Canal at your door Photo

Photographer’s Note

A follow up shot from yesterday's Lijiang roof tops. There are no streets in the old town large enough for cars, but there are many canals. Unlike most Chinese waterways, the water comes down from the mountains and at least looks clear and clean.

The streets are cobbled, which goes nicely with the very old architecture and these canals. Many of the canals run behind the buildings, sort of like back alleys, and kitchen windows open out. The women have cutting boards that hang over the canal while they prepare meals, enjoy the fresh air and chat with the neighbours in other windows.

I've yet to meet a traveller that didn't enjoy Lijiang. They may have had lousy weather, but the place is interesting anyway.

etiennejr, RGatward, Kenny10pin, ChrisJ, Darren, chinchini, pamastro, Steely, john_c, Jean-Luc has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

bgladman (1153) 2004-05-07 4:40

Great shot Ian. There is so much to absorb in this photograph. I like the central placement of the river dividing the shot into two scenes each worth of a photograph on their own. The bridges link these two scenes together nicely. Well done

[2]

RGatward (19737) 2004-05-07 5:32

Very picturesque. I suppose this makes it an unpopular place to live for China's new affluent class.

Kenny10pin (19301) 2004-05-07 9:15

nice shot here, I like the planks of wood that seperates the two lands.

Good shot of the traditional roofs of China

Well done

ChrisJ (70019) 2004-05-07 9:25

ditto.

I have a similar photo, & I may post it later. Mine has some old ladies in traditional Naxi clothing, but yours has better lighting & composition. Shame we couldn't combine them. Great photo.

chinchini (27507) 2004-05-07 11:38

Very interesting this sight of a street of Lijiang. Your clear and coloured shot, posts a multitude of picturesque details. Beautiful document Ian.

pamastro (7213) 2004-05-08 0:07

Very nice. I like this canal and the way the buildings cluster along it. It's so alive. And the atmosphere really feels wet and humid which adds a strong element to this shot. I love the board bridges and the different materials from wood to blocks to stucco. It's nice and dense. Very nicely photographed.

jhonny_blue (4938) 2004-05-08 5:25

It´s a very beautiful picture show the chinese life !
It´s great and you did a good shot !
Congratulations Ian !

Steely (895) 2004-05-10 21:35

Beautifully idyllic scene
I like the compostion of overlapping roof eaves, the small plank bridges makes for an interesting detail for the the small canal
good shot :)

john_c (24635) 2005-05-04 1:19

Hi Ian. This is an excellent daily life shot to portray this village. I like the natural colours and the POV, with the casual and unposed villagers going about their daily affairs. The wall mural and hanging on the left and right foreground add a real dimension to the scene, as do the little wooden bridges. An excellent contribution to TE. Regards.

Jean-Luc (5488) 2005-05-07 4:10

Cette rue de Lijiang est très pittoresque et les taches de couleur illuminent cette photo.
J'apprécie la forme des toits assez caractéristiques.
Note intéressante.
Well done Ian !