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The Star
23-06-2025
- Science
- The Star
Stone carving discovered in Qinghai stirs debate
BEIJING: A stone carving that some scholars believe dates back more than 2,200 years and could carry major cultural significance has ignited a heated debate among history enthusiasts, as several university professors have raised concerns that the inscriptions may be modern forgeries. The controversy began with a June 8 report in Guangming Daily, in which Tong Tao, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Archaeology, claimed archaeologists had recently discovered a stone carving linked to Emperor Qinshihuang — the first Chinese ruler to hold the title huangdi, or "emperor" — who founded the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC). According to the report, the inscriptions were found near Gyaring Lake in present-day Madoi county, Qinghai province, at an altitude of about 4,300 metres. Photos published alongside the story showed that the characters were clear and in relatively good condition. Carved in xiaozhuan, a signature script of the Qin era, the inscription was interpreted as describing a team of fangshi (alchemists) led by a wudafu (a minister-level official), who were traveling by wagon to Kunlun Mountain in search of elixirs for immortality. The text claims the group reached the lake in the third month of the 26th year of Qinshihuang's reign, and would travel another 150 li (about 62 kilometres) to reach their final destination. In ancient Chinese texts, Kunlun Mountain is imbued with mythological importance, akin to Mount Olympus in Greek mythology. It is also believed to be the birthplace of the Yellow River, often referred to as the "mother river" of China. Today, Kunlun refers to a long mountain range in western China, but its precise location in pre-Qin times is still debated among scholars. "The carving was found by Gyaring Lake, with the Bayan Har Mountains to the south. So the search for elixirs in Kunlun should refer to Bayan Har, which undoubtedly corresponds to the 'Sacred Kunlun Mountain' in pre-Qin classics," Tong wrote. He added that the identification of Kunlun "matches perfectly with pre-Qin geographical texts that pointed to Kunlun as the source of the Yellow River", noting that modern hydrological studies confirm the Gyaring Lake and Bayan Har Mountains as headwaters of the river. Historical texts state that seven stone monuments were carved to commemorate Emperor Qinshihuang's achievements following his inspection tours across the unified empire between 219 and 211 BC. Only two fragmentary examples have survived, both badly damaged and nearly illegible. Tong called the new find "the only existing Qin Dynasty carving at its original site and the most complete one". Some online commenters hailed the find as monumental. "Historical maps will be redrawn and the debate over Kunlun's location will be resolved. Salute to archaeologists who braved the elements," one person wrote. However, the carving has also drawn skepticism — including from academics — over its authenticity. "If the inscriptions' meaning was interpreted correctly, then I highly suspect this is a modern forgery. That would mark a new level of falsification," said Xin Deyong, a history professor at Peking University, without elaborating. He repeated his doubts in later social media posts and said he plans to write a book analysing what he called an "unbelievably fake" inscription. Liu Zongdi, a professor at Beijing Language and Culture University, pointed out logistical inconsistencies in the story. For the team to arrive at the location by the stated time, he said, they would have had to set out the previous autumn or winter — an implausible scenario given the high altitude and harsh climate. He also questioned how the travelers could have anticipated the formal use of the title "emperor", which was proclaimed during the same year as their supposed journey. Additional doubts have been raised regarding the inscribed date, grammar and terminology, with both supporters and skeptics presenting arguments. For instance, Liu Zhao, a professor of ancient texts at Fudan University, said the engraving technique — particularly the direction of certain character strokes — aligns with the known calligraphic style of the Qin period. He also noted that a rare way of writing "Kunlun" seen in the inscription matches that on Qin-era bamboo slips unearthed in Hunan province. Because that writing style has only been documented in the past 20 years and is otherwise unknown, Liu argued that it would require "a forger with deep and niche academic knowledge" to replicate it. Nanjing-based Ziniu News reported that Hou Guangliang, a professor at Qinghai Normal University, first identified the inscription in July 2020 during a field survey. At the time, he said only a few characters — including huang — could be clearly made out. Hou initially suggested the inscription may have been created after the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), using Qin-style characters for visual effect. He also said the harsh conditions around Gyaring Lake make long-term preservation of carvings difficult, and that only from the Yuan period onward did the region come under stable government control, allowing large expeditions to be logistically feasible. However, Hou has since reconsidered. In a recent interview with Southern Metropolis Daily, he described his earlier comments as "a bit shallow" and said further research is needed. In a commentary, The Beijing News encouraged the public to see the controversy as a process of "academic refinement" and an opportunity to popularise archaeology. "The truth will gradually emerge through rigorous research and evidence-based discussion," the editorial said. - China Daily/ANN
