Architecture
The symmetry of Chinese temple architecture.
Personal-Travel-Photo-Review: observing the symmetry of temple structures in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Xi’an, China, 2010.
Architecture
Architecture
Architecture
The defensive wall of Xi’an, China.
Personal-Travel-Photo-Review: the defensive wall of Xi’an, China, 2010. If you ever get the chance to bike the 8.5 mile wall of Xi-an, do it. (That’s me on the bike) Originally constructed in 618 – 907ce, (modified 1368-1644) it is one of the largest ancient military defensive systems in the world with elegant corner guardhouses. They have an annual festival on its ramparts consisting of colorful cartoon characters. Inside the wall is a mix of modern and ancient neighborhoods, including ancient temples and one of the oldest Muslim quarters in China because it was on the silk and spice roads. Xi-an is also the home of the Terracotta-Warriors. Fascinating place!
Architecture
Terra-cotta Warriors
The China tourism bureau had just completed the new Disneyland-like attraction outside Xi’an when I arrived to see the terra-cotta warriors in 2010. There are three airplane hanger size enclosures to view the site, as well as a large museum. The site is not fully explored, and there is much to do to preserve what’s left. Most notably, the warriors brightly colored paint fade immediately upon contact with air, so the archeologists only excavate sections at a time while they test new preservation methods. The amazing thing is, that there are many other burial sites like it nearby. Like
Cairo Egypt and the Giza Plateau, it is an area of oversize funeary complexes, and ancient history we in the west barely comprehend.
