Background: For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.
June 23rd 2008Asia » China » Beijing » Great Wall of China Hello Friends of Concern:
23 June 2008: On this date, it began hailing about 30 minutes after we paid to walk the Badaling section of the Great Wall - Badalinng, China. We stayed on the Wall for ... 5 photos[full story]
July 14th 2008Asia » China » Beijing » Great Wall of China Rain and mysticism surrounded us as we ascended the Great Wall at Mutienyu. Meg and the boys were taking the gondola up - I took the stairs. I started quickly, leaping up the steps two at a time. ... [full story]
July 14th 2008Asia » China » Beijing » Great Wall of China Nach einem wunderschönen, wenn auch anstregenden Wochenende, hab ich heute endlich mal wieder ein bisschen Zeit um Fotos hochzuladen. Der Text steht in diesem Blog im Hintergrund(drum gibt es auch so ... [full story]
July 13th 2008Asia » China » Beijing » Great Wall of China We began our adventures today with a tour of the most prominent jade factory in Beijing. We learned the process of jade crafting, how to tell the quality of jade, and how to value it. Then they set ... 5 photos[full story]
June 30th 2008Asia » China » Beijing » Great Wall of China Nearly everyone has heard of the huge stone wall known as the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall of China was built to protect the Chinese Empire from invaders.
This wall is huge and definitly w ... [full story]
June 25th 2008Asia » China » Beijing » Great Wall of China
Yesterday we climbed the Great Wall at Mutianyu, it is a section of the wall that is not very isolated but not as touristy as Badaling, it is sort of in the middle. We intended to go on a four hik ... [full story]
June 24th 2008Asia » China » Beijing » Great Wall of China
Today we are venturing to the Great Wall. Lauren tells me she will be bringing a backpack as well as me because we need to bring "quite a few things" and I know if you are anything like me, you a ... [full story]
June 23rd 2008Asia » China » Beijing » Great Wall of China I have been told throughout my life a series of lies. One such lie has to do with the Great Wall: That it is the only structure visible with the naked eye from space (or even the moon). 180 miles up ... [full story]
June 18th 2008Asia » China » Beijing » Great Wall of China This was a very full day!
We wanted to visit the Great Wall, but wanted to avoid the touristy Badaling section. Our guide took us to the Jongjiangguan section instead. Turns out, this is the steepest ... 156 photos[full story]
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