Elephant Man

A man with a 50 pound tumor on his face arrives at the hospital with his sister to undergo life-changing surgery.

The Terra-Cotta Warriors

In a chance discovery, an entire army of terracotta warriors is found. The first emperor of China had them created and buried with him, to protect him in the afterlife. A group of them is coming to National Geographic Museum in November 2009.

Ice and Snow World in Harbin

Photo takes on Dec. 23, 2008 shows night view of Ice and Snow World in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The annual ice and snow world in Harbin began test run on Tuesday.

Photo taken on Dec. 23, 2008 shows night view of the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The annual ice and snow world in Harbin began test run on Tuesday.

Photo taken on Dec. 23, 2008 shows the night view of the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. The annual ice and snow world in Harbin began a test run on Tuesday.

Visitors enjoy ice-made sliding board in the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Dec. 23, 2008. The annual ice and snow world in Harbin began a test run on Tuesday.

A visitor poses for photos in the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Dec. 23, 2008. The annual ice and snow world in Harbin began a test run on Tuesday.

A visitor poses for photos in the Ice and Snow World in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, on Dec. 23, 2008. The annual ice and snow world in Harbin began a test run on Tuesday.

Eggshell's birthday party

Several events are being staged to celebrate the first anniversary of one of Beijing's dazzling new landmarks, the National Center for the Performing Arts.

They include a concert given by China National Symphony Orchestra, an opera and the Peking Opera, Red Cliff. Based on the historical battle that inspired John Woo's film of the same name, the six-act Red Cliff boasts an A-list cast and 180 hand-made costumes.

There are also three exhibitions, lectures on art and music, and the opening of the theater's art file center.

Until Monday, the NCPA is also holding open days for the public and free tickets are available online.

NCPA Deputy President Deng Yijiang says the anniversary is not only a celebration. They want the venue to become a brand, a real national-level venue that encourages more people to develop an interest in the arts.

The NCPA has already staged more than 1,000 performances and about 320,000 people have enjoyed more than 800 art and music lectures at the grand theatre.

Self-made "panda"

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A girl walks a "panda" in a street of Wuhan, Hubei Province in central China, attracting the attention of lots of people around. The "panda" turns out to be a dog wearing pandas' makeup!

A "panda" attracts many puppies. This "panda" turns out to be a dog wearing pandas' makeup!

"A panda" attracts a dog. It turns out to be a dog wearing pandas' makeup!

A self-made "panda." It turns out to be a dog wearing pandas' makeup!

A self-made "panda." It turns out to be a dog wearing pandas' makeup!

Lanterns set up in Nanjing to welcome new year

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People view the colorful lanterns on a street in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 3, 2008. More than 10 sets of colorful lanterns have been set up around a business zone in the city to welcome the forthcoming Christmas Day and New Year.

A woman takes photos of the colorful lanterns on a street in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 3, 2008.

People walk past the colorful lanterns on a street in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, Dec. 3, 2008.

Beijing: Hi-jinx

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The sites around Beijing are just as amazing as the sites inside the city. Here are some quick shots from the Summer Palace, the Great Wall and the Lao Shan Mountain Biking Area.

Dammed Yangtze, China

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Rollin' on down the river. Flippin', partyin', and enjoying the sights.

10 Most Amazing Temples in the World

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Tiger's Nest Monastery, perched precariously on the edge of a 3,000-feet-high cliff in Paro Valley , is one of the holiest places in Bhutan

Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Mai, Thailand is unlike any Buddhist temples in the world.

Prambanan is a Hindu temple in Central Java , Indonesia . The temple was built in 850 CE, and is composed of 8 main shrines and 250 surrounding smaller ones.

No one knows exactly when the Shwedagon Paya [wiki] (or Pagoda) in Myanmar was built - legend has it that it is 2,500 years old though archaeologists estimate that it was built between the 6th and 10th century.

Temple of Heaven is a Taoist temple in Beijing, the capital of China . The temple was constructed in 14th century by Emperor Yongle of the Ming Dynasty.

Chion-in Temple [wiki] was built in 1234 CE to honor the founder of Jodo ( Pure Land ) Buddhism, a priest named Honen, who fasted to death in the very spot.

In the 19th century, Dutch occupiers of Indonesia found a massive ancient ruin deep in the jungles of Java. What they discovered was the complex of Borobudur , a gigantic structure built with nearly 2 million cubic feet (55,000 m³) of stones. The temple has nearly 2,700 relief panels and 504 Buddha statues.

