 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
The group practiced qigong in the local parks every morning while we were in Beijing. Here we are practicing Master Ma Cheng-kai's Super Energy Method, a very popular form in China.
Frequently Beijing residents visiting the parks would join us to practice. This man joined in from his seat across the park.
Master Wang Jie of Soaring Crane Qigong lectures on diagnosing and healing techniques associated with the form. Beijing.
Enjoying beijing-style hot pot with Dr. Li, Shan-yu.
One of my favorite places in Beijing was Fragrance Hills Park, located on the west side of the city. Here, part of the ruins of a Daoist temple.
A moment from the Peking Acrobatic Show. The show's official title was "Beijing Tourism Art and Literature Evening Party."
Lanterns lit for the evening, downtown Beijing.
Luoyang as seen from above, on the way to Shaolin Temple, Luoyang.
A gong fu student at Shaolin Martial Arts School, preparing for his performance.
A view of Luoyang's Pagoda Forest.
One of the highlights of my visit to Luoyang's Long Men Grottoes was the signage asking visitors not to walk on the grass. This sign states: "Little grass is smilling slightly. Please walk on the pavement." There were several such phrases posted.
We found bicycles everywhere in China; here, a mass of them in downtown Luoyang.
The pomegranate is the Xian city symbol. Tang Dynasty Art Center courtyard, Xi'an.
Carving a Chinese stone seal ("chop") at the Tang Dynasty Art Center, Xi'an.
A Terracotta warrior awaiting assembly for exhibition, Xi'an.
One of the many dances performed during the Tang Dynasty Show and Dumpling Banquet, Xi'an.
Of the many friends I met in China, LiLi's twins were among my favorite. Panda Breeding Base, Chengdu.
I loved being at the Panda Breeding Base; the nature preserve they have created for the pandas there was beautiful. Here, a dragonfly pauses atop a water lily.
A water lily in full bloom. Panda Breeding Base, Chengdu.
The Sichuan Local Show we attended was my favorite entertainment of the trip. Here, a young man (our waiter before the show) pouring tea into tea cups from every conceivable direction in every position imaginable. He never missed the cup! Chengdu.
The finale of the Sichuan Local Show: change of masks and fire play. Chengdu.
A carving on one of the limestone formations in Kunming's Stone Forest. The translation of the text: qi as bone, clouds as root; extremely natural exists; south sky supports pillar; hold heavy without language
(a description of a noble person, who exerts great effort without bringing attention to himself)
(a description of a noble person, who exerts great effort without bringing attention to himself)
From Kunming we drove to Dali and beyond to Lijiang. The rural landscape of the Yunnan province was a welcome respite after the cities we had been visiting.
Another friend met along the way. Yunnan province.
A local woman collects the fish from her trap. Jin Suo Island, Dali.
Fish for sale: choose your fish, and they'll cook it for you on the spot. Jin Suo Island, Dali.
It's easy to see why LiJiang (known to us in the west by its nickname, Shangri-la) inspired the book and movie Lost Horizon.
A local man offered to the group of us that we could sit on his yak and have our picture taken. When it came my turn, he was surprised when I asked him to mount the yak so I could take their photo instead! Lijiang.
Naxi women singing outside Yu Feng Si (a Tibetan Buddhist Temple). Lijiang.
A shopkeeper checks his dumplings, chatting with a friend. Lijiang's "Old Town" district.
Shop front in Lijiang's "Old Town" district.
Alley sign in Lijiang's "Old Town" district.
A guest house. Lijiang's "Old Town" district.
The view from the first plateau on Thousands of Lions Mountain, on the outskirts of Jianchuan. We were among the first westerners to visit this landmark.
One of the many intricate carvings on Thousands of Lions Mountian, Jianchuan.
On the drive back to Kunming from Lijiang and Dali, we stopped for gas near Xiashankou. At the station a truckful of Naxi folks pulled up beside us. As our respective drivers filled their tanks, we traded local dances. They showed us a traditional Naxi dance, and we did the bunny hop for them!
We got stuck in a wonderful traffic jam in Xiashankou on the way back to Kunming from Lijiang and Dali. Here, two Naxi women chat at the Sunday afternoon market.
Photos were taken July 2002, by Kris Caldwell unless otherwise noted.