Changchun
The first time I went to Changchun was in 2oo5. Back then I found only little information on the web.Since then I have been to Changchun several times - so why shouldn't I share my impressions?
I don't claim to present a "neutral image" of Changchun, the following pictures and anecdotes are of course quite personal ...
Normally I arrived by train. The night train from Beijing takes approx 9 hours.
Important hint: don't throw you train ticket away when you hop off the train,
there is a checkpoint at the exit where you have to show your train ticket again.
By plane you just need one hour or so.
Changchun is an industrial city with lots of automotive components industries
Nope, didn't stay there. In the Changchun Celebrity Hotel ...
People in Changchun are very kind to animals and love their dogs.
Dog dealer in the streets
No, in Changchun you don't find skinned dogs around every corner. A lot of Chinese find that disgusting.
But in restaurants you are pretty often confronted with dog meat. Menu: Yummy, dog's paws and dog penis.
Outdoor barber
My favourite restaurant in Changchun: "Communist Countryside". Every morning the staff muster.
Inside the "Communist Countyside"
In November 2oo9 I stayed in Changchun for two weeks. Every day I witnessed at least one accident. No kidding!
Sign reads: "We guarantee traffic safty and harmony - Your police in the economic devolopment area"
The local authorities sent doctors to the people. Some elderly unterwent a medical check.
Neighbours playing mahjong in the street
The authorities try to influence the social conduct with information campaigns.
On some posters it is written: "Don't pollute the streets. Don't go topless. Don't spit. Don't shout. Don't eat like animals", and so on ...
The slogans on this poster (a family on a golf course) read: "LESS CHILDREN! BOYS AND GIRLS ARE EQUAL! PROSPERITY AND LUCK!"
Ooops, a kind of porn shop. On the poster is written "Wet wild and horny - hot hunk fucking hot hole"
Dealer selling porn dvds.
You always see / hear "freelancer" with megaphones offering their services. This guy cleans exhaust hoods.
This guy is a palm reader.
A cemetery.
The guy owning this bike sells paper-money that people burn for their deceased relatives.
Especially during the spring festival period people think of their deceased relatives.
An Ikea knock-off
That's where I bought tons of faked dvds.
Like everywhere in China people in Changchun are obsessed with western luxury brands - especially with Loius Vuitton.
In China they just call the brand "LV". Here a bogus "LV"-shirt in a supermarket.
Here: a bus driver on a Louis Vuitton seat ...
I prefer of course Chinese brands like RICH BOSS or PRICH - PRIDE AND RICH ...
This guy goes nowhere without his FAST SLEEP MEMORY PILLOW.
At one of the plente indoor markets
nut seller
In the morning you see lots of people in the park practicing Tai Chi, meditation, etc.
or aerobic
Also
When a new shop opens there are always guns in front of the new business.
Whipping a top on ice
Ice chair skating
Firecracker booth during the period of the spring festival
On new year shops close at midday. Here the staff decorated the door with ornaments and wishes.
Then set off fireworks and went home to their families to celebrate.
Firecrackers in China a unbelievably deafening. When a strong firecracker is lighted the alarms of nearby cars go off.
Chinese New Year is a busy time for street cleaners
Clearing the snow
Staff from shops shops, restaurants, etc. clearing the snow
A beggar lying on the ice-cold pavement