Good stuff Kris, and though it’s fun to see what China looks like, it’s even more fun to contrast your style as a photographer with your style as a writer.
Cheers mate, good to hear from you. It's gonna take me a little while to really get my head round it and make sure I write if up properly when I get back, but I can't at the moment put into a few simple sentences how much we've been lied to about this country. It's not that I'm surprised; I've had a similar sensation in other places I've visited. But this is on a whole new level. It's definitely not to say that China is some kind of utopia, there are plenty of things that we would consider "weird," (facial recognition is a real thing, for example), but a dystopia it definitely is not. By any stretch of the imagination.
It'll make sure to write everything up from a balanced perspective as soon as my brain has had time to process everything properly. There's so much to take in.
If you feel like you've been lied to about China, imagine how we Americans feel! I suspect the suspicion of China is even higher here, though I could be wrong. Looking forward to hearing and seeing more.
I think our governments and media sing from the same song sheet. Taking away more and more of our freedoms while telling us how lucky we are not to live in a country like China. The funny thing is, Chinese TV is showing the riots and unrest in America 24/7, reminding the Chinese how lucky they are to live in a country where they have freedom and won't be beaten up or shot by the police or national guard. Everything's a lie. Everywhere.
One thing I can say with certainty after almost three weeks here, though, is that the Chinese middle class is living a whole lot better than their American or British equivalent.
That’s fascinating Kris, can’t wait to hear if and how you’ll unpack it. My little jury duty story tells the other side of the coin, doesn’t it? We hear constantly that people are shit and that systems are broken … but face to face, it doesn’t feel that way at all.
Cheers, mate. From what I can gather, in Beijing it's kind of fashionable to get dressed up in traditional ancient Chinese gear, especially for young women. A lot of them also do it for photos around historical sites.
In Chongqing it was less common to see; much more "Western Capitalist" style of city. But you'd still see it around historical sites.
Here in Lijiang, it seems to be a mix of locals who come into the Old Town to get dressed up for photos, and some Chinese tourists from other regions - places will dress them up and take photos of them for about 20 quid.
The traditional dress is different in each region. Here in Yunnan Province the majority isn't Han Chinese but Naxi, (we're close to Tibet and Myanmar), so the costume fits more with what we'd recognise as being from those cultures rather than classic Chinese.
The old women you see in colourful gear, they're not dressed up, that's just their cultural dress.
I might not be 100% correct on everything, but this is what I gather from talking to people.
Thanks, mate. Provided you're flexible with when you can travel, China's a very do-able option. Flight prices go up and down, but we managed to get return flights from Paris for just under 400 quid. Also British passport holders need a visa, which cost about 100 I think but was simple to get. Once you're over here, everything's cheap as fuck compared to what we pay at home. Two people can eat a decent meal for under a tenner. Hotels are comfortable and inexpensive (Beijing was a bit more costly). People are curious, friendly, funny. I don't know what your situation is, but if you get the opportunity I'd recommend checking it out for yourself.
Good stuff Kris, and though it’s fun to see what China looks like, it’s even more fun to contrast your style as a photographer with your style as a writer.
Cheers mate, good to hear from you. It's gonna take me a little while to really get my head round it and make sure I write if up properly when I get back, but I can't at the moment put into a few simple sentences how much we've been lied to about this country. It's not that I'm surprised; I've had a similar sensation in other places I've visited. But this is on a whole new level. It's definitely not to say that China is some kind of utopia, there are plenty of things that we would consider "weird," (facial recognition is a real thing, for example), but a dystopia it definitely is not. By any stretch of the imagination.
It'll make sure to write everything up from a balanced perspective as soon as my brain has had time to process everything properly. There's so much to take in.
Anyway, hope you're well, mate. Speak soon.
If you feel like you've been lied to about China, imagine how we Americans feel! I suspect the suspicion of China is even higher here, though I could be wrong. Looking forward to hearing and seeing more.
I think our governments and media sing from the same song sheet. Taking away more and more of our freedoms while telling us how lucky we are not to live in a country like China. The funny thing is, Chinese TV is showing the riots and unrest in America 24/7, reminding the Chinese how lucky they are to live in a country where they have freedom and won't be beaten up or shot by the police or national guard. Everything's a lie. Everywhere.
One thing I can say with certainty after almost three weeks here, though, is that the Chinese middle class is living a whole lot better than their American or British equivalent.
That’s fascinating Kris, can’t wait to hear if and how you’ll unpack it. My little jury duty story tells the other side of the coin, doesn’t it? We hear constantly that people are shit and that systems are broken … but face to face, it doesn’t feel that way at all.
Thanks for the info. The girls look very decorative.
Awesome pics. I like the Chinese traditional costumes. Do you see a lot of that there?
Cheers, mate. From what I can gather, in Beijing it's kind of fashionable to get dressed up in traditional ancient Chinese gear, especially for young women. A lot of them also do it for photos around historical sites.
In Chongqing it was less common to see; much more "Western Capitalist" style of city. But you'd still see it around historical sites.
Here in Lijiang, it seems to be a mix of locals who come into the Old Town to get dressed up for photos, and some Chinese tourists from other regions - places will dress them up and take photos of them for about 20 quid.
The traditional dress is different in each region. Here in Yunnan Province the majority isn't Han Chinese but Naxi, (we're close to Tibet and Myanmar), so the costume fits more with what we'd recognise as being from those cultures rather than classic Chinese.
The old women you see in colourful gear, they're not dressed up, that's just their cultural dress.
I might not be 100% correct on everything, but this is what I gather from talking to people.
Great shots, i’d love to go
Thanks, mate. Provided you're flexible with when you can travel, China's a very do-able option. Flight prices go up and down, but we managed to get return flights from Paris for just under 400 quid. Also British passport holders need a visa, which cost about 100 I think but was simple to get. Once you're over here, everything's cheap as fuck compared to what we pay at home. Two people can eat a decent meal for under a tenner. Hotels are comfortable and inexpensive (Beijing was a bit more costly). People are curious, friendly, funny. I don't know what your situation is, but if you get the opportunity I'd recommend checking it out for yourself.