China Journal: My Journey Across China
- Kaisern Chen
- Oct 21, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
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.
China is a land rich in traditions, where diverse landscapes have shaped distinct regional styles of opera that have endured through dynastic changes and political shifts. In a small village in Zhejiang province, traditional opera performances continue much as they have for centuries. The backstage is as captivating as the stage itself—a cramped, chaotic space that nonetheless follows a controlled rhythm, sustaining the show much like the steady lives of the local people. This vibrant backstage scene offers a unique glimpse into the enduring spirit and cultural continuity of village opera.
The tea master embodies a cultural evolution where tea, fused with Chinese philosophy, transcends being merely a beverage to become a symbol of harmony among nature, mind, and spirit. This role reflects principles such as balance, mindfulness, and the flow of qi (vital energy), with the tea master practicing an art that cultivates presence, equanimity, and insight—mirroring Taoist and Chan Buddhist ideals where every gesture is both ritual and meditation.
In Zhejiang province, near the Fujian border—renowned as a tea heartland in China—a young tea master I met exemplified this philosophy. Holding her cup and attuned to the atmosphere, her practice was a professional discipline grounded in philosophical principles: brewing tea as an enactment of accepting impermanence (Buddhist karma), embracing simplicity and effortless action (Taoist wu wei), and nurturing interconnectedness with the environment. Each cup brewed expressed a living philosophy, cultivating inner stillness while fully engaging the senses.
This synthesis of tea preparation and spiritual practice reflects the Chinese tea ceremony’s deep roots in Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, emphasizing harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. The tea master thus transcends mere preparation to become a practitioner of a mindful art that embodies these enduring cultural and philosophical values.
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.
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.
More in my 2019 August/September image blog
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