January 2002, Ulaanbaatar

New Rich

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Sunday October 2, 2005, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Market in China draws crowds of immense proportions

Kashgar's immense Sunday Market, known as the Grand Bazaar of Kashgar draws upwards of 5,000 stalls and 100,000 people. A vast mixture of people from all over Central Asia descend upon the market, lending it a colorful atmosphere.

Inside the covered area of the Central Asia Grand Bazaar of Kashgar, a young hat vendor stands with his broom, used to dust his merchandise.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

October 2005, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Markets draw crowds of immense proportions

Kashgar's immense annual October markets, known as the Grand Bazaar of Kashgar draw upwards of 5,000 stalls and 100,000 visitors. All of Central Asia gathers here for the entire second week of October, as they have done for 2,000 years. In a chaotic display of color, hundreds and thousands of Uighurs, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Afghans, Pakistanis and more come by donkey cart, camel, motorcycle, and bus to haggle and hawk over livestock, endless corridors of richly embroidered silks, spices, furnishings, swords, rugs heaped to the ceiling, and folk medicines. This tradition takes place in the ancient capital of the legendary Silk Road. One market features cattle trading, another features silk and other materials, handcrafted kives, and other necessities for nomadic life, a third market features used items such as cars, motorcycles, computers, home electronics and just about any household and trade goods, as well as medicinal herbs and witchcraft paraphernalia. The atmosphere is that of an open air immense antique and flea market. Food is cooked and consumed on location, deals are struck after intense bargaining. The markets start doing business at the crack of dawn, around 5, and continue well into the night. A vast mixture of people from all over Central Asia, including Pakistanis, Afghanis and Kazakhs, descend upon it, lending it an exotic and unique atmosphere, unfound in other Chinese street markets.

Inside the covered area of the Central Asia Grand Bazaar of Kashgar, child merchant selling knives and swords.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

August 2003, Qinghia, China

Qinghai Mountains and Villages

Tibetan woman in countryside near Zequ.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

April 2004, Beijing, China

Real Estate Developer Zhang Yu Chen

Zhang Yu Chen with his grandson Francois in front of his replica of the Chateau Maison Laffitte. Originally from Hebei, North of Beijing, Zhang Yu Chen made his fortune in real estate development, building China's first luxury private California ranch-style homes which sell for over $2 million each. Like the notorious 19th century American tycoons, he is building his own European style castle: an exact replica of Chateau Maison Laffitte (the original is found just outside Paris) at a cost of $300 million. Zhang Yu Chen’s version, however, encompasses, and adds to the chateau’s original blueprints, which included two adjacent annexes which served as stables but were destroyed over a century ago. To these Zhang Yu Chen has added two additional floors and mansard style roofs, and the two wings are then linked by an arc of Romanesque columns, which bring to mind Vatican City. For three years, 800 specialized artisans have constructed, down to the last detail, this replica "chateau," which will ultimately be a five star hotel built as a tribute to the glory of 18th century France.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

April 2004, Beijing, China

Real Estate Developer Zhang Yu Chen

Day and night Chinese artisans work on duplicating every detail of the original Chateau Maison Laffitte. Originally from Hebei, North of Beijing, Zhang Yu Chen made his fortune in real estate development, building China's first luxury private California ranch-style homes which sell for over $2 million each. Like the notorious 19th century American tycoons, he is building his own European style castle: an exact replica of Chateau Maison Laffitte (the original is found just outside Paris) at a cost of $300 million. Zhang Yu Chen's version, however, encompasses, and adds to the chateau's original blueprints, which included two adjacent annexes which served as stables but were destroyed over a century ago. To these Zhang Yu Chen has added two additional floors and mansard style roofs, and the two wings are then linked by an arc of Romanesque columns, which bring to mind Vatican City. For three years, 800 specialized artisans have constructed, down to the last detail, this replica "chateau," which will ultimately be a five star hotel built as a tribute to the glory of 18th century France.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Monday October 3, 2005, Dongjia, Shanxi Province, China

Chinese Vineyard Hopes To Bring A Taste For Wine To Asian Palates

Gerard Colin, who workerd for more than 40 years among the grape vines of Bordeaux, moved to China in 2000 as a wine consultant for Grace Vineyards, a small-scale operation surviving on the $10 million investment of Hong Kong tycoon C.K. Chan. Colin's task is daunting to say the least. Among his challenges are dealing with a culture not accustomed to the consumption of fine wine and grape vines which have not matured long enough to produce the type of flavor he's accustomed to. Despite these obstacles however, not a single bottle remains of the 600,000 in Grace Vineyards' wine cellars a year ago.

