I think it was PBS that did an excellent and balanced documentary on the Three Gorges and it's impact on the area.
Let me preface this by saying that YES I do know that Thailand is not China, but with that being said... I can not WAIT to go to Thailand in May. These pictures gave me an internation travel hard on. I have never been out of the country before, and I am totally stoked to see a part of the world that is vastly different from the United States. I'll be living in Bangkok for 3 months, so I hope to post some nice pictures here on the BBS during my stay.
Believe it or not, there're acutally places that looks as beautiful as it is the picture shown in part of China. However, as the economy is booming, and more factory are being built, it is getting worse day by day, the water, the sky, the air is getting worse. So if you have a chance to visit China, go as early as you can, because as time pass by, it's not the same as before anymore.
I don't know, I just don't dig the mass amount of "building up" and poor space planning that is there today. I would much rather we see a little more of a renovation of places like the Xinghua street rather trying to be Tokyo part II.
That is SO awesome. You are going to have a fantastic time. I love Bangkok, one of my favorite places. The first time you visit, it's a tough city to deal with - dirty, noisy, filthy, hot, chaotic, traffic -etc. But after a while you sort of get to know the place and how to handle it, so you can cut the crap and get to the good. stuff. I've spent maybe a month or so combined there over the last two years. And I think the place is awesome. FYI, if you want to take pictures like that, I would head northwest towards Chiang Mai/Chiang Rai. The other great thing about Bangkok is that it is the travel hub for SE Asia - during the 3 months you are there, a sidetrip to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) in Cambodia is an ABSOLUTE must if only for a weekend. Also you are close to vietnam, malaysia, singapore, laos - awesome. I love southeast asia like no other place on earth.
let me know if you need advice - While I've only been once, I do have a friend who leads hiking expeditions there several times a year. This book, btw, is invaluable if you're going it alone: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1873756755/102-4053608-5620942?v=glance&n=283155 Oh, and the one thing I can tell you for sure: do NOT take the Manali-Leh bus/jeep ride despite the fact that many people do. I found it to be among the most uncomfortable travel experiences I've ever had (speedboat down the mekong in laos was worse, but that's another story); the scenery was nice but not worth 18 bone jarring, back breaking hours crammed into a jeep. Do yourself a favor and fly from Dehli (jet airways - book online- not cheap but worth it.) Manali itself is not THAT horrible, but unless you're going to do trekking or something starting there - it is eminently skippable.
Funny you should say that. I was in China last summer. Here are a couple of shot of the Xi'an Drumtower. Here are a few more classics because you didn't ask: And my personal favorite shot
Here are a few shots from the Pearl. These pics, especially at 320 x 240 resolution, don't do it justice.
Shanghai will claim the record for the world's tallest building by 2008. After couple years of delay, now, Xinhua news reported that the building could be finish as soon as in 2008 when the olympic takes place.
If you are interested, this website has lots of photos on life in china: http://www.pbase.com/mreichel/china These are my travel pics: http://achilleshead.fotopic.net/c700056_1.html This is a much better travel gallery: http://www.pbase.com/lcurran/china And finally this is one of my favorite. I stumbled across this site while searching for a particular lens: http://www.pbase.com/ghoerdt/swiss_landscapes
