Fuqiao
Greece
Hangzhou + Yixing
Iceland
Kenting
Southwest
Suzhou
Taipei + Jiufen
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In late 2024, a storm blew away the roof of my grandparent's old house in Fuqiao (浮桥). After years of trying to keep the house from demolition by the governemnt, my mom's childhood house has finally been taken down. When I visited, the house was similar, but more empty from how I remembered it from my previous visit in 2016. These photos are taken in the summer of 2024, a few months before the demolation.
In late August of 2023, my family traveled to Greece with a historical tour group. We spent much of our time on the bus, stopping here and there to take in the sights. We explored the ancient temples of greek gods, strolled through the colorful islands, and visited monasteries perched in the mountains. It was interesting to see the contrast between tourists and the timeless ruins, and how mythology, history, and religion were intertwined.
In early May of 2024, I visited Hangzhou (杭州) and Yixing (宜兴) with a friend from university. Over ten years had passed since my last visit, and the memories from that time felt distant, almost faded. Walking through these places, they felt familiar and entirely new at once. The bamboo forest in Yixing, once so magical, seemed smaller and less enchanting—almost as if it had dissolved into a dream.
In July 2024, my family visited Iceland. The summer sun barely set, bathing the landscape in a seemingly endless light. As we drove along the ring road, glaciers, black sand beaches, waterfalls, and scattered sheep and horses became part of the routine. The high gas prices were a constant reminder of how remote everything felt, adding to the surreal feeling that we stepped into another world. Along the way, we were lucky enough to see patches of vibrant purple lupine, blooming for just a few weeks each summer.
In late May 2024, I traveled to Kenting (墾丁) with friends. As the southernmost point of Taiwan, it delivered the heat and humidity one would expect. The tourist season was not yet in full swing, allowing us to wander the beaches and night market free from the usual bustle. However, through my lens, it was the people who became the main focus, with their stories unfolding quietly in the background.
In December 2019, after finishing my first semester of undergraduate studies, my family flew to Phoenix and went on a road trip. Over the next week, we made our way through Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, ending our journey in LA. These photos capture the sights along the way — crowded rocks, lonely plants, and the rawness of the landscapes we passed through.
In early May 2024, I visited Suzhou (苏州). The iconic Su-style black-and-white buildings stood in contrast to the lush summer greens and the bursts of color from tourists. The scale and delicacy of the ancient gardens makes one wonder who were the owners before donating the gardens to the government. During my stay, I also searched for a local tofu snack my grandpa used to bring home when he worked here. I couldn’t find it — something to save for my next visit.
In late May 2024, I stayed in Taipei (台北) with a local friend. The city’s brisk pace and politeness lent a coolness to the summer heat, with everyone absorbed in their own routines. It was only in quieter moments that I noticed how the streets were observed from above. We visited Jiufen (九份) one of the days, a mountain town often said to resemble the setting of Spirited Away. While the town buzzed with tourists, the nearby streets and buildings told a different story—silent, still, and somewhat deserted.
