![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_greatwall1.jpg)
The Great Wall
The Great Wall of China in late fall
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_greatwall2.jpg)
The Great Wall
If you travel far enough, you can escape most tourists
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_greatwall3.jpg)
The Great Wall
Once built as borders to defend enemy attacks, it now tries to block off the smog
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_greatwall4.jpg)
The Great Wall
First built in 220 B.C., it was since refurbished many times. Especially near Beijing
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_forbiddencity.jpg)
The Forbidden City
Once the political centre of an empire, it now slowly hides in smog
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_museum.jpg)
Palace Museum
Many parts of the Forbidden City are now open for tourists
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_emperorschair.jpg)
Throne
Just one of many thrones in the Forbidden City
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_door.jpg)
Door
A door in the old part of town, found in Beijing
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_restaurant.jpg)
Small Restaurant
Food is the center of Chinese life. How could it not be with such cozy restaurants?
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_foodstreet.jpg)
Food Street
The food street in Beijing has a very high density of restaurants. In the evening, it can get very crowded
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/bj15_mao.jpg)
Snow Fall
It can get colder than -20 °C in Beijing, so snowfall should not be a surprise in late fall
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Xi Hu
West Lake in the morning
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hz16_xihulamp.jpg)
Stone Lamp
A stone lamp in a lake that is lit after sundown
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Boater
For a small fee this boater will take you to the middle of West Lake, Hangzhou
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hz16_afterrain.jpg)
After the Rain
Hangzhou is perhaps one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Of course such rich flora needs a lot of rain
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hz16_centipede.jpg)
Centipede
There are but few insects in the cities. But once you get to the more rural parts, you can discover plenty animals and insects
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hz16_tanddynasty.jpg)
Tang Dynasty
Hangzhou features amazing architecture from the Tang dynasty. A style that impressed Japanese, too
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hz16_paradise.jpg)
Reflection
Blue sky is mirrored in a quiet part of the river
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hz16_boat.jpg)
Old Boat
An old private boat that hasn't been used in a while
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hz16_split.jpg)
Staying Young
In parks you will find many people practicing Tai Chi, dance or rarely even self-defense. But not everybody knows kung fu fighting
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/hz16_xihutemple.jpg)
West Lake Temple
An evening shot of West Lake, Hangzhou
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/jn16_diver.jpg)
Diver
The amazing part is not that the old man is still fit enough to do a header, but that he dives into a spring in the middle of Jinan, surrounded by houses
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Floating Geese
A group of geese conquered a floating piece of wood and they seem determinant to protect it
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Spring City
Jinan is also called the Spring City for its many artesian springs
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/jn16_temple.jpg)
Small Temple
In the middle of a small island I was impressed to find a such detailed little temple
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/jn16_tempest.jpg)
Tempest
An old boat is docked before the storm comes
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Tattoo
I found a group of men playing volleyball at the beach in Qingdao. All of them had impressive tattoos on their back
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/qd16_theocean.jpg)
Qingdao
Qingdao was introduced to me as China's most liveable city. The air quality is amazing, food is diverse and the beer is easily the best in the country
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/jn16_panda.jpg)
Panda
Of you go to China, you have to go see a panda, the nation's mascot. Even if it's only in a zoo
![](https://www.klauseulenbach.de/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/jn16_starvingcat.jpg)
Hunger
A cat that does not seem to have a master decides to go looking for food on its own