Chinese and World History

When Liu Bang (Han Gaozu) founded the Han Dynasty he established commanderies to govern part of his empire, and kingdoms for his relatives and loyal supporters. Mangdang Mountain near Shangqui is the site of tombs belonging to the Han royal family which ruled the Liang Kingdom. Original tomb furnishing were looted in antiquity; ones shown here are reproductions. The jade burial suit actually excavated here is in the Henan Museum in Zhengzhou. The wall around the old city of Shangqui was built in 1511. The temple to Shang ancestors depicts the “Chinese business ancestor” and includes a Yuan Dynasty temple built on the site of the ancient Shang observatory. The other modern temple nearby is dedicated to the legendary discoveror of fire. The tomb itself was rebuilt in 2003 on the traditional site. Photos by Gary L. Todd, Ph.D., Professor of History, Sias International University, Xinzheng, Henan, China. http://picasaweb.google.com/GaryLeeTodd/ShangqiuAncientShangSiteHanTombsMingCityWall#

On Dec. 6, 2008, I took half of these photos of a special exhibit at the Henan Provincial Museum in Zhengzhou. These were of all new artifacts heretofore unphotographed by me. The remainder I took May 2, 2009. The exhibit had been greatly changed, with some of the museum’s greatest treasures added. Currently it is all that is open to the public, as the museum is undergoing renovation scheduled to last until late fall, 2009. Some of the later photos are of objects which may also be seen in two additional Henan Provincial Museum albums on my website. Photos by Gary L. Todd, Ph.D., Professor of History, Sias International University, Xinzheng, Henan, China.  http://picasaweb.google.com/GaryLeeTodd/HenanProvincialMuseumSpecialExhibitDec2008#

Red Flag Canal is a man-made water project built during the 1960s to alleviate drought in Linzhou City and the border region between Henan and Hebei Provinces. The 1500-kilometre canal runs through the Taihang Mountains, in some places cut right into the rock face. The region now caters to tourists who may ride boats through tunnels which were cut for the canal. Photos by Gary L. Todd, Ph.D., Professor of History, Sias International University, Xinzheng, Henan, China. http://picasaweb.google.com/GaryLeeTodd/RedFlagCanal#

Communism in China today is as scarce as hen’s teeth. The free market has totally transformed China, leaving only symbols of the past. The closest thing to communism I have found is the Nanjie Commune in Henan Province. It is actually organized as on old-fashioned commune with each member receiving a nominal allowance, plus free food & housing. A few members are engaged in agriculture, but most work in the commune’s 20 or so industries, which produce beer, bricks, and a famous brand of noodles. Also tourism. People visit Nanjie to see a model commune in action, and also a quite attractive greenhouse exhibit. Photos by Gary L. Todd, Ph.D., Professor of History, Sias International University, Xinzheng, Henan, China. http://picasaweb.google.com/GaryLeeTodd/NanjieCommune#