Images from around China by Mark Amy
Mark Amy Photography presents stunning images from all around China. With galleries ranging from the well-known major cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, to the less less well-known places such as Huangshan and Sanya, and the legendary, but much less visited, Shangri La.
Tiger Leaping Gorge
China Travelogue #1
So, why's it called Tiger Leaping Gorge? Well, Chinese legend speaks of a tiger using the large rock at the bottom of the gorge as a stepping stone, pictured above, to escape certain death at the hands of a hunter. How much of that is true, who knows, but it's a nice little anecdote to accompany the place, which is a World Heritage site and one of the deepest canyons on the world.
The Yangtze River runs through the gorge, which is situated north of Lijiang City in one of the most beautiful provinces, Yunnan, in south west China. The river itself is locally known as the "Golden Sands River" because of all the sand that gets churned up along the river bed. I wouldn't actually call it "golden" myself though....more like a dirty, muddy brown colour, but I guess the "Dirty Muddy Brown Sands River" doesn't have quite the same ring to it! Anyway, golden or muddy, the place is spectacular and a "must-see" for anyone visiting Yunnan.
Going back up the gorge, you can return the same way you came or you can take a different route. It's more hazardous and not recommended for vertigo sufferers, but it is a really beautiful trek. You start off nice and easy, walking through meadows with waterfalls cascading down the side of the mountain beside you, but then the climb starts! Going down is tiring enough, but the climb back up is a killer!
Up steep mountain pathways, which are bad enough in themselves, but then every so often you'll be bombarded with water droplets that seem to come out of nowhere. They can be refreshing, but torturous when you're trying to navigate a particularly scary part of the trek. Usually the parts with a sheer drop on one side and a rickety old chain that's been hammered into the mountain for you to hold on to on the other.
See more photos and read more about Tiger Leaping Gorge, and about other places at My China Travelogues
Featured in "Today's Best" on Zazzle
The first time I went to Beijing I was really looking forward to seeing this building after all the pictures I'd seen of it on the net. It's the ultra-modern new Center for Performing Arts. I wasn't disappointed either, it's amazing! It looks great in the daytime, but in the evening, when it's all lit up and there's no wind so you get a perfect reflection of the building reflected in the pool of water that surrounds it, it's such a great sight!
When I was looking at the building, it really reminded me of a spaceship or like something out of War of the Worlds because it looks so futuristic, so when I was putting it on Zazzle I called the poster/prints & mouse pad etc. "War of the Worlds".
Actually, in real life, the building is a lot more oval-shaped, it's also known as "The Egg", but I shot it with a wide angle lens, which ended up including too much foreground, so I experimented with cropping it and changing the length and width, and thought the end result looked really effective.
China Facts #10
The Great Wall of China is NOT visible from outer space because it's too thin. It's just a myth that it can be seen. The only man-made structures visible from space are: The Pyramids of Giza and the Hoover Dam.
Cloud Bridge Mousepad
Like a scene from 'Lord of the Rings"
Cloud Bridge Mousepad
Like a scene from 'Lord of the Rings", this mouse pad features a photo of the spectacular "cloud bridge" that connects two mountains high up in the clouds at Yellow Mountain in Huangshan.
$15.15
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Highest Quality Mousepads
* No minimum order - save when you buy in bulk
* Durable cloth cover is dust and stain resistant
* Non-slip backing keeps your mouse moving while the mousepad stays in place
* 9.25"x7.75" - Perfect size for home or office
Images of China on Gift Items
Tiananmen Postage
Postage featuring a photograph of Tiananmen Gate, which is the entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing.
Tiananmen Postage
Postage featuring a photograph of Tiananmen Gate, which is the entrance to the Forbidden City in Beijing.
$23.00 (sheet of 20 x 42c - large)
Product Information
Large size: The very best way to show off images and designs with your mail. This size has the largest image area available on custom postage anywhere! It's so large that it's recommended only for standard letter envelopes (#10) or bigger. Makes a great gift!
