Embedded Files
Heilongjiang Province
What was China like 20 years ago?
The early years in ones own chapter are often shrouded in mystery. For some, the early years have been polished into an ideal "Once upon a time..." story. For others they change with each telling of the story. Words and pictures can be twisted to suit a particular context, and I am not without the temptation to employ dramatic effects. In telling my story about China, there is no need for artifice. I have captured China with my eyes and these pictures are (largely) free from alteration.
Harbin
In China my first curious encounter was seeing an incredible level of Russian cultural influence from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Harbin was dotted with western style buildings, including onion domed Russian churches. Even behind my apartment there was a dilapidated old Russian style church! Harbin, with its familiar western architectural facades made my transition into this fascinating new world pulsating with energy on ever level infinitely easier. I instantly fell in love with Harbin's architecture. Its sky was filled with competing skyscrapers, reaching higher and higher as a proclamation of man's ingenuity, and among them stood dwarfed remnants of the city's colourful Russian, Jewish, Japanese, and of course Chinese, history.
Harbin is probably best known for the annual Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival. Temperatures often lower than minus 20 degrees Celsius from November to February and the occasional snowfall make this city ideal for such activities. The festival gained in popularity as media outlets trumpeted about it nation and world-wide, and individuals tweeted about it on the many Chinese social media platforms. Today it is one of the chief attractions of the winter holiday season.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse