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The famous Mao portrait which was pelted with rotten eggs during the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989 was replaced almost immediately.  Apparently, there's a whole stash of spares close-by for such incidents. Beijing (8/2005).

Misty morning at the moat encircling the Forbidden City, Beijing (8/2005).

Beijing is flat as a pancake with the exception of Jinshan Park, a hill next to the Forbidden City.  It was created with the dirt dug up to make the encircling moat.  The Forbidden City from Jinshan Park, Beijing (8/2005).

The Great Wall is truly a marvelous sight and an amazing human accomplishment.  It stretches thousands of kilometers from the Pacific Ocean in the east to the deserts of the west. Sections of it come to within 50km of Beijing. Strolling along the 14 km restored section  from Jinshanling to Simatai is the best way to see it.

One of the real joys of travelling in China is the fantastic food. China has a long culinary tradition and food is of the utmost importance.  In terms of variety, there is probably more Chinese dishes than all of the foods of the west put together. 

Shanghai truly epitomizes China's recent economic transformation. The Pudong New Area was a swampy farmland a decade ago.  Night-time view of Pudong from the Bund, Shanghai (9/2005).

A huge fire broke out in the Pudong district just as I was photographing the zig-zag bridge. It was in the news later that night.  Incredibly there were no casualties.  Wuyuan Bazaar, Shanghai (12/2005).

Monday morning school gym class.....everybody, all at once !!  Shanghai (9/2005).

Although the ruling Communist Party is quite relaxed these days and generally leaves everyone alone, there are still a lot of funny signs and "messages" here and there which you don't see in most other countries.

Most of China's minority groups (tribes) are in Yunnan Province.  The Naxi people are the most dominant and colorful in the Lijiang region  (9/2005).

Its not always easy to photograph locals, but in China if you buy something from them then its a breeze. Cute little old lady's desert/cake tasted kind of funny but it was worth the photo.  Dali City, Yunnan (9/2005).

A couple of times a day groups of Naxi elderly ladies would dance and sing in a circle at the main town square.  I once asked if they got paid to do so.  They told me that they have been doing this for centuries.  The only difference is today, there's a nice place to do it and people are watching (tourists).  Lijiang, Yunnan (9/2005).

The mighty Yangtze River cuts an impressive route at Tiger Leaping Gorge.  Northern Yunnan (9/2005).

Food is still dirt cheap in China.  You can buy fresh steam corn and a hard-boiled egg for less than $1. Naxi street seller on the Cangshan mountain trail near Dali City, Yunnan.

At first I thought, "she's a bit young to be a busker". Beijing can be a crowded and noisy place. The terrace of a temple provides a quiet place to practice.  Drum Tower, Beijing.

Beijing and Shanghai have become modern 21st century cities but you can still see the old China around every corner.  Hutong alleyways of Beijing (8/2005).

Pudong skyline during sunset. Huangpo river cruise, Shanghai (12/2005).