Images of China on Gift Items
China Facts #9
The 14th century Chinese developed the world's first tinted glasses! The honourable, inscrutable judges wore glasses tinted with smoke to conceal their emotions during trials.
Beijing is China's second largest city, after Shanghai
Beijing is a metropolis in northern China and the capital of the Peoples Republic of China.
It is one of the four municipalities of the PRC, which are equivalent to provinces in China's administrative structure. Beijing is one of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China. The municipality of Beijing borders Hebei Province to the north, west, south, and for a small section in the east, and Tianjin Municipality to the southeast.
Beijing is China's second largest city, after Shanghai. Beijing is a major transportation hub, with dozens of railways, roads and motorways passing through the city. It is also the focal point of many international flights to China. Beijing is recognized as the political, educational, and cultural center of the People's Republic of China, while Shanghai and Hong Kong predominate in economic fields. The city hosted the 2008 Olympic Games.
Few cities in the world besides Beijing have served as the political and cultural center of an area as immense as China for so long. The Encyclopedia Britannica describes it as, "One of the world's great cities," and declares, "The city has been an integral part of China's history over the past eight centuries, and nearly every major building of any age in Beijing has at least some national historical significance." Beijing is renowned for its opulent palaces, temples, and huge stone walls and gates. Its art treasures and universities have long made the city a center of culture and art in China.
Hong Kong Mousepad
Night view from Victoria Peak
Night time view of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak
A mouse pad featuring a night cityscape view over the skyscrapers of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak.
$15.15
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Highest Quality Mousepads
* No minimum order - save when you buy in bulk
* Durable cloth cover is dust and stain resistant
* Non-slip backing keeps your mouse moving while the mousepad stays in place
* 9.25"x7.75" - Perfect size for home or office
Images of China on Gift Items
Shanghai World Financial Center
China Travelogue #2
The building to the left is the new Shanghai World Financial Center aka SWFC. The building on the right is the Jin Mao Tower, which was China's tallest building until the SWFC was completed. Work began on the SWFC in 1997, suspended mid-way due to the Asian financial crisis and then completed in 2008 making it the tallest building in China, including Hong Kong, and the 3rd tallest building in the world.
The Jin Mao currently houses the world's tallest hotel, the Grand Hyatt Shanghai situated on the 53rd to the 87th floors, however this will become the world's 2nd tallest once the new Park Hyatt Shanghai hotel in the SWFC opens.
At the very top of the SWFC is an observation deck, which opened to the public on August 30th 2008. The observation deck is on 3 levels with the highest view being at a height of 474 meters (1,555ft) above sea level.
The most striking feature on this modern, new building is the opening at the top of the building between the top 2 observation decks, designed to reduce the stress of wind pressure. This opening was originally designed to be circular because in Chinese mythology the earth is represented by a square and the sky by a circle, and the circular shape is very common in Chinese moon gates, which can often be seen in Chinese gardens. The circular design for this building however met protest from Chinese people because it too closely resembled the rising sun design on the Japanese flag, so the design was changed to make it more rectangular.
See views from the Shanghai World Financial Center and read about other places at My China Travelogues
Recommended Books about China
The most highly rated books on China
China Shakes the World: A Titan's Rise and Troubled Future -- and the Challenge for America
Amazon Price: $9.72 (as of 12/07/2009) 
China Road: A Journey into the Future of a Rising Power
Amazon Price: $11.56 (as of 12/07/2009)
China (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 12/07/2009)
China Survival Guide: How to Avoid Travel Troubles and Mortifying Mishaps
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/07/2009)
The China Study: The Most Comprehensive Study of Nutrition Ever Conducted and the Startling Implications for Diet, Weight Loss and Long-term Health
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/07/2009)
Panda Postage
A Chinese giant panda
Panda Postage
A Chinese giant panda eating bamboo in its habitat at Ocean Park in Hong Kong.
