2024 “Taste China: See You in Guangdong” Photo Journey by World-Class Photographers Concludes Successfully

Initiated by the Chinese Culture Development Center (CCDC) in Los Angeles, the second leg of the Taste China project has recently wrapped up in Guangdong. This cultural photography journey, hosted by GDToday, brought four world-renowned photographers—Nick Ut, Ringo Chiu, Irfan Khan, and Michael Nelson—on an 11-day tour across six cities: Qingyuan, Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shantou, Zhongshan, and Foshan. With their lenses, they captured the diverse landscapes, local life, and rich cultural heritage of southern China.

At the post-tour sharing event, the photographers interacted with local residents, sharing their photography insights and their unique impressions of Guangdong.

Six Cities in Eleven Days: Capturing the Colorful Essence of Southern China

From the Yao ethnic villages in Qingyuan to the historic streets of Shamian in Guangzhou, and the coastal scenery of Dongguan, the photographers traveled across six cities, exploring the region’s varied faces—from nature to urban life, from tradition to modernity.

In the thousand-year-old Yao village of Liannan, they joined in a traditional long-table banquet, listening to the echoes of folk songs in the valleys. Michael Nelson remarked, “The lifestyle here blends modernity and tradition. That contrast is something truly special. I hope these traditions continue, because they are not only beautiful and unique but also a testament to cultural diversity and human creativity.”

In Guangzhou, as afternoon sunlight spilled over Shamian’s colonial-era buildings, Irfan Khan captured a vibrant group of cosplayers in elaborate costumes. “I was amazed by their confidence and openness. I really wanted to sit down and hear their stories,” he said. “This juxtaposition of youth culture and historical architecture is a vivid reflection of a rapidly evolving China.”

For Nick Ut, who visited Guangdong for the first time, every moment felt new. “Everything is beautiful here—from the natural scenery to the human warmth. It felt like a new story was waiting for me each day.”

Returning Home: A Photographer’s Personal Journey

For Ringo Chiu, this trip also offered a chance to reconnect with his roots. He made a personal pilgrimage to pay respects to his ancestors. However, after years away, he could no longer remember the exact location of the ancestral hall. Asking around in his hometown of Chaoyang, speaking in his local dialect with villagers, he finally found his way back. As he knelt to offer incense, his eyes welled up with emotion.

“As a photographer, it’s hard to fully express this kind of homecoming through images,” he admitted. “But this experience deepened my understanding of what ‘home’ truly means.”

Extending the Charm of Guangdong Through Photography

To further celebrate and document this unique journey, photography exhibitions are planned in both Guangzhou and Los Angeles from December 2024 through early 2025. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience Guangdong’s natural beauty, urban vibrance, and human stories through the eyes of these four photographers.

Photography not only freezes beautiful moments—it builds bridges that connect cultures, generations, and hearts.

Featured Photographers

Ringo Chiu (赵汉荣)

2019 Pulitzer Prize finalist for Spot News Photography and the 2021 Pulitzer Prize winner for Spot News Photography. Senior photographer at California State University, Northridge. Former chief photographer for the Los Angeles Business Journal

Nict Ut

1973 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Photography with his iconic work, Terror of War. Recipient of the 1973 World Press Photo Award. First journalist to receive the National Medal of Arts in 2021.

Irfan Khan

Former staff photographer for the Los Angeles Times for almost three decades (1996-2024). Member of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team for Breaking News. Recipient of Society of Professional Journalists Greater Los Angeles Chapter’s 45th Annual Journalists Award (2020).