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China: "A Stranger's Eye, Taiyuan" Jay Dunn 50 images Created 21 Apr 2008

China, Shanxi, 2001-2007. Created for the 2500th anniversary of Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi, "A Stranger's Eye" is an in-depth exploration from a resident of this poor but proud industrial area, at once essential to China's future growth, and neglected as coastal metropolises hunger for its water and energy.

Blessed with fertile soil, plentiful resources, and formidable mountains, this is a small but influential province with an independent streak, resisting throughout its long history both invaders from the north and dictates from Beijing. Shot over the course of three years, these photographs are a document of change, and an intimate look at the people of Shanxi. -- More at www.jaydunn.org --
Humanitarian Issues & Cultural Tradition Worldwide
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  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Sellers of "baozi", China's steamed dumpling,  are surprised by a stranger's interest. This vibrant area behind Yingze Dajie close to the train station was modernized, and is unrecognizable today.
    China.JDUNN.01.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. A traditional drum and cymbal troupe performs their thundering music before the great triumphalist monument at Taiyuan's Wuyi Square, named for the May 1st Worker's Day.
    China.JDUNN.02.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Shanxi drummers can be found performing their unique brand of dance and rhythm across the province, enlivening events of all kinds.
    China.JDUNN.03.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Friends share classic Flying Pigeon bikes too big for them along this country road near Jingci Park.
    China.JDUNN.04.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. An older man enjoys the afternoon sun in a traditional neighborhood alley. China's seniors are active until their very late years.
    China.JDUNN.05.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. A cold winter morning in the rough and tumble industrial neighborhoods near "Tai Gang," or Taiyuan Iron & Steel, which dominates the area.
    China.JDUNN.06.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Oblivious to the teeming shoppers around them, two brothers sleep in a wheeled cart near the Hou Jia Xiang vegetable market.
    China.JDUNN.07.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Kids run along above-ground drainage pipes running parallel to a main coal transport road heading south from Taiyuan.
    China.JDUNN.08.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Rising from a dry riverbed to more that 2,000 meters, a Shanxi landscape reflects its long history in ancient pathways and terraces for every use.
    China.JDUNN.09.stranger.jpg
  • China, Datong, 2007. A shepherd takes his flock through this cornfield near Datong, in Shanxi's dry but fertile north country..
    China.JDUNN.10.stranger.jpg
  • China, Duncun, 2008. High up in the fields away from the small Shanxi town of Duncun, a grave marked by the setting sun and the tight shape of a tulip bud.
    China.JDUNN.11.stranger.jpg
  • China, Datong, 2008. Suspended from a sheer cliff face by little more than wooden supports and a prayer, the 1400 year old Xuankong Temple is safe above a valley prone to flooding.
    China.JDUNN.12.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Juewei mountain villagers take advantage of an empty yard to stockpile coal for heating and cooking. Shanxi earthen-wall houses are commonly tunneled right into the hillside.
    China.JDUNN.13.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Pride and joy of Shanxi locals, Juewei mountain apples grow small and sweet on the terraced fields high above Taiyuan's often poor air.
    China.JDUNN.14.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Partners from dawn until dusk, these Juewei mountain apple farmers rotate their duties - one manages the horse and hand-plow, the other tends the trees that are their livelihood.
    China.JDUNN.15.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Perched on an inaccessible cliff face, a colorful Buddhist shrine beckons travelers on foot up the steep paths of Juewei Mountain.
    China.JDUNN.16.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. A Chinese opera performer puts on makeup backstage. All the members of this traditional arts group are from the same village.
    China.JDUNN.17.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Each fall close to the September full moon, a successful Shanxi farmer pays for free Chinese opera performances in this Taiyuan neighborhood.
    China.JDUNN.18.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Free for the whole neighborhood, rapt residents watch all-day Chinese opera performances during the September full moon day.
    China.JDUNN.19.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. A female Chinese opera performer waits in the wings for her entrance. Traditional costumes can often be quite heavy, and makeup elaborate.
    China.JDUNN.20.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. The middle school attached to Taiyuan Teacher's College is housed in a beautiful 100 year old building formerly Taiyuan's first university. Classes are full to capacity, often with more than 50 students each.
    China.JDUNN.21.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. The busy street of Hou Jia Xiang, on a narrow causeway between two schools. Well served by college and elementary school students, the vendors on this small street provided everything from food to stationery.  toenergetic until its makeover recently
    China.JDUNN.22.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Medical technicians and police monitor the entrance to one of the campuses of Taiyuan Teacher's College during the SARS outbreak in 2003. Students were locked down inside their schools with no notice.
    China.JDUNN.23.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. The vibrant street of Hou Jia Xiang, just off Taiyuan's main Wu Yi Square, shown completely closed down during the SARS outbreak of 2003. (see photo 22 of this essay.)
