RICE IMITATES ART

This aerial photo taken in late June — showing actress Marilyn Monroe in her most iconic pose from the film The Seven Year Itch — is one of several art works “painted” this year through the careful planting of different varieties of rice in paddies in northeastern China. The works are the annual tradition of Xibo farmers, an ethnic Chinese group, who plan them months in advance as a way of praying for blessings — and also of attracting tourists to the city.

The fields — whose images this year also include a giant British comedian Rowan Atkinson as his Mr Bean character, an image from the popular Chinese animated film Ne Zha, and a steam train — are, in fact, part of a theme park, which also offers camping.

The city itself is the largest in northeast China and the capital of its Liaoning Province. It is an important industrial base and is also of incredible historic significance, since its surrounds are considered to be the birthplace of the Qing dynasty, which ruled

China as a whole from 1644 to 1912. It was made the capital of that dynasty much earlier though, in 1625.

Its most important attractions include its three Unesco World Cultural Heritage sites: the Imperial Palace (built in 1625, and home to the first three emperors of the Qing dynasty); the Fuling Tomb, where the first Qing emperor, Nurhaci, and his wife were interred; and the Zhaoling Tomb, resting place of the second Qing emperor, Hong Taiji, and his empress.

Formerly known as Manchu, the city is one of the oldest in China, dating back over 2,000 years, though archaeological findings suggest humans lived there as early as 8,000 years ago.

To stand a chance of winning R500, tell us ● the name of the city. E-mail

travelquiz@sundaytimes.co.za before noon on Tuesday July 7. Last week’s winner is Alan Hall. The correct answer was the Gran Teatre del Liceu.