May 29, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 15) By Simon J. Lau I visited Wulong Karst, a region known for its beauty and prominent karst landscape. Three Natural Bridges, one of several protected areas, was made internationally famous by Transformers. These natural bridges are the largest in Asia. Longshuixia Gap, a gap-style gorge, is another area in Wulong. The gorge is 5km (3+ miles) long, but the walking tour is only 2km (1+ miles). This trail includes many unique views of […]

May 28, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 14) By Simon J. Lau I visited Ciqikou, an ancient town that was once known for its thriving porcelain production. There’s very little, if any, porcelain manufactured here now. Instead, these storefronts have been mostly converted into small shops and restaurants. In the evening, I had my first taste of authentic Chongqing hotpot. I went with a friend’s cousin, who previously studied abroad. We spent much of our time discussing Chinese politics. He was […]

May 27, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 13) By Simon J. Lau I went on a river cruise along the Jialing River, which took us around parts of Chongqing. I managed to capture these stunning views of the city from the river. I didn’t expect to enjoy the tour as much as I did, but I did, and the photos turned out beautifully. In coming here, I also noticed the unusually low river levels. It appears China is suffering from a […]

May 26, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 12) By Simon J. Lau I arrived in Chongqing! This is the largest inland city in China (urban population of 18 million vs. NYC’s urban population of 8 million, both circa 2021, for comparison) and its cityscape is defined by its mountains, bridges, and rivers. I learned of Chongqing through a Chinese rap video. It made the city look so amazing, I had to visit! First thing on my bucket list was street food! […]

May 25, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 11) By Simon J. Lau For my last day in Wuhan, I visited Yellow Crane Tower. This structure has existed in some form or another since AD 223. From the top of the building, you can get an expansive view of Wuhan’s downtown cityscape and of the Yangtze River. In the afternoon, rain came down really hard, and my friends from yesterday decided to stay indoors. That didn’t stop me. I spent my last […]

May 24, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 10) By Simon J. Lau I indulged in some night photography from the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge. It reminded me how much I love capturing urban landscapes at night, especially when I’m out late by myself. In those moments, I feel completely in my element and, most importantly, happy. Earlier, I explored East Lake and the botanical gardens in Wuhan. East Lake is a major attraction and one of the largest freshwater lakes in […]

May 23, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 9) By Simon J. Lau I made it to Wuhan! It’s a historic city and has briefly served as China’s capital several times. Unfortunately, it’s also where COVID-19 originated. 🦠 That alone may forever overshadow its long history. Time for me to investigate? 😅 First stop, Hubu Alley! This is one of the oldest streets in Wuhan, transformed into a street food paradise. I indulged in some delicious snacks here, including savory pork (pictured) […]

May 22, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 8) By Simon J. Lau I returned to Beijing for a night, as a transit stop before leaving for Wuhan tomorrow. One place that I’ve always liked is Beihai Park, which was once an imperial garden. I spent the evening photographing this park and portions of the outer wall of the Forbidden City. When leaving Chengde this morning, I had my first experience riding a bullet train. 🚄 It was crazy efficient, organized, and […]

May 21, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 7) By Simon J. Lau I spent time exploring the morning street market. Unlike the night market, the food here is seen as a necessity and is heavily regulated by the government. Some vendors were uneasy when I photographed them. However, these photos were from the more accommodating ones. I concluded my two-day Chengde tour with a Muslim breakfast, enjoying lamb soup with meat and intestines. My guide, Helen, was excellent! She thoughtfully curated […]

May 20, 2023 Mandarin Immersion (Part 6) By Simon J. Lau I visited Putuo Zongcheng Temple and Puning Temple, which are part of what is collectively known as the Eight Outer Temples. These temples were constructed by the Qing dynasty to unite the region’s many ethnic minorities, offering them to their leaders as a gesture of unity. In the evening, I hired a guide to show me local hangouts and places for night photography. We explored Shuangluan District, located just […]