Paul Pritchard
is an advisor to the China Ministry of Construction which includes the
National Park Agency. His visits there have taken him and his
delegation across China into some of the world's heritage sites.
Paul and his
delegation just returned from critiquing the Terra Cotta soldiers
archeological site, the ancient silk route city of Xi'an, the
monuments of the Kunming (also known as the City of Eternal
Springtime), Dali and Ligiang in the foothills of the Himalayans.
The delegation
visited the three historical centers of this great nation as guests of
national and local park officials. They had a unique perspective of
not only their parks, but also the current and historic public
administration of these national symbols.
In Beijing, they were
welcomed by China leaders of the China National Park Agency and the
China Society of Landscape Architects. They visited historical sites
that span several recent dynasties including the Forbidden City, the
Great Wall, the Summer Palace.
Second location was
Xi'an, the world famous middle dynastical government center of China
during the Silk Era. They saw not only the Terra Cotta army but also
natural and historic landmarks as well.
Third location was in
the very southwestern corner of China, Yunnan Province, a melting pot
of historic cultures, the center of the origin of three great rivers
of Asia, the City of Eternal Springtime. This is the home of our
guide, Wen Jiang, an expert on parks, China and highly conversant on
issues of interest.
Contact:
dkhanna@aol.com