I visited Hong Kong in 1995 while still in the Navy, but my first trip to “Mainland China” was in 2003. On that trip, Winnie and I were married and we took a Honeymoon trip to Guilin and Shanghai. We also visited Beihai and Yulin, and I toured Winnie’s then-home city of Nanning.
I visited again one year later, on our first anniversary in 2004, as Winnie was still stuck in China awaiting her visa (from the U.S. government). On this visit we toured more of Nanning, then Guangzhou and Shenzhen. In 2011, with Winnie now an American citizen, we went back for my third visit. On my third visit we toured Beijiang and the nearby city of Tianjin. Along with visiting Winnie’s family back in Nanning. We took our fourth trip in 2017, which included more ambitious exploration and visiting Winnie’s family.
Technical note: on my first two trips I was still working with 35mm film, using my trusty Nikon n8008 camera. The images from those two trips were scanned from the negatives into digital format. (Many of these 35mm negatives were lost in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina flooded our Mississippi home.) By my third trip I was working in digital photography with a Nikon D50 DSLR camera.
Trips One, Two, and Three
These three trips collectively covers views of the following cities:
Nanning, Yulin, Beihai, Guilin and the Li Jiang River, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Beijiang, Tianjin, and Luchuan.
A Stainless Steel Trike
Washing a beautiful stainless steel trike early in the morning. Beijing, China
Zhengyangmen Gate
The only remaining section of the former imperial city wall around Beijing. Beijing, China
Map of the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) Park
Map of the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) Park at the main entrance. Beijing, China
A gate in the Temple of Heaven (Tiantan) Park
An entrance to the Temple of Heaven park in Beijing. Beijing, China
Tianjin Riverfront
Tianjin Riverfront. A "special economic zone" to the north of Beijing. China
A City Street in Tianjin, China
A City Street in modern Tianjin, China
A Pavilion in the Temple of Heaven Park
One of many pavilions inside the Temple of Heaven Park, Beijing, China
Chinese High Speed Train and Station
Chinese High Speed Train and Station. The Tianjin Special Economic Zone Terminal, North of Beijing, China.
Interior Shot of A Chinese High Speed Train
Interior Shot of A Chinese High Speed Train. The train has the interior look and feel of an airline, but much roomier and more comfortable. Beijing, China.
Imperial Vault of Heaven
Imperial Vault of Heaven, Inside the Temple of Heaven Park. Beijing, China
Gateway to The Central Main Hall
Gateway to The Central Main Hall, Temple of Heaven Park. Beijing, China
Chinese High Speed Train, Beijing to Tianjin
Chinese High Speed Train, Beijing to Tianjin. This train was maintained in spotless condition, to the point that between each run workers washed down the outside of the entire train. China
Detail of a Glazed Ceramic Roof
A roof detail from a building in the Temple of Heaven Park. Beijing, China
A People's Pavilion
A People's Pavilion. A place for people to hang out in the Temple of Heaven Park. Beijing, China
Making Steamed Buns for Breakfast
This lady owned a small restaurant next to our hotel. She made steamed buns - a Chinese breakfast favorite - outside the restaurant in Beijing.
Mao's Tomb on Tiananmen Square
Mao's Tomb on Tiananmen Square. Mao's body still lies in State, open for (very closely controlled) viewing by the public. Beijing, China
A Supermarket in Beijing
A Supermarket in Beijing, China
Detail of the Roof on Zhengyangmen Gate
Detail of the Roof on Zhengyangmen Gate, Beijing, China
Entrance to the Forbidden City
The main entrance to the Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
Ron the Gatekeeper
At the Outer Gate of the Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
Winnie Holding Up the Door
At the Outer Gate of the Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
Easy Riders
Weifang and her eldest sister's husband on electric mopeds. Luchuan, China
Inside the Imperil Palace
Just one of the many pavilions inside the Imperial Palace. The colors of the roofs all have significance. Yellow glazed tile roofs were reserved for the Emperor's Palaces. Beijing, China
Stone Fu Dog Inside the Imperil Palace
Stone Fu Dog Inside the Imperil Palace, Beijing, China
Pavilion Inside the Imperial Palace
A Pavilion Inside the Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
Pavilion Inside the Imperial Palace
A Pavilion Inside the Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
Pavilion Inside the Imperial Palace
A Pavilion Inside the Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
Rooftop Detail
Rooftop Detail of a Pavilion Inside the Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
School Kids on a Mountain Stream
On a mountain stream in a large park and nature area outside Luchuan, China
This Is China!
