China

Southern end of West Lake, Hangzhou

Xi Hu 西湖 (West Lake) and Leifeng 雷峰塔 pagoda, Hangzhou. Originally built in the year 977 (not 1977!) this was fully rebuilt in 2000.

A local worker relaxes with some tea, gazing over West Lake and Leifeng pagoda, Hangzhou

Green Tea

Tea gardens on the western fringe of Hangzhou

Longjing, Dragon Well Imperial Tea Garden west of Hangzhou

Near the north-western shores of West Lake (Xi Hu), Hangzhou

'Impression West Lake' performance in Hangzhou, Zhejiang. Directed by Zhang Yimou, who is better known for his films such as 'Hero' and 'House of Flying Daggers'. "Staged entirely upon the lake itself (a stage has been built 3 centimetres below the surface), Impression West Lake is a spectacle of light, music, dance and theatrics. The story is based on a Hangzhou legend."

Tangkou, below Huang Shan (Yellow Mountains)

Welcoming lion, Yungu Hotel entrance, Huang Shan

Stalagmite Peak, Huang Shan

Beginning to Believe Peak, Huang Shan

North-western Huang Shan

The beginning of the trail near the Yungu (Cloud Valley) telpher, Huang Shan

Xi Hai ('West Sea'), Huang Shan

Bei Hai ('North Sea'), Huang Shan

Yun Gu Jing Qu (Cloud Valley scenic area), Huang Shan

Xian Ren Shai Xue (Celestial Peak) - Yuping Lou (Jade Screen Pavilion) - Lianhua Feng (Lotus Peak), Huang Shan

Jade Screen Pavilion

A hotel and restaurant nestled in the cliffs of Huang Shan (yellow mountains)

Huang Shan

Jade Screen Pavilion and Celestial Peak, Huang Shan

Aoyu Feng (Turtle Peak), Huang Shan

Guang Ming Ding (Bright Peak) and weather station, Huang Shan

Huang Shan

World's most dangerous hike? A very scenic walkway in Huang Shan below Lotus Peak. Not sure if this is old, or a new one in development. All other paths trekked were concreted, with concrete railing (luckily!).

Old walking trail on Lotus Peak in Huang Shan

Confucious statue at the southern end of Huang Shan (Yellow Mountains) park entrance

Shanghai skyline from the south

Concentric

A young boy enjoys the geometry of a Shanghai park under his mother's watchful eye

Shanghai World Financial Centre and Jin Mao Tower

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Natural Geometry

A roundabout garden highlights its surrounds with the lotus-inspired topiary echoing the Bund Center building beyond. Lujiazui, Central Shanghai

Oriental Pearl TV Tower

Pudong New Area, Shanghai. Left of centre is Jin Mao Tower (421m) and to its right is the Shanghai World Financial Centre (4th highest in the world, 492m).

Shanghai Tower. This will most likely be the tallest building in China and the second tallest in the world when completed in 2014. It will stand ~632m and have 128 stories.

Shanghai World Financial Centre

flowers, Shanghai

lions at hotel entry, Shanghai