2012 - A new year

Wishing you all a very Happy Chinese New Year, this year according to the Chinese Zodiac belongs to the Dragon. The Dragon represents the Emperor as per Chinese Mythology (the Phoenix represents the Empress) and hence the dragon is a sign of courage and wisdom and also is believed to bring good luck.

Keeping the Chinese superstitions aside, I hope 2012 will be a blessed year for friends, family and everyone around.

Speaking of family, my Mum and Dad visited us for about a week , end of December. We brought in 2012 in Shanghai on a very crowded Bund. There were no fireworks, which was quite disappointing, but we braved the cold to wait for countdown to midnight that was ticking on a screen on the Oriental Pearl Tower. It was a one of a kind experience bringing in the new year with a million other people!

We had our last meal of 2011 at a very nice Yunnan Restaurant in Shanghai called the Lost Heaven. They plan to open up at Qianmen, Beijing later this year.

The Shanghai Bund- Night View

Laser light works on New year's eve

It's 2012!

Lost Heaven Yunnan Restaurant, Shanghai

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As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, Skiing is a popular winter activity here in the Jing. We had a team building activity at work and went to the Jundushan Ski resort in Chanping District.
Sharing a few pics taken on my phone. Skiing rates start from 100 rmb for two hours and include the ski equipment.

Ski equipment

Jundushan Ski Resort, Changping

Here are some other popular skiing resorts around Beijing -

Duo Le Mei Ski Resort  - http://www.duolemeidiski.com/en/gongyu.asp
Nan Shan Ski Resort - http://www.nanshanski.com/web_en/content.asp?id=31

Looking forward to the loong weekend, a very quiet and empty Beijing

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year again!