Beauty of Beach

   SaiL Amsterdam — Parade of ships

SAIL Amsterdam is a large maritime event held every five years in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Tall ships from all over the world visit the city to moor in its Eastern harbour, and people can then visit the ships for four days (free of charge). The event was organised for the first time in 1975 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of Amsterdam, under the name 'Sail Amsterdam 700'. At that time, interest in tall ships, which had sunk to a low since the 1930s when the last commercial tall ships had been built, was starting to rise[citation needed]. The success of Sail Amsterdam 700 led to the establishment of the Stichting Sail Amsterdam (SSA, Foundation Sail Amsterdam). More images after the break...

Sail is one of the largest maritime manifestations in the world, and the largest event of any kind in the Netherlands. Tens of tall ships and hundreds of other historical ships are involved. Numerous other ships and boats are present besides the participating ships, amounting to 8000 boats in the 2000 edition.

Lesser events take place during the festival, involving small sailboats, sailor choirs or re-enactments of naval battles. The Sail In or Parade of Sail on the first day attracts many other small ships, including creations like a sailing organ (with trumpet accompaniment) or a train converted to a ship. On the next to last day there is a naval pageant and on the last day the 'Sail Out'. The Next Sail Amsterdam will be held from 20 August to 24 August 2015.

Home Town of Zhaojun

Story of Wang Zhaojun

Baoping Village which is six or seven km northwest from Xingshan county is the hometown of Wang Zhaojun(one of the Four Beauties in ancient China). Wang Zhaojun was born in Zigui County in Western Han Dynasty ( Zigui, now divided into Zigui and Xingshan two counties, Wang Zhaojun's hometown belongs to Xingshan County). Because of her beauty and versatile, she was elected to the imperial palace. But then she wasn't chose by the emperor as the imperial concubine because she didn't bribe the painter to give rise to her portrait. Later, Wang Zhaojun didn't want to waste her youth in the palace, thus she voluntarily asked to go out the border and married the chief of Hun. Now, Wang Zhaojun's tomb is in Hohhot of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. There are always evergreen grass on the tomb, hence named "Qingzong".

Story of Wang Zhaojun

Introduction of Wang Zhaojun's Hometown

Wang Zhaojun's hometown Baoping Village is a picturesque place. Xiangxi Stream, a limpid tributary of Yangtze River flows through the village. When you enter Baoping Village, you would see a soil platform first, on the platform there is a Moon Gate engraved with Shu- Zhuang-Tai ( in Chinese means dresser), it is said that Wang Zhaojun once dressed and made up here. The platform covered with green shade, under the green shade there are stone benches and tables available for visitors to rest. In the north of Shu - Zhuang - Tai, there is a little pavilion called Moon Glimpse Pavilion according to the legend, it is the place where Wang Zhaojun reading, playing the guqin and embroidering. Dozens of steps away is the home of Wang Zhaojun. The house was rebuilt according to the ancient construction map. The house was enclosed by towering wall and winding paths inside. In the garden, a 3 meters marble statue of Zhaojun standing in the flowers. This statue was sent by Huhhot City.

Out of the Wang Zhaojun's home, head to the east you would came to  the Nanmu Well where Wang Zhaojun drew water. The well is about 1 meters deep, limpid and never dry. There is a nanmu root in the bottom of the well, which said to be put in by Wang Zhaojun. The villagers of Baoping Village almost still have the surname "Wang". The villages are so proud for Wang Zhaojun and take her as an immortal lady.