Articles written by Tom Carter

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About me - Tom Carter

China photojournalist Tom Carter is the author of 'CHINA: Portrait of a People,' coming soon from Hong Kong publisher Blacksmith Books.

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Religion & Spirituality > Buddhism Testimonies: Experiencing Buddhism: 1 of 9

My path to purification began in the home of Shiva the Destroyer or perhaps it was just his rubbish bin. The shantytown of Darchen at the foot of Mt Kailash in western Tibet is populated with half-naked, red-cheeked children playing in trash heaps. Teahouses running on car battery power, with dirt floors lined with old pillow... More..
Jobs & Careers > Education Jobs How to get a job teaching ESL: 3 of 13

Having little luck finding an attractive job offer in the U.S. in 2004, I decided to take my skills where they were wanted - abroad.Enticed by the "Teach English in China - No Experience Necessary" ads saturating the online classifieds, I emailed my resume with one hand and packed my bags with the other. I had no idea what to... More..
Travel > Asia Travel experiences: Asian adventures: 12 of 36

As a veteran backpacker of both hemispheres currently traveling extensively throughout all 32 provinces of the People's Republic of China, this writer has come to depend heavily on hostels. Without them I could not financially (or emotionally) last the 10 months I'm expected to be on the road. As such, I've brooded on the ety... More..
Sports & Recreation > Martial Arts Guide to Chinese martial arts: 2 of 6

"Let's see your Tiger-Crane style match my Eagle's Claw!"Ah, the immortal words of dueling Shaolin warriors. Though dialog like this is mainly the stuff of low-budget Hong Kong movies, there is in fact a place where such challenges are still uttered. Not to the death, of course, but between students at Shaolin Si, China's mos... More..
Travel > Asia Travel diaries: Tibet: 3 of 7

The news was shocking!The ticket agent at the Shangri-la bus terminal in Zhongdian, Yunnan province was happy to tell me over and over, in both Chinese and English, that yes, foreigners can now travel east through the Tibet Autonomous Region to Lhasa overland and without a permit! I really couldn't believe what I was hearing,... More..
Arts & Humanities > Historical Literature Book reviews: My Splendid Concubine, by Lloyd Lofthouse: 1 of 1

The Lustful Life of Sir Robert Hart:Or, Prurience & Violence in 19th Century ChinaA Critical Review of Lloyd Lofthouse's "My Splendid Concubine"Fans of historical fiction literature might be astonished to realize that in author James Michener's vast catalog of titles, not one of his 40+ best-sellers takes place in China. Desp... More..
Travel > Accommodation Tips & Advice Finding cheap accommodation in Beijing, China: 1 of 1

Anyone who has spent time in the People's Republic of China is obviously aware of the sheer number of hotels and sundry boardinghouses located in even the smallest city.What patronizing Western travelers frequently encounter at the front desk, however, is a sudden expulsion by the proprietor conveying in Chinese that NO FOREI... More..
Travel > Travel Planning & Advice First time traveler's guide to China: 8 of 13

Perhaps the single most reassuring fact about travel in the People's Republic of China is its remarkably low crime rate.The Ministry of Public Security (MPS), the principal authority of domestic criminal procedures, earlier this year announced a 15 percent decline in violent crime (4.5 million reported cases for 2005), while ... More..
Travel > Asia Travel experiences: Hong Kong: 9 of 10

Having spent over two-and-a-half straight years in the Chinese mainland without leave, it was with both anticipation and apprehension that I recently crossed the southern border into Asia's wealthiest city.Despite its one-stop-shopping popularity with Mainland expats needing new clothes and a new visa, I truly had no idea wha... More..
Travel > Travel Planning & Advice Independent versus escorted tours: 3 of 3

"What could possibly compel them to do something so wrong?"This was the question posed by a group of expats sitting around a youth hostel in scenic Huangshan Mountain, China's beloved mountain range in Anhui Province, discussing the legions of tourists who had disrupted their 72-peak excursion.As the foreign travelers retell ... More..