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New Wonder of the World Getting Trashed

The good news: The Great Wall of China was recently picked as one of the new seven wonders of the world in a global online poll. The bad news: The Great Wall is crumbling… deteriorating… basically falling apart due to the massive amount of tourists it accommodates on a yearly basis. The condition of the wall, which was originally created to defend against foreign invaders, is said to be so poor that some locals wonder how it could be named as one of the new wonders of the world. Visitors say almost every brick in the high traffic sections of … Continue reading →

How We Affect Cultural Landmarks – Part 1

As I age, I realize how older things just naturally deteriorate. Many of the world’s cultural landmarks are hundreds, if not thousands, of years old. When things last that long, you may tend to think they will last forever, but there are a few landmarks that are seeing their deterioration accelerated due to pollution and tourism. One such landmark is the Taj Mahal in Agra, India. The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632 when Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan had it build in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Her round, white mausoleum is easily recognizable by most of … Continue reading →

Pekingese

For a month that comes in like a lion, I thought it a good idea to take a look at a dog that looks like a lion: the Pekingese! This little Chinese dog is bold, courageous, and independent — and comes with a long history. The breed was considered sacred in ancient China. Those Foo Dogs we looked at earlier this month? You can find Foo Dog representations that might just be Pekes. The imperial family kept the oldest, purest bloodlines; Imperial Dog Books were used as breed standards. Legend says that a lion fell in love with a marmoset … Continue reading →

Foo Dogs Aren’t Dogs… Are They?

Perhaps you’ve heard of foo dogs — also known as fu dogs, fo dogs, or Chinese lions? These works of art may be called dogs, but are they really dogs? First, a little history: animal imagery is an important element in Chinese art. During the Shang dynasty, stylized animal faces were placed on vessels in tombs and engraved onto weapons. For some, the animal faces served as fierce guardians or symbols of royal power. During the Han dynasty, we saw the first appearance of the lion in Chinese art. Outside of royal gifts, China had no lions of its own; … Continue reading →

How To Eliminate Waiting in Long Lines For Lady Liberty

Maybe great minds think alike. Or, perhaps imitation really is the sincerest form of flattery. Either way it seems there’s a growing trend among top tourist attractions—the use of technology to cut down on wait times to get in. Just yesterday I told blogged about the Colosseum’s efforts to shorten the time tourists have to stand in line to experience one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. The ancient Roman arena has catapulted itself into the 21st Century by allowing visitors to purchase tickets in advance and bypass the mile-long lines that can form during the height of … Continue reading →

Tourist Attractions—Update

Good news for you globe trotters… you can now buy your tickets to the Colosseum online. No more wilting under the hot Roman sun while you shuffle your feet in the mile-long line that snakes to the on-site ticket counter. The news comes just a few weeks after the ancient Roman arena was recently named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. (How’s that for timing?) The online booking system simplifies getting around the popular tourist attraction. Once you’re on the site you are allowed to pick a spot on a guided tour in your language of choice. … Continue reading →