by Vivien Liu
NEW YORK, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Delaney Masal first arrived in China expecting the country she had long seen in American headlines -- crowded, less developed and unwelcoming. Instead, the 29-year-old New York photographer said the experience "floored" her.
Masal was among a group of American photographers who traveled through east China's Zhejiang Province, visiting Hangzhou, Wenzhou and Lishui, and returned home with a very different image of the country.
She had assumed Hangzhou, often considered smaller than Shanghai or Beijing, would feel like a less bustling city. "I was just shocked by how big and bustling a 'small city' could be."
The experience stayed with her. A year later, Masal returned to Zhejiang, this time with other photographers visiting China for the first time. What surprised her most was seeing advanced technology coexist with centuries-old towns and landscapes.
Yaakov Gottlieb, who expected to see technological innovation, was instead struck by China's scenery.
"I didn't expect it to be so dramatic and wonderful," he said. "Waterfalls, mountains, forests -- just a gorgeous country."
Jonas Hayes shared the same impression, saying he was surprised by "how green everything was" and "how many mountains there were."
Rather than focusing only on famous landmarks, James Zhou wanted to capture everyday life.
"I want to show what basically normal life is like here," he said, adding that the towns and small cities he visited were "incredibly beautiful."
Jack Rush Kelly, who was visiting China for the second time, said his first trip was filled with new discoveries, while his second allowed him to better understand the country.
Standing among ancient villages, he reflected, "it's been here for five thousand years."
For first-time visitor Joshua Cuppek, China was far beyond his expectations. "I'd always imagined China would be busy and fast-paced, but everything about it -- the culture, the landscapes -- was calming, almost meditative in its own way."
His favorite stop was Wenzhou, where he was fascinated by the history of villages and the continuity of local traditions. One of his most memorable moments was sharing tea with Buddhist monks, something he had always wanted to experience but never expected to encounter.
Masal, the photographer from New York, recalled visiting temples in mist-covered mountains, where she saw worshippers pray and burn incense.
The experience offered a glimpse of a spiritual side of China that remains deeply connected with people's lives, she said.
Masal also found that photography in China was more than just capturing scenery. While visiting an ancient riverside town, she saw young people wearing traditional ethnic costumes and taking photos, showing how cultural traditions continue to be part of everyday life.
The photographers agreed on one thing: the warmth of the people left a lasting impression.
"Everyone wanted to help you with your luggage and not accept anything in return," Gottlieb said. Cuppek said he had "never experienced anything like that."
Masal was also struck by China's unique rhythm of life. She noted that while many Chinese workers have demanding schedules, the country also has long national holidays that allow people to celebrate traditions and spend time with family.
Gottlieb said he hopes to return to China, while Cuppek said he hopes his images can share the beauty of Zhejiang's culture and landscapes. ■