My novel travels to many places in China, mainly to the province of Sichuan (Chengdu), Shanghai and Beijing. There are two stops in Hong Kong. I was introduced to Hong Kong by Shui Ying, a wondeful woman living now in that city. She e-mailed me this beautiful 360-degree panoramic view over Hong Kong harbour www.sky100.com.hk/sky100-panorama/start_south.html
For walking tours in Hong Kong, please go to "A Kindle in Hong Kong" by blogger Shannon Young, where she has many great photos of the city. www.akindleinhongkong.blogspot.com/
Hong Kong is a bridge between mainland China and the West. Last year Hong Kong retained its position as the freest economy in the world. In mainland China there is state capitalism with planned economy. Hong Kong is one of the two special administrative regions of the People's republic of China. Many of the 7 million residents of Hong Kong wish that mainland China wil become more like Hong Kong, while the regime in Beijing hopes that Hong Kong will become more like mainland China. The city flower of Hong Kong is the Bauhinia. To learn more about the city: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kong
My novel introduces the reader to modern China and to the history and culture of this great nation. I wrote many parts of the novel while listening to Chinese songs to make me feel as if I am in China. I discovered many wonderful Chinese songs, including Chinese Buddhist songs. Three Chinese Buddhist songs are included in my novel. Wei, the mother of the heroine, prays to Guan Yin (a variation of Buddha). She sings three Chinese Buddhist songs and teaches her daugther to sing one as well. You can listen to these wonderful songs on YouTube www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hf4HvM3gtAI www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVvHZpuLt0U www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dBxfV0rs3A
After listening to many Chinese songs I was wondering which is the best song. For awhile I considered the song by Teresa Teng "Yue Liang Dai Biao Wo De Xin" (The Moon Represents my Heart) to be the best Chinese song. But maybe the song "Zhen De Hau Xiang Ni" (Really Missing You) is the best. Many singers from China sing this song, but the version by American Chinese students is the most touching. Check their version on Youtube www.youtube.com/watch?v=SioExojFsr4
My book introduces the readers to many wonderful Chinese songs. I listened to hundreds of songs and put in the book the ones that I really liked. Some of them are Mandopop, which stands for Mandarin popular music, and many came from Taiwan. It all started with Teresa Teng from Taiwan, the Mandopop queen of 1980s. Check her songs on YouTube, like www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv_cEeDlop0 www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgfGJsUD47Q
