DOCSLIB.ORG

Links Between Environmental Geochemistry and Rate of Birth Defects: Shanxi Province, China

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Links Between Environmental Geochemistry and Rate of Birth Defects: Shanxi Province, China Science of the Total Environment 409 (2011) 447–451 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Science of the Total Environment journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/scitotenv Links between environmental geochemistry and rate of birth defects: Shanxi Province, China Hai-ying Yu a,b, Ke-li Zhang a,⁎ a State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, School of Geography, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China b College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya'an, Sichuan 625014, PR China article info abstract Article history: The rate of birth defects in Shanxi Province is among the highest worldwide. In order to identify the impacts of Received 16 July 2010 geochemical and environmental factors on birth defect risk, samples of soil, water and food were collected Received in revised form 10 October 2010 from an area with an unusually high rate of birth defects (study area) and an area with a low rate of birth Accepted 11 October 2010 defects (control area) in Shanxi Province, China. Element contents were determined by ICP-OES, and the Available online 23 November 2010 results were analyzed using a non-parametric test and stepwise regression. Differences in the level and distribution of 14 geochemical elements, namely arsenic (As), selenium (Se), molybdenum (Mo), zinc (Zn), Keywords: strontium (Sr), iron (Fe), tin (Sn), magnesium (Mg), vanadium (V), calcium (Ca), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), Birth defect Geochemical elements potassium (K) and sulfur (S) were thus compared between the study and control areas. The results reveal that Abnormalities the geochemical element contents in soil, water and food show a significant difference between the study area High birth defect area and control area, and suggest that the study area was characterized by higher S and lower Sr and Al contents. These findings, based on statistical analysis, may be useful in directing further epidemiological investigations identifying the leading causes of birth defects. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. 1. Introduction and of these defects a hospital study has shown that neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common birth defect. However, the rate Birth defects (congenital anomalies) are the leading cause of death of NTDs in China varies greatly between different regions. Data from in babies under 1 year of age (Petrini et al., 2002; Detrait et al., 2005). the Chinese Birth Defects Monitoring Program (CBDMP) indicated For the past several decades, epidemiological surveying has been a that NTD rate at birth in the whole of China is 2.7‰, but is 10.6‰ in key approach to identifying the causal factors, and has demonstrated Shanxi Province, which ranks highest and has become known as that causes leading to birth defects are very complex. However, all “Everest” due to its high incidence rate (Chen et al., 2009; Xiao et al., birth defects can be presumed to be caused by a combination or 1990; Li et al., 2006). The rate is so high that a logical first step in interaction of genetic and environmental factors. etiological research is to identify geographic factors associated with Epidemiologists are interested in whether it is genetic or risk. Population and family studies indicate a complex etiology in environmental factors (or both) that distinguish individuals with or NTDs, involving both environmental and genetic factors. Environ- without birth defects. In its widest sense, an environmental cause is mental factors implicated in increasing the risk of birth defects any nongenetic factor that increases the risk of a birth defect for the include geography, epidemic trends, socioeconomic class, maternal exposed individual, generally including nutritional excesses and age, maternal diet, maternal diabetes and obesity. deficiencies, maternal illness and injection, drug use, chemical Early studies of the causes of birth defects were mainly focused on exposures in the workplace or home, exposure to radiation, and genetic factors. However, by the 1960s, influences of environmental chemical contaminants in air, food, water and so on. causes on birth defects had been extensively confirmed. Vinceti et al. Although no direct causal connections have been established (2001) monitored birth defects in the area seriously polluted by lead between the geographic environment and rate of birth defects, the in northern Italy and found that over a period of time, decreasing the fact that regions with a particularly high rate of birth defects do occur environmental lead content reduced the incidence of heart diseases, require that studies must be conducted to investigate the causes of orificial clefts and bone diseases. Irgens et al. (1998) collected data birth defects in terms of geographic and environmental factors. The from all newborn babies between 1970 and 1993 in Norway, and highest rate of birth defects in the world has been reported in China, compared data on fetus defects between those from parents who were likely to have been exposed to lead pollution and those from parents with unlikely lead exposure. They concluded that newborns ⁎ Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 10 58805163; fax: +86 10 58806955. born to mothers exposed to lead pollution had a greater risk of low E-mail address: [email protected] (K. Zhang). weight and NTDs. It has further been shown that the occupations of 0048-9697/$ – see front matter © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2010.10.019 448 H. Yu, K. Zhang / Science of the Total Environment 409 (2011) 447–451 pregnant women have a major affect on the health of children, and 2. Materials and methods also that women's exposure to glycol might lead to birth defects (Cordier et al., 1997). More recent research has suggested that women 2.1. Study areas and birth defect