Photos & words
Hu Jintao visits Denmark 2012
Today I went to see Hu Jintao in Copenhagen - meet with my lao pengyou Anders Kjær at The Queens Palace and got one shot of the Danish Queen and Hu Jintao - hen hao. Notice - no chinese flags anywhere in Copenhagen ..:-(
Meeting the Party Leader in Tangzhi
I was granted a one-hour interview with the local Party Leader of Tangzhi, who shared insights into the daily management of the "Cun" (administrative village) under his responsibility. Interestingly, he is elected by the local residents and has held his position for over 15 to 20 years.In a rapidly changing China, leaders like him serve as the bridge between the central government's policies and the practical reality of rural life. His long tenure speaks volumes about the local continuity and his standing within the community.
The Family Grave Site
As is tradition, we visited the family grave site in the village to burn ceremonial offerings—here, large denominations of ancestor money. Note that these spirit banknotes feature the portrait of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang.
Newborn Celebration in Tangzhi
During our week-long stay in the small township of Tangzhi (population 3,000), we were invited to a celebration for a newborn. It was a festive event involving several dinners and quite a lot of beer!
The food was served on plastic plates at plastic tables and chairs—simple and authentic. Many of the local men were eager to toast with 'the foreigner,' and I must admit, I ended up quite drunk by the time dinner was over!
The Endless Landscape: Flying into Chongqing
From the air, you get a true sense of China’s vast scale. Visible here are just a few of the nation's more than two million villages. In the Chinese administrative system, these smaller settlements are grouped into units known as "Cun" (Administrative Villages).There are approximately 600,000 to 700,000 of these "Cun" across the country, each typically comprising 5 to 7 smaller hamlets. Seeing them scattered across the rugged terrain as you approach Chongqing puts the immense population and the rural-urban divide into a powerful perspective.
Factory Workers in Dongguan
We visited a couple of factories in Dongguan, a massive industrial hub located between Guangzhou and Shenzhen. This particular facility produced suitcases. The woman in the photo is putting the finishing touches on a suitcase, gluing and soldering the interior lining and mesh. Most of the employees here are migrant workers from other provinces, living in dormitories provided by the companies where they work.
Rismarkerne i Guangdong - set fra toget
I Dongguang-provinsen er årets 2. udplantning af ris i gang. Markerne er dækket af vand og risen udplantes herefter. Selv i relative flade områder som her, må de enkelte marker nivelleres så overfalden er fuldstændig vandret, og vandet således ikke løber bort.
The Lifeline of Xi'an: Reservoir in the Qinling Mountains
About 100 km west of Xi'an lie the massive mountain ranges that separate Shaanxi Province from Sichuan. We drove deep into these mountains to see this immense dam and the vast reservoir it has created. This engineering marvel serves as the primary water source for Xi'an’s 6 to 7 million inhabitants.The Qinling Mountains act as a natural climate divide between North and South China, and seeing this reservoir in person truly puts the scale of urban infrastructure into perspective—it is the hidden heart that keeps the great ancient capital running.
Massive Residential Development Everywhere
Surrounding all of China’s major cities—and even the smaller ones—is a scale of residential construction that is simply staggering. New housing estates are springing up everywhere, with construction cranes stretching their necks as if competing to see who can erect the next skyscraper the fastest. But it leaves one wondering: Who is going to live in all these new homes, and more importantly, who has the money to afford them?
At 300 km/h: Crossing the Shaanxi Mountains
Speeding at 300 km/h, we traveled from the 'ghost city' of Dawu (see more under 'Words...') toward Xi'an, passing the impressive mountain massifs of southwestern Shaanxi Province. While I haven't traveled much by rail in China before, I have come to thoroughly enjoy the view from the train's panoramic windows. It is a fantastic way to witness the sheer scale of the country.
Construction Workers Taking a Midday Nap
We visited a few construction sites in Xi'an, including the site for Huawei's new R&D center. In the sweltering 39°C heat, the workers take a two-hour lunch break in the middle of the day. This time is often used for a quick nap on a sheet of plywood or whatever material is at hand.
