In September 2017, Winnie and I embarked on our most ambitious trip to China (until then). We planned a three-week adventure that covered visits to the western Chinese city of Xi’an, and the central Chinese city of Hangzhou. Then back to Nanning and Winnie’s hometown of Leuchuan. This trip involved several domestic Chinese flights, and a couple of trips on China’s high-speed railway system.
To date, this was my last visit to China, although Winnie has gone back on her own since then to spend time with her family. This photo gallery is my humble attempt to display more of the amazing sights of modern China.
Ron At the Gates of Huaqing Palace
Ron standing in front of the main gate to Huaqing Palace. a historic complex of hot springs and gardens, located at the base of Mount Lishan in Xi'an, China. This site has a 3,000-year history in Chinese culture.
Huaqing Palace Near Xi'an
A view of Huaqing Palace, a historic complex of hot springs and gardens, located at the base of Mount Lishan in Xi'an, China. It served as a popular getaway spot for numerous Chinese emperors throughout history. During the Chinese civil war Mao Zedong's army headquartered here.
A Traditional Pavilion at Huaqing Palace
A traditional pavilion at the Huaqing Pool, also known as the Huaqing Palace, located at the foot of Mount Li near Xi'an, China.
A View of Huaqing Palace
A view of Huaqing Palace, also known as the Huaqing Hot Springs, located at the northern foot of Mount Lishan in the Lintong District of Xi'an, China. This site features traditional Tang Dynasty architecture, beautiful gardens, and provides a backdrop for cultural performances.
A Rooftop View of Huaqing Palace
Looking through the trees at one of the lovely rooftops in Huaqing Palace.
a Crape Myrtle Tree in Huaqing Palace
Looking through a Crape Myrtle tree at a garden pavilion in Huaqing Palace
A statue of Yang Guifei at Huaqing Palace
A statue of Yang Guifei, a famous imperial concubine of Emperor Xuanzong during the Tang Dynasty, located at the Huaqing Palace hot springs in Xi'an, China. The site is renowned for its connection to the romantic love story between the Emperor and Yang Guifei.
A Garden at Huaqing Palace
A Garden at Huaqing Palace hot springs in Xi'an, China.
An Architectural Detail of a Chinese Roof
A sculpture of a dragon on the corner of a rooftop. This is a traditional architectural detail on roofs of Chinese palaces. The roofs themselves are made of fired clay. For the most important palace structures the roof tiles will be glazed in bright colors.
A Modern Drinking Fountain at Huaqing Palace
A Modern Drinking Fountain at Huaqing Palace. This site sees heavy tourism.
Looking Across a Plaza Water Fountain Towards Wild Goose Pagoda
Looking Across a Plaza Water Fountain Towards Wild Goose Pagoda. This fountain has a music accompaniment to the water flows. This is a major plaza within modern Xi'an, China
Looking Across a Plaza Water Fountain Towards Wild Goose Pagoda
Looking Across a Plaza Water Fountain Towards Wild Goose Pagoda. This fountain has a music accompaniment to the water flows. This is a major plaza within modern Xi'an, China
View of Wild Goose Pagoda from the Temple Grounds, Xi'an, China
View of Wild Goose Pagoda from the Temple Grounds. The pagoda is part of a historic Buddhist temple complex built in 648 or 649 during the Tang Dynasty to hold sutras brought from India. The story of bringing sutras from India forms the core of the famous Chinese novel "Journey to the West."
Detail of a Wild Goose Rooftop
Detail of a roof, one of the buildings on the temple grounds of Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an, China.
A Chinese Gargoyle of Wild Goose Pagoda
Building detail on the temple grounds of Wild Goose pagoda, Xi'an, China. These statues often serve as architectural gargoyles on historic structures, characteristic of traditional Chinese imperial or religious architecture, symbolizing power and protection.
Wild Goose Pagoda, Temple, Xi'an, China
Looking up at Wild Goose Pagoda from the Temple Grounds. The pagoda is part of a large Buddhist temple complex built in 648 or 649 during the Tang Dynasty to hold sutras brought from India. The story of bringing sutras from India forms the core of the famous Chinese novel "Journey to the West."
A Red Dragon of Daci'en Temple complex in Xi'an, China.
Building detail of Daci'en Temple complex, which contains the Wild Goose pagoda, Xi'an, China. Dragons in Chinese culture often symbolize power, strength, and good fortune, and are also traditionally seen as protectors against fire.
Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, also known as the Dayan Pagoda
Looking up at the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda from the Temple Grounds, Xi'an, China. A brick structure, it was built in AD 652 during the Tang dynasty. The structure originally featured five stories before later expansions. The structure was constructed to house Buddhist sutras brought back from India by the monk Xuanzang, which forms the basis of the Chinese novel "Journey to the West." This is is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Details of a Temple Roof
Detail of a roof decorated with a series of small, molded figures. One of the buildings on the temple grounds of Wild Goose Pagoda, Xi'an, China
Details of a Temple Roof
Details of a traditional Chinese temple roof. This is a classic Chinese hip-and-gable roof with flying eaves (upturned corners) and pronounced ridge tiles. The decorative figures, known as roof charms or figures, traditionally protect the building and symbolize its status.