surveys with long-term occupational exposure to anesthetic gases, and pregnant women living in areas polluted by nuclear radiation, might Shanxi Province has the highest rate of birth defects in China. The be at higher risk of giving birth to a child with birth defects (Ratzon et province is located in northern China, and is surrounded by the al., 2004). Some researchers have considered that the rate of Luliang mountains in the west and Taihang mountains in the east. nongenetic birth defects is proportional to the level of the economic Epidemiological surveys show that the birth defects rate is highest in poverty (Vrijheid et al., 2000); in particular, the socioeconomic the Luliang mountains. In this study, Zhongyang County and Jiaokou circumstances during a woman's childhood were shown to have more County in the Luliang region were selected as areas with high rates of influence on birth defects than those during pregnancy (Sever and birth defects, at 717.64 per 10,000 births and 917.06 per 10,000 births, Emanuel, 2008). Although the prevalence rate of birth defects has respectively, according to the survey by the Capital Institute of been attributed to numerous environmental factors, the geographic Pediatrics. Pingyao County, located in the middle of Shanxi Province, “gradients” of relatively higher rates compared with other places in was chosen as the control area (Fig. 1). the world reveal that the geographic environment has a significant A population-based retrospective study was conducted in high impact on birth defects (Olney and Mulinare, 1999). Even in China, prevalence areas from Jan. 1, 2002 to Dec. 31, 2004. During these three epidemiological surveys have indicated that there is an obvious years, 542 cases of birth defects were diagnosed among 6420 fetuses. territorial clustering of high prevalence areas, whereby the incidence Types and incidence rate of birth defects are shown in Table 1. in the north of China is higher than that in the south (Cynthia et al., 1998). Also, in general the birth defects rate in rural areas is higher 2.2. Sampling than that in urban areas. Although many environmental factors associated with increased risk In the epidemiological survey, 146 surface soil samples (cropland of birth defects have been discussed in the studies mentioned, the and woodland), 146 drinking water samples (well water and river contribution of environmental factors to birth defects is still inconclu- water) and 170 crop samples (corn) were sampled in the study area sive. Meanwhile, so-called environment factors have generally been and control area from January to May in 2005. Samples were collected limited to secondary environmental factors, such as pollution in water, from both sides of the river, in an area where the population is air and foods, and unusual workplace environments. Few studies have relatively dense, while soil samples were collected in areas far away dealt with causal factors based on comprehensive analysis of raw from residential areas and roads to ensure the samples were geographic information in a high prevalence region of birth defects. We representative. therefore believe that the identification of leading causes of birth defects through their link with abnormal environmental conditions is of great 2.3. Sample preparation and laboratory analysis importance in areas with high rates of birth defects. Here, we statistically analyzed and compared geochemical The samples were immediately processed in the laboratory after anomalies in areas with high and normal rates of birth defects to sampling. Air dried soil samples were sieved with a 100 mesh sieve. elucidate the relationship between incidence rate of birth defects and 0.1 g of each soil sample was then mixed with 3 ml nitric acid, 1 ml geochemical anomalies, and to provide a non-medical basis for perchloride acid and 1 ml hydrofluoric acid. The samples were placed effective prevention and cure of birth defects. in an oven for nitration for 5 h, then removed and heated on an Fig. 1. Location of the study areas. H. Yu, K. Zhang / Science of the Total Environment 409 (2011) 447–451 449 Table 1 Prevalence of various birth defects in the high birth defects area (2002–2004).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Investigation and Suggestion on the Building Environment of Traditional Courtyard House
    2018 International Conference on Advanced Chemical Engineering and Environmental Sustainability (ICACEES 2018) ISBN: 978-1-60595-571-1 Investigation and Suggestion on the Building Environment of Traditional Courtyard House in Ancient City of Pingyao Xiaoxing Han and Xiangdong Zhu ABSTRACT The ancient city of Pingyao is the world cultural heritage, it has a complete preservation of the wall, the Yamen, the temple as well as numerous traditional commercial shops and the dwelling house, it is the Chinese historical economic and cultural development real testimony. With the development of society, there are great changes in family structure and life style, and people's demand is more and more abundant. People living in traditional courtyard house need to improve their living facilities and building environment and improve their living comfort continuously. We need more exploration and research on how to preserve the authenticity and integrality of the heritage value, improve the living environment, improve the quality of life of the residents, and let the residents actively participate in the protection of the heritage and enjoy the achievements of the heritage protection through the restoration of the traditional courtyard house in the ancient city of Pingyao.1 KEYWORDS Ancient City of Pingyao, Traditional Courtyard House, Building Environment, Renewal and Transformation. BACKGROUND OVERVIEW The ancient city of Pingyao is located in Pingyao county, Jinzhong city, Shanxi province. It was first established during the Western Zhou Dynasty around 827-782 1Xiaoxing Han, Xiangdong Zhu, College of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan, China. 431 B.C. As a county—in its current location—it dates back to the Northern Wei Dynasty around 424-448 A.D.