R-L: Gerard Colin samples a Cabernet Franc with a vineyard employee who had never tasted wine before.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

August 2003, Xining, Qinghia, China

Islam in Qinghai Province

Inside China's most important Koranic school at Qingzhen Dasi, the Great Mosque. This is the largest mosque in the province, originally built (as a mosque) in the 14th century.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

August 2003, Kumbum, Qinghia, China

Kumbum Buddhist Monastery

Police Checkpoint en route to Kumbum Buddhist Monastery. Kumbum is the birthplace of the current Dalai Lama.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Sunday October 2, 2005, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Market in China draws crowds of immense proportions

Kashgar's immense Sunday Market, known as the Grand Bazaar of Kashgar draws upwards of 5,000 stalls and 100,000 people. A vast mixture of people from all over Central Asia descend upon the market, lending it a colorful atmosphere.

Inside the covered area of the Central Asia Grand Bazaar of Kashgar, veiled Uygur woman with merchant in front of the textile section.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

October 2005, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Market draws crowds of immense proportions

Kashgar's immense annual fall market, known as the Grand Bazaar of Kashgar draws upwards of 5,000 stalls and 100,000 visitors. This millenary tradition takes place in the ancient capital of the legendary Silk Road. Cattle and silk are still traded but so are cars, motorcycles, computers and home electronics A vast mixture of people from all over Central Asia descend upon the market, lending it an exotic and unique atmosphere, unfoubnd in othe Chinese markets

Veiled Uygur Muslim women with child on their way to the market in old Kashgar town.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

January 2002, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

New Rich

Mr. Sonompil on the phone to his stockbroker while his wife and daughter decorate the Christmas tree, a custom imported from Russia, as the traditional religion of Mongolia is Buddhism. Mr. Sonompil is one of the wealthiest businessmen in Mongolia, CEO and owner of the Daluu Mongol Company, which in turn owns the Chinggis Beer Company, a chain of restaurants and bars, as well as an importer and distributor of cigarettes, whisky and cognac. After Mongolia discarded communism in 1990, ambitious economic reforms were initiated but faltered, as parliament was deadlocked over policy changes. Today, seventy percent of the country's economic output comes from private business; the government hopes to boost that figure by selling its airline and other major industries, including the copper mine. Currently, Mongolia's economy is troubled by joblessness and rising crime, but just-reelected President Natsagiin Bagabandi has pledged to devote more energy to relieving these problems.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

October 2005, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Market In China Draws Crowds Of Immense Proportions

Kashgar's immense Sunday Market, known as the Grand Bazaar of Kashgar draws upwards of 5,000 stalls and 100,000 people. A vast mixture of people from all over Central Asia descend upon the market, lending it a colorful atmosphere.

A donkey-drawn carriage passes a bus outside the Kashgar animal market.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Thursday September 29, 2005, Beijing, Beijing, China

Chinese gas stations

In recent years, as motorcycles and scooters have begun to replace bicycles, gas stations have mushroomed throughout the country, contributing to a new urban landscape.

Drivers gas-up in Beijing.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

October 2005, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Markets draw crowds of immense proportions

Kashgar's immense annual October markets, known as the Grand Bazaar of Kashgar draw upwards of 5,000 stalls and 100,000 visitors. All of Central Asia gathers here for the entire second week of October, as they have done for 2,000 years. In a chaotic display of color, hundreds and thousands of Uighurs, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Afghans, Pakistanis and more come by donkey cart, camel, motorcycle, and bus to haggle and hawk over livestock, endless corridors of richly embroidered silks, spices, furnishings, swords, rugs heaped to the ceiling, and folk medicines. This tradition takes place in the ancient capital of the legendary Silk Road. One market features cattle trading, another features silk and other materials, handcrafted kives, and other necessities for nomadic life, a third market features used items such as cars, motorcycles, computers, home electronics and just about any household and trade goods, as well as medicinal herbs and witchcraft paraphernalia. The atmosphere is that of an open air immense antique and flea market. Food is cooked and consumed on location, deals are struck after intense bargaining. The markets start doing business at the crack of dawn, around 5, and continue well into the night. A vast mixture of people from all over Central Asia, including Pakistanis, Afghanis and Kazakhs, descend upon it, lending it an exotic and unique atmosphere, unfound in other Chinese street markets.