    China.JDUNN.24.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. A three-year old wearing a protective mask during China's SARS outbreak of 2003. Taiyuan was second only to Beijing in the number of infections.
    China.JDUNN.25.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Taiyuan's main Buddhist temple closed down during the three months of China's SARS outbreak in 2003. The devoted still came, praying outside while wearing masks.
    China.JDUNN.26.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Spring cherry trees cling to the sides of a valley outside Taiyuan. Shanxi is increasingly dry year round, diverting some of its water to serve Beijing.
    China.JDUNN.27.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Millions of gallons of the Yellow River pour through a narrow stretch of rock known as the "Teapot." Shanxi legend has it that spirits can be seen in the boiling spray from this famous waterfall.
    China.JDUNN.28.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Blue temple tiles provide a background to Jingci Park's plentiful fruit tree blossoms. Shanxi's dry climate usually produces quick and spectacular flowers.
    China.JDUNN.29.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. The serrated ridges of Luya Mountain thrust skyward from grassy plain. The spectacular terrain houses one of China's main rocket research centers.
    China.JDUNN.30.stranger.jpg
  • China, Luyashan, 2008. A lonely outpost high atop Luyashan Mountain, this tiny shrine served by a Buddhist monk is a base from which climbers can set off strings of good luck firecrackers.
    China.JDUNN.31.stranger.jpg
  • China, Luyashan, 2008. Shanxi's brief and often muddy spring yields great pasture and long days for goats and sheep near Luya Mountain.
    China.JDUNN.32.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. A spring bride nervously fingers "package money," she has received in the traditional red envelope. Weddings in China can be elaborate, often spanning several days.
    China.JDUNN.33.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Summer in Shanxi finds children enjoying a fountain close by the main gate of TISCO, Taiyuan Iron and Steel Corporation, one of China's major metal manufacturers.
    China.JDUNN.34.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. A boy enjoys the fresh air and fun of open windows on the southbound local from Beijing to the historic city of Pingyao, one of Shanxi's premier attractions.
    China.JDUNN.35.stranger.jpg
  • China, Pingyao,2008. Shanxi's traditional drummers can be heard from miles away, as they perform intricately choreographed routines for both rhythm and dance.
    China.JDUNN.36.stranger.jpg
  • China, Pingyao, 2008. The timeless feel of Pingyao's old city is in part because there are no buildings higher than the Ming Dynasty earthen wall that surrounds it.
    China.JDUNN.37.stranger.jpg
  • China, Pingyao, 2008. Among the many festival participants on this cloudy day outside the old city walls of Pingyao, none were more friendly than this group of women.
    China.JDUNN.38.stranger.jpg
  • China, Pingyao, 2008. Alone with his thoughts, a boy watches passersby and the slow pace of life inside the old city of Pingyao, a walled Ming Dynasty city with UNESCO World Heritage status.
    China.JDUNN.39.stranger.jpg
  • China, Pingyao, 2008. A circular gate welcomes visitors to the inner courtyard of a traditional wealthy merchant's house. A second story lies beyond the gate, where the master of the house held court.
    China.JDUNN.40.stranger.jpg
  • China, Pingyao, 2008. Pingyao's World Heritage status has kept China's roaring development from encroaching on the old city's quiet atmosphere. This boy has a better chance of making a sale here than in the tumult outside the walls.
    China.JDUNN.41.stranger.jpg
  • China, Pingyao, 2008. Not afraid to get dirty, sister and brother frolic during practice for a cultural festival. The World Heritage city of Pingyao is one of Shanxi's most popular destinations.
    China.JDUNN.42.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Twins help their mother put up Chinese New Year posters at their home near Taiyuan Iron and Steel Corporation.
    China.JDUNN.43.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Thousands of handmade paper lanterns hang throughout Shanxi during the colorful Lantern festival. In Taiyuan, a major street is reserved for public viewing.
    China.JDUNN.44.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Grandmother holds her granddaughter's hands tight during Chinese New Year, an extended holiday that is all about family.
    China.JDUNN.45.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Young ladies spending much of their free time setting off firecrackers during Chinese New Year. Taiyuan Iron and Steel Corporation looms behind them.
    China.JDUNN.46.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Remnants of thousands of firecrackers line the street beneath this "sanluche," or three wheel bike cart.
    China.JDUNN.47.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. The first night of Chinese New Year, bitter cold in a Shanxi February, begins with a barrage that lasts for hours, as every house contributes to the fun.
    China.JDUNN.48.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Chinese New Year is celebrated by round after round of family visits, making sure no one is left out of this uniting holiday.
    China.JDUNN.49.stranger.jpg
  • China, Taiyuan, 2008. Even the police join in celebrating Chinese New Year in style. This bonfire, made of Shanxi's plentiful coal bricks, will burn for days.
    China.JDUNN.50.stranger.jpg