$27.25 (sheet of 20 x 59c - large)
Product Information
Large size: The very best way to show off images and designs with your mail. This size has the largest image area available on custom postage anywhere! It's so large that it's recommended only for standard letter envelopes (#10) or bigger. Makes a great gift!
Images of China on Gift Items
China Facts #8
Ketchup originates from the Chinese word ke-tsiap. China didn't make it with tomatoes though. It was a spicy, pickled fish sauce made of anchovies, walnuts, mushrooms and kidney beans.
Giant Panda from China
The Giant Panda is a mammal classified in the bear family
Native to central-western and southwestern China. The Giant Panda was previously thought to be a member of the Procyonidae family (raccoons and their relatives). It is easily recognized by its large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, over the ears, and across its round body. Though belonging to the order Carnivora, the Giant Panda has a diet which is 99% bamboo. The Giant Panda may eat other foods such as honey, eggs, fish, yams, shrub leaves, oranges, and bananas when available.
The Giant Panda lives in a few mountain ranges in central China, in Sichuan, Shaanxi, and Gansu provinces. It once lived in lowland areas, but farming, forest clearing, and other development now restrict the Giant Panda to the mountains.
The Giant Panda is an endangered species and highly threatened. According to the latest report, China has 239 Giant Pandas in captivity and another 27 living outside the country. It also estimated that around 1,590 pandas are currently living in the wild. However, a 2006 study, via DNA analysis, estimated that there might be as many as 2,000 to 3,000 Giant Pandas in the wild. Though reports show that the numbers of wild pandas are on the rise,Giant panda gives birth to giant cub the International Union for Conservation of Nature believes there is not enough certainty to remove the Giant Panda from the endangered animal list.
While the dragon has historically served as China's national emblem, in recent decades the Giant Panda has also served as an emblem for the country. Its image appears on a large number of modern Chinese commemorative silver, gold, and platinum coins. The species is a favorite of the public, at least in part because many people find that it has a baby-like cuteness. Also, it is usually depicted reclining peacefully eating bamboo, as opposed to hunting, which adds to its image of innocence. Though the Giant Panda is often assumed to be docile, it has been known to attack humans, presumably out of irritation rather than predatory behavior.
Sunshine Valley - Poster & Prints
Sunlight pours down the mountain and into the valley, lighting up Yubeng Village
Sunshine Valley Poster & Prints
Sunlight pours down the mountain and into the valley, lighting up Yubeng Village at the base of Meili Snow Mountain. Yubeng Village is in Shangri La, Yunnan Province, south west China.
from $13.80
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Quality
* The most brilliant colors
* The highest quality frames
* UV-resistant archival inks
Images of China on Gift Items
China Facts #7
Ice cream was invented in China in 2000 BC, by packing a milk and rice mixture in the snow. Marco Polo later took the recipe for ice cream and noodles back to Europe with him.
Autumn Pagoda
I love vivid autumn colours!
I think autumn has to be my favourite season. When I lived in the UK it was summer, probably because it never seemed to last long, so you would just have to cherish every day that it did last. I've lived in three different places in China, one in the south and two in the east. The summers in all three places have been scorching, so the arrival of autumn has always been a blessed relief for me!
This photo was taken in a small village called Sankou, which is in the Huangshan area in east China. It's a beautiful place! Quiet and peaceful, pure countryside. It couldn't be further removed from the hustle and bustle of the major cities like Shanghai and Beijing! It's a strange little pagoda. It always reminds me of a deep sea drilling platform because of the long pipe running down the center. I guess in the old days they used it for pumping water.
Cloud Mountain Mousepad
This mouse pad features a photo of Yellow Mountain in Huangshan, east China.
Cloud Mountain Mousepad
This mouse pad features a photo of Yellow Mountain in Huangshan, east China. Tourist from all around the world visit Yellow Mountain to see the "sea of clouds" that float around the mountain peaks.
