Moments from China

I had the pleasure of travelling to China for two weeks during October of 2024. This video includes some of the key moments I’ve been able to capture through my lens.

I’ll begin by saying it’s not easy to find the words to describe the feeling of being in a country like this. It’s a place I’ve watched many films about. I’ve seen the pictures and I’ve heard the stories. But nothing prepares you for what it’s actually like. There’s an artistry here that makes you stop and watch, just to let it sink in. There are fleeting moments everywhere, which you don’t want to miss. It’s like a sensory overload in the best way possible.

So many people pass you by, the majority of which you will likely never see or interact with again. There’s an endless amount of ridiculously high skyscrapers. As someone who was raised in a village, I gaze at these insane towers with awe. The speed and sheer efficiency at which these people work is remarkable. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.

Yet, amidst all the energy and excitement, hustling and bustling, there’s this underlying feeling of calm. It’s in the way people practice tai chi at dawn, or the quiet moments sipping tea. China’s cultural heritage is alive, and it’s woven into everyday life. It has this duality, this contrast—it’s vibrant yet peaceful, ancient yet innovative.

Hong Kong is like stepping into a world between worlds. It’s part China, yet distinctly global. It’s chaotic but in this fascinating way, like each moment holds a story that begs to be told. During the night, the city transforms itself and looks completely different. The neon lights come on, the people go out, and you feel like it’s a different place entirely.

The food range is vast, and a little bit crazy for a Mediterranean person like myself. I tried dishes I couldn’t even pronounce. Flavours that I didn’t know existed. I’m happy to say that my food palatte has greatly expanded.

This was supposed to be just a holiday. But it quickly became much more. China has a way of leaving its mark on you. Though I’ve only seen but a fraction of the country, I look forward to coming back to explore more. I hope to relive these moments in the future, through this video.

Filmed on the Fujifilm X-T3

Colour Graded in DaVinci Resolve Studio