhist monks traveled spreading their beliefs, building numerous caves for refuge. these caves became havens of spirituality, and through the ages, countless scrolls, paintings, and ir-replaceable works of art were collected here. Sadly, foreign explorers bargained with the taoist monks for these priceless artifacts, leaving the caves nearly empty.

Deep within the caverns of Mogao, thousands of murals depicting delicate, femi-nine deities can be found. in other caves, most deities appear masculine, with beards and muscular bodies. over the centuries, these particular paintings have been effeminized, now having the appearance of women, gracefully flying through the skies. the mystery of their true origins, and their original gender still puzzles many scholars.

THE SUTRA caves

flYINg deities

the bright and international history of Macau is showcased in this Discover China documentary. With European influence in architecture, religion, and dance, Eastern and Western influences collide to form this diverse maritime port city. important in early trade with exotic countries abroad, Macau developed it’s own distinctive culture. A colorful mix of many nations, religions, and ideas, Macau is a sparkling gem in the South China seas.

macau

the beaches of Kaiping hold more than just these ancient guard towers known as Diaolou. these regal structures stand as a symbol of all people who have made the journey to another land, in search of a better life. Discover China brings you the intimate stories of a small Chinese village, whose people have endured separation and great hardship.

THE fORgOTTENTOwERS Of diaolou

Considered a pinnacle of traditional Chinese architecture, the temple of Heaven stands as one of the most well preserved shrines of worship in the world. Emperors prayed here for bountiful harvests and well being. Discover China looks at how this holy complex has undergone numerous changes, as a result of an Emperor’s command.

in the midst of the temple of Heaven, stand several incredible architectural achievements. these buildings have changed shape over the course of one ambi-tious emperor’s reign, to become the structures they are today. on his path to ulti-mate power, he destroyed and rebuilt the sacred temple of Heaven, reshaping it to his liking. Discover China uncovers the tale of this ambitious ruler, and the reasons behind his zealous determination.

THETEmplE Of heaven

breaking tradition

Ancient Ping Yao was once a city threatened by development, now preserved in it’s original state. the city’s remarkable architecture and history remain very much intact. the foundation of the Chinese financial system arose from this ancient city. Ping Yao’s legacy flowed beyond the city walls, leaving an impressive legacy of commerce and business.

in the remote village areas of ancient southeast China, a new breed of merchants emerged, reshaping the face of China’s trade and commerce. Cast into the tumul-tuous world of finance at a young age, these boys turned into some of China’s most successful traders and merchants. these businessmen’s abundant success is apparent when viewing their centuries-old lavish homes. their legacy has been recorded in the annals of history.

ANCIENT ping yao

HUIzHOU merchants

Discover China looks at three mighty rivers running parallel to one another, form-ing the shape of a Chinese character, “Chuan”, literally meaning, “a river running through the valley”. these three rivers never meet or converge as they snake through the Yunnan Province. Making their home on the riverbank is a broad mix of ethnicities, with a wide array of cultures and customs. these people’s lives have remained virtually unchanged for 1,000 years.

THE mYSTERY OfTHE THREE rivers

Discover China embarks on a journey down the fascinating Wuyi Mountain rivers. this scenic region has inspired countless artists and poets with it’s twisting, wind-ing path around statuesque Wuyi Mountain and surrounding hills. Ancient legends of mythical battles and romantic love stories abound in this land of ancient verse. the river’s unique ecosystem stands out as one of the few in the world of it’s kind.

ODE TOTHE NINE-bEND stream

Discover China embarks on a journey of revelation into Zhang Jia Jie in West-ern Hunan Province. for years considered a wasteland, an amazing discovery of unique and stunning rock formations has led geologists to study this remote area further. these geological treasures consist of quartz and sandstone and are very rare. Many different ethnicities live harmoniously in this beautiful region.

Along with grape seeds and wine making methods, Western missionaries brought with them the seeds of the Christian faith to this beautiful valley. Along the river, many different ethnic groups coexist in peace. Chanting and prayers echo through the valley, making this place a true piece of paradise on earth. Discover China fol-lows the spiritual people who inhabit this magical valley.

A HAVEN Of peace

pATHS TO heaven

famous for it’s panoramic views, Yellow Mountain is a literal heaven on earth. Swirling mist around it’s highest peaks resembles an ocean flowing peacefully through the sky. Countless species of flora and fauna abound in this lush, majestic region, also known for it’s dramatic rock formations. A gondola ride to the top re-veals a breathtaking view of the mountain’s ethereal splendor.