$15.15
Product Information
Highest Quality Mousepads
* No minimum order - save when you buy in bulk
* Durable cloth cover is dust and stain resistant
* Non-slip backing keeps your mouse moving while the mousepad stays in place
* 9.25"x7.75" - Perfect size for home or office
Images of China on Gift Items
Hugging Monkeys Postage
Chinese macaque monkeys on postage stamps
Hugging Monkeys Postage
Two Chinese macaque monkeys hugging each other on Monkey Island in Sanya in the South China Sea.
$32.85 (sheet of 20 x 76c - large)
Product Information
Large size: The very best way to show off images and designs with your mail. This size has the largest image area available on custom postage anywhere! It's so large that it's recommended only for standard letter envelopes (#10) or bigger. Makes a great gift!
Images of China on Gift Items
Monkey Island
A Rhesus Macaque monkey island sanctuary
In the most southern part of China, in the South China Sea, lies Hainan Island, the smallest province in the People's Republic of China. On Hainan Island is the tropical paradise resort of Sanya, and near Sanya you will find Monkey Island. It's not actually an island though, it's a peninsula because part of it is connected to Sanya, so it's not totally surrounded by water.
There is a legend about Monkey Island that goes something like this:
During the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), there lived a village of Li fishermen in Lingshui County, (40 min from Sanya). One year, the village was hit by a mysterious pestilence, causing great numbers of the villagers to go blind and forcing many families to flee for their lives. Among the villagers was a young man named Yanan, known for his great fishing skills. One day, he heard a tale that told of black pearls which could cure the villagers. He immediately ventured out in his boat to search for the pearls, but soon encountered a ferocious storm which capsized his craft and endangered his life. To his great fortune, a group of mystical monkeys, following the instructions of the Monkey King, Sunwukong, were passing by on a raft, heading for an enchanted island marked by a stone likeness of a monkey.
Today, the "island" is a state-protected sanctuary for around 2,500 Rhesus Macaque monkeys and a place where they can live safely and play safely without any restrictions or cages. As soon as you step out of the cable car you can see monkeys walking around everywhere and playing in the trees, and it's so great to be able to walk around in their environment and being so close to them that you can reach out and touch them....although that wouldn't be wise! The only negative part of the island is the touristy commercial side, which is to be expected anywhere like this. Shows are put on throughout the day where the monkeys are dressed up in tutus and ride round on bicycles etc., although some may find it entertaining, personally, I don't, but that said, it is still a really great place to get up close and personal with monkeys and I would love to go back there and take more photographs.
See more photos and read more about Monkey Island, and about other places at My China Travelogues
China Facts #6
The oldest surviving printed book in the world is the Diamond Sutra, a book written in China in 868. It contains a collection of Buddhist prayers and is richly illustrated.
The Tropical Paradise Island of Sanya
China Travelogue #3
I grew up on an island and lived just a few short steps from the beach. I would go to bed and wake up listening to the sound of the waves rolling in and crashing onto the beach. I miss that now that I live in China, and in an area so far away from the sea.
In 2007 I searched again in the hopes of finding a paradise-like island with beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters. As difficult and impossible as that sounds in China, I found it! In the very south of China, in the South China Sea is Hainan Province, and just off Hainan lies the island of Sanya.
I had really high hopes for Sanya. There is quite a lot of information about the island out there on the net already and from pictures I'd seen, it did look really beautiful. Given the title of being the "Hawaii of the Orient" or the "Hawaii of China" because it lies on almost the same latitude as Hawaii, and for repeatedly hosting the Miss World beauty pageant in recent years, who wouldn't have high expectations! Does it live up to these expectations? Yes, it does!
The air is fresh, the sea is blue, the beaches are golden and clean, and the vegetation is lush.
The most popular destination in Sanya for tourists is Yalong Bay and it is beautiful. It's closer to the centre for shopping etc. and the major hotels can be found there. However, we chose to stay further along the coast at Sanya Bay, which is a lot less developed and where there are fewer tourists.?We stayed at the Kempinski Hotel, which is a beautiful hotel, has full amenities and great restaurants, is reasonably priced, and even has its own private beach.