The Harmandir Sahib (meaning The Abode of God) or simply the Golden Temple [wiki] in Punjab , India is the most sacred shrine of Sikhism.

The Temple of Srirangam (Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple [wiki]), in the Indian city of Tiruchirapalli (or Trichy), is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world (Ankor Wat is the largest of all temple, but it is currently non-functioning as a temple - see below).

Last but definitely not least is the largest temple in history and the inspiration to countless novels and action movies of Hollywood : Angkor Wat.

Amazing Shaolin Monks, China

Young Icelandic backpacker living and training with Shaolin Warrior monks.

Inside Beijing, China

A quick look at Beijing's most famous sites including a Kung Fu fight in the Hutongs.

Animals performers during a circus show in Fuzhou, China

A tiger rides a horse during an animal circus show at a zoo in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province October 24, 2008.

Tigers and a lion stand on chairs during an animal circus show at a zoo in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province October 24, 2008.

A tiger walks on a ball during an animal circus show at a zoo in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province October 24, 2008.

A black bear rides a bike during an animal circus show at a zoo in Fuzhou, East China's Fujian Province October 24, 2008.

90 degrees turned for Cathedral St Dominic, China

The Cathedral of St Dominic in Fuzhou city is being turned 90 degrees and will be moved south to make way for urban construction. The cathedral has had nearly 400 wheels attached and is being moved on rails. The two-story Catholic cathedral was built in 1933 and is a local attraction

The photo taken on Oct. 13, 2008 shows the working site where the Priest Building is being turned around in Fanchuanpu Catholic Church in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. The project of turning the Priest Building around is coming to an end as a right-angle turning was nearly finished in recent days. The building would keep on moving to the south later to give way to street building.

The photo taken on Oct. 13, 2008 shows the working site where the Priest Building is being turned around in Fanchuanpu Catholic Church in Fuzhou, capital of southeast China's Fujian Province. The project of turning the Priest Building around is coming to an end as a right-angle turning was nearly finished in recent days. The building would keep on moving to the south later to give way to street building.

New generation of Chinese passenger aircraft makes successful flight, China

A new-generation short haul passenger aircraft solely developed in China has completed a successful trial flight, paving the way for commercial production next year, the manufacturer announced on Friday.

A new-generation short haul passenger aircraft solely developed in China has completed a successful trial flight, paving the way for commercial production next year, the manufacturer announced on Friday.

The Xinzhou-600, developed by Xi'an Aircraft Industry Company (XAC) of the China Aviation Industry Corporation I (AVIC I), flew on Thursday in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, said the AVIC I.

The turboprop aircraft was a new version of the Xinzhou-60 that can carry 50 to 60 passengers. The Xinzhou-600 had been updated with a more comfortable cabin and better designed body structure and maintenance system, said Geng Ruguang from the AVIC.

It was also designed for inter-island flights, which would helpit in the Southeast Asia and island nation markets, Geng said.

XAC took about three years to develop the Xinzhou-600, which would be delivered to clients from the second half of 2009, he said.

The company has orders for 136 Xinzhou-60s and has exported them to Zambia, the Republic of Congo, Laos, Zimbabwe and Bolivia since 2006.

This would give China the edge to compete in the global market for turboprop aircraft, where demand is expected to reach 1,900 in20 years.

Geng said the company had started to plan the development of the next generation aircraft, the Xinzhou-700.

Shenzhou VII's companion satellite sent back clear pictures, USA

Shenzhou VII spacecraft is seen in this picture taken by the 40-kilogram companion satellite six seconds after it was released by Chinese astronaut. It is the first picture taken by this companion satellite which has sent back more than 1,000 pictures of Shenzhou VII spacecraft.

Shenzhou VII spacecraft is seen in this picture taken by the 40-kilogram companion satellite three minutes after it was released by Chinese astronaut. The companion satellite has sent back more than 1,000 pictures of Shenzhou VII spacecraft.

Shenzhou VII spacecraft is seen in this picture taken by the 40-kilogram companion satellite six minutes after it was released by Chinese astronaut. The companion satellite has sent back more than 1,000 pictures of Shenzhou VII spacecraft.

Brightman, Liu duet for the world

Cheers from the 90,000-strong crowd reverberated through the National Stadium, when Chinese vocalist Liu Huan and British songstress Sarah Brightman presented the theme song for the night, You and Me, at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics last night.

Sarah Brightman and Liu Huan sing the theme song during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony on August 8, 2008 at the National Stadium in Beijing.

