Chengdu’s countless Nong Jia Le seal the city’s reputation as both a leisure haven and the fulcrum of economic development in western China. The Nong Jia Le, which translates literally as "Country House Fun, is Chengdu’s version of the bed and breakfast inn – a relaxing, beautiful escape from city life, replete with the best of Sichuan’s easy-living traditions.

Not only can the newly affluent of this rapidly growing city of 8 million people enjoy time away from the stifling confines of the office, but in providing their urban counterparts with these accommodations, the suburban and rural Chengdunese can make good money while maintaining their traditional lifestyle.

Read the rest of this entry »

Via SFChronicle: “Whether your interest lies with kitschy sombreros, handmade musical instruments, whimsical carved figures or fine silk shawls, one of Mexico’s greatest pleasures is visiting its hundreds of craft towns. In addition to some of the larger and better-known cities that produce Talavera tile (Puebla), silver (Taxco) and hammocks and mosaico tile (Mérida), clusters of artisan villages — some whose entire populations are employed in a single craft — are sprinkled throughout Oaxaca, Michoacán and Jalisco states. Oaxaca:

Read the rest of this entry »

 The 26th Rijeka Carnival opened today with the raising of the carnival flag in Krimeja.

The international carnival procession, which is expected to gather groups from the Rijeka region, those from all over Croatia and abroad, is scheduled for 22 February.

Read the rest of this entry »