A Nighttime View of the Drum Tower of Xi'an
A Nighttime view of the illuminated Drum Tower of Xi'an. Erected in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty, it once served as the city's clock, with the beating of drums marking the hours after sunset. Located in the heart of Xi'an city, near the Muslim Quarter.
Drum Tower in Xi'an, China
Another Nighttime view of the illuminated Drum Tower of Xi'an. Erected in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty, it once served as the city's clock, with the beating of drums marking the hours after sunset. Located in the heart of Xi'an city, near the Muslim Quarter.
Drum Tower in Xi'an, China
Another Nighttime view of the illuminated Drum Tower of Xi'an. Erected in 1380 during the early Ming Dynasty, it once served as the city's clock, with the beating of drums marking the hours after sunset. Located in the heart of Xi'an city, near the Muslim Quarter.
A View of Xi'an City Wall with Guard Post
The Xi'an City Wall is one of the oldest, largest, and best-preserved Chinese city wall. It is the only surviving complete wall surrounding a city in China, and measures 49 - 59 feet at the base and 40-45 feet across the top. At carious points there are staircases from ground level to the top, and visitors can walk or ride bicycles completely around the old city area of Xi'an.
Shuyuanmen Street (Academy Gate) in Xi'an
The Shuyuanmen Street (Academy Gate) in Xi'an. The street is a cultural center near the South Gate of the city wall, famous for calligraphy and traditional arts. It's current restoration reflects the architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties.
Entrance to entrance to the Guanzhong Academy of Xi'an
The the Guanzhong Academy is situated at the west end of Academy Gate Street (Shuyuanmen) near the South Gate of the ancient city wall. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties is was one of the four most famous academies in China.
A View from Inside the Historical Xi'an City Wall
Looking through the Xi'an City wall towards the city, with traditional red lanterns lining the archway. The wall was originally built during the Ming Dynasty to protect the city.
A Large Iron bell On The Ancient City Wall of Xi'an
A large iron bell located at the Yongning Gate, on the ancient city wall of Xi'an. These bells were historically used to signal time or warn of impending danger across the city. The modern city of Xi'an, outside the old walls, are in the background.
A Guardhouse on Top of the City Wall of Xi'an
The Xi'an city wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls. The wall encloses an area of about 5.4 square miles, with a total length of 8.7 miles. There are regularly-spaced guard houses along the entire wall.
The Top Of Xi'an City Wall
The Xi'an city wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls. The wall encloses an area of about 5.4 square miles, a total length of 8.7 miles. The base of the wall is 49 feet thick, at the top it is wide enough to ride bicycles. Xi'an, China
Looking Through a Battlement of Xi'an City Wall
Looking through a Battlement of the city wall surrounding Xi'an, China. The Xi'an city wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls. The wall encloses an area of about 5.4 square miles, a total length of 8.7 miles, and measures 49 - 59 feet at the base and 40-45 feet across the top.
Looking Through a Battlement of Xi'an City Wall
Looking through a Battlement of the city wall surrounding Xi'an, China. The Xi'an city wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls. The wall encloses an area of about 5.4 square miles, a total length of 8.7 miles. One of the guard posts built on top of the wall is in the distance.
Looking Through a Battlement of Xi'an City Wall
Looking through a Battlement of the city wall surrounding Xi'an, China, with a view of the surrounding moat. The Xi'an city wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls. The wall encloses an area of about 5.4 square miles, a total length of 8.7 miles. The modern section of Xi'an is in the distance.
Looking Through a Battlement of Xi'an City Wall
Looking through a Battlement of the city wall surrounding Xi'an, China, with a view of the opposite wall and guardhouse. The Xi'an city wall is one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls. The wall encloses an area of about 5.4 square miles, a total length of 8.7 miles. A guard post built on top of the wall is in the distance, with a building in the modern section of Xi'an behind it.
Looking Across The City Wall Around Xi'an
Looking at the outside of the historic Xi'an City Wall from one of the guard posts. Mostly built during the Ming Dynasty, some parts of the wall date back to 194 BC.
Stone Dragon Water Fountain, Xi'an
A detail of a carved stone dragon head used as part of a fountain. Part of the stone fountain located in the Xi'an Forest of Steles Museum.
Old Fountain in Xi'an
Details of a lovely stone fountain located in the Xi'an Forest of Steles Museum.
The Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou
Ron riding the escalator up to the the Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou. This is a modern recreation of a pagoda that was originally built in AD 975, and later destroyed. This modern recreation, located on Sunset Hill, south of West Lake, is a five-story tower. It is the site of the legend of the White Snake, a famous Chinese story.
The Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou
Winnie riding the escalator up to the the Leifeng Pagoda in Hangzhou. This is a modern recreation of a pagoda that was originally built in AD 975, and later destroyed. This modern recreation, located on Sunset Hill, south of West Lake, is a five-story tower. It is the site of the legend of the White Snake, a famous Chinese story.
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