Beijing
Guilin
Shenzhen
Hong Kong
Entering the Forbidden City through the
Gate of Heavenly Peace - just north of
Tiananmen Square
Gate of Heavenly Peace - just north of
Tiananmen Square
Soldiers stationed at Tiananmen Square
are selected for visual appeal and must
meet height specifications.
are selected for visual appeal and must
meet height specifications.
The view across the vast main courtyard
within the confines of the Forbidden City
and the Imperial Palace. For security -
"No trees - nothing to hide behind".
within the confines of the Forbidden City
and the Imperial Palace. For security -
"No trees - nothing to hide behind".
The sign says: "Please be self-restraint
and be a good tourist to mold a well-
mannered imagination." Why is China
full of English signs that make no sense?
and be a good tourist to mold a well-
mannered imagination." Why is China
full of English signs that make no sense?
Donhuamen Night Market - a very lively
street food fair - you select and it's fried
to order.
street food fair - you select and it's fried
to order.
Lots of exotic options - these are
skewers of still-living scorpions and
seahorses!
skewers of still-living scorpions and
seahorses!
Ramp for servants to carry Emperor in
his chair. Servants climbed steps;
carved stone was Emperor's view from
chair.
his chair. Servants climbed steps;
carved stone was Emperor's view from
chair.
Most exteriors of the large buildings
within the Forbidden City have been
restored.
within the Forbidden City have been
restored.
Examples of detailed artistic skill have
been faithfully recreated by hand as
the harsh Beijing winters take a toll.
been faithfully recreated by hand as
the harsh Beijing winters take a toll.
The garden and recreation park outside
the Temple of Heaven.
the Temple of Heaven.
The park serves as a daily, lively
gathering place for seniors to play cards
or games - also to listen to music -
gathering place for seniors to play cards
or games - also to listen to music -
- or to sing and dance!
Seniors dote on their "Little Emperor" or
"Little Empress" grandchildren. With the
"one child" rule, children often get their
way.
"Little Empress" grandchildren. With the
"one child" rule, children often get their
way.
A gathering of "minority peoples" in
traditional costumes enjoying a day in
the Park.
traditional costumes enjoying a day in
the Park.
The Emperor would visit the Temple
of Heaven twice yearly - to pray for
and then offer thanks for a good
Harvest.
of Heaven twice yearly - to pray for
and then offer thanks for a good
Harvest.
A walk through a crumbling "hutong" -
once the traditional urban
neighborhoods - rapidly being replaced
by high-rises and business parks.
once the traditional urban
neighborhoods - rapidly being replaced
by high-rises and business parks.
Hutongs were walled neighborhoods of
narrow alleyways and tiny houses.
narrow alleyways and tiny houses.
Hutongs usually have shared
washrooms, but private kitchens and
electricity.
washrooms, but private kitchens and
electricity.
Tiny sections of the Great Wall have
been restored to enable tourists to visit.
This is about one hour north of Beijing.
been restored to enable tourists to visit.
This is about one hour north of Beijing.
Soldiers and peasants were conscripted
for several years to build the Great Wall
- aka "the longest cemetery in the world".
for several years to build the Great Wall
- aka "the longest cemetery in the world".
One really does have to "climb the Great
Wall!" The Wall is equally popular with
domestic Chinese and foreigners.
Wall!" The Wall is equally popular with
domestic Chinese and foreigners.
The Great Wall is a fascinating punch
on the "been there, done that" list.
on the "been there, done that" list.
A huge retail display of Xian's Terracotta
warriors - available for sale and
shipment worldwide!
warriors - available for sale and
shipment worldwide!
A mythical animal - parts dragon, deer,
fish, and lion - guards the courtyard
near the Hall of Benevolence and
Longevity at the Summer Palace.
fish, and lion - guards the courtyard
near the Hall of Benevolence and
Longevity at the Summer Palace.
Built as a birthday gift to the Empress
Dowager XiXi, and containing over
8,000 individual hand-painted
murals, it has been fully restored.
Dowager XiXi, and containing over
8,000 individual hand-painted
murals, it has been fully restored.