Discover China paints the history of Chinese art and majestic Huang Mountain, a constant source of inspiration to Chinese artists and poets. from it’s foothills to the top of it’s mist-shrouded peaks, Huang Mountain has provided a unique backdrop to traditional Chinese landscape painters for centuries. it has stood the test of time, and is inspiring contemporary artists, who still consider it the model of Chinese aesthetics.

fOUR wONDERSOf YEllOw mountain

inspirational huang mountain

High atop lofty tai Mountain in Shandong Province, a shrine stands to an ordinary girl who transformed into a goddess. this unlikely deity is worshipped as the su-preme ruler of the snow-capped peak. one of five sacred mountains in China, tai Mountain boasts 22 temples on it’s slopes, and has been a destination for worship-pers for 3,000 years. Dynasties through the ages have contributed to this complex shrine.

At the foot of tai Mountain sits an enigma, a temple that bears a striking resem-blance to an imperial palace. it was built by a brazen emperor, who ignored his country’s desperation, and built this lavish shrine to bolster his status as sole ruler. As time has passed, the emperor has gone, and all that remains from this fantastic episode in China’s history is this spectacular shrine.

lADY Of THE clouds

THE EmpEROR’S fantasy

Discover China follows the story of two people in separate cities, Macao and Kash-gar, in this two part series. one was a booming town along the Silk Road, the other became a thriving port city through expanded trade along the marine Silk Road. these two cities reflect some of China’s most positive traits, while they success-fully flourish as a fusion of different races, cultures, and customs.

TwO CITIES part i, ii

Discover China follows the story of two people in separate cities, Macao and Kash-gar, in this two part series. one was a booming town along the Silk Road, the other became a thriving port city through expanded trade along the marine Silk Road. these two cities reflect some of China’s most positive traits, while they success-fully flourish as a fusion of different races, cultures, and customs.

pOTAlA part i, ii

Discover China follows in the cultural footsteps of the ancient horse caravans that traveled the tea and Silk Horse Road. these merchants and their horses carved a path that has become a vital economic trade route. Plodding through the valleys and mountainous regions that stretch across China, from tibet in the west, to the far eastern China plains, these sturdy caravans forged a cultural bond between these two nations.

THE SIlK ROAD part i, ii

in this small town at the foot of looming snow-capped mountains, an ancient peo-ple’s culture survives. With their own religion and fully preserved character sys-tem, the people of LiJiang carry on their lives much as they have for centuries. A series of canals snakes through the city, a cherished gift from the mountain, which is regarded as a brother. the daily routine consists of making paper from bark in the traditional way, and creating decorative pieces from copper and silver, to trade along the ancient tea Horse road and beyond.

in southeast China’s Huizhou District sits a slumbering city. the villagers lead a quiet and harmonious existence, unaffected by the outside world. Yet the origins of this pastoral village reveal an age-old story of imperial intrigue and incredible perseverance. Discover China explores this ancient village, and the mystery of the Hu Clan.

THE OlD TOwN Of lijiang

mYSTERY OfTHE HU clan

Discover China goes to the Uyghur homeland, a colorful region of oasis towns and desert sands, where ancient dwellers traded in goods along the Silk Road. Uyghurs trace their ancestry back to the turkish population on China’s northwest-ern borders. these lively people value song and dance as no other, incorporating traditional instruments, and even some of their own invention. nomadic musicians known as Muqum, travel from oasis to oasis, touching the lives of the people with centuries old folklore conveyed through song.

Discover China looks at one of China’s most ancient and venerable musical instru-ments. Called “the instrument of the sages”, it’s somber and delicate tones weave stories of love and sorrow. this deceptively simple instrument’s unique shape and distinctive tone has made it one of China’s most important symbols. the Guqin remains a powerful representation of China’s music and culture to this day.

HOmElAND harmonies

SEVEN strings

Discover China visits the Chengde Mountain retreat, built as hunting grounds to improve the skill of the faltering Qing army, and as a sanctuary for the Emperor. 500 miles away from the imperial Palace, and constructed around the same time, this grand royal garden was built for political reasons. this estate closed the gap between China and Mongolia, strengthened their ties to one another, and helped ward off Russian aggression.