See more photos and read more about the tropical paradise island of Sanya, and about other places at My China Travelogues
The Moment It Clicks by Joe McNally
The Moment It Clicks: Photography secrets from one of the world's top shooters
Amazon Price: $34.64 (as of 12/07/2009)
"This book is written in such a way that photographers of every experience, style and age will gain huge value. "
"This book makes a great gift for anyone who is interested in making pictures or just looking at them."
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Joe McNally talks about his latest book
Snow Mountain Sunrise Poster & Prints
Meili Snow Mountain in Shangri La, China
Snow Mountain Sunrise Poster & Prints
In Shangri La, Yunnan Province, south west China, the sun rises over Meili Snow Mountain and lights up a small village at the base of the mountain.
from $13.80
Product Information
Zazzle Prints
Quality
* The most brilliant colors
* The highest quality frames
* UV-resistant archival inks
Images of China on Gift Items
China Facts #5
Tea was accidentally invented in 2737 BC when Chinese Emperor Shen Nung noticed that some leaves had blown into a pot of boiling water and were producing a very pleasing aroma.
Futuristic Beijing Mouse Pad Mousepad
A mouse pad featuring the futuristic looking National Center for the Performing Arts
Futuristic Beijing Mouse Pad Mousepad
A mouse pad featuring the futuristic looking National Center for the Performing Arts in Beijing aka the "Egg".
$15.15
Product Information
Highest Quality Mousepads
* No minimum order - save when you buy in bulk
* Durable cloth cover is dust and stain resistant
* Non-slip backing keeps your mouse moving while the mousepad stays in place
* 9.25"x7.75" - Perfect size for home or office
Images of China on Gift Items
China Facts #4
Fingerprinting was used in China as early as 700 A.D.
Keep up with the latest News Stories about China!
News Stories about China!
- China focuses on boosting rural demand
- By Jamil Anderlini and Geoff Dyer in Beijing China will take steps next year to boost rural demand while trying to curb overcapacity in numerous industrial ...
- RIM, Digital China Reach BlackBerry Distribution Deal
- 7 (Bloomberg) -- Research In Motion Ltd., the maker of the BlackBerry phone, reached an agreement with Digital China Holdings Ltd. to sell the phone in ...
- RPT-China shares at 2-wk high, property leads; HK down
- China would stick to its "proactive" fiscal policy setting and "appropriately loose" monetary stance in 2010, a statement from the annual Central Economic ...
- Mercedes to sponsor AEG arena in China
- The NBA is eager to gather fans in China and has signed a 14-year partnership with Shanghai Media to promote the game. Preseason NBA games and other ...
China Facts #3
30% of Chinese adults live with their parents.
The Digital Photography Book by Scott Kelby
The Digital Photography Book
Amazon Price: $14.61 (as of 12/07/2009)
Customer reviews:
"This is the most practical and useful book on digital photography that you will find on the shelves."
"This book is a must have for any beginner thru advanced amateur."
"This is probably the best how-to photography book I've ever read."
Monkey Mousepad
Chinese macaque monkey from Sanya
Monkey Mousepad
This mouse pad features a Chinese macaque monkey from Monkey Island in Sanya, Hainan Province in the South China Sea.
$15.15
Product Information
Highest Quality Mousepads
* No minimum order - save when you buy in bulk
* Durable cloth cover is dust and stain resistant
* Non-slip backing keeps your mouse moving while the mousepad stays in place
* 9.25"x7.75" - Perfect size for home or office
Images of China on Gift Items
China Facts #2
The world's youngest ever parents were 8 and 9, and lived in China in 1910.
Snow Mountain Sunrise Mousepad
Meili Snow Mountain in Shangri La
Snow Mountain Sunrise Mousepad
As the sun rises over Meili Snow Mountain in Shangri La, Yunnan Province, south west China, it shines down and highlights a small village at the base of the mountain.
