Children are expected to learn by following older Chinese rural education methods and study part-time and do farm work part-time at the ancient Chinese civilization summer camp.

There, in the land of the Yellow Earth, bordered by the Yellow River, was history set in stone, for indeed stone featured prominently - narrow sometimes covered alleys were paved in stone blocks.

A visit to Shanxi province takes you back through Chinese dynasties, and you will lap up the exquisite scenery along the way. Liu Zhihua, Paige Sheffield and Sun Ruisheng report in Shanxi.

SHANXI TELEVISION, the provincial broadcaster in North China's Shanxi province, recently introduced a live show in which the Party chiefs or mayors of 11 local cities competed with each other to promote their cities to tourists. Rednet.cn comments:

Corrupt Party chiefs from five cities and 18 counties in Shanxi province have been held accountable over the past two years, under the nationwide anti-graft campaign.

Shanxi province's recently published report on its internet development over the past year shows rapid growth in its internet resources and many firsts nationwide among internet indices.