Flashlights and countless camera flashes offered the backdrop to a towering globe on which Liu and Brightman sang their duet, written and composed by France-based Chinese songwriter Chen Qigang.

"I think the show has succeeded in sending the message ... communicating with the world in harmony," Liu said after his performance.

"Being up there was one of the biggest thrills in my life," Brightman said.

She also performed the theme Amigos para Siempre at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games with Spanish tenor Jose Carreras.

The 48-year-old soprano, actress, songwriter and dancer wowed Chinese audiences in a concert in Beijing on May 30, 2004, at the Capital Gymnasium.

Brightman has also toured other cities in China, such as Shanghai and Guangzhou.

She gained fame through performances in hit musicals such as Andrew Lloyd Weber's Cats and The Phantom of the Opera.

Her style of blending classical vocals and pop-inspired instrumentation and arrangement has earned her 150 gold and platinum awards in 34 countries.

Similarly, Liu Huan is one of the most popular singers in China.

As composer of the One World, One Dream Olympic song, and one of the country's best known musicians, the stocky 45-year-old Tianjin native majored in French and is a self-taught singer-songwriter.

Liu first became known for composing music for Chinese TV dramas, including the TV series Beijingers in New York, a huge hit in the early 1990s.

Fierce competition ahead

The cartoon shows two 110m hurdles athletes, Liu Xiang from China, Robles from Cuba , who will compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The cartoon shows two male gymnasts, Li Xiaopeng from China and Kim Dae Eun from the Republic of Korea, who will compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The cartoon shows three famale marathon athletes, Zhou Chunxiu from China, Radcliffe from U.K. and Mizuki Noguchi from Japan, who will compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The cartoon shows two female gymnasts, Cheng Fei from China and Hong Un-Jong from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, who will compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The cartoon shows two female gymnasts, Jiang Yuyuan from China and Shawn Johnson from the U.S.A. , who will compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Chinese highest meteorological tower takes shape

The main part of the Blue Sea Pearl Tower in Jiayuguan, a city in northwestern Gansu province, finished construction earlier this month, Sina.com reported.

The main part of the Blue Sea Pearl Tower in Jiayuguan, a city in Gansu province, was finished on July 6, 2008

Standing at 94.94 meters, it will become the highest meteorological tower in China. The national meteorological administration and local government invested more than 34 million Yuan to co-fund the construction.

Consisting of a dolphin-shaped main structure and accessorial buildings, the steel architecture bears a floor space totaling 5278 square meters.

The eighteen-story meteorological tower will be used as a complex for disaster prevention, tourism and science education, the report said.

It will mainly monitor disastrous weather-types like strong winds, thunderstorms, hail, and torrential rains, thereby contributing significantly to disaster prevention in the Hexi Corridor and neighboring areas.

The construction of the tower began on Dec. 8, 2006, and is expected to begin service in the near future.

The main part of the Blue Sea Pearl Tower in Jiayuguan, a city in Gansu province, was finished on July 6, 2008.

Cityscape recommendations for Beijing

If you are coming to Beijing for the Olympics, Xinhua News Agency staff provides these tips for finding the capital's most impressive spots.

China Central Television headquarter building

Tired of regular-shaped skyscrapers? The breathtaking artistic architecture of the new China Central Television headquarter will leave you with no regrets. Currently under construction, the building stands in the center of the central business district in Beijing's Chaoyang District.

The impressive structure broke ground in 2004 and is scheduled to be complete before the Olympics. It stands 234 meters high with 51 floors.

Dutchman Rem Koolhaas and German Ole Scheeren provided the unusual design for the architecture. The main building is not a traditional tower, but instead a continuous loop of five horizontal and vertical sections covering 381,300 square meters of floor space, creating an irregular grid on the building's facade with an open center.

The L-shaped high-rise construction of the building is considered to be a structural challenge, especially because it is in a seismic zone. It has acquired nicknames such as "Twisted donut" and "The Pants" by locals.

In many ways, the building is truly "the most." Its shape makes it the most radically shaped building designed so far. For architects and builders, it has been the most technically challenging project they have ever worked on. In addition, many people believe it is the most expensive office building in the world for its 800 million-U.S. dollar budget.

China Millennium Monument-Great Altar

This wonderful structure was built to welcome in the new millennium. It is nestled in the south of Yuyuantan Park with the Military Museum in the east and the current China Central Television headquarter in the west.

