Category Archives: China

Beautiful Photography of China

Buddhist Wall in China

Posted on December 21st, 2015 by

Haunting Sculptures

There are so many great artistic works created in the name of religion. I don’t know the significance of this sculpture, but it is almost as maddening a work as La Sagrada Familia‘s Nativity Facade. There are so many carvings within carvings and around carvings it’s hard to know what is happening.

I took a HUGE bit of creative license as the room was dimly lit in places. There colors are all mine, but the madness is all Buddhist artists!

Buddhist Wall in China
Buddhist Wall in China

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Bricks of Chinese Pu-erh Tea

Posted on November 26th, 2015 by

So MUCH TEA!

I am surprised Pamela didn’t collapse when we entered Tea City. We have been so many amazing places in the world, and I don’t quite recall anywhere bringing her to such a hushed awe. This shelf was completely full of pu-erh tea bricks. I am sure Pamela would have loved to ship the whole stall home!

Bricks of Chinese Pu-erh Tea
Bricks of Chinese Pu-erh Tea

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Yuyuan Garden Walkway Design Detail

Posted on November 12th, 2015 by

What’s Underfoot

You cant miss this river stone walkway. The moment you step foot on it, you notice the irregularity…its more natural feel. You notice the uneven-ness of nature, but you also know it is anything but natural. This fits perfectly with the way I feel about Chinese gardens in general. It always seems to me the Chinese are looking for some harmony and connection with nature (in their gardens), but it’s always seems a more “perfected” nature, taking the good, discarding the bad…molding to find a perfect form. This is neither good nor bad, and only my interpretation which is course is always changed itself.

Yuyuan Garden Walkway Design Detail
Yuyuan Garden Walkway Design Detail

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Shelves of a Tea Seller in Shanghai

Posted on November 5th, 2015 by

For the Love of Tea

It is no secret that my wife LOVES tea. So much is her passion, that when I said I would fly here anywhere in the world she wanted to go for her 40th birthday, the answer came without delay. China. I was so happy to take her to her first (I am sure of many) visits to Hangzhou and Shanghai, China, but more specifically Tianshan…Tea City. Tianshan is in Western Shanghai. An endless maze of wholesale tea vendors and shops where your tea dreams can come true. Below is just one shelf of random teas, but the supply was as endless as the offers of more samples. Come prepared to be completely overwhelmed.

Shelves of a Tea Seller in Shanghai
Shelves of a Tea Seller in Shanghai

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Chinese Window Art

Posted on October 12th, 2015 by

Chinese Details

Another Chinese garden design element. This window at YuYuan Garden in Shanghai is another example of those great natural forms that Chinese artists bend to their will.

Chinese Window Art
Chinese Window Art

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Chinese Dog Carving at Lingyin Temple

Posted on October 5th, 2015 by

My Love of Random Sculptures

A quick photo today from my favorite part of Hangzhou…Lingyin temple. It’s probably an obvious photo for me to take at this point, but I just love the little details around Chinese gardens, monasteries and the like. The craftsmanship at the Lingyin area is exquisite and this little dog is no exception.

Chinese Dog Carving at Lingyin Temple
Chinese Dog Carving at Lingyin Temple

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Lingyin Temple Buddha Carving, Hangzhou, China

Posted on September 10th, 2015 by

Unknown Purpose

It is said the monk who built Lingyin temple came to the mountain and knew he must build a monastery there. The guide said nobody was sure why, but I know. In all the chaos of people, the noise, the wild energies without purpose, you can feel it there…You can feel the peace of the soul of the world. It is different than Sedona, but I know why so many Native tribes were called to that place as well. The soul of the world is present, all around, IN all things, IS all things. I believe there are places in the world where the vail is thinner, peace is deep in the Earth at Lingyin. One only needs to open up and begin to FEEL, to know that monks calling.

Lingyin Temple Buddha Carving, Hangzhou, China
Lingyin Temple Buddha Carving, Hangzhou, China

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 1 July, 2015
  • Focal length: 31mm
  • ISO: 1600
  • Shutter speed: 1/250s
  • Title: Lingyin Temple Buddha Carving, Hangzhou, China

Shapes in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China

Posted on September 7th, 2015 by

Two Worlds

Chinese gardens are dizzying places full of zigzag paths, raised stairs, many, many buildings…it all leads to confusion. Their path madness is said to bewilder evil spirits who must travel in a straight line. I must have a lot in common with these evil spirits. Most of the time I am confused if I have visited a particular area of Yuyuan Garden. I have been there several times and each I have forced myself to surrender to the chaos and just let myself be…to flow though the place.

Shapes in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China
Shapes in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/5.6
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 2 July, 2015
  • Focal length: 20mm
  • ISO: 640
  • Shutter speed: 1/320s
  • Title: Shapes in Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai, China.psd

Guardian at Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai China

Posted on September 3rd, 2015 by

Ancient Guard

This dog, lion or spirit guards (with its companion flanking the other side) one of the entrances to Yuyuan Gardens in Shanghai. You see these statues all over China guarding places from evil spirits or marauding bandits. I always grab a shot of their fierceness and love trying to find new ways to see them when processing.

Guardian at Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai China
Guardian at Yuyuan Garden, Shanghai China

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I Heart Shanghai

Posted on August 31st, 2015 by

I ♥ SH

Pudong and The Bund feel a bit like a circus. Not because there are hawkers at every turn (there are not), but because of the massive numbers of people gawking at Pudong. You literally wade through people to get to an open viewing spot. Often you have to wait for a viewing spot, though if you just get away from the main stairs you will own gawking will be much easier. Once you are at the rivers edge, you are greeted with thew awesome site that is Pudong, if the Ringling Bros. were architects, they would be proud.

I Heart Shanghai
I Heart Shanghai

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