8. Temple of Heaven: The typical current usage by Beijing citizens. (The majority of Chinese don’t believe in any organized religion, anyway.)
9. … however, if you are an anxious pedestrian in the Hutong district of Beijing and feel an urge for an immediate support, this niche is available for you off the side walk for self-service…
10. In the Hutong district of Beijing: The gardens of a (historical) residence of a Mandarin.
16. Xian: A modern park next to the Wild Goose Pagoda (in the background).
17. Xian: A governmentally owned and operated factory for Classical Chinese furniture & decor. They do negotiate prices, though, as a part of the trend toward a “Market Economy”
19. The Buddha in Leshan is the biggest in the world. It was carved in the mountain throughout the 8th century. It faces the river to protect against repeated floods.
41. A lovely secondary tributary to the Yangtze that is going to disappear as a consequence of the Yangtze giant dam project (the largest in the world)
52. By the Li River, farmer family members at their rice field in their last effort after sunset
53.
54. Li River after sunset: A traditional fisherman on a bamboo barge / boat is doing a highly efficient job using a kerosene lantern to attract fish and cormorant birds to catch them for him. (This Li River scenery appears in many Chinese paintings, and even on the current 2 Yuan money bill.)