The Celebrated Movies and Enthralling Music of Andy Lau

After watching Martin Scorsese's "The Departed," I discerned that the movie was an adaptation of this recognized Hong Kong action flick entitled "Internal Affairs." When I researched about "Internal Affairs," I later discerned that the movie featured a very recognized Hong Kong movie star and pop star named Andy Lau. I remember seeing CDs of Andy Lau while traveling Hong Kong few years ago, but at that time I thought that the pop star Andy was different from the actor Andy that I already knew; to my bewilderment, they are one and the same person.

Lau is among the very few Chinese stars who have completed notable success both in the movies and in music. As an actor, Andy has made over 100 exalted films, including "Internal Affairs," and its sequel, "Internal Affairs 3," for which he was honored with the much coveted Golden Horse. He is more notable to Western audiences for playing opposite Ziyi Zhang in the internationally adored "House of Flying Daggers."

As a musical artist, Andy is avowed for recognized hits like "The Days We Passed Together," "Neverending Love," "Forget Love Potion," and "You Are My Woman." Since breaking into the Mandarin and Cantonese music scene, Andy has bagged 292 musical awards and appeared in 179 concerts; he is also listed in the Guinness World Records as the Canto-Pop Male Artist with most number of awards bagged.

The Floating Crypts Of The Bo

China is home to a good number of weird and seemingly impossible marvels. The renowned Great Wall of China, which took three dynasties and millions of laborers to build, is likely the most known, but have you ever heard of the coffins that seem to forget the very laws of gravity?

China, you see, happens to be home to a variety of ethnic groups, though a majority have been reduced drastically in number by the larger population of the Han ethnic tribe. Among the ethnic minorities was the Bo, who once practiced placing the crypts of their fallen among the cliffs and mountains that peppered the Yunnan province of southern China. According to ancient tales, the coffins were placed there by the Bo during the age when the Bo warred with the dominant Han tribe; such a measure was deemed necessary to protect the dead from violation by the Han. You see, to the Bo, a destroyed body is a guaranteed way to strip the deceased of a good afterlife and force the spirit to come back in the form of a wrathful spirit.

The practice, as fantastic as it can be, ended around the same time that the Bo ceased to be mentioned directly in Chinese historical documents. The last existing coffins placed by the Bo were during the Ming period, which was, according to historical records, the last house to have warred against the Bo. Interestingly, none of the surviving historical records of the Imperial court during the Ming era record anything so spectacular as killing an entire faction, so some historians assume the Ming did not wipe out the Bo themselves. What exactly happened to the Bo, like the hanging coffins they left behind, is equally a source of deduction and wonderment.

Stinky Tofu as Strange Chinese Meal

The great Chinese invasion has been going on for years, but this does not come in a form of war, but a pervading influence that conquers cultural zones. Even in Hollywood, authorities have long been enthralled impressed by Asian talents to grace the silver screen. With Jackie Chan, Jet Li, and even the green tea, we've also learned to welcome and agree with the Chinese norms as part of our lives. However, eccentric values could not be simply dismissed from this equation because when it comes to strange food plate varieties, we know too well that China has its own popular share. But aside from century eggs and sea cucumber, do you know that Chinese crowds are also fond of havingthe "stinky tofu?"

Yes, as the name implies, the pungent aroma is the strange feature of this Chinese specialty. If you could look beyond its not-so-impressive aroma and consider it for its hale benefits, then "stinky tofu" would be worth a try. To give you a morale boost, it would be quite remarkable to know that even the talented Chinese director, Ang Lee, is rumored to take delight from this exotic food.

In fermented brine with shrimp, salt, and vegetables, tofu is soaked in this strange weird solution of pungent liquid for hours to prepare a course aptly known as "stinky tofu" or "Chou Dofu" in Chinese. They even say that it takes a great man to enjoy this exotic course. But don't just take the challenge anywhere, when you can have the pleasing "stinky tofu" in Taipei at Dai’s House of Stinky Tofu instead of getting some from vending carts and stands.

Accustomed Chinese Dress

Have you ever been to the renowned land of the dynamic Chinese? If yes, you might have already heard the term Hanfu which pertains to a accustomed costume worn by Chinese people during the pre-seventeenth century, what they named as the Han era.

Aside from little sects in the society, most Chinese don't know what Hanfu is because Manchu raiders extinguished this dress during the seventeenth century by force. Hence, the people who know about the Hanfu are trying to convey to the government today to make these dresses national clothing since the Han era was among the most luxurious eras of all time. Today's dresses, the Tangzhuang and the Qipao, are not known by these people as national costumes for the Chinese since they suppose that the Manchus are the ones who brought these two dresses to China.

It can be said that most people suppose that Hanfu is very distinguished because national dresses of nearby country are based from the design of the Hanfu. That is why they want to bring back the costume as the national dress. They further claim that they can trace the Hanfu way back to the early years of China's history, when the dress was worn proudly by varying emperors and political heads as well as common people of China.

Hangzhou Overseas Chinese Hotel Puts forward Proximity to Chinese Transportation Forms

If you require a hotel that is situated not far from the principal means of transportation in Chinese territory, no other place comes close to suit that description better than the Hangzhou Overseas Chinese Hotel. Nestled about 13 kilometers away from the Chinese airport, the hotel offers exceptional service at a good value rate. Additionally, the transportation service that will move you to and from the hotel is also exceptional, personified by the Chinese railway station, which is approximately about four kilometers away.

There are about 200 rooms in the Hangzhou Overseas Chinese Hotel, randomly dispersed across the complete six-floor building. Although the rooms may be perceived as quite simple, they are nevertheless well-equipped with a number of excellent accommodations.

There is a shopping building located right within the hotel so you need not step outside to do your grocery shopping. A cute cafe bar is likewise available, apart from the many other structures like a beauty salon, elevators, air conditioning system, a sauna, and medical service.

A great bar that puts forward great entertainment can be found next door to the hotel, aptly called the Paradise Rock. It may offer loud music at times, but no need to be upset, because the sounds are not actually within the hearing range of hotel guests so they can still have a calm night if they need it.

Room betterment can also be made with the staff if it is requested. Most definitely, this is one magnificent hotel in China nestled right in the busy Hangzhou region.