Parallel to the lake at the Summer
Palace, this wooden open-air covered
corridor is the longest of its type in the
world, per Guinness Book of records.
Palace, this wooden open-air covered
corridor is the longest of its type in the
world, per Guinness Book of records.
The grounds of the Summer Palace are
a popular spot for both tourists and
locals and are always crowded.
a popular spot for both tourists and
locals and are always crowded.
A glimpse of daily Beijing life. There is
little private space and most activity is
public.
little private space and most activity is
public.
Bicycles are key for vendors, peddlers
and small business persons.
and small business persons.
Our pedi-cab and driver for our tour
through Houhai Hutong (a famous
traditional walled neighborhood).
through Houhai Hutong (a famous
traditional walled neighborhood).
Gene exploring the Summer Palace.
Beautifully restored artwork is in
abundance at Palaces and other
now-public places.
abundance at Palaces and other
now-public places.
Local tourists.
A military or police presence is quite
common on the street.
common on the street.
Commuting by bicycle.
Bicycles/pedicabs have multiple uses.
A glimpse into a narrow and unlit
alleyway in an un-restored Hutong
alleyway in an un-restored Hutong
A farmer's market on the street in an
un-restored Hutong
un-restored Hutong
Rita descends the steep stairway of the
Drum Tower, an ancient system of 25
drums to announce the hour across Beijing
Drum Tower, an ancient system of 25
drums to announce the hour across Beijing
Interior of the modern high-rise
Beijing apartment owned by our
guide May. 21 stories, 4 units/floor,
10 bldgs = 840 units.
Beijing apartment owned by our
guide May. 21 stories, 4 units/floor,
10 bldgs = 840 units.
Combo kitchen/laundry room. Gas
cooktop & microwave, no oven.
Washing machine, no dryer.
cooktop & microwave, no oven.
Washing machine, no dryer.
2BD unit, 1000 sq ft. - current market
price $240,000 US - a 20 yr. mortgage
for a 70-year right to own.
price $240,000 US - a 20 yr. mortgage
for a 70-year right to own.
Decorative rooftop at Bei Hai Park
Bei Hai Park employees on an exercise
break
break
Bei Hai Park - more beautifully restored
hand-painted artwork
hand-painted artwork
Bei Hai Park was non-touristy. Most
people were locals with no large bus
tours evident.
people were locals with no large bus
tours evident.
Even during brisk weather, people
socialize in the park. Housing is small
and meeting in public is easier.
socialize in the park. Housing is small
and meeting in public is easier.
Cleaning up lily pads and leaves in pond
at Bei Hai Park.
at Bei Hai Park.
Info signs said caves "make you feel like
in a fairyland" and contain "man-made
rockery with magnificent grotesqueness".
in a fairyland" and contain "man-made
rockery with magnificent grotesqueness".
Domestic tourists on a "work-unit
holiday" enjoying their "emperor for a
moment" tourist photo stop.
holiday" enjoying their "emperor for a
moment" tourist photo stop.
Domestic tourists mugging for the
cameras.
cameras.
A squat toilet in the bathroom at Bei Hai
Park.
Park.
Drinks include "Beer on drafe", "The city
of livings purely", and "The city of has
no".
of livings purely", and "The city of has
no".
Some menu items: "Pig is ear with red oil",
"Cayenne-flauored chicken gizzards", and
"Flood beef with the soy sauce".
"Cayenne-flauored chicken gizzards", and
"Flood beef with the soy sauce".
Interesting door handles at a
restaurant on Lotus Lane
restaurant on Lotus Lane
A blend of ancient and modern -
Hutong Pizza!
Hutong Pizza!
Parade of pedi-cabs taking tourists
through Houhai Hutong
through Houhai Hutong
Shopping plaza in Guilin. The city has
over 800,000 people - a "small city" by
Chinese standards.
over 800,000 people - a "small city" by
Chinese standards.
The 10-minute nightly waterfall/laser
light show over the side of our
aptly-named "Li Jiang Guilin Waterfall
Hotel".
light show over the side of our
aptly-named "Li Jiang Guilin Waterfall
Hotel".
Pagoda duo view from our Guilin hotel
room.
room.
