Chinese and World History

Xuchang has a long history and played a prominent role in the Three Kingdoms era, serving as the de facto capital of Cao Cao after 196 AD, and capital of the state of Wei in 220 until the capital was moved to Luoyang in the 220s. Baling Qiao is the site of the bridge where [...]

These are photos from several temples and historic sites around Dengfeng, excluding Shaolin Temple and the Yuan Observatory, which are in separate albums. Most major temples are mainly for tourists, but I have a couple here which are off the beaten path. The pagoda of the Songyue Temple was built in the Northern Wei Dynasty, [...]

Yue Fei was a general in the Song Dynasty noted for his great loyalty and his refusal to give up north China to the Jurchen Jin. To buy peace with the Jin, Song Chinese officials treacherously murdered him. Today he is highly revered as a true patriot. This is his memorial temple near Anyang. Photos [...]

Kaifeng was the capital of the Northern Song Dynasty (960-1127 AD), and this pagoda was built during that time. It got its name because its bricks have the color of rusted iron. I recently revisited the temple and photographed many of these bricks as works of art. Photos by Gary L. Todd, Ph.D., Professor of [...]

Lama Temple is the largest Tibetan Buddhist center outside Tibet, and Baiyun (White Cloud) is the main center for Taoist religion. I’ve included signs which explain the various temples. Photos by Gary L. Todd, Ph.D., Professor of History, Sias International University, Xinzheng, Henan, China.  http://picasaweb.google.com/GaryLeeTodd/BeijingLamaTempleBuddhistWhiteCloudTaoistTemples#