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tuesday Trivia: When Jackie Chan spoke Malayalam in THIS action flick
(Picture Courtesy: Facebook) Jackie Chan, known across the globe for his thrilling stunts and martial arts prowess, has an unexpected connection with Kerala that many fans may have missed. In the 2005 fantasy-action film 'The Myth', directed by Stanley Tong, Jackie Chan delivers a surprising line in Malayalam — a moment that continues to delight Malayali audiences nearly two decades later. No Myth, this: Jackie Chan wants to sing and dance The film features Jackie as Jack, an archaeologist haunted by visions of his past life as a Qin Dynasty general. Packed with action, ancient secrets, and time-hopping adventures, The Myth is a blend of history and fantasy with a cross-cultural twist. The scene that caught Kerala's attention During a hilarious scene in the film, Jackie unexpectedly utters a full line in Malayalam, "ഞങ്ങൾ ഇവിടെ ഒരു കാര്യം നോക്കാൻ വന്നതാണ്. ക്ഷമിക്കണം." ('Njangal ivide oru kaaryam nokkaan vannathaanu. Kshamikkuka.') This translates to: 'We came here to check something. Please forgive us.' Though the pronunciation may not be perfect, Jackie Chan's attempt left Malayali viewers pleasantly surprised, especially given the rarity of international stars speaking regional Indian languages on screen. Work front Jackie Chan made his massive comeback with the recently released action drama film 'Karate Kid: Legends' which was directed by Jonathan Entwistle. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo The movie also features the actors Ralph Macchio, Ben Wang, Sadie Stanley and Joshua Jackson in pivotal roles. ETimes gave the film a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 and our official review reads,'Ben Wang delivers a standout performance, impressing with his nimble-footed action. Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio (the original Karate Kid) share an easy, engaging chemistry as the 'two branches of one tree,' and their playful bickering and one-upmanship while training Li is a delight to watch. Aramis Knight has limited screen time, but makes a strong impact as a formidable and menacing opponent.' Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Irish Daily Star
27-04-2025
- Irish Daily Star
American tourist amazed by world's narrowest city where you can 'almost shake hands' across street
Yanjin, China, is known as the world's narrowest city, with some parts measuring a mere 98 feet wide . The cityscape, filled with colorful skyscrapers towering over the Heng River, is a sight to behold. Travel blogger Drew Binsky shared his exploration of this unique city on his YouTube channel, highlighting how the surrounding steep mountains have influenced the design of its high-rise buildings. The geographical limitations have resulted in a vertical cityscape where, as Binsky noted, "you can almost shake hands with your neighbors from across the alley." Despite its narrowness, Yanjin, located in northeast Yunnan Province, houses over 400,000 residents within its slim strip of land nestled between two steep mountains. Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'disgusting' as he honors Pope Francis in 'baffling' way Read More Related Articles Donald Trump branded 'dumbest President ever' after six-word comment about Congo In his video, Binsky expressed surprise at the city's atmosphere: "I was expecting it to be dangerous and for people not to be enjoying life so much because of the risks that flooding presents but everyone is super friendly. Everyone seems super happy." To combat potential flooding and make the most of the limited space, many buildings are constructed on stilts. While some areas are as narrow as 98 feet, the city's widest point stretches to just 984 feet, reports the Express . Yanjin is located in the Yunnan Province (Image: (Image: YOUTUBE/DREW BINSKY)) Yanjin, a city famed for its slender and distinctive architecture, is increasingly catching the eye of travelers and shutterbugs on social media. However, getting to this out-of-the-way spot can be quite the trek. To reach Yanjin, adventurers may fly into Kunming Changshui International Airport, situated roughly six hours away. Alternatively, the Chongqing-Kunming motorway offers access, or one could opt for a leisurely train ride from Neijiang to Zhaotong, alighting at Yanjinbei Station. Steeped in history, Yanjin traces its roots back to the Qin Dynasty era, once home to the Bo people. Historically a hub for salt trade, the city's name translates to "salt" and "ferry" or "port". A tragic incident occurred during the Duanwu Festival celebrations in the late 1800s or early 1900s when a bridge collapse claimed the lives of 400 individuals, prompting the construction of more robust bridges. For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
Korea Herald
