View of downtown Wuxi from my workplace on the 17th floor.
There is tons of building going on, which contributes to the haze throughout the city
It is a huge city of almost 5 million people that no one knows exists!
The sun is out but the stuff in the air blocks most of it
Toilet I ran across. You squat over it. I was not quite brave enough yet. I didn't bring a change of clothes, so I used the stall next door which contain a Western style toilet.
The oldest street in Nanjing, located inside Purple Mountain Park
There are 6 different types of lions behind me cast in stone.
a lake
a house on the lake, cool architecture
German telescope from the 1930's!
Quincy and I at the entrance to the Purple Mountain Observatory.
Quincy and I touching the Celestial Globe. The spot where the big dipper is located will bring you good luck. It has 1,449 stars on it!
Me in front of the Armillary Sphere. Helped determine the coordinates of stars. Made around 104 a.d.
This is the oldest clock in the world and has no moving parts. It runs on water. I am not really sure how though.
This is the Gnomon. It is the most ancient astronomical instrument, having been used over 3000 years ago. This instrument allowed the Chinese to discover the winter and summer solstice, the twenty four hour day, and the 365.25 days in a year. I can't believe they keep this stuff outside in the elements.
Purple Mountain has seven observatories. They are spaced out exactly how the big dipper looks. The main observatory is called the dragon's head and the other observatories form the neck, body, and tail. I was told the mountain ridge forms a dragon, but I think you have to use your imagination quite a bit to see a dragon in the ridges and I have a big imagination!
View from the highest point in Nanjing. Nanjing is further away from Shanghai than Wuxi, but is more populated.
It has the same pollution problem
The mountain is called the "lung of Nanjing", since it is 95% covered in greenery.
These are cool trees that line the oldest street in Nanjing...there are thousands of them.
I am rubbing the head for good luck...these dragons will bring you money.
This is another lion in Wuxi...it is in front of a bank.
Wuxi at night, as I walked home from the train station.
More of Wuxi.
A little park in the city.
View from the 9th floor of my building. I work in the tall building set back on the left, between the center building and the one that is all lit up on its edges.
