Taiping Hash: June 23

We now have nearly two full buses, however, a few seats are still
available for this Saturday's run. Please sign up ASAP, as the seats
are limited.

The weather forecast might include a bit of rain. Of course, we will run
regardless of the weather. Actually, the run will probably be better
with a bit of rain or overcast skies because (1) you'll actually be able
to run along the trails instead of collapsing in the heat, and (2) the
streams and lake would be a bit more attractive with some water.

As for the run site, Dongming Hill abounds with ancient relics. In the
mountains are the Dongming Buddhist Temple and the Qunxian Taoist Temple
where Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty once lived here as a hermit
and named the place Dongming, meaning "the east is bright", when he saw
the rising sun at dawn. Other attractions are the Immortals' Temple, the
Hundred Flower Valley, Hundred Birds Worshiping the Phoenix and the Sun
Rise at Quanfeng Peak. An osmanthus tree, presumably planted the Emperor
Jianwen, still stands alive. Some camellia, mulberry and yulan trees
likewise show their eternal yearning for longevity though they have
already lived for centuries.

Also, Dongming Hill sits above the village of Anxi, which was a center
of the Liangzhu culture from 3,310--2,250 B.C. in the late Neolithic.
The Liangzhu archaeological sites were discovered in 1936. They are so
rare among the discovered prehistoric sites in China that they are
considered the dawn of Chinese civilization and an important cultural
heritage of mankind.

The ruins also reveal some of the Liangzhu social practices, including
reckless consumption of labor and extensive human sacrifice.

There will be long and short runs. Because it may be a bit hot on the
trail, bring some water. There is some shiggy and a few friendly
mosquitoes on the trail.

This will be an A-A run. The bus will park next to the lake.


The Details:

Date: Saturday, June 23

Location: Dongming Forest Park, Zhejiang province

Times for the buses:
10:00 a.m. Pudong, Jinqiao Starbucks, 633 Biyun Road, by Carrefour
10:25 a.m. Pudong, Lujiazui, Information Tower, the last bus stop on
Century Blvd. before the Yan'an tunnel.
10:30 a.m. Puxi, Portman Ritz Carlton, 1376 Nanjing Xi Road, meet
outside by the Starbucks
10:45 a.m. Hongqiao, The Grassy Knoll, Yan'an Road by Hongxu Road

Hares: Jeremy and Jeffrey

Cost: RMB150.

Bash: Dining in the park.