China 2012

Flying Over Siberia	More of Siberia	Flying Over Mongolia	Mountains North of Beijing, China	The Outskirts of Beijing, China
Beijing, China Suburbs	Beijing International Airport	One of the Terminals at Beijing International Airport	Inside Beijing International Airport	Toll Road into Beijing
Arriving at Our Hotel in Beijing	Inside the China World Hotel, Beijing	Inside the China World Hotel, Beijing	View from Our Hotel Room, Beijing	Beijing Central Television Station
Hard Rock Cafe, Beijing	Hard Rock Cafe, Beijing	Beijing Multi-functional Street Light (Light, Loudspeakers, Security Camera)	Beijing Watchtower (circa 1420 AD)	Beijing City Gate (circa 1420 AD)
Signs of Spring Along Beijing's Restored Old City Wall	Morning Tai Chi Along Beijing's Old City Wall	600-year Old Watchtower Along Beijing's Old City Wall	Peking Duck Restaurant in Beijing	National Museum of China
Great Hall of the People in Tian'anmen Square	Guard in Tian'anmen Square	Mausoleum of Chairman Mao in Tian'anmen Square	Bill & Susan in Tian'anmen Square	Chinese National Flag in Tian'anmen Square
Bill & Susan in Tian'anmen Square	Group Photo in Tian An Men Square	The Only Public Photo of Chairman Mao is on the "Gate of Heavenly Peace"	Honor Guard at National Flag in Tian'anmen Square	Susan at National Flag in Tian'anmen Square
Guard Change in Tian'anmen Square	More New Guards in Tian'anmen Square	Guardian Statue Outside the Gate of Heavenly Peace	Approaching the Gate of Heavenly Peace	Fountains in Front of the Gate of Heavenly Peace
Crowds Entering the Forbidden City Through the Gate of Heavenly Peace	In the Outer Court of the Forbidden City	In the Outer Court of the Forbidden City	Five Bridges into the Forbidden City	Bill & Susan in the Forbidden City
Foo Dog Statue in the Forbidden City	A Gate to Enter the Next Level of the Forbidden City	Gargoyle in the Forbidden City	Turtle & Crane Statues in the Forbidden City	Going Deeper into the Forbidden City
The Emperor's Throne in the Forbidden City	Nine Animals on the Roof Show that This is a Most Important Building	Water Pot Inside the Forbidden Palace Walls	Gate Into the Most Private Part of the Forbidden Palace	Decorations on One of the Forbidden Palace Buildings
Doorway to a Private Chamber in the Forbidden Palace	Statues in a Courtyard of the Palace of Gathered Elegance	Palace of Gathered Elegance (1420) - Home of Concubines in Ming & Qing Dynasties	A Statue in Another Courtyard of the Palace of Gathered Elegance	Artifacts in the Palace of Gathered Elegance
The Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City	The Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City	Signs of Spring in the Imperial Garden	Interesting Tree in the Imperial Garden in the Forbidden City	Temples on the Hill Overlooking the Forbidden City
Temple Overlooking the Forbidden City	Lunch in Beijing	The Beijing Beer Was Good	This Chinese Food was Excellent	Approaching a Roundabout in Beijing
Our Guide, Tom, Explaining the Temple of Heaven	Information on the Temple of Heaven	What You Cannot Do at the Temple of Heaven	Hugging the Nine Dragon Cypress is Said to Add 10 Years to Your Life	Susan Hugging the Nine Dragon Cypress
People Come to the Temple of Heaven to Play Games & Socialize	Playing Cards at the Temple of Heaven	A Chinese Chess Match Draws a Crowd	Playing Chinese Bagpipes	Bill & Susan at the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests
Inside the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests	Sacrifice Altar in the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests	Wedding Photos on the Grounds of the Temple of Heaven	What a Nice Setting for a Wedding	The Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests (a Taoist Temple)
Birds at the Temple of Heaven	The Seven Star Stones at the Temple of Heaven	Exercising Near the Seven Star Stones at the Temple of Heaven	Going Into a Chinese TeaHouse	Table Set for a Tea Ceremony
Ivory Carving in the Teahouse	Ready for the Tea Ceremony	Our Hostess for Tea Ceremony	Fishing in the Beijing Moat	Beijing National Stadium aka "Bird's Nest"
"Water Cube" Where Michael Phleps Won 8 Gold Medals in the 2008 Olympics	McDonald's Sits in Front of the Olympic Media Tower	Too Much Chinese Red Tape to Finish This Theme Park Near Beijing	Yan Mountains, China	Our First Look at the Great Wall of China
