Just north of the Forbidden City, Jingshan (translated as "Prospect Hill"), is a handmade hill built specifically to provide panoramic views of Beijing, according to the principles of Feng Shui. Previously called Coal Hill, the 45-metre site is popularly known as Feng Shui Hill, and was built in the era of the third Ming emperor during the 15th century. Jingshan has five individual peaks, each with a pavilion once used by officials for gatherings and leisure. The views are magnificent, especially on a smog-clear day, and with the exponential spread of digital cameras, it has never been easier for friends and family to memorialise their visit with this huge ancient city as backdrop. Known as the 'Rice Dumplings' festival in the north of China, this June holiday is called the 'Dragon Boat' festival in south China.

One more class Professor: Remembering Han Zishan, To commemorate the first anniversary of Han Zishan’s death, students from the Photography Research Section at the Central Institute of Arts and Crafts (Academy of Art and Design at Tsinghua University) from 1991 to 2005, organised an exhibition to show their respect for their teacher. The exhibition of 56 photographer's work from all over China is on at the Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Caochangdi, Beijing, for only one week, 24-31 August 2014. As an example of the diversity of approaches encouraged at a crucial time in the development of photography in China, it is a significant exhibition that deserves to be widely toured, especially to educational institutions. students. I was priviledged to attend the commemorative speeches and meal that continued the moving tributes paid to the late Professor. Among his students best-known today are Rong Rong, Lu Guang, Juan Zi, and Yao Yuan. Among attendees I had met at the Pingyao Internatonal Photography Festival previously were Mo Yi, a Beijing local, and Robert Pledge, director of the New York picture agency Contact.

These images from the exhibitions and publications Chinese Photography: Twentieth Century and Beyond (Edited by Rong Rong, et al, Three Shadows Photography Art Centre, Beijing, 2015), and New Zealan Photography Collected, by Athol McCredie, Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand, Wellington, (Te Papa Press 2015) are provided for John B Turner's reviews and articles based on these seminal works. The copyright of the pictures remains with each author excepting those now in the public domain. Credits must be given for both the authors and the collections from which the images are sourced.

PHOTO SHANGHAI 5-7 September 2014 Shanghai's first art fair devoted to photography

These photographs of the development of the Shanghai railway c.1905-1909 were made with a 10x12 inch camera by an unidentified photographer. The titles are from handwritten notations on the back of the images (probably carbon prints, judging by their looks and condition). Please contact me if you are able to identify the photographer or verify or correct any of this information.