A walk in the countryside
To be honest, not many people understood why I insisted on walking the two kilometers to the village in 35-degree heat—but I did it anyway. We spent a few hours there, and Qu had the chance to catch up with many old acquaintances from her childhood. Pictured here are Qu and her nephew
The Man-Made Reservoir of Tangchi
Located just outside Tangchi township, this lake was excavated as a water reservoir in 1960 during the "Great Leap Forward." Qu’s grandmother and grandfather both participated in the grueling manual labor of digging this lake.It is a place of somber memory; during the construction, many people in the area perished due to the widespread famine that ravaged the country at the time. What appears today as a peaceful lake stands as a silent monument to the hardships endured by Qu's family and their generation.
Breakfast Dilemmas
At 4-star hotels, you can always find a couple of slices of toast and some fried eggs, which is my go-to choice. However, I can’t help but feel a bit "primitive" when I see the locals enjoying a massive breakfast buffet. Usually, it consists of 10 to 20 different hot dishes: soups, noodles, stir-fried vegetables, meat, mushrooms, dumplings, and much more.I must admit, I’m just not built for Chinese cuisine in the morning if I can avoid it! My two fried eggs are often supplemented by a croissant from a nearby cafe to complete the ritual.
Residential Buildings from 1997
Although these buildings were not even 20 years old at the time, they already looked at least 50 or 60 years old. These properties are slated for demolition, after which the residents are expected to purchase new, expensive apartments—a prospect they are not at all enthusiastic about. The lack of general maintenance on residential buildings is almost incomprehensible through Danish eyes!
fra Beijing til Wuhan
med high-speed toget fra Beijing til Wuhan på 4 timer og 15 min, gennemsnitsfart over 300 km timen.billetpris 520 Yuan pr per.
View from the 51st Floor
This shot was taken from the 51st floor of the Jing Guang Centre apartments, offering a spectacular bird's-eye view of Beijing's Third Ring Road. To the left, you can see the iconic CCTV Headquarters—often nicknamed "The Big Underpants" by locals due to its radical, angular design. This area, the CBD (Central Business District), is the architectural heart of modern Beijing, where the city’s rapid transformation is most visible.
Landing in Beijing
The airport is located 35 km east of the city. This view looks toward Eastern Beijing, where you can spot some of the high-rise clusters on the horizon. We are staying in one of those towers—the Jing Guang Centre Apartments.Notice the lush green golf course in the foreground, contrasted by the blue-roofed factories to the right. It’s a perfect illustration of the diverse landscape that meets you when approaching the capital.
Decaying Architecture in a Changing City
One of the most striking contrasts in China is the juxtaposition of the old and the new. Here, a decaying residential building in Wuhan, Hubei Province, stands as a reminder of the past. These weathered structures are rapidly disappearing, often standing in the shadow of the glass and steel skyscrapers that have come to define the modern Chinese skyline.
Chinese friends
A group of chinese media people came by our house , and we invited them for a cup of tea .. and a beer. Very nice company, and when we later that summer traveled to China, I gave an interview to one friend of these people who worked at China International Radio
Hongcun: A Living Water-Ink Painting
Nestled at the southwestern foot of the majestic Yellow Mountain (Huangshan) in Anhui Province, the ancient village of Hongcun is a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture. Known as the "Village in a Chinese Painting," it is famous for its unique ox-shaped layout and its sophisticated canal system that flows past every household.The village's central Moon Pond and the expansive South Lake act as perfect mirrors, reflecting the white-walled, gray-tiled houses of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking through Hongcun’s narrow stone alleys, you truly feel the harmony between water, mountain, and man that has been preserved here for over 900 years.
Beijing - a rainy day
I had just been to a bookstore (also that is quite big here) and bourght a lot of books to have sent home to Danmark. In bookstore they provided a postal service. Outside - rain pooring down .
Beijing subburbs
On the train to Beijing Airport I just shot this picture from the train. This is not at all close to Beijing centrum / but what must be the subburbs .