The Guilin area's exquisite beauty is
due to geological disruptions over 300
million years ago.
due to geological disruptions over 300
million years ago.
Limestone formations pushed through
an ancient sea bed. Wind and rain
eroded the hills and peaks into
innumerable shapes.
an ancient sea bed. Wind and rain
eroded the hills and peaks into
innumerable shapes.
Left behind were labyrinthine caves
and grottoes. Peaks can be rounded
or sharply pointed.
and grottoes. Peaks can be rounded
or sharply pointed.
Some formations have perpendicular
cliffs and trees that sprout from the
cracks to bend skyward.
cliffs and trees that sprout from the
cracks to bend skyward.
Enjoying the Lijiang River and the
limestone karst formations is popular
for both domestic and foreign tourists.
limestone karst formations is popular
for both domestic and foreign tourists.
A surreal and dreamlike landscape,
familiar to anyone who has seen a
Chinese scroll painting.
familiar to anyone who has seen a
Chinese scroll painting.
As you pass each village, locals
approach calling out "Hello! Hello!" and
paddle up to the larger cruise boats to
hawk local produce and crafts.
approach calling out "Hello! Hello!" and
paddle up to the larger cruise boats to
hawk local produce and crafts.
Many limestone hills have colorful,
descriptive even mythical names, e.g...
descriptive even mythical names, e.g...
Two-Prong Goat, Woman Yearning for
Husband, Boy Praying to Goddess of
Mercy.
Husband, Boy Praying to Goddess of
Mercy.
Local entrepreneurs offer recreation
and refreshment options along the
river.
and refreshment options along the
river.
Rural villages along the river appear
timeless and quaint looking, but most
have electricity, TV and Internet.
timeless and quaint looking, but most
have electricity, TV and Internet.
Guilin means "cassia (or osmanthus)
tree forest".
tree forest".
View of the Yangshou valley from the
summit of Yueliang Shang "Moon Hill" -
a steep climb up a winding, no guard
rail path
summit of Yueliang Shang "Moon Hill" -
a steep climb up a winding, no guard
rail path
Local mature women (with big smiles
and bad dentures) attached
themselves to us throughout the hike,
hoping to sell us postcards or water.
and bad dentures) attached
themselves to us throughout the hike,
hoping to sell us postcards or water.
Their English was scripted and polite
..."Where you from?" "Ah, that nice
country".
..."Where you from?" "Ah, that nice
country".
This restaurant description combines both
bad English and PC psychobabble:
"This is the age without boundary and
easily to communicate, no matter what the
color of your skin is, what language you
speak, what character you are. We believe
that the cuisine language has the same
content just like music, and we can know
each other well through it.
Here, you can enjoy the natural landscape
of minority nationalities in their villages....
Each food comes with our best wishes, if
the whole earth is a village, we'll be the
friendly angel."
bad English and PC psychobabble:
"This is the age without boundary and
easily to communicate, no matter what the
color of your skin is, what language you
speak, what character you are. We believe
that the cuisine language has the same
content just like music, and we can know
each other well through it.
Here, you can enjoy the natural landscape
of minority nationalities in their villages....
Each food comes with our best wishes, if
the whole earth is a village, we'll be the
friendly angel."
The Lijiang River
Taking a break during a lovely day on
the Lijiang River
the Lijiang River
Courtyard of house in Moon Hill village
Photos from the nightly outdoor
performance of "Impression of Sanjie
Liu" - a celebration of life on the river
and tribute to Liu - a legendary
regional folk singer.
performance of "Impression of Sanjie
Liu" - a celebration of life on the river
and tribute to Liu - a legendary
regional folk singer.
The stage setting is a half-square mile
space along the Lijiang River with 12
famous limestone peaks as
background.
space along the Lijiang River with 12
famous limestone peaks as
background.
Almost 1000 performers in boats, most
of them local fishermen. Costumes and
music celebrate various minority/ethnic
people of Guanxi Autonomous Region.
of them local fishermen. Costumes and
music celebrate various minority/ethnic
people of Guanxi Autonomous Region.