    [Show full text]
  • UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA Los Angeles the How and Why of Urban Preservation: Protecting Historic Neighborhoods in China a Disser
    UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Los Angeles The How and Why of Urban Preservation: Protecting Historic Neighborhoods in China A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning by Jonathan Stanhope Bell 2014 © Copyright by Jonathan Stanhope Bell 2014 ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION The How and Why of Preservation: Protecting Historic Neighborhoods in China by Jonathan Stanhope Bell Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning University of California, Los Angeles, 2014 Professor Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, Chair China’s urban landscape has changed rapidly since political and economic reforms were first adopted at the end of the 1970s. Redevelopment of historic city centers that characterized this change has been rampant and resulted in the loss of significant historic resources. Despite these losses, substantial historic neighborhoods survive and even thrive with some degree of integrity. This dissertation identifies the multiple social, political, and economic factors that contribute to the protection and preservation of these neighborhoods by examining neighborhoods in the cities of Beijing and Pingyao as case studies. One focus of the study is capturing the perspective of residential communities on the value of their neighborhoods and their capacity and willingness to become involved in preservation decision-making. The findings indicate the presence of a complex interplay of public and private interests overlaid by changing policy and economic limitations that are creating new opportunities for public involvement. Although the Pingyao case study represents a largely intact historic city that is also a World Heritage Site, the local ii focus on tourism has disenfranchised residents in order to focus on the perceived needs of tourists.
    [Show full text]
  • People's Republic of China: Town-Based
    People’s Republic of China Town-Based Urbanization Strategy Study ADB TA 4335-PRC Final Report Volume 1: Main Report Prepared for Asian Development Bank National Development and Reform Commission Prepared by PADCO, Washington, DC CCTRD, Beijing August 2005 PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COLLABORATIVE INTERNATIONAL Setting the Standard for Our Industry® The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the Asian Development Bank or those of its member governments. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequences of their use. Table of Contents Volume 1 Executive Summary.........................................................................................................ES-1 Section 1: Introduction..........................................................................................................1 1.1 Background and Objectives ...................................................................................1 1.2 Study Methodology.................................................................................................4 Section 2: Urbanization Case Studies: Main Findings .......................................................7 2.1 Town Management.................................................................................................7 2.2 Economic Development.......................................................................................11 2.3 Economic Infrastructure.......................................................................................13
    [Show full text]
  • Shanxi Small Cities and Towns Development Demonstration Sector Project
    Environmental Assessment Report Summary Environmental Impact Assessment Project Number: 42383 October 2008 People’s Republic of China: Shanxi Small Cities and Towns Development Demonstration Sector Project Prepared by the Shanxi provincial government for the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The summary environmental impact assessment is a document of the borrower. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of ADB’s Board of Directors, Management, or staff, and may be preliminary in nature. CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 17 October 2008) Currency Unit – yuan (CNY) CNY1.00 = $0.1461 $1.00 = CNY6.8435 ABBREVIATIONS ADB – Asian Development Bank BOD5 – 5-day biochemical oxygen demand ClO2 – chlorine dioxide CO2 – carbon dioxide CODCr – chemical oxygen demand determined through the dichromate reflux method CSC – construction supervision company DMF – design and monitoring framework EA – executing agency EAMF – environmental assessment and management framework EIA – environmental impact assessment EMC – environmental management consultant EMP – environmental management plan EPB – environmental protection bureau FSR – feasibility study report GDP – gross domestic product GHG – greenhouse gas HDPE – high-density polyethylene IA – implementing agency LDI – local design institute MSW – municipal solid waste NH3-N – ammonia nitrogen NOx – nitrogen oxides O&M – operation and maintenance pH – a unit of acidity PM10 – particulate matter ≤10 micrometers in diameter PMO – project management office PPTA – project preparatory technical assistance
    [Show full text]
  • Minimum Wage Standards in China August 11, 2020