Covering an area of 4.5 hectares, it incorporates both the spirit of traditional Chinese culture and the art of modern design. At its south entrance is the Plaza of Holy Fire.

The plaza has an area of 960 square meters, representing China's vast territory of 9.6 million square km. The fire originated at the site of Peking man at Zhoukoudian, Beijing, and is fed by natural gas. The eternal flame, rising some 45 cm, is a token of the unceasing creativity of the Chinese civilization.

Two streams of water flow down the steps along the eastern and western sides of the plaza, suggesting the Yellow and Yangtze rivers.

Walking along the plaza, you will see a 270-meter-long bronze tunnel that has inscriptions on its walls with a time-line that dates from when humans first appeared.

There are also other attractions that are appealing in a world-class large screen projection hall, an exhibition hall with statues of famous figures from past dynasties, an exhibition wall for 56 nationalities and a large open-air stage for live performances.

Terminal 3 -- Beijing Capital International Airport

The new Terminal Three (T3) at the Beijing Capital International Airport is stunning for visitors and locals alike not only for its sheer size but by its enormous "galactic" ceiling and convenient modern facilities.

The dragon-shaped building, the largest air terminal in the world, covers a floor area of 98.6 hectares -- equal to the size of around 170 soccer pitches. Its opening earlier this year upgraded the airport's capacity from 35 million to 76 million passengers, sufficient to handle the estimated 60 million passengers during the Games period.

The semi-transparent ceiling is the highlight of T3 as it guarantees enough light and is energy-saving as well. The skylights resemble the scales of a giant dragon.

"Once inside, the immaculate floor reflects the space-age ceiling, which gives the impression of a star-lit sky," a foreign journalist commented.

Designed by renowned British architect Norman Foster, the modern international terminal incorporates several Chinese characteristics to make sure passengers know they are in China as soon as getting off a flight.

Foster, who redesigned Berlin's Reichstag, used the Chinese auspicious color of red and gold as the color scheme. The four-dragon sculpture of the symbolic Chinese bracelet-like sphere used in ancient China to forecast earthquakes and models of the ancient Suzhou gardens can also be experienced inside the building.

T3 is packed with shops selling all kinds of things ranging from international brands to Beijing local products. Altogether, there are 64 restaurants providing various dining options. These include the cuisine of different countries and fast food such as McDonald's and Burger King.

Despite its enormous size, passengers could hardly get lost inside. Along with plentiful directory signs, the ceiling can also provide clues for all the steel tubes overhead are in a north-south direction. Different colors of the ceiling also inform passengers which area they are in.

National Center for the Performing Arts

The National Center for the Performing Arts is an opera house located in downtown Beijing. It exterior is a titanium glass ellipsoidal dome surrounded by a man-made lake. The 46-meter-high glass dome ranges from 144 meters in the north-south direction and 212 meters east-west. Some people say it looks like an egg floating in water; therefore it is nicknamed "The Egg." It has served as an iconic architecture of Beijing since its 2007 completion.

Created by French designer Paul Andreu, the center lies next to the Forbidden City and to the west of Tian'anmen Square. Its futuristic style is especially eye-catching among the traditional Chinese architecture.

Around the center is a 35,500-square-meter lake, trees and lawns designed to make it complement the red walls of the nearby ancient buildings and merge the futuristic architecture into the traditional Chinese environment.

The glass of the dome can change its hue according to the direction of the sunshine.

Inside the "egg," there are three main performance halls, namely the Opera House, Concert Hall and Theater Hall. These can seat 2,398, 2,019, and 1,035 people respectively.

The structure's glass ceiling baths the dazzling colored marble floor in sunlight. The interior walls are decorated with Brazilian rosewood. Visitors have to walk across a gorgeous 80-meter-long underwater corridor to enter the grand hall.

The center also hosts a variety of auxiliary facilities, including an exhibition gallery, souvenir shops and cafes. It's easy to access by public transport. Take subway line one to Tian'anmen West station and you will get there through Exit C.

CCTV Tower illumined ahead of Olympics

The Chinese Central Television (CCTV) tower in Beijing was illuminated Thursday night after a light renovation project ahead of the Olympics.

This combo photo shows Chinese Central Television (CCTV) tower in Beijing is illuminated on July 2, 2008 after a light renovation project ahead of the Olympics.

The newly-installed lights on and around the TV tower boast different colors and patterns, making the tower a huge "lantern in the sky".

The new TV tower will be lit during the Olympics and national holidays such as the National Day, the Spring Festival and the Mid-Autumn Day.