A man leads a donkey outside the Kashgar animal market.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

October 2005, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Markets draw crowds of immense proportions

Kashgar's immense annual October markets, known as the Grand Bazaar of Kashgar draw upwards of 5,000 stalls and 100,000 visitors. All of Central Asia gathers here for the entire second week of October, as they have done for 2,000 years. In a chaotic display of color, hundreds and thousands of Uighurs, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Afghans, Pakistanis and more come by donkey cart, camel, motorcycle, and bus to haggle and hawk over livestock, endless corridors of richly embroidered silks, spices, furnishings, swords, rugs heaped to the ceiling, and folk medicines. This tradition takes place in the ancient capital of the legendary Silk Road. One market features cattle trading, another features silk and other materials, handcrafted kives, and other necessities for nomadic life, a third market features used items such as cars, motorcycles, computers, home electronics and just about any household and trade goods, as well as medicinal herbs and witchcraft paraphernalia. The atmosphere is that of an open air immense antique and flea market. Food is cooked and consumed on location, deals are struck after intense bargaining. The markets start doing business at the crack of dawn, around 5, and continue well into the night. A vast mixture of people from all over Central Asia, including Pakistanis, Afghanis and Kazakhs, descend upon it, lending it an exotic and unique atmosphere, unfound in other Chinese street markets.

Sheep on display at the Kashgar animal market

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Friday September 23, 2005, Beijing, Beijing, China

Beijing night life

Since 2003, new private nightclubs for wealthy Chinese have flourished in Beijing. Decorated in the style of an Arabian harem where 15 to 16 year-old Uygur girls dressed in veiled transparant outfits perform bellydances and entertain rich Chinese businessmen, "My Home" is the most recent and one of the most expensive clubs with an annual membership fee of $25,000 USD.

A veiled Uygur muslim bellydancer performs before a pool covered with rose petals at "My Home."

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Friday May 7, 2004, Beijing, China

Prenatal care and kindergarten in China

Twenty-three million babies are born annually in China, roughly the population of Canada. Babycare and Company caters to the more privileged of these 23 million. Because in today's China the government only allows one child per family, all the attention, care and financial doting from not only the parents, but the grandparents as well, are focused on that infant. Thus, the Chinese expression, "six pockets for one child." Managed by American born Matthew Estas and financed by Eric Li, who holds an MBA from Stanford University, Babycare Centers and nutritional infant-care products reach deeply into those six pockets. They offer pre-natal care programs (which includes husband and wife pregnancy coaching classes), women's maternity fashion seminars (which emphasize the self-esteem of a woman during pregnancy), infant IQ enhancement programs, and monthly check-ups in which infants are weighed and measured in a variety of ways in order to determine their robustness and growth rate. To encourage maximum intellectual and physical growth, Babycare offers for sale a multitude of nutritional supplements, which young mothers can also re-sell door-to-door in an Avon or Amway-styled network marketing organization.

Prenatal training class at the Babycare center.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Saturday April 24, 2004

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

October 2005, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Markets draw crowds of immense proportions

Kashgar's immense annual October markets, known as the Grand Bazaar of Kashgar draw upwards of 5,000 stalls and 100,000 visitors. All of Central Asia gathers here for the entire second week of October, as they have done for 2,000 years. In a chaotic display of color, hundreds and thousands of Uighurs, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Afghans, Pakistanis and more come by donkey cart, camel, motorcycle, and bus to haggle and hawk over livestock, endless corridors of richly embroidered silks, spices, furnishings, swords, rugs heaped to the ceiling, and folk medicines. This tradition takes place in the ancient capital of the legendary Silk Road. One market features cattle trading, another features silk and other materials, handcrafted kives, and other necessities for nomadic life, a third market features used items such as cars, motorcycles, computers, home electronics and just about any household and trade goods, as well as medicinal herbs and witchcraft paraphernalia. The atmosphere is that of an open air immense antique and flea market. Food is cooked and consumed on location, deals are struck after intense bargaining. The markets start doing business at the crack of dawn, around 5, and continue well into the night. A vast mixture of people from all over Central Asia, including Pakistanis, Afghanis and Kazakhs, descend upon it, lending it an exotic and unique atmosphere, unfound in other Chinese street markets.

