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Dancing Minority Woman
Photo by Robert van Koesveld
Mark Anderson
Introducing...
      Mark Anderson

Mark is the founder of Photo Tours Abroad, a project that combines his twin passions of photography and China. Originally from Minnesota, Mark has had a long connection with photography - his father was a professional photographer - and a degree in East Asian studies whet his appetite for Chinese culture. After college he spent three years in Taiwan teaching English, and his time there further inspired his photographic pursuits.  

However, his degree wasn't in high demand at the time, with the doors to China firmly closed and the Cultural Revolution in full swing, so law school it was.
Despite this his  fascination for China never waned and he continued his Chinese language studies as well as his amateur photography. Landscape photography particularly interested him, and a trip to China in 1988 opened his eyes to the diversity of the country.  

After retirement, Mark decided to put his extensive knowledge of China and his passion for photography to good use, and Photo Tours Abroad was born. He hopes that through his specialised tours he can help others to appreciate the wonder of this amazing part of the world.

 

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Frequent                
      Traveller?
 
Our tours explore diverse regions in China and beyond, so why not return and discover something new? We are happy to reward our guests with a 5% discount on their second trip, with further discounts available on future trips. We look forward to welcoming you back soon!
Spotlight on...GUIZHOU

Guizhou, one of the least developed but ethnically diverse provinces in China, is a photographers paradise. The geography of rolling hills and mountains combined with the fascinating traditions and culture of the Dong and Miao minority groups means that there is a ready subject no matter what your particular interest is.

The highlight of the year is the Siyueba Festival in May. Festivities include bull fighting (but here the bulls fight each other!), horse shows, folk singing contests, and dancing, though for many the real attraction is the people themselves - this is the time that the traditional costumes of the minorities are on show in all their magnificence.

There is still time to join our Guest Artist Robert van Koesveld on a discovery of Guizhou and experience the festival for yourself, click here for details.
Zhong Wen  
Focus on...language
     Word of the day: 富二代  (fu er dai)
 

Literally "second generation rich", the fu er dai are the children of those who made it rich after the Reform and Opening Up Policy of 1978 reformed China's economic system. These new entrepreneurs were often poorly educated (having endured the restrictions of the Cultural Revolution), and their stories are for the most part of the rags-to-riches variety, building successful businesses through grit, determination, and a lot of luck.

Their children on the other hand, have a very different experience of life. They are au fait with the latest in designer fashions, and can expect to travel and study abroad, inheriting the family empire on their return. They are often criticised for their sense of entitlement and are seen as undeserving of their elevated position in society.

 

 

 

Chinese Lions  

 

                    Seen around China...

 The Chinese lions are seen everywhere, from the gates of the Forbidden City to outside your local Chinese restaurant. But what is the meaning behind them?

They always appear in male/female pairs, an embodiment of the power of yin and yang, with the female on the left and the male on the right in accordance with the principles of feng shui. Their job is to protect and guard over the building, with the male protecting the structure while the female looks over the inhabitants.

The male lion has a ball under his paw, representing his power and dominion over the empire, while under the female's paw is a cub, representing the cycle of life and the hope for thriving future generations. The words "Stone Lion" in Chinese is also symbolic - the words sound similar to those for "strong and solid" and "to think about".

 Photo Tours Abroad | www.phototoursabroad.com
  
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