Ready to Start Up the Great Wall of China	Ancient Chinese Weapons with the Great Wall in the Background	Susan's Done with Climbing	Bill's Still Climbing the Great Wall	Springtime at the Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China was Built in 1368 AD	Proof that Bill Made it Up the Great Wall	One Small Segment of the 5,500 Mile Great Wall of China	No Time to Climb to the Next Watchtower (Behind Bill)	The Han Valley as Seen from the Great Wall of China
Visit to a Jade Factory	Jade Statue	Carving Jade	Red Jade Dragon	Carved Jade Ship
Susan's Bag with Jade Jewelry	Gate to Changling (Burial Mausoleum of the 3rd Emperor of the Ming Dynasty)	Map of the 13 Tombs of the Ming Dynasty Emperors	Map of the Mausoleum of the 3rd Emperor of the Ming Dynasty	The Gate of Heavenly Favor (1409) at Changling
The Sacred Silk Burner at Changling Ming Tomb	The Hall of Eminent Favour at Changling	Inside the Hall of Eminent Favour at Changling	Statue of the Emporer Chengzu in the Hall of Eminent Favour at Changling	Ceiling in the Hall of Eminent Favour at Changling
Artifacts from the Ming Dynasty	Ling Xing Gate at Changling Ming Tomb	Five Offerings Altar at Changling Ming Tomb	Soul Tower at the Chang Mausoleum	Shengtao Stele (1605) at the Chang Mausoleum
Intersting Sign at the Chang Mausoleum	Another of the Ming Tombs in the Distance	Another of the Ming Tombs in the Distance	Leaving the Chang Mausoleum	Entrance into the Summer Palace, Beijing
Imperial Guardian Lion (Foo Dog) at the Entrance of the Summer Palace	Inside the Entrance of the Summer Palace	At the Summer Palace Lake	Buddhist Temple above the Summer Palace, Beijing	Summer Palace Lake Gazebo
Empress' Garden in the Summer Palace, Beijing	"Blue Iris Stone" in the Empress' Garden is the Largest in Any Chinese Garden	Ornamental Gate at the Summer Palace	"The Hall for Listening to Orioles" (1st Built in 1736 - Rebuilt in 1908) was an Opera House at the Summer Palace	"The Marble Boat" (built in 1800) at the Summer Palace, Beijing
 Dragon Boat at the Summer Palace, Beijing	Onboard the Dragon Boat at the Summer Palace, Beijing	An "Angry Bird" onboard the Dragon Boat at the Summer Palace, Beijing	Buddhist Temple above the Summer Palace Viewed from the Lake	Buildings above the Summer Palace, Beijing
Temple of the God of Water on Summer Palace Lake	 Dragon-Shaped Office Building, Beijing	Smog Settling over Beijing Moat	Smoggy Sunset in Beijing	Restaurant for Peking Duck Dinner
Peking Duck	Slicing the Peking Duck	Peking Duck	Demonstrating How the Chinese Eat Peking Duck	Finished Peking Duck Roll
Beijing at Night	Beijing at Night	Farewell to the Elevator Greeter at China World Hotel	A Peach Orchard Near Xi'an, China Airport	Crossing the Wei River on the way to Xi'an, China
An Unbelievable Amount of Apartment Construction in Xi'an, China	Our First Look at the 600-year old Xi'an City Wall	Xi'an City Wall was Built during the Ming Dynasty	 Xi'an, China Street Corner	Interesting Chinese Kite in Xi'an, China
Shaanxi Historical Museum in Xi'an	Foo Dog (Lion Dog) at Historical Museum in Xi'an	Neolithic Age (5000-3000 BC) Pottery Found in Xi'an City, China	Late Shang Dynasty (13th - 11tth Century BC)	Artifacts from the Late Shang Dynasty (13th - 11tth Century BC)
Bronze Zuo Bell Set from the Mid-9th - 7th Century BC)	'Gong' Wine Vessel from the Mid-10th - 9th Century BC)	Knife from the Qin Dynasty (770 - 207 BC)	Bronze Dragon from the Qin Dynasty (475 - 207 BC)	Statue of a Seated Skt. Arhan (1368 - 1644 AD)
Statue from the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD)	Painted Honor Guards from the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644 AD)	Tri-color Horse & Its Groom from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD)	Painted & Gold Traced Figure of Heavenly God from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD)	Heavenly God Figures from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD)
Tri-colored Lion from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD)	Animal Mask Designs from the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907 AD)	Stone Tomb & Gate Couch from the Zhou Period (557 - 581 AD)	Inside the Xi'an History Museum	Lobby of the Shaanxi Historical Museum
Street Vendors in Xi'an	600 -year old City Wall of Xi'an	Moat Outside the City Wall of Xi'an	Cleaning the Street Inside the City Wall of Xi'an	Tang Dynsaty Reenactors at the City Wall of Xi'an
Tang Dynsaty Warriors Break Room in Xi'an City Wall	On Top of the Xi'an City Wall	Ming Dynasty Barracks on the Xi'an City Wall	Xi'an City, China	On Xi'an City Wall
Inside Xi'an City Wall	Xi'an Bell Tower	Electric Lines in Xi'an	Our Hotel in Xi'an	In Our Hotel Room in Xi'an