$15.15
Product Information
Highest Quality Mousepads
* No minimum order - save when you buy in bulk
* Durable cloth cover is dust and stain resistant
* Non-slip backing keeps your mouse moving while the mousepad stays in place
* 9.25"x7.75" - Perfect size for home or office
Images of China on Gift Items
Mountain Sunset Mousepad
Yellow Mountain in Huangshan, east China.
Mountain Sunset Mousepad
This mouse pad features a photo of a stunning sunset over the Yellow Mountain in Huangshan, east China.
$15.15
Product Information
Highest Quality Mousepads
* No minimum order - save when you buy in bulk
* Durable cloth cover is dust and stain resistant
* Non-slip backing keeps your mouse moving while the mousepad stays in place
* 9.25"x7.75" - Perfect size for home or office
Images of China on Gift Items
China Facts #1
If the population of China were to walk past you in single file, the line would never end because of the rate of reproduction.
Huangshan - The Yellow Mountain
China Travelogue #4
Huangshan, or Yellow Mountain in English, is the most famous mountain in China. At a height of almost 5,000 feet, Huangshan is situated in the east of China about 43 miles from Shanghai. According to Chinese people it is also the most beautiful mountain in China and although I haven't visited any others yet, it is certainly going to take some beating! They say that once you have visited Huangshan there is no need to visit any others because they just pale into insignificance in comparison.So when is the best time to visit Yellow Mountain? Different people will give you different answers, but the truth is there really isn't a best time to visit because the mountain has so much to offer in different ways at different times of the year. Spring and autumn or fall are good times to go, but let's look at the opposite extremes of the most popular season, summer, and the least popular season, winter.
Whatever the weather though, it's the "Wow!" moments that make the place magical. Standing on a precipice with just a cloud of thick mist in front of you and below you and not knowing what's out there or where it ends, and then suddenly the wind picks up and the mist clears. This vision of magnificence appears, and for a second your brain can't quite work out what it is you're seeing; just that it is something really amazing. Then it all comes together and it's "Wow!" When the mist soon descends again you don't want to leave. You want to stay for that "Wow!" moment just one more time...and then one more...See more photos of Huangshan the Yellow Mountain and read about other places at My China Travelogues
Check prices or book a trip to China today!
My Other Featured Lenses
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Sanya - Hawaii of the Orient
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I grew up on an island and lived just a few short steps from the beach. I would go to bed and wake up listening to the sound of the waves rolling in and crashing onto the beach. I miss that now that I live in China, and in an area so far away from th...
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Chinese Rhesus Macaque Monkeys
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The first time I came face to face with the macaque monkeys that live on their own island sanctuary in Sanya, China, I fell in love them because they are so adorable, and so human-like! I created this lens to share my experience of being with them on...
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Legendary Shangri La
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In 1933 British novelist James Hilton wrote a book called Lost Horizon, which was about a group of travellers who got lost in a place that Mr Hilton described as a place of eternity, peace and tranquility, an idyllic world of imposing snow mountains,...
Have you ever visited China?
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- Khalzuri Khalzuri Nov 10, 2009 @ 12:43 pm
- Stunning photography. Truly amazing. Keep up the great work and wish you the very best in your travels in China. Looking forward to see more of your photos. Again truly amazing.
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- tysam tysam Nov 4, 2009 @ 6:37 am
- Absolutely stunning photography! So much information I never knew before and put in a format that is easy to read, making me want to read more.. awesome lens. I will definitely list this as one of my favs! Great work!
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- MandMx MandMx Oct 29, 2009 @ 2:15 pm
- Great site. LOve the photography.
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- Sep 21, 2009 @ 7:24 pm
- WOW!!!
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- AppalachianCountry AppalachianCountry Jul 23, 2009 @ 10:04 am
- You have a wonderful gift to be able to do photos like this. Great lens. Thank-you for all the images. 5 stars*****
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With thanks to ThomasC!
ThomasC got me started at Squidoo
Contact ThomasC to have your own lens built!
by Mark_Amy
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