THE YEAR 2017 was a significant year for the relations between China and the Philippines. The friendship between our peoples has deepened. We developed even closer relations with one of our nearest neighbors.
In 2018, we are faced with great opportunities in further advancing the relationship between the two countries. We have a great deal to look forward to.
Chinese tourists coming to Cebu have significantly increased these past years, surging to as much as 100 percent from the 2016 figures.
Through this once-a-month feature, we will show bits of China’s interesting places, people, food and culture.
It is our hope that Cebuanos will also be drawn to our country as much as our countrymen have loved coming to your spectacular province.
Similarities in our cultural heritage, may just prove to be a binding force.
Feel and experience the wonders of China for yourself.
SHI YONG
Consul GeneralConsulate General-People’s Republic of China in Cebu
The ancient and modern
‘Ordos city, located in the north of China, like a shining pearl, lies in the arm of the Yellow River.
The industrious and intelligent people in Ordos, who are nurtured and nourished by the river and grassland, have created a long history and profound
culture, and composed splendid chapters recording the city’s rise and development.
History and Culture
Ordos (which means “numerous palaces” in Mongolian) is the holy land of the great Genghis Khan with a long history and profound culture. “Hetao people” of 70,000 years ago lit the tinder of ancient civilization.
The Hun’s crown, Mongolia Epic and Arzhai Grotto tells the history about the past thousand years.
Over 800 years ago, Genghis Khan affectionately sighed that: “This is a place where Sika deer can shelter itself, the Hoopoe bird can brood its chicks, the declining dynasty can revitalize itself and the white-haired man can seek pleasure of life”.
The holy lamp in the Genghis Khan Mausoleum has been shining for almost 800 years. Guarding the memorial and ensuring the lamp light keeps burning are the extremely loyal Torghuts, who have been guarding the place for generations.
Nature and Geography
Ordos covers an area of 87,000 square km and a population of 2.055 million, home to more than 42 ethnic groups with Mongolian ethnicity as its main body and Han constituting the majority.
Ordos enjoys pleasant climate conditions. The average temperature in summer and winter are 21 degrees centigrade and -6.6 degrees centigrade respectively.
On the average there are 317 days of good air quality in a year. Summer and autumn are the best seasons to Ordos for the weather is cool.
Winter is also good to enjoy the snow and go skiing.
Ordos is magical and colorful, boasting of grand mountains and magnificent landscapes.
The grassland, desert, hills and lakes have different images.
Kubuqi Desert lies from east to the west; the Yellow River Grand Canyon winds along many turns; the vast grassland is fascinating; China’s oldest ancient highway of Qin Dynasty links ancient and modern times.
Tourism and Folk Customs
Ordos features grassland and desert scenery, ethnic customs, and summer getaway destinations. “The sand here can sing”— Whistling Dune Bay creates an unprecedented example of tourism in a desert.
A batch of ecological, sightseeing, adventurous, and off-road scenic spots such as Seven-Star Lake, Engebei Desert, etc., are to become the nearest desert tourist cluster to Beijing.
Mongolian Origin, Ulan Living Buddha Palace and Junggar Temple have shown profound ethnic and Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Ordos Cashmere Industrial Park has become the pilot area of “tourism plus” for the integrated development.
The booming Ordos Beautiful Rural Tourism Festival lets tourists sing and enjoy pleasure on the picturesque grassland with delicious traditional cuisine.
A cool summer with an average temperature of 21 degrees centigrade offers a group of great destinations for tourists to avoid heat. To name just a few, there are the Jiu Cheng Palace, Bulong Lake, and the Ordos Wildlife Park, etc.
The wonderful and beautiful Kangbashi Tourist Area is turning into a national tourist resort. Ordos Airport is a 4-Star Airport as awarded by Skytrax.