The three directors also directed and
choreographed the Beijing Olympics
opening ceremonies.
choreographed the Beijing Olympics
opening ceremonies.
The production took over five years to
create.
create.
This is the largest natural landscape
theatre in the world.
theatre in the world.
Bamboo raft launch area on the
LiJiang River.
LiJiang River.
Rafts are 10 bamboo poles tied
together - wide enough for two seats!
together - wide enough for two seats!
We took a 90 minute excursion trip -
but for locals, it's daily transportation!
but for locals, it's daily transportation!
Village women doing laundry at the
river's edge beating clothing clean with
a stick.
river's edge beating clothing clean with
a stick.
Tourists and their bamboo raft pole
drivers in silhouette against the
odd-shaped limestone crags and the
crystal clear waters.
drivers in silhouette against the
odd-shaped limestone crags and the
crystal clear waters.
One of two digital "photo ops" along
our ride. You can purchase laminated
pix of your adventure. Quite a
capitalist concept!
our ride. You can purchase laminated
pix of your adventure. Quite a
capitalist concept!
The plains around Guilin are still
mostly agricultural, with water buffalos
the beasts of burden.
mostly agricultural, with water buffalos
the beasts of burden.
Main crops are rice, sugar cane,
dates, persimmons, peppers and
cassia (osmanthus) trees. Cassia
leaves are used for wine, tea and
fragrance.
dates, persimmons, peppers and
cassia (osmanthus) trees. Cassia
leaves are used for wine, tea and
fragrance.
A seamstress showcasing her work at
a farmer's market.
a farmer's market.
Local farmers bring in crops to sell in
these re-conditioned multi-purpose
vehicles.
these re-conditioned multi-purpose
vehicles.
Urn of snake wine - rumored to have
medicinal powers. We chose not to
put the myth to the test!
medicinal powers. We chose not to
put the myth to the test!
One of the thousands of cute children
we saw on our trip.
we saw on our trip.
Ludiyan (Reed Flute Cave) takes its
name from the reeds that once grew at
the mouth of the cave which were
fashioned into flutes.
name from the reeds that once grew at
the mouth of the cave which were
fashioned into flutes.
The illuminated tour takes you 800 ft
into the mountain's interior to see
stalactites and stalagmites in
ever-changing shapes...
into the mountain's interior to see
stalactites and stalagmites in
ever-changing shapes...
...suggesting pagodas, mushrooms,
lions, waterfalls and icicle chandeliers.
lions, waterfalls and icicle chandeliers.
The rocks have great names like:
Morning Sunrise over the Lion Jungle,
A Bumper Harvest of Fruits &
Vegetables, and A Lion Seeing Off
Guests.
Morning Sunrise over the Lion Jungle,
A Bumper Harvest of Fruits &
Vegetables, and A Lion Seeing Off
Guests.
Rita and our local Guilin guide -
William Liu - admire the formations.
William Liu - admire the formations.
The Crystal Palace of the Dragon
King, a space deep in the cave said to
be able to hold 1,000 people.
Corporate functions are often held
here.
King, a space deep in the cave said to
be able to hold 1,000 people.
Corporate functions are often held
here.
Guilin's pagoda duo at night.
Our guide - William Liu - told us
the elephant is a "symbol of good
luck". When pressed to name a
symbol of "bad" luck, he thought
this "a difficult question".
the elephant is a "symbol of good
luck". When pressed to name a
symbol of "bad" luck, he thought
this "a difficult question".
Shenzhen is on mainland China only
one hour from Hong Kong. It is primarily
a factory town of over 13 million. Many
international business visitors but few
casual tourists come here. There is an
over-the-top theme park called
"Windows of the World" with scale
models of all the world's iconic natural
and architectural structures. IM Pei's
Glass Pyramid from the Louvre Museum
in Paris greets you at the park entrance.
one hour from Hong Kong. It is primarily
a factory town of over 13 million. Many
international business visitors but few
casual tourists come here. There is an
over-the-top theme park called
"Windows of the World" with scale
models of all the world's iconic natural
and architectural structures. IM Pei's
Glass Pyramid from the Louvre Museum
in Paris greets you at the park entrance.
Rita greets a group of grade school
children in the park.
children in the park.
