China from Above

This superb photographic tableau showcases China from all angles with all the artistic insight and technical innovation worthy of this ancient and ever-fascinating country. All of China unfolds in this sumptuous collection of birds'-eye images taken by photographers whose knowledge of and affection for China are apparent in each picture. Hundreds of specially commissioned photographs explore every nook and cranny of this vast region to bring readers a wealth of perspectives on the country's immense and diverse range of breathtaking natural beauty and man-made attractions. Conveying the varying topographies of China's landscape as well as millennia-old monuments and modern architecture, the many facets of China, when viewed from above, create a wonderful kaleidoscope of colour and textures. Densely populated cities contrast with the forests and brilliant lakes of Sichuan, the Himalayan peaks, and the deserts and Blue Mountains of Xinjiang. From Zhenghou and its archaeological riches to Macao-the Las Vegas of the East, to the majesty of the Great Wall of China, these images present unexpected views of familiar landmarks as well as reveal to us obscure sights we would never experience without the benefit of these dramatic pictures. This impressive volume captures the many faces of China in ways that few books can. All of China's regions come to life gorgeously in a collection of photographs that present China, with its unique terrain, monuments, and people, as a veritable masterpiece.