A magnificent palace complex, Chengde Mountain Retreat, was built as a summer resort for the imperial family, but became much more. this strategically placed citadel helped the ambitious Emperor rule over the vast reaches of his empire. from this vast resort, he was able to train his armies, sign treaties with neighboring lands, and strengthen his country’s status. Discover China delves into the shielded frontier of Chengde Mountain Retreat.

CHENgDEmOUNTAIN retreat

SHIElDED frontier

Discover China showcases the beautiful Suzhou Gardens in southern China, which have formed the standard for Chinese garden landscapes. these elegant gardens, with their majestic waterscapes, reflect one of China’s time-honored traditions of living in harmony with nature. As an inspiration to poets and artists, and a refuge for lovers, these delicate gardens are a part of China’s storied past.

Within southern China’s Suzhou Gardens lies an especially stunning landscape. owned by a dejected imperial official, who dedicated his entire life, and all of his money to creating this astounding retreat. it is second to none among Suzhou’s many gardens, with it’s silent pavilions and sparkling lakes. Discover China opens the gates to the coveted Humble Administrator’s Garden.

SUzHOU gardens

HUmblEADmINISTRATOR’S garden

Discover China reveals a unique and wondrous world, where Confucius, Buddha, and the way of the tao combine in the Dazu Rock carvings. these caverns tell a fascinating story of three religions, at odds with one another, who finally come together in peace and harmony. once forgotten by history, these intricate carvings have now come to light.

Among the thousands of beautifully carved Buddhist sculptures and statues in the Dazu caves, sits a mysterious figure, carved into the rock. it’s striking glow and multiple arms hold a secret that only a lone monk was able to unravel. tales of this enigmatic monk spread, detailing how he was finally able to count every one of the thousand hands of this gleaming Guanyin statue.

DAzU ROCK carvings

mYSTERY OfTHE THOUSAND hands

Discover China opens the door to the mysterious world of the Yungang grottos. this abundant area of caves, caverns, and grottos once served as a gauge of re-ligious stability. Ancient nomadic tribes carved statues in these caves that symbol-ized their once savage rule over northwestern China. these carvings also sing the praises of the clan’s leaders, as they evolved into one of China’s earliest imperial dynasties.

over 2,000 caves dot the mountainside south of Luoyang in Henan Province. these caverns hold some of the most vibrant testaments to the Buddhist faith, and traditions of ancient China. the statues of revered Buddhist figures in these caves bear a striking resemblance to one of China’s most ambitious and powerful rulers. Discover China studies the secrets of these magnificent figures.

YUNgANg grottos

DRAgON gATE caves

Emei Mountain is a religious center for many sects of Chinese Buddhism. Long ago, it was the battleground where Buddhism clashed with one of China’s leading religions at that time, taoism. to the revelations that led to the birth of Buddhism on this mountain, to the legend of the White Snake, Emei Mountain has been an important religious hub for centuries. Discover China scales Emei Mountain, and explores this sacred site.

Hiding deep within the Mogao Buddhist caves is a mythical creature, referred to as the nine-Colored Deer. Buried under the desert sands for over a thousand years, this magical animal’s colors are as bright and vivid as when they were created. the secrets behind this seemingly simple mural come to life, as Discover China enters the sacred Mogao Buddhist caves.

TAOISm AND buddhism

lEgEND Of THE NINE COlORED deer

A storm 800 years ago changed the course of one village in Huizhou. this small vil-lage has since become one of China’s most legendary places, with an intricate wa-ter system and the prosperous Huizhou merchants. these men saw their fortunes change due to the simplest ingredient in life – water. Discover China explores this ancient village and it’s famous inhabitants.

in villages across China, memorial archways have been built to honor those who remained pure, even in death. these people were thought to have achieved a higher moral status than the rest of society. the first arch erected was in tribute to a woman who had committed suicide. the Emperor heard of her reasons, and decreed that a magnificent archway be built in her honor. Discover China takes a journey across China to showcase these heartfelt monuments.

HOmETOwN AT dusk

mEmORIAl archways

the forbidden City, a significant documentary, reveals little known historical events, human stories, China’s rich culture, and what it means to be Chinese. the forbidden City is a presentation of imperial culture and power, embodied by the imperial Palace and the Emperors who ruled there. Reflecting a history of thou-sands of years, the forbidden City is an invaluable tool for research.

THE HISTORYOf THE

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