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