Outside the covered part of one of the markets of the Central Asia Grand Bazaar of Kashgar, a pomegrant juice vendor

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

October 2005, Kashgar, Xinjiang, China

Kashgar Markets draw crowds of immense proportions

Kashgar's immense annual October markets, known as the Grand Bazaar of Kashgar draw upwards of 5,000 stalls and 100,000 visitors. All of Central Asia gathers here for the entire second week of October, as they have done for 2,000 years. In a chaotic display of color, hundreds and thousands of Uighurs, Tajiks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Afghans, Pakistanis and more come by donkey cart, camel, motorcycle, and bus to haggle and hawk over livestock, endless corridors of richly embroidered silks, spices, furnishings, swords, rugs heaped to the ceiling, and folk medicines. This tradition takes place in the ancient capital of the legendary Silk Road. One market features cattle trading, another features silk and other materials, handcrafted kives, and other necessities for nomadic life, a third market features used items such as cars, motorcycles, computers, home electronics and just about any household and trade goods, as well as medicinal herbs and witchcraft paraphernalia. The atmosphere is that of an open air immense antique and flea market. Food is cooked and consumed on location, deals are struck after intense bargaining. The markets start doing business at the crack of dawn, around 5, and continue well into the night. A vast mixture of people from all over Central Asia, including Pakistanis, Afghanis and Kazakhs, descend upon it, lending it an exotic and unique atmosphere, unfound in other Chinese street markets.

Inside old Kashgar town a Uygheer barber shaving a man

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Monday September 26, 2005, Beijing, China

China's taste for fine homes and furniture continues to grow

As more expensive European style houses, mansions and villas are being constructed in China, the demand for interior furnishings has skyrocketed. One of the most expensive and successful furniture stores in Beijing is Classical Furniture where a set of living room furniture can cost an average of $300,000 USD.

Interior decorator and owner of Classical Furniture, Mr. Lee sits on a reproduction French Empire sofa.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Saturday September 24, 2005, Beijing, China

Beijing Jockey Club

The Beijing Jockey Club opened its doors to spectators and gamblers in 2002. On any given Saturday, young, trendy crowds can be found attending lunch receptions, taking in an afternoon at the tracks.

A horse and jockey parade past gamblers.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

April 2004, Shanghai, China

Architecture in China

During the 10 day May Labor holiday, millions of Chinese take advantage of their spare time and enjoy a walk through one of the new pedestrian shopping streets of Shanghai.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

April 2004, Beijing, China

Architecture in China

"Home of Tycoons," new real estate development in construction.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

April 2004, Beijing, China

CEO Lu Jia of modern Chinese dental service provider Jiamei Group

Lu Jia, founder and CEO of Jiamei Group, the first modern large scale, multi-facility dental care service in China, at the gates of his horse ranch in northern Beijing. Jiamei Group, which is the most modern dental service in China, specializes in dental medicine, dental surgery, orthodontics, ceramic teeth and dental implants, using 3M dental products from the US. Lu Jia owns 70% of the organization, which boasts 16 clinics in Beijing; the newest facility features $1.8 million in equipment alone. With an unusually high ratio of doctors to patients, the Beijing clinics alone employ 318 dentists. Lu Jia originally studied law in the US, where he became aware that the Chinese are recognized by their notoriously bad teeth; this realization set him on a new career path in dentistry. While in the US he also developed a passion for horses. He now owns a private ranch with eight thoroughbreds and has received numerous prizes as China’s national jumping champion.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

August 2003, Xining, Qinghia, China

Islam in Qinghai Province

Outside Qingzhen Dasi, the Great Mosque, prior to prayer service. This is the largest mosque in the province, originally built (as a mosque) in the 14th century.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

August 2003, Qinghia, China

Qinghai Mountains and Villages

A shrine, locally known as a laptze, to Baoian's mountain deity. The laptze, overlooking Baoian, serves as the deity's evening resting place. Prayer flags flap gently in the breeze.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

August 2003, Qinghia, China

Qinghai Mountains and Villages

Tibetan women bathing in hot spring grotto for medicinal purposes outside Tongren.

Credit: Julia Calfee / Polaris

Julia Calfee