The Far East is a photographer’s paradise. In Japan, for instance, photography is a particular passion and old Leica film cameras are in particular demand. China, too, is enjoying something of a photography boom and I saw dozens of DSLR users chasing their pictures all over Beijing. My Leica X Vario was a conversation starter and everyone wanted to know what it was. Somehow I was able to chat with photographers despite, in many cases, having no common language.
Beijing is a modern and thriving city and, despite the attractions of the Orient, you are never far from a familiar Starbucks, MacDonalds or Costa Coffee. Or far from a photographer, for that matter.