This Is China! For me, these kids exemplified the spirit of the people I encountered where ever I traveled in China. Luchuan, China
Detail of a Balustrade
Detail of a Balustrade, a carved stone ornament along a railing. Inside the Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
Large Stone Carving
This is the largest stone carving in the Imperial palace, named "Large Stone Carving." It is 16.75M long, 3.07M wide, and 1.7 meters thick, weighing more than 200 tons. It was carved out of a huge natural stone in the early Ming Dynasty. In 1761 the old patterns on the stone were all hewn away, and the new patterns were carved. The Stone was quarried from Dashiwo in Fangshan in the western suburbs of Beijing. It was transported to the palace by sprinkling water on the road in winter to make an iced road, then pulled to the palace. Beijing, China
The Hall of Supreme Harmony
The Hall of Supreme Harmony, Imperial Palace. The stone between the staircase is called "Large Stone Carving," and is the single largest carved stone in the palace complex. Beijing, China
Looking Through the Great Wall
Looking Through the Great Wall, Beijing, China
nine-panel-dragon-mural-manual-stitching-v1
One of the Palace Courtyards
One of the Palace Courtyards, Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
Elevated Walkway to a Pavillion
Elevated Walkway to a Pavillion, Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
The Luchuan Meat Market
The Luchuan Meat Market. You can get anything your want...chicken, beef, pork, goat, goose, lamb, duck,,, China
Food To Go
Food To Go. Part of the Main Market of Luchuan, China
Roof Between Trees
Roof Between Trees, Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice
Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice. Part of the Main Market of Luchuan, China
Along the Great wall
Along the Great wall, Beijing, China
Fruit Seller
Fruit Seller. Part of the Main Market of Luchuan
Overlooking Luchuan
Taken from the high point of Luchuan, by the Hot Spring Resort Village
Looking Up!
Photo taken of our two adventurers on the Great Wall, Beijing, China
Roof With Details
Roof With Details, Imperial Palace, Beijing, China
A Snake Along the Mountains
A View of the Great Wall snaking along the rugged mountaintops, Beijing, China
Looking Down the Great Wall
Looking Down the Great Wall, Beijing, China
A Notch in the Wall
Once used for firing arrows at approaching enemy soldiers. Great Wall, Beijing, China
Layout of Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing
Prince Gong's Mansion is one of the most exquisite and best-preserved royal mansions in Beijing and used to house several families, and has a total area of 60,000 square metres. Address: 17 Qianhai West Street, Xicheng district, Beijing, China. Also called Gong Wang Fu museum.
Ron Teaches English
Ron had the opportunity to present an English lesson to a middle-school class, courtesy of Weifang's eldest sister. Luchuan, China
Our Intrepid Explorers
Along the Great Wall, Beijing, China
Entrance to Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing
Entrance to Prince Gong's Mansion. This is the first building inside the entrance courtyard. Prince Gong was one of the greater nobles of Imperial China, and this palace was typical of the way nobles lived. Most palaces were destroyed in the aftermath of the fall of Imperial China, either during the Japanese occupation or later during the Cultural Revolution. Beijing, China
Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing
Prince Gong's Mansion. This palace was the site of the CCTV miniseries "I Dream of Red Mansion," the filmed version of one of China's four great novels. Beijing, China
Li Ann and Her Little Brother
Li Ann and Her Little Brother. Taken outside of Baijing, Luchuan County, at Winnie's Family Home
Gateway on the Great Wall
Gateway on the Great Wall, Beijing, China
A Composite Of the Nine Dragons Mural
A composite image of the six left-most panels of the nine panels of the Nine Dragons Mural in the Imperial Palace. This mural is about 45 feet wide and made of glazed tile. The images were taken with a hand-held camera, and the three right-most panels would not stitch into the entire composite. Beijing, China
Courtyard, Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing
Courtyard, Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing with large tree on left side of photo. Beijing, China
A Pretty Lady on the Wall
A Pretty Lady on the Wall, Great Wall, Beijing, China
A Chinese Garden
A small courtyard garden in a medical clinic outside of Beijing, China
Entrance to the Garden
Prince Gong's Mansion has a large formal garden at the rear. Beijing, China
Garden Pond, Prince Gong Mansion, Beijing
The garden in Prince Gong's mansion features a large pond. Beijing, China
Another Entrance to the Garden
Prince Gong's Mansion Garden has multiple entrances from the front living areas through the wall to the rear garden. Beijing, China
Corridor through the Bamboo Grove
A covered walkway through a grove of Bamboo in Prince Gong's mansion garden. Beijing, China
A Closeup of the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium
A Closeup of the Bird's Nest Olympic Stadium, Beijing, China
Round Entrance, Prince Gong's Mansion
Round entrance between two courtyards. Prince Gong's Mansion, Beijing, China
Morning Colors In Tiananmen Square
A lone Chinese Honor Guard soldier stands guard. Taken just after the morning raising of colors in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China
Sunrise over Tiananmen Square
Wide view of Tiananmem Square after morning colors, with the entrance to the Imperial Palace in the background. Beijing, China
Shichahai District, Beijing
Shichahai District, a historic scenic area consisting of three lakes in the north of central Beijing in China. They are located to the north-west of the Forbidden City and north-west of the Beihai Lake. Shichahai consists of the following three lakes: Qianhai, Xihai and Houhai. In imperial times it was called the Riverbank. Beijing, China
Yanchi Byway, Shichahai District, Beijing
A traditional hutong street layout in Yanchi Byway, Shichahai District. Beijing, China
Drum Tower, Shichahai District, Beijing
Drum Tower, Shichahai District, A major landmark of Old Beijing, China
Layout and Description of Hutong Streets
Plaque showing the Layout and Description of Hutong Streets. This is a type of narrow streets or alleys, most The type of street and neighborhood layout most commonly associated with old Beijing, China.
