China

International tourism is booming in China and is one of the country’s largest growth sectors. Travellers are attracted here by the nation’s cultural treasures and are being welcomed with open arms. This new openness affords us a clear view of a fascinating, millennia-old civilisation. Hardly any other culture is currently arousing as much curiosity as the Chinese with all its contradictory facets. Consequently, five new episodes in the Journeys into Art series will take a closer look at this ancient culture, manifested in its magnificent temples, palaces, gardens and wall systems. In the province of Anhui we visit the peach blossom land at the feet of Huang Shan, whose breathtaking backdrop is still used as a template by artists today. The province of Hunan grants us insights into the cultural history of China and the old lessons of Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism. The province of Jiangsu is characterised by its ubiquitous waters in all its forms: the powerful Yangtse, the venerable Emperor Canal, the Taihu Lake. In the cool bamboo forests of the Sichuan province live the last free pandas and in Yunnan we get to know the 800-year-old city Lijiang, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Episodes: Hunan: Monks, Artists And Mummies ● Anhui: In The Peach Blossom Land ● Jiangsu: Between The Emperor Canal And Modern Skyscrapers ● Sichuan: Pandas, Bamboo And Spices ● Yunnan: Enchanted Forests And Shamans

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