In pictures: A view of Beijing

[Aurovon]

Photographer Rebecca Reid recently visited the Chinese capital Beijing where she found a city undergoing great change.

Here we present a selection of her photographs and comments from the people she met.


Two cyclists inspect a Hummer SUV partially blocking the bicycle lane of an affluent part of central Beijing.

Despite high global oil prices, the Chinese government continues to subsidise petrol pump prices. Therefore, as wealth increases, car ownership is quickly rising, particularly in urban parts of Eastern China.

China is currently the world's second largest consumer of oil.


Two businessmen chat behind a sign for the Malls at Oriental Plaza, an up market shopping complex located on Dongchanganjie, in central Beijing.

Malls are becoming more widespread in China, as consumer spending rises.


Chen Xuefen, left, sells pearls to tourists at the Hong Qiao Pearl Market, in the Chong Wen district of Beijing.

She says: "I moved to Beijing from a village near Shanghai to be with my sister and make a living.

“When I watch television I see how much China is changing. Wealth is increasing. In the pearl market, we are seeing more tourists. The future looks bright."


A young girl hugs a stuffed model of Huanhuan, one of the five mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in Dongan Department Store.

Each of the five mascots, called the Five Friendlies, represent an olympic ring. Huanhuan symbolizes the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport.


Another McDonald’s restaurant sign appears above the tree line in Beijing. Western chains are rapidly expanding in order to cater for the increasingly westernised palate of the Chinese.

McDonald’s intends to double the number of outlets in China to 1,000 restaurants by the 2008 Beijing Olympics.


While visiting the Great Wall of China, Thomas Gong organises a tour group.

Gong, who owns Beijing Panda Tour Company which specialises in tours around Eastern China says, "The living standard in Beijing is getting higher and higher. Foreign business helps.

"I am working in tourism to get rich. In China, if you work hard, you will be rewarded."


A very young tourist pauses for a photo with a portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong outside the Forbidden City.

With a plethora of historical and cultural attractions, Beijing is drawing an increasing number of Chinese and foreign tourists.


A group of cyclists risk their lives by attempting to cross a busy Beijing avenue.

A precarious relationship exists between cyclists and drivers, as cyclists frequently dart in front of oncoming cars.

As most drivers have fairly recently acquired their driving licence and car, the accident death rate in China is one of the highest in the world.


A businessman strides past a large advertisement for the upcoming opening of a Rolex store, in central Beijing.

As the economy continues to expand, demand for western luxury goods surges.

According to a report by Goldman Sachs, China is the world's third-largest consumer of luxury products.


A strip of bars along Beihai Lake, in Beihai Park, host a vibrant nightlife in Beijing, attracting throngs of locals and foreign tourists.

The bar, Sex and da City, entices drinkers with dancing girls on the tables.


A young girl washes clothes by hand in front of a advertisement on the edge of a hutong, a labyrinth of ancient alleyways. Despite the globalisation of western products, the standard of living for some remains low.

The local government is rapidly demolishing hutongs to construct wide streets, apartment blocks and shops, losing part of the city’s colour and history.

Source

[R.J]

Awesome place........but 2008..that is all I need to say Auro...

[Aurovon]

Originally Posted by R.J

Awesome place........but 2008..that is all I need to say Auro...

SUPERSIZE CHINKS!!!

[pnp366]

whats with McD'staking over the world?

we've already got enough fat people here in the states

[Aurovon]

Originally Posted by pnp366

whats with McD'staking over the world?

we've already got enough fat people here in the states

The man is a genius. It's all about location.

[shmooks]

hmmm

yeah nice pics.

[Aurovon]

Originally Posted by shmooks

hmmm

yeah nice pics.

nice bites.

[hindu_heat]

^ ROFL

and Shanghai > Beijing..

good to have your In Pictures threads back <3

[GeminiPinay]

LOL @ McDonalds. Now there's going to be fat and lazy Chinese people.

[hindu_heat]

Originally Posted by GeminiPinay

LOL @ McDonalds. Now there's going to be fat and lazy Chinese people.

i wonder if they eat the burger with chopsticks

[Aurovon]

Originally Posted by hindu_heat

i wonder if they eat the burger with chopsticks

Haha.

[GeminiPinay]

Originally Posted by hindu_heat

i wonder if they eat the burger with chopsticks

That's going to be mighty difficult. They are going to need 4 chopsticks for that. 2 in each hand.

[hindu_heat]

Originally Posted by GeminiPinay

That's going to be mighty difficult. They are going to need 4 chopsticks for that. 2 in each hand.

or maybe the burger passes through a special noodle grinder.

imagine eating a bigmac in noodle form