    Minimum Wage Standards in China August 11, 2020 Contents Heilongjiang ................................................................................................................................................. 3 Jilin ............................................................................................................................................................... 3 Liaoning ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region ........................................................................................................... 7 Beijing......................................................................................................................................................... 10 Hebei ........................................................................................................................................................... 11 Henan .......................................................................................................................................................... 13 Shandong .................................................................................................................................................... 14 Shanxi ......................................................................................................................................................... 16 Shaanxi ......................................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Proposed Loan and Administration of Grant People's Republic of China
    Report and Recommendation of the President to the Board of Directors Project Number: 42383 November 2009 Proposed Loan and Administration of Grant People’s Republic of China: Shanxi Small Cities and Towns Development Demonstration Sector Project CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS (as of 17 November 2009) Currency Unit – yuan (CNY) CNY1.00 = $0.1464 $1.00 = CNY6.8270 ABBREVIATIONS ADB – Asian Development Bank EIA – environmental impact assessment EIRR – economic internal rate of return FIRR – financial internal rate of return ICB – international competitive bidding LIBOR – London interbank offered rate NCB – national competitive bidding NPV – net present value O&M – operation and maintenance PCG Pingyao county government PLG – project leading group PMO – project management office PRC – People’s Republic of China PPMS – project performance management system QCBS – quality- and cost-based selection SEIA – summary environmental impact assessment SPG – Shanxi provincial government TA – technical assistance WACC – weighted average cost of capital XCG – Xiaoyi city government YCG – Youyu county government WEIGHTS AND MEASURES km – kilometer km2 – square kilometer m2 – square meter m3 – cubic meter NOTES (i) The fiscal year (FY) of the Government ends on 31 December. (ii) In this report, "$" refers to US dollars. Vice-President C. Lawrence Greenwood, Jr., Operations 2 Director General K. Gerhaeusser, East Asia Department (EARD) Team leader A. Leung, Director, Urban and Social Sectors, EARD Team members C. Chu, Project Management Officer, EARD H. Gunatilake, Senior Economist, Economics and Research Department M. Gupta, Senior Social Development Specialist (Safeguards), EARD S. W. Handayani, Senior Social Development Specialist, Regional and Sustainable Development Department J. Masic, Urban Development Specialist, EARD S. Noda, Transport Specialist, EARD X.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study on the Translation of Cultural–Loaded Words in the Publicity Film of Pingyao County from the Perspective of the Skopos Theory
    ISSN 1799-2591 Theory and Practice in Language Studies, Vol. 10, No. 10, pp. 1267-1272, October 2020 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17507/tpls.1010.12 A Study on the Translation of Cultural–loaded Words in the Publicity Film of Pingyao County from the Perspective of the Skopos Theory Mengzhu Xia Shanxi Normal University, Linfen, China Abstract—City publicity film aims at appreciating the landscape from a general view and certain scenic spot， planned and organized by the local government or tourism authority. It is consisted of diverse factors from history, culture, geographic features to custom. In terms of people-to-people exchange, it has become the paramount window for foreign tourists to learn more about China, especially Chinese cities with distinctive local cultures. In the process, culture-loaded words play a significant role in scaling up cross-cultural exchange and helping readers to enjoy Chinese culture readily. Therefore, the translation of cultural-loaded words should be valued to a large extent. Regarded publicity film of PingYao County in Shanxi as subject, this paper aimed at identifying words and dialogues with cultural characteristics, and studying the translation of culture-loaded terms from the perspective of the skopos theory. It can conclude that some translation strategies are adopted in the translation of publicity film of PingYao County such as omission, compensation, domestication, foreignization, literal translation, liberal translation and so on. Index Terms—city publicity film, the translation of cultural-loaded words, the skopos theory I. INTRODUCTION A. Research Background With the growing trend of economic development, it is urgently needed for China to improve its cultural soft power.
