Shanghai Dazhong = Volkswagen.

Beijing Jeep.

Xuetielong (Try saying “sweatier long” with a Dutch accent) = Citroën.

Outer wall of the Forbidden City.

Shield and baton practice. I think that in most other countries, this might not be done in a public park.

Another view of the outer wall of the Forbidden City.

Badass tortoise with renovation in background.

Roofs and crowds.

An extraodinarily large and intricately-carved staircase.

A menagerie on the eaves.

Building in the Forbidden City.

Sign in Chinese and Manchu.

Detail of dragon and phoenix decoration under roof.

Do you know how to play “pia ying”?

Random Chinese schoolgirls who asked me to take a photo together in remarkably good English.

For a fake mountain, this pile of mortared-together rocks is remarkably impressive.

I’ve seen plenty of warning notices, but this one is pure poetry.

Philosophy Today.

The Forbidden City, with the real city in the background.

View of a pagoda and south Beijing behind.

The Forbidden City as seen from the hill in Jingshan Gongyuan.