China’s Geometry – Weekly Photo Challenge: ZigZag
“A zigzag strategy is the best way to get ahead.”
Tahir Shah
CHINA’S GREAT WALL
In response to this week’s challenge “zigzag”, I’m opening with the ultimate example, China’s Great Wall. The wall zigs and zags as far as the eye can see through some of the world’s most mountainous and remote terrain. It makes one wonder at the amount of effort that must have gone into its design and construction. The wall was one of many zigzagging examples on our journey throughout the country this past fall. Here then, a few of my other favorites.
RICE FIELDS, LONGSHENG
“How many twists can a tongue twister twist around the twisting tongue.”
G.K.Griswold
The rice fields of Longsheng offered many samples of roads and plateaus zigzagging their way about. I chose this shot particularly because it gives one an idea of the scale of the fields compared to the the road twisting through their base.
OLD TOWN SHANGRI-LA
“Pursue some path, however narrow and crooked, in which you can walk with love and reverence.”
Henry David Thoreau
Above, a look at the zigzagging path that runs through old town Shangri-La. Actually I should say “ran”. Sadly the town was virtually destroyed soon after our visit by a massive fire that burned for 10 hours and destroyed more than 250 homes and businesses.
Below, an amazing vista seen from the incredibly crooked, narrow, and (I thought) dangerous road we traveled from Tiger Leaping Gorge to the lovely farmlands of Shangri-La.
THE VALLEY BELOW, YUNNAN
“May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.”
Edward Abbey
Finally, an “up close and personal” look at the long day of a dedicated farmer working the zigzag paths of China’s verdant fields. I must admit I enjoyed the rudimentary scarecrow almost as much as the farmer himself 🙂
LONG DAY’S JOURNEY
“Crooked paths look straighter as we approach the end.“
Jean Paul
Wishing everyone the pleasure of discovering new paths, be they straight, crooked or even zigzagged.
Travels and Trifles 
Another perfect post! Now, more than ever, I want to go to China. Did you travel on your own or with a group? Was it hard to get around?
Hi Naomi and thanks! China is really a photographer’s dream; you MUST go! We put together a private tour for just me and my husband working with a company called Eastern Journeys out of Hong Kong. They were fabulous. I let them know my interest in photography so they had guides with us every step of the way and they all knew of my focus (pun intended!) ,. No way I could have spent the time I did on photography if I’d been in a group tour, and no way I’d have tried this trip WITHOUT guides as very few people in the outlying areas speak English. Also I’d never have tried driving their roads! You can get a better feel for our trip with a quick look at the book I did on our trip here http://www.blurb.com/b/4913316-the-magic-of-china-photography-and-text-by-tina-r . Appreciate your stopping by!
Wow! That sounds great, Tina. Your photos are exquisite, and you pair them with such interesting and intelligent stories. It sounds like you found the perfect happy medium.
Each photo made me stop and just say “wow,” especially the rice fields (love that you included the road) and the beautiful lines of the final image. Saddened to hear the news about Shangri-La…
Thanks Stacy. For a nature lover/photographer like you or me, the rice fields are pure heaven!!!
I admire the farmer. And those terraced fields are amazing.
Me too Bill, and they definitely WERE amazing. I also spent this past week in upstate NY and the farms there were magnificent. Don’t get me started on their fresh produce!
Amazing photos!
Great work as usual
Thanks! Appreciate your visit and comment!
I love all the quotes you chose for this post! And gorgeous photos as usual! 🙂
Thanks! I must admit the quotes were the bigger challenge this week!
Great photos, and I love Edward Abbey. I guess you got to Shangri-La just in time! Yikes! Sad.
Yes, very sad. And now a major quake in Yunnan, another spot we visited. The remote residents have a difficult road to travel.
Great zigzag samples here Tina; this time, I stay with the meaningful simplicity of the last one. Excellent, as usual!
Thank you Jaime, love the “meaningful simplicity” description. Perfect!
To me, that is (besides the grandness of your landscapes) a distinctive quality of your photography Tina; and that is, precisely, why I love it so much!
WOW….what can i say…I find myself in a trans after viewing these magnificant photos…..WOW!!!!
Chinas great wall & rice fields are two of my very favorite places to hide…..what a dreamy existence they offer……just brilliant work….thank u for sharing ….
So happy to have you travel along with me April, thanks so much!
