China, the Dragon is awake!
This is a collection of images of China, mostly iconic, that was taken between 1992 and 2001. So, if you are looking for images of the new Beijing or Shanghai then this is not the place for you. David Beal shot these for major Mutli-screen AVs that Audience Motivation produced for a number of major corporate conventions staged in Beijing in the middle 1990's. This was prior to the advent of high quality video projection and computer controlled multi-slide projection was used. Over 3 tonnes of equipment was shipped to China for the events.
The Great Wall
In the early 1990's there were a small number of access points for tourists close to Beijing, at Badaling and Mutianyu. These were built during the Ming Dynasty, and were the first sections of the Wall to be opened to the public in 1957. By 2004 over 41.8 million foreigners visited the Great Wall.
The People
There are lots of them, 1.4 billion and counting. Most are very nice, although some don't like being photographed, so there are no model releases.
Close-up
While the new soaring cities and historical monuments are truly impressive it is often the close-up detail that reflects the essence of the place.
Sunday Market
Markets spring up anywhere there is an opportunity and a space. Come Sunday morning an empty building site is suddenly a thriving market of new and old antiques spead out on a piece of newspaper.
Temple of Heaven
A complex of Temples (halls) and gardens that date back to 1420. The centrepiece is the 'Hall of Prayer for Good Harvest', The complex is known today as The Temple of Heaven.
Architecture
While there is some stunning 21st century architecture in the major cities it is hard not to be awed and amazed by the likes of The Forbidden City, The Great Wall and The Temple of Heaven and many, many more wonderful structures.
The Great Wall
The longest man-made structure in the World. The length of all Chinese defensive walls built over the last 2,000 years is approximately 31,000 miles.
Markets
You can buy anything and everything in the markets, fresh vegetables, fish & poultry, goldfish, singing birds, new and old antiques. Have a haircut from a street barber, or dine on a huge variety of exotic dishes.
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