Summerpalace
Visited the Summerpalace in july with my Beijing friend Binbin.
Tianfu Square in Chengdu
Another big big and beautiful square in China - At Tianfu Sq. in Chengdu you can still see a big statue of Mao. To my knowledge this is the only city - apart from Mao's hometown - that still has a statue of Mao
New City in Guangzhou
Walking around the new city in Guangzhou is just like being in a fantasy world , fantasy and flashing light everywhere... spellbound !
Guangzhou at night
Guangzhou in the south of China , is a big / very big / and most beautiful city / not at least in the night time. Here the river as it looked from my ＣａｎｔｏｎLandmark Hotel. In the distance you get a glimse of the Canton TV tower / beautiful illuminated .
A Better Future: The Grandeur of Dalian
China is a land of massive public spaces, and Dalian is no exception. This monument stands at the edge of one of the city’s vast waterfront squares in Northeast China (Dongbei), situated just a few hundred kilometers from the North Korean border.Dalian is a city with a unique history, influenced by both Russian and Japanese colonial architecture, but today it is a symbol of modern Chinese maritime power and urban planning. The scale of the monument and the open horizon reflect the city's ambition and its role as a "Gateway to the North."
Guangxi provinse
In Guangxi provinse I visited Liuzhou , Guilin , Yangzhou and Nanning.
Poor Village
visited a poor village some 50 km outside Chengdu - so quiert and peacefull and poor. Here not much feeling of the fast growing economy in China.
Sichuan HotPot
Oil cooking and spicy - this is the famours Sichuan Hotpot - my friend Rong had the pig's lung - I stayed with my meat.
Make my day
On Friday travelling from Liuzhuo to Guangzhou , these small cold Ness cafe, made my waiting hours i Guilin Airport a little easier. Going outside the big cities it a good idea to bring your own Nes-cafe, as you don't come around many coffee shops in China.
Mao restaurant
From my favorite restaurant in Liuzhuo, with Chairman Mao posing on the walls .
School class in Liuzhuo
I had a lesson with these wonderfull school children - about 50 childen in each class. My shirt is sucking wet .. so hard to be a teacher ;-)
Guillin boat trip
My new chinese girlfriends on a 3 hours trip from Guilin to yangzhuo - we all spoke a very little english and chinese. So much fun !
Pudong Island
Opposite the Bund the island of Pudong with the radiotower. The Pudong industrial and commercial site has been devoloped since early 1990's
morning trafic
My first morning in Beijing -had to find a way to cross the street. Difficult when right turn is legal at red light. Trafic is something else in China. I stayed at Jianguo Hotel Qianmen in Xicheng district - just west of Temple of Heaven (her hjørnet af Hufang-lu og Luoma-dajie )
Railwaystation
The waitingroom #4 at Hangzhou railwaystation - aproxamately about 800 people in each of the 4 waitingroom. But very organized and smoot working
morning seightseeing
Thought I would have a quiet morning by the West Lake i Hangzhou, but No Way. From early morning 1000's of Chinese tourists crowed the place, that Marco Polo described as one of the most beautiful places on earth. The Chinese saying is : In the sky is the Heavens on earth is Hangzhou!
Nanjing road
The walking street - Nanjing Rd. - only one thing missing here - more outdoors cafe's.
Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party
Located in the heart of the former French Concession, this traditional shikumen (stone-gate) house was the secret meeting place for the 1st National Congress of the Communist Party of China in July 1921. At the time, only 13 delegates—representing just over 50 members nationwide—gathered here to change the course of Chinese history. Today, the area is known as Xintiandi, a vibrant district where carefully preserved historical architecture meets modern luxury and high-end boutiques.
The Great Wall
I went up to Mutianyu where a lift takes you up the top off the wall. Really no people here - and a beautiful view over the surronding mountains ... and then this wall - Great YES!
How to buy a notebook
Two nice young chinise help me buying a netbook PC. This actually took hours - and I got a Acer Aspire One for 3000 Yuan, and a Chinise Windows;-)