3-wheel Cab in Xi'an	Outside Xi'an City Wall -- the Best Preserved in China	Susan with Chris, Tour Guide, on the way to see Terra-Cotta Warriors	Exhibition Hall at Site of Terra-Cotta Warriors	Mausoleum of the 1st Qin Dynasty Emporer Was Protected by Terra-Cotta Warriors
'Bodyguard' Chariot from 200 BC was Found in the Funerary of the 1st Qin Dynasty Emporer	'Prince & Princess Chariot' from 200 BC was Found in the Funerary of the 1st Qin Dynasty Emporer	'Prince & Princess Chariot' from 200 BC was Found in the Funerary of the 1st Qin Dynasty Emporer	Bronze Arrows for Crossbows from 200 BC Used for Killing & for Practice	View of the Museum of the Terra-Cotta Warriors
Archaeologists Repair & Restore the Terra-Cotta Warriors	Photo on Display in the Terra-Cotta Warrior Museum	1st Look at Terra-Cotta Warriors in Pit 1 (Largest Excavation)	Bill & Susan at Pit 1 of the Terra-Cotta Warriors	Terra-Cotta Warriors date to 700 BC
Terra-Cotta Warriors Awaiting Restoration	Archaeologists Restore Above Ground Before Replacing in Original Positions	Hairstyle of Middle Rank Soldier	Hairstyle of Infantryman	Side View of Pit 1 with Terra-Cotta Warriors
Terra-Cotta Warriors with Some Color Remaining	Bill & Susan with the Terra-Cotta Warriors	Bill & Susan with the Terra-Cotta Warriors	Kneeling with the Terra-Cotta Warriors	Huge Vase with Dragon Design
Mr. Yang, the Farmer Who Discovered the Terra-Cotta Warriors, Signing Souvenir Book	Susan & Mr. Yang, the Farmer Who Discovered the Terra-Cotta Warriors	172 Standing Archers were Found in Pit 2	116 Cavalrymen with Horses were Found in Pit 2	7 General Officers Were Found in Pit 2
Hairstyle of Terra-Cotta General Officers	160 Kneeling Archers were Found in Pit 2	Hairstyle of Archers in Qin Dynasty	Chinese Fan of the NBA	Pit 3 is Known as the Command Center for Pits 1 & 2
Only 68 Figures were Unearthed in Pit 3	Making Chinese Noodles for Lunch	Making Chinese Noodles for Lunch	Final Step in Cooking Chinese Noodles for Lunch	Nap Time in the Jewelry Shop
Under the Cherry Blossom Trees in China	Three Turtle Statue in Xi'an, China	Entrance to the Grounds of the Big Goose Pagoda	Incense Burner at The Big Goose Pagoda	Steps to Buddhist Temple at the Big Goose Pagoda
Buddhist Temple at the Big Goose Pagoda	Another Buddhist Temple at the Big Goose Pagoda	Jade Sculptures Showing the Course of Enlightenment for Buddha Sakyamuni	Jade Sculptures Showing the Course of Enlightenment for Buddha Sakyamuni	Jade Sculptures Showing the Course of Enlightenment for Buddha Sakyamuni
Buddha to Grant Prosperity at the Big Goose Pagoda	Looking Up at the 7-story Big Goose Pagoda	In the Garden near the Big Goose Pagoda	In the Garden near the Big Goose Pagoda	Buddha in the Garden near the Big Goose Pagoda
Buddha in the Garden near the Big Goose Pagoda	Roof of Monastery of the Big Goose Pagoda	Figure on the Roof of Monastery of the Big Goose Pagoda	Burial Place of Head Monks of the Big Goose Pagoda	Young Buddha at the Big Goose Pagoda
Flying Kites on a Beautiful Day in Xi'an, China	Provencial Library, Xi'an, China	Entering the Muslim Quarter of Xi'an	In the Muslim Quarter of Xi'an	Food in the Muslim Quarter of Xi'an
Entering the Great Mosque (742 AD) of Xi'an, China	On the Grounds of the Great Mosque of Xi'an, China	"The Minaret" of the Great Mosque of Xi'an	The Front of the Worship Hall of the Great Mosque of Xi'an	Inside the Worship Hall of the Great Mosque of Xi'an
Leaving the Great Mosque of Xi'an	Arriving at the Tang Dynasty Theater	Ancient Chinese Instrument Ensemble	Cup for Hot Rice Wine	Chinese Singer
Opening Number for Tang Dynasty Dance	Drummers for Opening Number	White Ramie Cloth Costume Dance	White Ramie Cloth Costume Dance	White Ramie Cloth Costume Dance
Da Nuo Dance	Da Nuo Dance	Da Nuo Dance	Rainbow Costume Dance	Rainbow Costume Dance
Warriors Triumphal Dance	Warriors Triumphal Dance	Warriors Triumphal Dance	Happy Spring Outing	Musicians for Happy Spring Outing
Mr. Gao Ming Playing a 3,000-year-old Instrument called the Pai Xiao	Mr. Gao Ming Playing the Spring Orioles Song	The Tang Dynasty Theater Orchestra	The Ta Ge Dance	The Ta Ge Dancers
Entrance by the Emperor & Empress	The Finale Dance	The Emperor & Empress Join the Dance	The Final Curtain Call	Xi'an City Wall at Night
Xi'an Bell Tower at Night	No One Seems to Have the Key for Doors at Xi'an Airport	Air Crew Waiting for Doors to be Unlocked 20 Min Before Scheduled Departure	Leaving Xi'an 45 Minutes Late