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The monthly meeting in June was treated to a presentation of varied photographs by visiting speaker, Yin Wong. All his pictures were taken on his recent visit to the Yunnan Province of China.
He started by explaining that Yunnan was a province rarely visited by western tourists, but was visited by the Chinese on vacations. Yin showed a map which explained the location of Yunnan in Southern China. High mountains to the north give an equitable climate with temperatures averaging 12-20 degrees. The Chinese population is made up of about 40 ethnic groups, the main being the “Han” group who form 95% of the total. About 25% of remaining ethnic groups are in Yunnann, with each ethnic group having a unique culture.
Yin started in Kunming with street scenes showing people in attractive ethnic costume which are normal wear, and not just for the benefit of tourists. Different cultures can be identified by exquisitely embroidered colourful regional costumes, with exotic hats or headdress. A walk through deep caves provided interesting pictures of floodlit rock formations and vast caverns. Followed by pictures showing the “Stone Forest”. An area of limestone rocks deeply eroded over millions of years producing freestanding pillars and deep ravines which looked almost like a conifer forest. Yunnan claims to be the first place ever to drink tea, and is well known throughout China for production of fine quality and expensive varieties of tea.
The photo tour moved on to Shangrila (known as Zang Din) where the ethnic group are the Pu’Ah. Here there were monastic buildings on the mountainsides in a regional architectural style, at an altitude of 11,000 feet. Sweeping curved shapes roofs are believed to ward off bad luck. Some interesting photos’ of small Mongolian ponies with riders dressed in regional costume, followed by scenes of narrow cobbled streets with indigenous Shangrila style closely built wooden houses. The area is very fertile, photos of the plentiful supply of fruits and vegetables mean travellers need never go hungry!
The next place to be visited was Li Jian in the Dali region of Tibet, well known to Chinese for its production of jade ornaments and jewellery.
This rarely visited province of China obviously has great potential for keen photographers with its stunning mountain gorges, hillside villages, quaint architecture, street scenes, and photogenic colourfully dressed residents who are willing to be photographed.
Next Meetings.
21st June. Outdoor photoshoot. Otmoor RSPB Reserve. Meet Aynho 6pm.
5th July. Clubnight Cartwright Hotel Aynho. Beyond auto, take control of your camera. Presented by Bob Brind Surch. All are welcome