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taboo5 | profile | all galleries >> China >> Beijing, China Photo Travelogues (March 2011) >> Beijing, China - General Photos, Craft Shops & Folk Dancing (3/2011) tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Beijing, China - General Photos, Craft Shops & Folk Dancing (3/2011)

Beijing, the capital of the People's Republic of China, is the nation's political, economic and cultural center. It is one of the six ancient cities in China and has been the heart and soul of China’s history for centuries. Beijing is also a self-assured, modern city that is destined to continue its important role in China’s future. There is scarcely a major building there that does not have some national historical significance. Beijing is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, huge stonewalls and gates, as well as for the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and other major tourist attractions. It is also an important center of culture and art in China. The Chinese government invested a fortune to upgrade the city when Beijing hosted the Summer Olympics in 2008, making it even more amenable to tourists. Beijing is ready for its close-up, as China emerges as a major power in the 21st century.
Beijing China - General Photos, Craft Shops & Folk Dancing cover page.
Beijing China - General Photos, Craft Shops & Folk Dancing cover page.		 Map of China with the star indicating Beijing.
Map of China with the star indicating Beijing.		 Old Chinese woman sitting in front of a shop in Beijing.
Old Chinese woman sitting in front of a shop in Beijing.		 The woman wore an armband with Chinese writing.
The woman wore an armband with Chinese writing.
Vendor roasting chestnuts near the Summer Palace in Beijing.
Vendor roasting chestnuts near the Summer Palace in Beijing.		 Another vendor nearby was selling yams.
Another vendor nearby was selling yams.		 Woman buying fresh strawberries.
Woman buying fresh strawberries.		 Vendor steaming ears of corn in Beijing.
Vendor steaming ears of corn in Beijing.
Rickshaws for hire on a Beijing street.
Rickshaws for hire on a Beijing street.		 A night view of the Beijing National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest Stadium, which was built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
A night view of the Beijing National Stadium, known as the "Bird's Nest Stadium," which was built for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.		 Sign at the Bird's Nest Stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Sign at the Bird's Nest Stadium for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.		 The Ling Long Pagoda or Olympic Tower (meaning Delicate Tower in Chinese) is located northwest of the Bird's Nest Stadium.
The Ling Long Pagoda or Olympic Tower (meaning "Delicate Tower" in Chinese) is located northwest of the Bird's Nest Stadium.
It is a three-sided tower that changes colors at night. It was built for the 2008 Olympics.
It is a three-sided tower that changes colors at night. It was built for the 2008 Olympics.		 The Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) in the Olympic Green for the swimming competitions for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
The Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) in the Olympic Green for the swimming competitions for the 2008 Summer Olympics.		 Near the Olympic Green are these unusual lights, which added to the modern appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Near the Olympic Green are these unusual lights, which added to the modern appearance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.		 An evening exercise class was going on near the Olympic Green.
An evening exercise class was going on near the Olympic Green.
Later, we went to the Tong Ren Tang Pharmacy. It specializes in Chinese herbal medicine.
Later, we went to the Tong Ren Tang Pharmacy. It specializes in Chinese herbal medicine.		 A small shrine was inside.
A small shrine was inside.		 Alley leading to a typical Beijing resident's house, where, during the tour, we had lunch with locals.
Alley leading to a typical Beijing resident's house, where, during the tour, we had lunch with locals.		 Entrance to the Beijing residence.
Entrance to the Beijing residence.
Interior of the Beijing home where we had lunch.
Interior of the Beijing home where we had lunch.		 I am with the tour group. We are toasting each other during lunch.
I am with the tour group. We are toasting each other during lunch.		 After lunch, our tour guide showed us a typical Chinese doorway.
After lunch, our tour guide showed us a typical Chinese doorway.		 Note the beautiful dragon designs and door knockers.
Note the beautiful dragon designs and door knockers.
Next, we went to a Chinese porcelain factory where this huge dragon plate was on display.
Next, we went to a Chinese porcelain factory where this huge dragon plate was on display.		 Chinese artisan demonstrating how to make a vase.
Chinese artisan demonstrating how to make a vase.		 Close-up of the future vase.
Close-up of the future vase.		 Another artisan making a life-like sculpture. For the right price, he would have made one of me!
