Author: Isaac Tang
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A Day Exploring Huizhou: Chengkan, Qiankou Residence, and Xixinan Village
By Isaac Tang During my trip to Huangshan, I decided that I would stay in a hotel next to Huangshan North Train Station to make things more convenient when I arrive, and leave, Huangshan. Before travelling to Huangshan, I did a lot of research about what to do in the vicinity of Huangshan North Train…
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Yunqi Bamboo Grove in Hangzhou
By Isaac Tang If people were to imagine a bamboo grove, the most famous grove to spring to mind would be the bamboo forest of Arashiyama in Kyoto, Japan. However, the Yunqi bamboo grove in Hangzhou, in my opinion, excels that of Arashiyama in all aspects. The Yunqi bamboo forest is indeed a living dream…
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Xiamen’s Mountains-to-Sea Trail
By Isaac Tang Is it a surprise that Xiamen, the home of brave seafarers and voyagers who discovered and made new lives across the South Chinese Sea, should itself be constantly reinvented and reinvigorated? Travellers, when thinking of Xiamen, often think of Gulangyu, or the Isle of Drumming Waves, where its colonial past is exhibited…
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My Top 5 Favourite Hymns
By Isaac Tang Hymns have played an important part of my life – whether it be comforting and encouraging me, or inspiring me in my work, art and life. There are many hymns that have shone the light of revelation upon me, but these are the top five hymns, in my humble opinion. Number FIVE:…
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Statesman, Mathematician and Christian: A Unique Visit to Xu Guangqi Park in Shanghai
By Isaac Tang Nestled between skyscrapers in the Xujiahui district of Shanghai, Guangqi Park is a quiet oasis of greenery, unfrequented by tourists and untouched by the hectic commercialisation that is exploding around it. As a memorial to one of the most brilliant and unique individuals in the Ming dynasty who epitomised all the positives…
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THE HUMAN PARADOX
This poem reflects on the profound beauty and intricate complexity of human existence, likening individuals to planets. Despite their potential for harmony and divinity, humanity often spirals into chaos and self-destruction, as wars and oppression overshadow the inherent value of life. The piece critiques societal ignorance about human worth and interconnectedness.
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My First Publication!
Isaac Tang’s ‘Glimpse of the Divine’ is an unconventional collection of fifty Christian poems, crafted with meticulous attention to ancient poetic forms, meter, and rhyme. With influences from metaphysical poets and a mix of modern themes, the work reflects a unique artistic vision, celebrating poetry’s depth despite its declining popularity.
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The Imperial Academy (Guozijian) in Beijing
Reflections on the History of the Imperial Examination System By Isaac Tang Contents Introduction It should come as no surprise that the written examination, dreaded by students throughout the world, was invented in China, a country whose people are often stereotyped to display academic prowess. Known as keju, the written examination system was a sophisticated…
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Tips On How To Visit The Forbidden City (Palace Museum) On Your Own
By Isaac Tang This article is different from my previous articles where I discourse on poetry and music. As part of the Chinese diaspora, I have had a lifelong dream of visiting the Middle Kingdom. This was delayed multiple times for various reasons, including a certain event in the year 2020. Now that China has…
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Composing My First Musical Opus – “Whispers of the Orient: Twelve Pieces for Piano”
By Isaac Tang ‘Whispers of the Orient’ is a collection of twelve miniature piano pieces that fuse both Western and Eastern influences. Like ukiyo-e prints or short lyrical poems, each piece aims to provide a short but emotionally intense snapshot of different moments in time, whether it be sunrise or sunset, spring or winter. There…
Isaac Tang - Poet, Author, Composer 