Very nice response to the challenge.
Many thanks Sally!
I would say you win the weekly photo challenge with those zigs and zags, each one more beautiful than the last. Loved the pic in Shangri-La.
🙂 why thanks Miss Linda–great to “see” you even if it’s only an e-visit!
Love your choices Tina ! Old town Shangri- La looks a fascinating zig zag of an exploration .
* smiling at the ‘rudimentary scarecrow ‘ …
Thanks PT, especially for noticing the scarecrow 🙂
Awe inspiring vistas, Tina! Love the quirkiness of all those twists and turns and your quotes are all so apt for the subject.
Many thanks Liz. The vistas were indeed awe-inspiring! I love how photos help us to retain crisp memories of,the wonders we’ve seen, don’t you?
What grand places these are, especially the first two, that you captured so well.
Grand indeed Imelda–no lesser word will do!! Thanks for stopping by!
Great shots, Tina… especially the rice terrace… 🙂
Best wishes to you and yours.
Thanks Bams! Our shared interest 🙂 best to you too.
Always love seeing your China photos Tina! Great choices for the theme!
Thanks Uday–they’re wonderful memories for me.
I’ve always wanted to visit China (specifically the Great Wall). These just make me want to pack my bags and catch a flight out tonight!
🙂 hope you get there one day Vee–it’s everything you expect and more!
Love your pictures. I immediately thought of the Great Wall when I saw this challenge, but didn’t have a picture of the scope you’ve shared with us. One of my favorites of those you’ve posted is the shot of the rice fields. So beautiful and green — and quite the zig zag!
Thanks Rusha! Yes, the wall was kind of a no-brained 🙂 but the rice fields were equally amazing to me in a very different way. I’m just so fortunate to have been able to see both!
This had to be a fabulous trip! Your photos are beautiful! 🙂
It was indeed Linda! Thanks for stopping by to share in it!
Always love seeing your gorgeous photos Tina – great set of zig zags
Many thanks Nora? And likewise, I’m sure!
Great shots and good images for zig zags! I recently saw a good quote for people that love nature as I do…. “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt .”
Hey there GF, LOVE the quote, thanks for adding it! May have to use it in a future blog 🙂
Very nice shots and great response to the challenge, Tina.
Thanks Kan, I had fun choosing shots this week!
Hi Tina… what an amazing shot! I have been there in early spring when a little snow still hung in the shadows and everything was brown. We head to Beijing tomorrow to show a visiting friend around. I am hoping for great clear days to get some great shots like yours. It will be cool to see the contrast in colour and season.
Hey CTB, glad to hear you’re safely back. Hope you have a great visit and get some terrific shots!
The sky was clear and we could see much further into the distance this trip. Clouds started to roll in later, but it was still good. Soon as we get back to Shanghai I can start to sort the photos and get a post together. Was a long trip… We went through Dubai, so it was a 13 hour flight the a 9 hour flight. Sounds crazy, but we had 2 days in Dubai.
Will watch for your posts!
Hopefully soon, but maybe the trip to Dubai first. We stopped there for almost 2 days and went out to the desert. It was incredible!
A wonderful group of perfect images for the challenge Tina. Travelling the world through your lens is always such a privilege.
A lovely compliment Andrew–so happy to have you along!
I think these photos are awesome Tina. You have captured the unique character that is China.
Why thanks Pomme…great to hear from you!
Wow, really like the Great Wall, perhaps the largest zig zag example that has been created !
Thanks Dan. I think you’re right, it probably IS the largest zig zag ever!!
As always, you have come up with a series of contenders for the challenge…
Gold, Silver and Bronze secured, Tina 🙂
Thanks Sreejith, I enjoy my stroll through the archives as I respond to the challenges 🙂
Wonderful post Tina, and I love your quotes….the crooked path is always more interesting than the wide straight road 🙂
As always your images are stunning, and those rice terraces look incredible
Thank you Seonaid, the terraces were indeed breathtaking….truly a photographer’s dream 🙂
Great images Tina – as always!
Thanks Tim! Always look forward to,seeing what you come up with 🙂
This is magnificent, Tina. I have never been to China and enjoyed your fine impressions very much. Your quotes are real gems! Wishing you a great Sunday.
Best regards, Dina
Thanks so much Dina! Sadly I’m a bit behind so it’s happy Tuesday to you!!
