Photography by Jillian Mitchell

Landscape of dreams. The magnificent and distinctive limestone karsts of the Guilin and Yangshuo regions of Southern China. A collection of images by Jillian Mitchell.

The lion dance is a traditional event during Chinese New Year celebrations. In February 2002 firecrackers rang out constantly for 24 hours, echoing even louder as continuous explosions bounced around the surrounding karst mountains. This lion dance in Yangshuo's West Street was performed to an ongoing melody of these ear-blasting firecrackers leaving a trail thick, choking smoke and lingering smell of gun powder amongst an ever-growing elated crowd watching on.

Images in this gallery were taken using film and are presented in small, low resolution files - high resolution scans or the original slide/negative are available on request. Stunning Jiuzhaigou National Park in northern Sichuan province, China.

Images in this gallery were taken using film and are presented in small, low resolution files - high resolution scans or the original slide/negative are available on request. Wutaishan is one of China's 4 holy buddhist mountains.

The Dragon Boat festival is celebrated by millions throughout the world. One of the more popular theories on its origin relates to the frantic search for ancient poet, Qu Yuan, who committed suicide by drowning himself in 278 BC. In the more traditional form of Dragon Boat racing teams take to the waterways and race around in commemoration of the failed search for the famous scholar. Xixi Wetland in Hangzhou, China provides a fantastic backdrop for Dragon Boat racing with its tangle of small waterways.

Experience the wonderful visual storytelling of Zhang Yi Mou, creator and director of Beijing's opening and closing ceremonies. Zhang's "Liu Sanjie Impressions" performance is mostly carried out on the Li River, Yangshuo, China with scores of bamboo rafts and in excess of 500 local performers. The surrounding limestone karsts form the backdrop of this feast of colour, sound and light. This collection of images is bought to you by Jillian Mitchell.

Nanning and its surrounding attractions is a world of wonders. Detian Falls on the China/Vietnam border is stunning. The ancient Huashan rock paintings mysterious. Qingshan Mountain are the green lungs of Nanning, while the Guangxi Herb Botanical Garden is the largest of its kind in Asia.

Beautiful Confucius temple in Gongcheng, Wen Temple dates back around 600 years and is an excellent example of Ming Dynasty architecture. Located just 20 kilometres from Yangshuo,its structure and layout is similar to the main Confucius temple in Shandong. A collection of images by Jillian Mitchell.

The Chinese capital of Beijing is a stunning contrast of ancient relics and the new modern China.

Images in this gallery were taken using film and are presented in small, low resolution files - high resolution scans or the original slide/negative are available on request. Chinese or Beijing/Peking opera is a traditional performance art encompassing singing, acting and acrobatics.

Guangzhou's fabulous architecture!!!

An ancient town with a history of some 2000 years sitting at the entrance of the Qutang Gorge. The town of Fengjie on the northern banks of the Yangzte River, China was the first town to be destroyed to make way for the Three Gorges Dam project. This series of images taken in July 2002 mere months before the relocation of residents to the new town centre. Seven years on and it is now planned to move the "new town" of Fengjie due to ongoing geological instability.

An action packed and athletic martial arts display by the Shaolin Monks.

Horse riding along the sands of Songlanshan beach in Xiangshan, Zhejiang province is a popular activity.

2010 Shanghai World Expo is a veritable feast of wonderful and creative architecture.

Wind and rain bridges are a feature of ethnic minority architecture in Southern China. These bridges are located in Fuchuan county, Guangxi province. A collection of images by Jillian Mitchell.

The old world atmosphere and wonderfully preserved Qing and Ming dynasty architecture of Yangmei village located approximately 30 kilometres from Nanning makes for a fantastic day trip.

Huangliang Shan and Wulongtan are both AAAA rated scenic spots in Zhejiang province, China. Both have a series of pretty waterfalls that tumble down the mountain ranges amongst the verdant forest. Both of these scenic spots are an accessible weekend getaway from the rigors of city life in nearby Shanghai.

This set of images were taken on my first visit to China in 1997. They represent the street life and surroundings of the university where I lived and have the ability to bring vivid memories flooding back. This Middle Kingdom life remains visible today in some villages and cities however some of the smaller details have disappeared. I expect that as this dynamic nation continues to develop and evolve these types of scenes will become fewer and far between. Taken with Black & White 400 ISO film these images retain their grainy, atmospheric feel.

Songlanshan beach in Xiangshan near Ningbo in Zhejiang province is a hive of water sports activity with plenty of sail-boarding and one man dinghies out on the calm waters.

Ancient Xingping is one of the oldest towns in the Yangshuo area. Ming & Qing dynasty buildings line small alleyways in the old town bringing a true sense of times gone by in this atmospheric village. It is also located on one of the most famous and magnificent stretches of Li River limestone karst scenery.

Shamian Island in Guangzhou is crowded with beautiful old architecture that acts as a drawcard making a simply stunning backdrop for brides and photographers.

Images in this gallery were taken using film and are presented in small, low resolution files - high resolution scans or the original slide/negative are also available. The remote outpost of Langmusi on the Tibetan Plateau, straddling the Sichuan/Gansu province border, is full of colour characters.

Harvest brings a whole new range of colour and activity to the landscape. Once the rice is removed from the stalks they are bundled together and left to dry in the fields.

Images in this gallery were taken using film and are presented in small, low resolution files - high resolution scans or the original slide/negative are available on request. On the streets of China's one-time communist capital of Yan'an.

Beijing's Forbidden City is a magnificent collection of ancient buildings containing some of China's most recognizable views.

Images in this gallery were taken using film and are presented in small, low resolution files - high resolution scans or the original slide/negative are available on request. Colourful Tibetan nomad festival in the remote outpost of Langmusi, China. Images in the gallery are available for sale - please contact me directly for purchase as only low res scans will automatically download from this site.

Images in this gallery were taken using film and are presented in small, low resolution files - high resolution scans or the original slide/negative are available on request. The ancient city of Pingyao is a fascinating place to visit for architecture and street life.

The stunning Chen Family Ancestral Temple, located in downtown Guangzhou is adorned with spectacular lime sculptures and carvings on its traditional ancient rooftops. The expansive complex dates back to the Qing dynasty and gives a great example ancient Lingnan culture of Southern China. It is also home to the Guangzhou Museum of Folk Art.

Guangxi province is more than just Guilin and Yangshuo. Set off into the countryside to find some beautiful sights and a whole world of interesting distractions.

In the older parts of Guangzhou the streets are lined with classic old Qilou buildings and vibrant street life give this often overlooked city a wonderful and unique atmosphere.

The Lupu bridge in Shanghai is said to be the world's second longest arch bridge.