Guilin City Center at Night
Guilin City Center at Night. Guilin, China
Guiping Mountain Aqueduct
Guiping Mountain is a large park and nature area. We came in through a back entrance and passed this ancient aqueduct along the way. Guiping, China
Li Jiang River Cave Fishing
Li Jiang River Cave Fishing, China
Boat Landing, Li Jiang River
Boat Landing, Li Jiang River, where the tour boats pulled in. This led to a historic theme park area. China
Mother and Child
Mother and Child, Baijing, China
Nanning Billboard
A Nanning Billboard. Taken while riding on the back of Weifang's moped. Nanning, China
Doorway in Nanning Park
Doorway in Nanning Park, Nanning, China.
Pavilion Seat
Pavilion Seat In a park in Nanning, China
A traditional Chinese tower
A traditional Chinese tower, in a park in Nanning, China
Nanning Photographer
Nanning Photographer, in a photo studio in Nanning, China
Baijing Village
Baijing Village, China. A rural village in the middle of rice fields and lovely hills.
School Courtyard in Luchuen
School Courtyard in Luchuen, China. My sister-in-law teaches here.
A Doorway of Baijing
A Doorway of Baijing, China, a rural village in the middle of rice fields and lovely hills.
Inside the Atrium of A Shopping Mall
Inside the Atrium of A Shopping Mall, Nanning, China.
Doorway in Guangzhou
Doorway in Guangzhou, China
A Very Shy Taxi Driver
A Very Shy Taxi Driver on Guiping Mountain, China
Rice farmer in His Field
Rice farmer in the rice fields surrounding Baijing, China. This photo won a second place in it's category in the Scranton Camera Club's 2005 photography contest.
Morning Commute, Baijing, China.
Morning Commute, Baijing, China.
Women at Work
Women at Work, Guiping Mountain, China. I watched these women carry bucket loads of soil from the bottom of the mountain stairs about thirty minute's walk up, then back for another load.
Three ladies
Three ladies. Taken on a hilltop outside of Baijing, China.
WuFeng
One of my nieces, WuFeng, taken when she was about eight years old. Baijing, China.
Water Buffalo and Farmhouse
Water Buffalo and Farmhouse in the village of Baijing, China. Many of the homes in this village go back 100 years or more.
Village House in Baijing, China
Village House in Baijing, China
Jackfruit Seller in Guangzhou
Jackfruit Seller in Guangzhou, China
A Temple Doorway
A Temple Doorway, Guiping Mountain, China
The Hills Outside of Bijing
The Hills Outside of Bijing, China
Renmingdong Park
Renmingdong Park. Referred to as "People's Park," a very lovely park in Nanning, China.
Hills and Rice Fields
Hills and Rice Fields, Baijing, China
Bicycle transportation
Bicycle transportation, Nanning, China
A Bicycle in Nanning
A Bicycle in Nanning. Nanning, China
Guiping Mountain Aqueduct
Guiping Mountain is a large park and nature area. We came in through a back entrance and passed this ancient aqueduct along the way. Guiping, China
Skyline of Baijing
Skyline of Baijing, China
Shanghai Shopping District
Shanghai Shopping District, Shanghai, China
Perl Orient Tower
Perl Orient Tower, Shanghai, China
Temple
The main temple of Shanghai, China
Temple District
Temple District, Shanghai, China
Shanghai Temple District at Night
Shanghai Temple District at Night. Shanghai, China
Transportation in Luchuan
Transportation in Luchuan. Luchuan, China
Bonsai Tree
Bonsai Tree In the Yulin Cultural Center. Yulin, China
Yulin City Center
Yulin City Center, China
Yulin Cultural Center
Yulin Cultural Center, Yulin, China
Fruit Shop
Fruit Shop With Weifang's Aunt and Uncle. Yulin, China
Pastry Seller
Pastry Seller. Yulin, China
Pedal Cab
Pedal Cab, Yulin, China
Street Scene
Street Scene, Yulin, China
Street Scene
Street Scene, Yulin, China
Sugar Cane Seller
Sugar Cane Seller, Yulin, China. This photo won a second place in it's category in the Scranton Camera Club's 2004 photo contest.