    [Show full text]
  • Ping Yao Cultural Heritage Route
    Pingyao Ancient City Fanjia Jie Historic District Funding Prospectus Conservation and Heritage Revitalization in Partnership with the Local Community Shanxi, China December 2011 Pingyao Ancient City – Fanjia Jie Historic District GHF China Heritage Conservation and Heritage Revitalization Fanjia Jie Historic District Table of Contents Executive Summary………………………………………………………….……………3 The Opportunity…………………………………………………………….…………….5 Major Goals and Budget Summary………………………………………………………7 Pingyao Ancient City – the First Banking Capital of China……………..……………..9 Major Threats to Pingyao Ancient City………………………..……………………….. 10 Priority Conservation Area: The Fanjia Jie Historical District………………………..12 Developing High-Value Cultural Tourism……………………………...………………15 Preservation with Development…………………………………………..……………...17 Guiding Principles……………………………………………………..…………………19 Pingyao Cultural Heritage Development Program……………………..………………22 Improvement in Living Conditions……………………………………………………...23 Preserving Historical Courtyards and the Living Arts…………………..……………...24 GHF Partners in Conservation…….…………………………………….………………26 GHF Leader in Conservation: Kuanghan Li, China Heritage Program Manager…...27 About GHF………………………………………………………….……………………28 2 Pingyao Ancient City – Fanjia Jie Historic District Executive Summary Global Heritage Fund (GHF) is seeking to secure funding of $500,000 in 2012-13 for the first two years of the Fanjia Jie Historic Street Ward Revitalization Project, which will secure in-country co-funding of over $1.5 million from the Shanxi Provincial
    [Show full text]
  • Migration and Small Towns in China
    Working Paper Series on Rural-Urban Interactions and Livelihood Strategies WORKING PAPER 16 Migration and small towns in China Power hierarchy and resource allocation Bingqin Li and Xiangsheng An July 2009 ABOUT THE AUTHOR(S) Bingqin Li is a Lecturer in Social Policy at London School of Economics. She is also a research associate of CASE (The Centre for Analyses of Social Exclusion) at LSE. In the past five years, she has collaborated closely with researchers from China, Korea, Japan, India and the United States to examine the social exclusion faced by rural to urban migrants, long term unemployed people and informally employed people. Her research work has covered coastal and inland cities. She has been lecturing on International Housing and Social Economics. She has been given talks in other universities in Britain, China and Japan regarding issues related to urban social exclusion. Xiangsheng An is a Professor of Geography at Taiyuan Normal University. He is the Deputy Director of the Institute of Urban and Tourism Studies of Taiyuan Normal University and the Member of the Standing Committee of Geography Association of Shanxi Province. He is a member of the Consultant Group of the Department of Land Resources of Shanxi Government. His main research interests are economic geography and land planning. He had received various research awards at the provincial level. © IIED 2009 Human Settlements Group International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) 3 Endsleigh Street London WC1H 0DD, UK Tel: 44 20 7388 2117 (international); 020 7388 2117 (UK) Fax: 44 20 7388 2826 (international); 020 7388 2826 (UK) ISBN: 978-1-84369-740-4 This paper can be downloaded free of charge from http://www.iied.org/pubs/display.php?o=10575IIED.
    [Show full text]
  • Analysis and Characterization of Materials Used in Heritage Theatrical Fgurines Yuxuan Gong1, Chengquan Qiao1, Bochao Zhong1, Jiarang Zhong2 and Decai Gong1*
    Gong et al. Herit Sci (2020) 8:13 https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-020-0358-7 RESEARCH ARTICLE Open Access Analysis and characterization of materials used in heritage theatrical fgurines Yuxuan Gong1, Chengquan Qiao1, Bochao Zhong1, Jiarang Zhong2 and Decai Gong1* Abstract The precious collections of the Qing Dynasty paper-made theatrical fgurines known as Shage xiren (纱阁戏人) repre- sent a unique type of Chinese traditional folk art. The name, “Shage xiren” can be explained as the theatrical fgurines that display in gauze curtains covered showcases. There were originally 36 showcases of Shage xiren of which 34 are preserved with 28 showcases exhibited at Qingxu Taoist Temple of Pingyao and the other damaged 6 are kept in the storeroom. It is rare that ancient paper-made fgurines can be retained; therefore Shage xiren became a valuable source for understanding the traditional folk art as well as exploring rarely inherited crafts. Due to the material speci- fcity and the poor preservation conditions, most of the fgurines are found with various damages. It appears neces- sary to carry out appropriate conservative and restorative actions. To date, very few works have been reported on investigating the materials and crafts of making Shage xiren, resulting in a lack of basis for restoration. In this research, the samples collected from the damaged fgurines, including wooden stick, plant fbers, paper pieces, clay fragments and textile fbers were studied. Polarized light microscope, X-ray difraction, granulometry, Raman spectrum, digital microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectrum analyses were employed to characterize the materials used in producing the cultural relics.
