CHINA:
A WORLD OF CONTRASTS
China is one of the most ancient cultures of the world. Remnants of China's imperial past still dot the landscape of China, from the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City in Beijing, to the tomb of the first emperor, Shi Huang Ti, in Xian. The Forbidden City, once off-limits to commoners, is a world unto itself. The grandeur of the inner sanctam of the Forbidden City can be contrasted with the utter squalor of neighborhoods in Beijing but a few blocks away from the imperial city. China today is a world of vivid contrasts between such lavish symbols of China's wealth and the poverty and underdevelopment of a large portion of China.
The following quicktime movie provides an overview of these contrasts.
I visited China in the summer of 1998. I was part of a nine-member delegation from the National Women's Studies Association, and met with representatives from Chinese instutitions of higher education as well as the All China Women's Federation. My professional activities took me to Beijing, X'ian, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. It was an interesting time, as President and Mrs. Clinton were also in these same cities at the same time. The information contained in this site was obtained during my summer 1998 visit; the graphics are mine, and were taken on site. I had expected to be in awe of the Forbidden City as well as other ancient and medieval monuments, but had not expected to be so deeply touched by the plight of Chinese peasants. The following materials are intended to help recreate the experience of being in a Chinese peasant's village, or visiting the Boat People in Aberdeen Harbor.
A Virtual Tour of a Peasants' Village in China
Tour of a peasants' village near the Great Wall outside of Beijing.
Virtual Tour of a Cloisonne Factory on the Outskirts of Beijing
Includes virtual tours of Hong Kong, Aberdeen Harbor, and Walled Compounds of the New Territories.
The Boat People of Aberdeen Harbor
Created by Dr. Deborah Vess, copyright 1998. All rights reserved.
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