For a visitor from the West, China can be a writhing dragon of mysteries, contradictions and unfathomable history. It is disorienting in its size, number of people, and of course its language. Yet it is a most beautiful land, with breathtaking landscapes, ancient temples and art forms. The Chinese are very friendly and and welcoming to a visitor. I recently spent only a few days there to photograph for my World View of Global Warming project. China has a land area larger than the United States, four times its population, and an insatiable appetite for energy.
It is the most populous nation on Earth and vies with the US as most powerful, most industrialized and most polluting country. This is a small portfolio of images from my trip in January 2005, which hints at the contrasts and complexities of China. Thanks to new friends and advisors in China who were so generous with their time, this will not be the last portfolio. I especially thank Ang Zhao and Li Moxuan for organization and friendship.
