China
This trip covered Shanghai-Xi'an-Beijing to satisfy my lifelong desire to see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the Terracotta Army.
On October 26th, thick fog enveloped Beijing that even the airport had to be closed. It was also the day I planned to walk on the Great Wall at Jinshanling 金山岭 and Simatai 司马台 but it was too dangerous to drive that long distance. So the guide took me to Mutianyu 慕田峪 instead. The fog added the feeling of walking through clouds on the Great Wall. It was absolutely magnificent!!! The Forbidden City was impressive and a huge place, I could only see ⅓ in half a day. I made a mental note then that I would return to see the rest of the Forbidden City (as well as the main halls which were under refurbishment before the 2008 Olympics) and the Summer Palace.
I truly enjoyed Beijing for its historical and cultural heritages, and the delicious Peking duck. I hope to add the famous Hangzhou and Suzhou to this collection of China memories.
Mid-Lake Pavilion 湖心亭, Shanghai
Converted to a teahouse in 1855
Yu Garden 豫园, Shanghai
The Bund 外滩 at sunset, Shanghai
Old HSBC Building (now is Shanghai Pudong Development Bank)
Mosaic murals near the ceiling depicting the twelve zodiac signs
A legendary hotel from 1929, Shanghai
Shanghai's art scene
"People Holding Flowers" consisted of 400 hand-painted human figures to reflect the complex relationship between self and society
Shanghai International Convention Center and Oriental Pearl TV Tower
Pudong 浦东 skyline at dusk
Xintiandi 新天地, Shanghai
Preserved the old architecture-style Shikumen 石库门
Huashan 华山
Known as "The Number One Precipitous Mountain under Heaven"
Huashan is also known as 太華山
There are five peaks with the highest at the South at 2155m
Black Dragon Ridge 苍龙岭, Huashan
Yes...the bottom is bottomless
The Terracotta Army 兵马俑, Xi'an 西安
It was discovered on 29 March 1974 by local farmers
Terracotta warriors wearing armors
(Left) Calvary (Right) Middle ranking officer
Terracotta warriors and horses
Unarmored standing archers
Archaeologists 考古学家 at work
Bell Tower 钟楼, Xi'an
The tower was built in 1384 by Emperor Zhu Yuanzhang, it marks the geographical center of the ancient capital
Drum Tower 鼓楼, Xi'an
It was initially built in 1380 during the Ming Dynasty and was renovated twice during the Qing Dynasty, there is no iron nail used anywhere in the Tower
The Great Mosque 大清真寺, Xi'an
Built in 742 during the Tang Dynasty when Islam was introduced into Northwest China
Courtyard of The Great Mosque
There are Chinese and Arabic inscriptions
Muslim Quarter 回民街, Xi'an
Temple of Heaven 天坛, Beijing
The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests 祈年殿 where past emperors prayed for good harvests
A peek inside the hall
Exquisite 3-tiered eaves 屋檐
Painted in hues of blue, yellow and green to represent Heaven and Earth
Temple of Heaven 天坛, Beijing
Circular Mound Altar 圜丘坛
Temple of Heaven Park
Leisure activities of local people at the Long Corridor
Serenity within a busy Beijing City
The Forbidden City 紫禁城
Water vats
Weigh around two tonnes, these vats would be tipped in the event of fire in the Imperial Palace
Roof ornaments 屋顶的饰兽
Three mythical beasts protecting the man sitting on a phoenix with an imperial dragon at the end, the number of beasts represented the status of the building
Sundial in a courtyard
Forbidden City
Inner court - 内廷, 崇禧門
翊坤宫的西侧门 West gate to one of the 6 Western Palaces 西六宫 which were mainly abodes of empresses and concubines
The Great Wall of China 长城
Mutianyu 慕田峪 on an extremely foggy morning
Beautiful fall colors on both sides of the wall
Mutianyu Great Wall
Later part of the day when the fog started to clear up
The best preserved and longest Great Wall section open to public
It was first built by the Northern Qi Dynasty in 550–577
Art exhibit at 798, Beijing
Made entirely from nails, there is a phone number at bottom right
Nan Xin Cang 南新仓, Beijing
A former royal granary for grains and rice built in 1409, now converted into a cultural and leisure place
小吃 at Hutong 胡同, Beijing
Hutong is a Mongolian word meaning water well
Nanluoguxiang 南锣鼓巷 28号, Beijing
忠厚傳家久, 詩書繼世長 engraved on a very old door (special thanks to the person who deciphered it!)