China - Visiting the chairman

  • No entrance

    The center of Beijing is dominated by the enormous walled area of the former imperial palace, where the emperor uncontested ruled the empire. Construction began in 1406 and the last emperor abdicated in 1912.

    Hall of Supreme Harmony in Forbidden City, Beijing

  • Guardians

    The roofs are protected by various mythological creatures.

    Forbidden City, Beijing

  • A pile of bricks

    In the 7th century BC minor walls were built to protect the vassal states. These were linked together during the Qin Dynasty in 200 BC, forming the original Great Wall to keep out the marauding nomads in the north.

    Great Wall, Badaling section

  • Run for the hills

    Sometimes the ascent gets a little bit steep.

    Climbing the Great Wall at Badaling

  • Backseat gamer

    Street in Beijing

  • Spot the foreigner

    I blend in like a chameleon in Asia.

    Reine in the Beijing subway

  • A day in the life

    The traditional hutongs are narrow alleys formed by lines of residential houses. During the last 50 years a lot of hutongs have been demolished to make way for modern buildings.

    A hutong in Beijing

  • Modest crib

    Archery Tower, Beijing

  • Go bananas

    We managed to find a nice club in the middle of nowhere, getting quite a lot of attention since we were almost the only foreigners in there.

    Banana Club, Beijing

  • The sound of music

    We came across this odd building where someone was singing Chinese songs.

    Tiantan park, Beijing

  • Beneath the kites

    The sculpture is called Wuyue Feng (May Wind), but it's probably a Transformer in disguise.

    May Fourth Square, Qingdao

  • The dying sun

    Qingdao

  • The old man and the sea

    Reine in Qingdao

  • Hit the road

    Qingdao

  • Men with hats

    Most of the vendors at the annual festival were crazy. These funny guys were singing and joking all the time.

    Qingdao

  • Departure

    We left Qingdao as the sun set and boarded the ferry towards Korea.

    Reine in Qingdao harbor

  • Across the Yellow Sea

    Yellow Sea