Doesn’t matter, Tina. Now it’s Saturday in Bonn. 🙂
All the best!
As ever, great images here Tina! I especially like the last one, because it brings in the personal and also the cobbled street of Shangri La. That said, they’re all great 🙂 I just need to dig an image or two out, it’s over a week since I posted anything……
Hi Sue! Thanks for stopping by. Glad to see you’re back at it!
🙂
beautiful pictures… I am speachless
Thank you so much Nina! Appreciate your visit and comment
Beautiful pictures to depict the theme. And Henry David Thoreau’s quote is so apt. Thank you Tina.
Regards.
My pleasure Dilip, glad you enjoyed!
We always enjoy your entries Tina S.
The Great Wall is iconic for the theme, but Shangrila is so rarely seen, you
captured it beautifully ! Lovely photos!
Many thanks Atureaud. I liked the perspective of your comment and agree–while the wall is absolutely incredible, there are places in china that are so rarely seen its nice to show them as well.
Love these shots Tina…you brought back “home” since I am now in Seattle. These shots are so beautiful, the 2nd and 3rd really capturing my imagination (walked those very places…and the photos bring me right back there again!). Cheers.
Thanks Randall-happy to deliver some memories. Didn’t realize you were back in the US. Are you going back to Asia any time soon?
Will be heading back to HK/China at the end of Sept/beginning of Oct., so get a little time back here in the good ‘ole USA 🙂
What a great series of images, especially the shot of Shangri-La. Makes me feel as though I’m walking the same cobbled street.
Thanks for sharing some of the landscapes I’d never get to see in person.
Happy to share some of the world’s wonders Vicki. Love seeing others’ views of places I may never get to as well!
A particularly timely post as we are zigzagging our way around Charlotte! Every block the street name changes! Love the old town Shangri La – you have certainly taken me on roads “less traveled” or never! Love traveling with you,
Hey there Miss Linda! Hope by now you’ve found your way! Thanks for joining me for the ride!
You have shared some amazing photos with us. Great examples do zigzag.
Thanks Colline! A fun one this week I thought
Beautiful images- nice to revisit them again for this theme.
Thanks Jane! Actually altho I’ve covered the places before, several of these are first-time posted 🙂
Tina,
The Great Wall is my favorite. Which section of the wall is this?
Dan
Thanks Dan! We visited the wall at Jinshanling. It was a 2-hour ride from Beijing but well worth the time as it is much more remote, has been untouched by updating or construction and has very few tourists. We were there all day and saw only 2 other people, or photographers.
We went to the Mutianyu site. I could tell that your photos were a little different from what we saw.
Tina–I so had to laugh at your comment on the “..incredibly crooked, narrow and (I thought) dangerous road..” but wait, let me take a picture! 🙂 Always the most amazing photography.
So funny you say that Lois, I hadn’t thought of it but you’re absolutely right!! We had a driver (who was scaring the heck out of me) and when I saw this scene below I made him pull off the road so I could shoot it. I’m sure he thought I was totally nuts 🙂
Love them as usual. So many beautiful zigzags.
janet
Thanks Janet! Lots of interesting entries on this one I thought.
I love your photos of China. My favourite is the road twisting at the bottom of those rice terraces. It is astonishing that people work in those fields, as shown in your last photo. And, as usual, perfect quotations. Amazing views all round!
Jude xx
Thanks Jude! Yes, the rice terraces are high on my list of favorite places of all time! They are indeed amazing. The wall is equally amazing but for me it was long known and I’d always wanted to see it. The terraces were a brilliant surprise that I found on the web when I was researching a photographer-led tour. It’s owner is a former National Geographic photographer.
Beautiful! I had been to some of these places but these are the most beautiful shots! Thanks for sharing, Tina.
Many thanks! They’re amazing places, aren’t they?!
Wonderful zig and zags!!
Thanks Cee! Appreciate your visit and comment!
Tina, your posts continue to amaze me! This is a particularly dramatic expose; in just a few photos I’m left with a vivid impression of how awe inspiring (and thrilling) your travels must have been.
The quotations are perfect… my favorite is the last one.
Jane
What a lovely compliment Jane, thanks so much! Yes, I thought the last quote was a bit melancholy but very appropriate.
Lovely examples here! Always enjoy your blogs…
Thanks Susi!