Another artisan making a life-like sculpture. For the right price, he would have made one of me!
At the end of the day, we stopped at Dr. Tea, to learn about Chinese tea.
At the end of the day, we stopped at Dr. Tea, to learn about Chinese tea.		 This young lady described types of Chinese teas and gave us instructions on tea making. We got to sample many types of tea.
This young lady described types of Chinese teas and gave us instructions on tea making. We got to sample many types of tea.		 Puer Tea was the most expensive. The tea leaves must undergo a microbial fermentation process after they are dried and rolled.
Puer Tea was the most expensive. The tea leaves must undergo a microbial fermentation process after they are dried and rolled.		 The next day, we went to a pearl factory where a man demonstrated how to shuck an oyster.
The next day, we went to a pearl factory where a man demonstrated how to shuck an oyster.
Inside this large oyster, there were at least 8 small pearls.
Inside this large oyster, there were at least 8 small pearls.		 The showroom had many beautiful pearl necklaces and jewelry for sale.
The showroom had many beautiful pearl necklaces and jewelry for sale.		 We also visited a jade factory where I am rubbing the Happy Buddha's stomach for good luck.
We also visited a jade factory where I am rubbing the Happy Buddha's stomach for good luck.		 This amazing jade ship took many months with many artisans to complete.
This amazing jade ship took many months with many artisans to complete.
A jade dragon with a baby on her back.
A jade dragon with a baby on her back.		 The jade shop with a lion sculpture roaring in the foreground.
The jade shop with a lion sculpture roaring in the foreground.		 An enamel factory in Beijing where they make vases.
An enamel factory in Beijing where they make vases.		 It takes very steady hands, skill and patience to do this kind of detail work.
It takes very steady hands, skill and patience to do this kind of detail work.
Woman putting decorations on the vases.
Woman putting decorations on the vases.		 Entrance to a silk factory with an interesting Chinese figure greeting customers at the base of the stairs.
Entrance to a silk factory with an interesting Chinese figure greeting customers at the base of the stairs.		 Exquisite ceiling and lantern in the silk factory.
Exquisite ceiling and lantern in the silk factory.		 An amazing silk work of art with pearls that was on display.
An amazing silk work of art with pearls that was on display.
Red silk garment with a dragon, worn by emperors and the aristocracy.
Red silk garment with a dragon, worn by emperors and the aristocracy.		 A similar yellow silk garment with a dragon.
A similar yellow silk garment with a dragon.		 Machine in the silk factory where the silk is spun into thread.
Machine in the silk factory where the silk is spun into thread.		 Close-up of the threading machine.
Close-up of the threading machine.
Silk cocoons and silkworms. After the worms are removed, they are eaten (not by me, thank you)!
Silk cocoons and silkworms. After the worms are removed, they are eaten (not by me, thank you)!		 Silk being stretched.
Silk being stretched.		 Women with raw silk, which is often used for lining.
Women with raw silk, which is often used for lining.		 It is very light and delicate.
It is very light and delicate.
I am with people on my tour holding up the raw silk.
I am with people on my tour holding up the raw silk.		 Silk bedspreads on display in the showroom.
Silk bedspreads on display in the showroom.		 Beautiful silk sheets and tablecloths.
Beautiful silk sheets and tablecloths.		 The silk products are packaged into these compact bundles so that they can be easily transported.
The silk products are packaged into these compact bundles so that they can be easily transported.
The Beijing Acrobatics Show is a special treat which is not to be missed.
The Beijing Acrobatics Show is a special treat which is not to be missed.		 Photos are only allowed at the curtain call of the show.
Photos are only allowed at the curtain call of the show.		 Breathtaking acrobatics, some of which is so demanding in timing and balancing skill, that it verges on the impossible.
Breathtaking acrobatics, some of which is so demanding in timing and balancing skill, that it verges on the impossible.		 Acrobatics have existed for thousands of years in China.
Acrobatics have existed for thousands of years in China.
Smoke on stage. Acrobatic competitions in China contribute to its popularity there.
Smoke on stage. Acrobatic competitions in China contribute to its popularity there.		 Performers taking their bows at the final curtain call.
Performers taking their bows at the final curtain call.

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