China's story, captured through a camera lens

Most places in the earlier days before high-speed rail involved lengthy journeys. Obviously air travel means reaching towns such as Dunhuang or Urumqi directly, but rail lets the traveler see the magnificence of the scenery while appreciating the desert landscapes. In 1997 in Dunhuang, I really felt like an explorer climbing the massive sand dunes of Mingshashan with no other people around. Standing atop the ridges looking down on the natural wonder of Crescent Lake was like a geography textbook coming to life.

Farther west I would reach the oasis of Turpan in Xinjiang, walking two kilometers from town to photograph the unique, stunning architecture of the Emin Minaret and Mosque, which date back to 1777.

The journeys continued, and the photo collection steadily built up. Guizhou was a province I had passed several times to and from Kunming in Yunnan. It was an experience to actually visit Guizhou for several days in late 1997. I was glad to be using a digital camera, for had I been using film many rolls would have been consumed. Near Zunyi, the seasonal light rain and mist hanging around forested slopes enhanced the scene. I would certainly love to return to Zunyi to capture more of its magic.