A Composite of the Nine Dragons Mural
A composite image of all nine panels of the Nine Dragons Mural in the Imperial Palace. This mural is about 45 feet wide and made of glazed tile. The images were taken with a hand-held Nikon D50 camera. Beijing, China
Nine Dragons Mural - Panel One
Panel one of the The Nine Dragons Screen. The entire mural is about 40 feet wide, made of ceramic tile work. Imperial Palace, Beijing, China.
Nine Dragons Mural - Panel Two
Panel two of the The Nine Dragons Screen. The entire mural is about 40 feet wide, made of ceramic tile work. Imperial Palace, Beijing, China.
Nine Dragons Mural - Panel Three
Panel three of the The Nine Dragons Screen. The entire mural is about 40 feet wide, made of ceramic tile work. Imperial Palace, Beijing, China.
Nine Dragons Mural - Panel Four
Panel four of the The Nine Dragons Screen. The entire mural is about 40 feet wide, made of ceramic tile work. Imperial Palace, Beijing, China.
Nine Dragons Mural - Panel Five
Panel five of the The Nine Dragons Screen. The entire mural is about 40 feet wide, made of ceramic tile work. Imperial Palace, Beijing, China.
Nine Dragons Mural - Panel Six
Panel six of the The Nine Dragons Screen. The entire mural is about 40 feet wide, made of ceramic tile work. Imperial Palace, Beijing, China.
Nine Dragons Mural - Panel Seven
Panel seven of the The Nine Dragons Screen. The entire mural is about 40 feet wide, made of ceramic tile work. Imperial Palace, Beijing, China.
Nine Dragons Mural - Panel Eight
Panel eight of the The Nine Dragons Screen. The entire mural is about 40 feet wide, made of ceramic tile work. Imperial Palace, Beijing, China.
Nine Dragons Mural - Panel Nine
Panel nine of the The Nine Dragons Screen. The entire mural is about 40 feet wide, made of ceramic tile work. Imperial Palace, Beijing, China.
Our third trip included a visit to the “Forbidden City” of Beijing, also known as the “Emperor’s Palace” until about 1920. One of the sights that particularly fascinated me was the “Nine Dragon” mural made of tile. The entire mural was too long for a single photo (meaning: I didn’t have the correct lens) so I made nine hand-held images, one of each dragon, using my Nikon D50. It took eleven years to find adequate (free) software that could do justice to a composite of these nine images, but I finally found some. Here is my digital composite of the Nine-Dragon Mural of the Emperor’s Palace, Beijing, China. (This is a clickable thumbnail that opens for a full view.)
In 2017 Winnie and I took my fourth trip to China. During this three-week trip we explored new parts of China. I created a separate photo gallery of images from this adventure. Includes scenes from Hangzhou, Xi’an, Zhouzhuang, Luchuan, and Nanning
One of the day excursions Winnie and I took during our fourth trip was to visit the “Number One Water Town” of Zhouzhuang. This fascinating town is also known as “Venice of the East,” and lives up to that title. I took so many photos I had to create a special gallery to showcase them.
Also during our fourth trip, Winnie and I visited Xi’an and were able to tour the archaeological sites of the Terracotta Warriors. I felt these amazing figures deserved their own gallery in my humble photo collection.
Along with Xi’an, we also hiked around West Lake in the city of Hangzhou. The shallow parts of the lake are thick with Lotus plants, and many were in blossom at the time of our visit. Just one or two photos would not do justice to these beautiful plants, so I’ve added a subsection to this Gallery dedicated to the lovely Lotus blossom.
Our Internet Romance : Ron’s story of long-distance courtship and marriage to a lovely Chinese lady half a globe away. The Long Wait : After our marriage, we waited 20 months for Winnie’s visa to the U.S. This is our story. In Honor of Veterans Day 2011 : Honoring the legendary heroes of ancient China A Study of Stonehenge : Ron’s photo study of the ancient structure of Stonehenge, on the Salisbury Plains of England. Mallows Bay Ship Graveyard : Some history right in the Northern Virginia region, on the Potomac River. Springtime in Paris : A photo collection of the City of Paris, France.
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