The less fortunate always gather where
there are crowds and potential donors.
there are crowds and potential donors.
Taj Mahal, India
The Great Temple of Abu Simbel, Egypt
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
The Colosseum, Italy
Notre Dame, France
Versailles Palace, France
Eiffel Tower, France
The Wall and Clock Towers of the
Kremlin, Russia. We shared a
delightful moment with this grandpa
and his "Little Emperor" (spoiled brat)
grandson.
Kremlin, Russia. We shared a
delightful moment with this grandpa
and his "Little Emperor" (spoiled brat)
grandson.
Jefferson Memorial with the Grand
Canyon Water Slide in mid-ground,
Shenzhen high-rises in background.
Canyon Water Slide in mid-ground,
Shenzhen high-rises in background.
US Capitol Building on the right, Mt.
Rushmore under construction on the
left, and more Shenzhen high-rises for
a reality check.
Rushmore under construction on the
left, and more Shenzhen high-rises for
a reality check.
Tourists posing in front of the
Manhattan skyline.
Manhattan skyline.
Manhattan island complete with WTC
Twin Towers.
Twin Towers.
Even in China, children love Christmas
and Christmas isn't complete without
the Seven Dwarves!
and Christmas isn't complete without
the Seven Dwarves!
Did we mention the park is a bit
over-the-top?
over-the-top?
The "Glory that was Greece, the
Grandeur that was Rome" and the
Eiffel Tower - all in a single glance.
Grandeur that was Rome" and the
Eiffel Tower - all in a single glance.
Lots of bustling activity and
construction throughout Hong Kong.
construction throughout Hong Kong.
Hotel pool overlooking harbor and a
view to Hong Kong Island.
view to Hong Kong Island.
Creepy dolls in a display window of a
dry cleaning shop near our hotel.
dry cleaning shop near our hotel.
Girlfriends posing on the Harbor
Promenade on Graduation Day.
Promenade on Graduation Day.
Hong Kong streets are always crowded
- either with signage or people - and
often with both!
- either with signage or people - and
often with both!
A sample of the hundreds of songbirds
available for sale daily at the Bird
Market.
available for sale daily at the Bird
Market.
View of Hong Kong Harbor from
Victoria Peak. This is the world's
busiest commercial harbor.
Victoria Peak. This is the world's
busiest commercial harbor.
Elegant presentations of dessert
sweets and tea at a restaurant on
Victoria Peak.
sweets and tea at a restaurant on
Victoria Peak.
View of Hong Kong's Central District
from Victoria Peak. Most buildings
house banks and financial institutions,
including the Bank of China Tower, the
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank (HSBC)
and at 1,378 feet the International
Finance Centre Two (IFC-2) in the
background.
from Victoria Peak. Most buildings
house banks and financial institutions,
including the Bank of China Tower, the
Hongkong & Shanghai Bank (HSBC)
and at 1,378 feet the International
Finance Centre Two (IFC-2) in the
background.
Most of these statues were built in the
1970's or 1980's and were donated by
individuals or foundations.
1970's or 1980's and were donated by
individuals or foundations.
Dozens of colorful statues decorate
Repulse Bay on the southern coastline
of Hong Kong Island.
Repulse Bay on the southern coastline
of Hong Kong Island.
The symbolism of the statues usually
involves granting health and longevity,
personal wealth and family prosperity.
involves granting health and longevity,
personal wealth and family prosperity.
In Aberdeen, we toured the harbor on
a sampan fishing boat. Our boat pilot
was third-generation fisherman.
a sampan fishing boat. Our boat pilot
was third-generation fisherman.
Today's Aberdeen fishermen continue
to live on houseboats in Aberdeen
harbor.
to live on houseboats in Aberdeen
harbor.
A study in contrasts of traditional and
modern life.
modern life.
A busy construction site in the Central
District right at the Harbor's edge.
District right at the Harbor's edge.
A nightly laser light show on Hong Kong
Island as viewed from the Promenade on
Kowloon (the tip of the mainland).
Island as viewed from the Promenade on
Kowloon (the tip of the mainland).
Another view of the laser light show.