    [Show full text]
  • Shanxi Road Development Project
    Com pletion Report Project Number: 29426 Loan Number: 1701 September 2006 People’s Republic of China: Shanxi Road Development Project CURRENCY EQUIVALENTS Currency Unit – yuan (CNY) At Appraisal At Project Completion 30 June 1999 31 March 2006 CNY1.00 = $0.1208 $0.1246 $1.00 = CNY8.2800 CNY8.0268 ABBREVIATIONS ADB – Asian Development Bank BOC – Bank of Communications EIA – environmental impact assessment FIDIC – Federation International des Ingenieurs–Conseils (International Federation of Consulting Engineers) FIRR – financial internal rate of return GDP – gross domestic product IDC – interest during construction LIBOR – London interbank offered rate NPV – net present value O&M – operation and maintenance PCR – project completion report pcu – passenger car unit PPMS – project performance management system PRC – People’s Republic of China RP – resettlement plan SPCD – Shanxi Provincial Communications Department SPG – Shanxi provincial government SQEC – Shanxi Qilin Expressway Company Limited WACC – weighted average cost of capital WEIGHTS AND MEASURES mu – 1/15 hectare km/h – Kilometer per hour NOTES (i) The fiscal year (FY) of the Government ends on 31 December. (ii) In this report, "$" refers to US dollars. Vice President C. Lawrence Greenwood, Jr., Operations Group 2 Director General H. S. Rao, East Asia Department (EARD) Director N. Rayner, Transport Division, EARD Team leader S. Noda, Project Specialist, EARD Team member Y. Li, Young Professional, EARD CONTENTS Page BASIC DATA ii MAPS vii I. PROJECT DESCRIPTION 1 II. EVALUATION OF DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION 2 A. Relevance of Design and Formulation 2 B. Project Outputs 2 C. Project Costs and Financing Plan 5 D. Disbursements 6 E. Project Schedule 6 F. Implementation Arrangements 7 G.
    [Show full text]
  • 8D Impression Shanxi Tour (TYNH8）
    8D Impression Shanxi Tour (TYNH8） Highlights: UNESCO World Heritage – Yungang Grottoes Architectural Wonder – Hanging Monastery NO UNESCO World Heritage – Mount Wutai SHOPPING UNESCO World Heritage – Pingyao Ancient Town 3rd Largest Waterfalls in China – Hukou Waterfall Local Delicacies： Datong Steamboat，Hunyuan Flavor，Mount Wutai Vegetarian，Shanxi noodles Pingyao Snacks，Yunqiushan Health feast，Lingshi Flavor, Yellow River Carp Hotel: Local 4-5★ hotel，1N Pingyao Ancient Inn，1N Cave dwelling house. DAY 1: Singapore ✈ Beijing - Taiyuan (D) Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Beijing - Cosmopolitan Cultural Capital of New China. Upon arrival, take a high speed train to Taiyuan. After dinner, check in hotel. DAY 2: Taiyuan (approx 3.5hrs) - Mt. Wutai (B/L/D) After Breakfast, visit the Coal Museum and take a ride on the mini train through the stimulate mine shaft to experience the whole process of coal mining. Continue to Mt.Wutai, - Buddha’s Summit, also known as Buddha’s Hat. It sits on the top of a hill in the northwest of Taihuai Village. There are 3 main halls, the Buddhist Deities Hall, Sakyamuni Hall and the Buddha Hall. Next visit Xiantong Temple. This temple was built in the Yongping Reign of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Next continue to visit the Tayuan Temple and Wanfo Temple. DAY 3: Mt. Wutai (approx 3hrs) - Hunyuan (approx 1hr) – Datong (B/L/D) Today, visit the Hanging Monastery, built on the cliffs of Mt. Hengshan, one of the five most scared mountains in China. It is the only existing temple which combines Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism together in China.
    [Show full text]