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Water-Releasing Festival kicks off in Dujiangyan, Sichuan
DUJIANGYAN, China, April 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 Dujiangyan Water-Releasing Festival kicked off on April 4 in Dujiangyan in Southwest China's Sichuan province, attracting over 1,100 guests and tourists from home and abroad. The annual event is a thousand-year-old tradition commemorating Li Bing, governor of the Shu state (ancient name for Sichuan) during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), who initiated the construction of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in 256 BC. The irrigation system, one of the world's oldest still-operational water-control projects, protects the Chengdu Plain from floods and droughts, earning it the reputation as a "land of abundance". Today, it irrigates about 770,000 hectares of farmland across eight cities and 41 county-level regions in the province. In ancient times, workers used bamboo cages filled with stones, along with wooden tripods called "macha" to block the Minjiang River during winter. This allowed them to dredge the river channel and reinforce the dikes. As spring arrived, they would tear down the macha to release water for irrigating farmland in the Chengdu Plain. A major highlight of the festival, the water-releasing ceremony on the opening day recreated a series of historical scenes, including cofferdam construction using ancient methods, blocking the river, sacrificial rituals, and water release. Huang Shasha, a first-time visitor to Dujiangyan from Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said she felt honored to attend the water-releasing ceremony and experience the culture of Dujiangyan. "Li Bing's wisdom in water control is truly impressive," she said. Another highlight is that the Dujiangyan Water-Releasing Festival is jointly celebrated with Thailand's Songkran Festival for the first time this year, according to Dujiangyan city government. Local officials said the two festivals will be permanently promoted together every year as a cross-cultural event. This year's festival also features consumption promotion activities alongside cultural and tourism displays and performances. During the three-day event, visitors can experience intangible cultural heritage skills and purchase characteristic products from eight cities in the Dujiangyan Irrigation System's service area, Kangding in Sichuan, and Thailand. The Dujiangyan Water-Releasing Festival was listed among the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage items in 2006. Local authorities are applying to have the festival added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Yahoo
Water-Releasing Festival kicks off in Dujiangyan, Sichuan
DUJIANGYAN, China, April 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 Dujiangyan Water-Releasing Festival kicked off on April 4 in Dujiangyan in Southwest China's Sichuan province, attracting over 1,100 guests and tourists from home and abroad. The annual event is a thousand-year-old tradition commemorating Li Bing, governor of the Shu state (ancient name for Sichuan) during the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), who initiated the construction of the Dujiangyan Irrigation System in 256 BC. The irrigation system, one of the world's oldest still-operational water-control projects, protects the Chengdu Plain from floods and droughts, earning it the reputation as a "land of abundance". Today, it irrigates about 770,000 hectares of farmland across eight cities and 41 county-level regions in the province. In ancient times, workers used bamboo cages filled with stones, along with wooden tripods called "macha" to block the Minjiang River during winter. This allowed them to dredge the river channel and reinforce the dikes. As spring arrived, they would tear down the macha to release water for irrigating farmland in the Chengdu Plain. A major highlight of the festival, the water-releasing ceremony on the opening day recreated a series of historical scenes, including cofferdam construction using ancient methods, blocking the river, sacrificial rituals, and water release. Huang Shasha, a first-time visitor to Dujiangyan from Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said she felt honored to attend the water-releasing ceremony and experience the culture of Dujiangyan. "Li Bing's wisdom in water control is truly impressive," she said. Another highlight is that the Dujiangyan Water-Releasing Festival is jointly celebrated with Thailand's Songkran Festival for the first time this year, according to Dujiangyan city government. Local officials said the two festivals will be permanently promoted together every year as a cross-cultural event. This year's festival also features consumption promotion activities alongside cultural and tourism displays and performances. During the three-day event, visitors can experience intangible cultural heritage skills and purchase characteristic products from eight cities in the Dujiangyan Irrigation System's service area, Kangding in Sichuan, and Thailand. The Dujiangyan Water-Releasing Festival was listed among the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage items in 2006. Local authorities are applying to have the festival added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Dujiangyan City Government Sign in to access your portfolio
