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Writer's pictureKaisern Chen

Wanderlust Through the Lens: A Journey Across China

Updated: Sep 15

Embark on a visual odyssey as I traverse the breathtaking landscapes of China, captured through my lens since the late 1990s. This photography blog serves as a testament to my journeys across the diverse regions of this vast country, from the tranquil heights of the Tibetan Plateau to the rugged beauty of the Great West, the vibrant culture of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia, and the historical richness of the central provinces. Explore the intricate tapestry of life along the coastal wonders of the east, where each photograph tells a unique story of the people, traditions, and landscapes that make China extraordinary.


As a traveler and observer, I have endeavored to document the stunning variety of scenery—from windswept deserts and majestic mountains to bustling cities and serene countrysides. Each image reflects not only the beauty found in nature but also the enduring spirit of the people who inhabit these varied terrains. Join me on this journey, where every click of the shutter captures a moment in time, inviting you to experience China’s rich cultural heritage and stunning diversity through my eyes.


Becoming Madam Sun, Xiamen Horticultural Expo Garden, Xiamen, Fujian, China October 2023

"Cycle of Life" No. 23-9195. Xiamen Horticultural Expo Garden, Xiamen, Fujian, China October 2023

The elderly in her living room, Xiapu, Fujian, China October 2023

Village people making rice wine, Xiapu, Ningde, Fujian, China October 2023

The game of the senior, Xiapu, Fujian, China October 2023

Street dentist, Xiapu, Ningde, Fujian, China October 2023

The older generation, Xiapu, Fujian, China October 2023

Pig farm, Xiapu, Ningde, Fujian, China October 2023

Xiapu is a small historical fishing county famous for its tidal flat and kelp farming and in recent decades developed into a photography location. My first visit to Xiapu was in 2010 with fond memories and photographs of its mesmerizing landscape. The beauty of Xiapu, an insignificant county in China, needs no debate, but what draws me return over and over has been its people, friendly and kind local society, and a special place in my heart.

Fisherman on the tidal mudflat, Xiapu, Ningde, Fujian, China October 2023

I am blessed to befriend with some iconic photographers of our time and rare privilege of traveling with some of them for photography in all continents. I have also travel with photographers, professional and amateur, around the world and this is a new experience to photograph with Mila Zhao, a 9-year-old local girl in Xiapu, Ningde, Fujian, China, and my favorite of the shots from Mila, in memory of my dear friend and mentor, the late Ko Sichi 柯錫杰 - my blog Cycle of Life.


Photo Credit: Mila Zhao, Xiapu, Fujian, China October 2023

Miss Gào, the fishing village work, Xiapu, Ningde, Fujian, China October 2023

Miss Gào, the fishing village work, Xiapu, Ningde, Fujian, China October 2023

Fishing village, Yantien, Xiapu, Fujian August 2019

More in my 2019 August/September image blog


With Steve McCurry at Chongwu, Hui'An, Quanzhou, Fujian August 2019

Xiapu, Fujian August 2019

Street vendor, Beijing, January 2018

Jinshanling Great Wall, Hebei, January 2018

Smoking break, Inner Mongolia January 2018

Breakfast, Ulaanbuton, Inner Mongolia January 2018

Winter landscape, Ulaanbuton, Inner Mongolia January 2018

Huangshan, Anhu November 2017

Huangshan, Anhui November 2016

Badań Jaran Desert, Inner Mongolia, October 2016

Badan Baran Desert, Inner Mongolia, October 2016

Hangzhou, Zhejiang, March 2016

An abandoned home, Zibo, Shandong, China January 2016



Tree, Tunxi, Anhui, November 2015

Huangshan, Anhui November 2015

Sunrise, Antler Bay, Xinjiang May 2015

Taklamakan Desert, Tarim Basin, Xinjinag May 2015

Huangshan, Anhui November 2014

Huangshan, Anhui November 2014

Raining day, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, April 2014

Tibetan and the ice cream bar, Zuogong, Tibet October 2013

Xiapu, Fujian October 2013

Abandoned bus, Zhangyeh, Gansu October 2012

Full moon day, Ejina Qi, Inner Mongolia October 2012

Golden October, Ejina Qi, Inner Mongolia October 2012

Zhangyeh Danxia Landform, Gansu, October 2011

Full moon night, Ejina Qi, Inner Mongolia October 2011

The unyielding poplars, Ejina Qi, Inner Mongolia October 2011

Golden October, Ejina Qi, Inner Mongolia October 2011

Sunrise, Cherezig Peak, Yading, Sichuan October 2011

Trail horse, Aksu, Xinjiang September 2010

Horses by the Lake Bosten, Korla, Xinjiang September 2010

Janitors at work, Ürümqi Airport, Xinjiang September 2010

Snow capped Kalajun Grassland, Tekes, Xinjiang June 2009

Taklamakan Desert, Xinjian May 2009

Kawagarbo Peak (6,740 M) of Meili Snow Mount, behind thick clouds, Yunnan, October 2009

Xinduqiao, Kanding, Sichuan October 2009

School kids, Rawu, Qamdo Prefecture, Tibet September 2009

Lhasa, Tibet, October 2008

Sisters' Lake, Tibet October 2008

Salt farm, Zhangyeh, Inner Mongolia October 2007

Suzhou, Jiangsu, November 2006

Tearoom, Shanghai November 2006

Zhanghiajie, Hunan April 2005

Ripples and the rain, Shouzi Lake, Yangzhou, Jiangsu November 2004

Breeze, Suzhou, Jiangsu October 2002

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