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.
January 22nd 2007Asia » China » Tibet » Gyantse The second half of our journey through Tibet was as amazing as the first. We drove to Shigatse, Tibet's second largest city. A new highway had recently been completed linking the two cities. Though ... 23 photos[full story]
April 29th 2008Asia » China » Tibet » Gyantse Nov 2004 TIBET
"Give yourself to the journey....Do only what you do not regret and fill yourself with joy." I read these words from the Dhammapa ... [full story]
November 7th 2007Asia » China » Tibet » Gyantse
We had decided that we wanted to do a trip to Everest Base Camp (normally a five day round trip from Lhasa) as we may never have the opportunity again, so we spent a few days running around checking ... 23 photos[full story]
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