China 2013

Julie and I were invited to China for a two-week trip to speak at Shanghai Sport University, Nanjing Sport Institute, and Capital Institute of Physical Education in Beijing. We also visited the city of Xian. It was mostly a sightseeing trip organized by our friend Enyi Cai, who worked for Human Kinetics and now directs KinesWorld, HK's distributor in China. We were treated royally by each of the hosts in each city. We found the people friendly and gracious. Unfortunately the air pollution is oppressive and the road traffic is chaotic. In these photos, we try to give you a flavor for our Chinese experience.

Another building within the Forbidden City.
China 101
The Forbidden City was abandoned as the center of government in 1912 when the new era of China began.
China
Although the pollution was not as bad in Beijing when we were there it was common to see people wearing masks as this woman was in the Forbidden City.
China
This young lad was curious about us foreign visitors and he tried out the English he was learning in school. We found the people very warm.
China 102
We had a unique dining experience after seeing the Forbidden City. We went to a famous Peking Duck restaurant where they brought out the whole cooked duck and carved it before us. Then we took the small slices, dipped it in a sauce, combined it with some vegetables, and placed it in a wrap similar to a soft shell fajita.
China
Our evening ended with a walk through a major commercial street near our hotel.
China
The next day was special. We drove about 2 hours from Beijing to the Great Wall of China. We arrived just before sunrise and walked a brief part of the wall here without any other people present. I had taught 9th grade world geography at Hellgate High School in Missoula, Montana in 1966 and remember telling the students about the Great Wall, and now here I am walking on it myself!
China 103
The Great Wall was begun in the 7th Century BC and extended in a east-west direction. The actual wall is over 3,000 miles long as it twists and winds over the mountainous countryside.
China 106
The Great Wall, built primarily to protect China from marauding tribes to the Norh, also include watch towers and garrisons to house soldiers.
China 104
Much of the Wall has been rebuilt and now well maintained as a major tourist attraction.
China 107
As we walked the wall we enjoyed watching the people exploring this great landmark.
China 108
This young lady was delighted to be climbing the Wall.
China 110
As the Wall serpentines through the mountains you can see the thousands of people who visit it each day.
China 109
Another senior visiting the Great Wall.
China 105
Upon return to Beijing we visited the Prince Kung Mansion. This is a painting on the wall on the Mansion grounds.
China 111
One of many buildiings located on the grounds of the Mansion. It's in the heart of Beijing and is the best preserved mansion of the Qing Dynasty.
China 113
The grounds of the mansion cover 60,000 square meters and was built by Heshen, a prime minister of the Qing Dynasty which reigned from 1736 to 1796.
China 112
As we were leaving the Mansion I caught these fellows excited about seeing a beautiful woman walking by.
China 114
We then strolled the streets trying to capture the heartbeat of the city away from major tourist sites. We saw many bicycle rickshaws as shown here.
China 116
And another rickshaw.
China 115
And a parade of them.
China 117
A little gambling on the street. See the money on the ground.
China 118
A guard at work.
China 119
A refreshment stand selling fruits on sticks.
China 120
We came upon a corner where folks were flying kites at very high altitudes. One of the gentlemen let me hold his kite with this elaborate reel.
China 122
He is 82 years old and was having a ball flying his kite.
China 121
Enough street photography. Lets go eat again. This is a "hot pot" with boiling water. You grab a piece of meat, as seen here, or mushrooms and place them in the water which cooks them quickly. Its a lot like fondue cooking.
China 123
After a night's rest we were ready for more street walking. This time it was the Olympic Parkway (remember the 2008 Olympics in Beijing). This structure is being built along the parkway. We did not find out its purpose.
China 124
We saw this couple doing Tai Chi in the park. They had just finished but we asked them if they would do another exercise. They happily put on the music and performed a beautiful routine for us.
China 125
We thanked them.
China 126
It was Sunday morning on the Olympic Parkway and the vendors were out.
China 127
Now how did she ride that bike to this location?
China 128
A little farther along the Parkway we saw this group exercising using nordic walking sticks. We were told these are informal gatherings where anyone can participate or not.
China 129
The children were adorable.
China 133
Here is a group of people who were singing traditional Chinese songs. We were told that they too come together voluntarily to participate.
China 131
We saw quite a few examples of people gathering in public places to participate in their favorite activities.
China 132
Near the group singing, was this group of mostly ladies dancing.
China 130
A little farther down the Olympic Parkway was the Bird's Nest, the Olympic Stadium.
China 135
The architecture is certainly unique.
China 134
I could almost see the 100 meter race and hear the roar of the crowd as Usain Bolt from Jamaica blew away the competition with a 9.69 second run.
China 136
On the other half of the stadium this scaffolding was being built to bring ski jumping into the stadium.
China 137
Just being a photographer!
China 138
The Olympic Torch.
China 139
A rusting statue along the Olympic Parkway.
China 140
We made a quick visit to the Summer Palace in Beijing. This is where the kings, queens, and emperors played in the summer.
China 141
The Summer Palace sits next to a large lake with this stone houseboat as a monument. From the Summer Palace we visited Tshinghua University. The next day we visited three more universities and institutes and then returned to the US.
China 142

Martens Photo Gallery

China 2013