Cloisonne and Ceramics Factory

On the way home we stopped at a cloisonne factory and a ceramics factory. We actually asked to go. Usually the tour guides sneak it into the itinerary so they an get a commission from the factory.

This is the start of the process. They solder these copper parts together to form the shape of the object.

We were there at lunch time so we didn't get to see them at work.

Next they glue on wires to form the pattern on the surface of they object.

Click to see the detail on the pattern.

Then they paint the individual cells (or cloissons) between the wires with vitreous enamel (according to Wikipedia) of various colors. After each painting the object is fired in an oven. This is repeated 8 or so times.

Once the cells are filled, the object is polished to smooth the surface so the wires and enamel form a smooth surface. Successively finer grinding material are used from very coarse to very fine.

At this factory the exposed wires are electroplated with gold to give a surface that won't tarnish.

Here is the final product. That plate in the middle has a price tag of 68,000 RMB. That is over $10,000! The price is negotiable on the larger pieces.

Next we headed to the ceramics factory. This is the entrance from the main road into the factory.

This wasn't exactly what I expected. It was a series of old looking buildings with broken windows, etc.

This is one of the buildings filled with molds.

This is the showroom. Allegedly this offers better pries but I'm not convinced the place is currently making items. I wonder if the pieces aren't made elsewhere.

It for certain is (or at least was) a ceramics factory. We saw the molds, the pumping equipment, bags of clay, a kiln.

Part of the place was falling down.

I thought the roof construction technique was interesting. It is tile over mud over thatch over boards

Click to enlarge.

Interesting lock and door.

In the midst of the run down factory you can find these really pretty flowers.

This is some sort of pump. I imagine it is filling the molds.

Here Margot displays a small pot.

We did buy a few things.

The Great Wall at Lianyunling

We took a trip to the Great Wall at Lianyunling during Bob, Sue and Alyssa's visit during the end of October. Lianyunling literally means "a ridge linked to the sky".

Click to enlarge any picture.

The Lianyunling section of the Great Wall is wild or largely unrestored.  There are very few visitors here - we saw only half a dozen other people the entire time we were there. The reason there are so few people might be the 1100 steps up to the wall.

Here Bob and Sue are huffing and puffing their way up.

There are plenty of places to stop and admire the view (and rest) on the way up. This is the Xiangshuihu section across the valley.

Our guide has been to the Great Wall over 2000 times. He is in great shape but no spring chicken. He charged right up and waited patiently for us to catch up.

There is a small shrine on the way up. There are 9 dragons in this grotto. I'm not sure who made the offerings. We didn't see anyone but the fruit looked fresh. I got a kick out of the snack package left there.

Margot says this is Guanyin or the Goddess of Mercy. She first learned about Guanyin in Singapore on a cultural tour.

Guanyin has an extensive Wikipedia entry if you want to now more.

Guanyin

This is the payoff when you get onto the wall. You can see other watchtowers on the horizon. It's a shame it was a little hazy.

Here is Bob posing before he steps through the entry door into the wall.

Here is Alyssa at the wall.

Here I am on the wall.

You can see that this section of the wall is unrestored. It would be pretty tough going to get to that watchtower. There are signs saying "No Hiking" but our guide encouraged us to go if we felt up to it.

I was so worn out from the 1100 steps that I demurred as did the rest of the group.

Here is another view of a watchtower from the path up to the wall.

I spotted these wildflowers and this bee on the way up. Again, a good reason to stop and rest.

The ivy and sumac was just starting to change colors.

Beijing Nu Ren Jie - Ladies Street

I've been a little remiss in posting but I've been busy taking pictures. I'll try to catch up a little this week.

A couple of weeks ago Margot and I took a trip out what is called Lady's Street or Nu Ren Jie. It is basically a flower and home decoration shopping area.

Like most things in China it is huge. Aisle after aisle of plants and flowers. Upstairs are ceramics, paintings, dishware, etc.

This display was very nice.

Margot thinks these are bromeliads of some sort.

Margot says these look like moon flowers. Couldn't prove it by me.

This display was so nice this family thought they would pose in front of it.

I thought these were different but Margot says they are bromeliads, also.

Pretty sure this is an orchid.

You can decorate your house with all sorts of object d'art. I saw another store selling items that look like they would be at home in a French castle.

You an buy a stuffed peacock if that is where your tastes lie.