China is my native land. After eleven years of absence, I went back in 1998 and found myself a stranger in a familiar home. My subsequent close visits helped to narrow the gap. These trips back home have run in parallel with my photographic journey there. I used my camera as a finding tool to discover and define where I came from, what has changed, and what stays.
One region has a special place in my heart. It is Jian Nan, meaning south of the Yangtze River, where branches of the Yangtze and clusters of lakes embrace a water country enriched by thousand years of culture. In today's booming tourism along with fast-paced industrialization, these ancient towns face a tremendous challenge in preserving the traditional landscape and values. I felt fortunate being a photographer to be able to capture both the traditions and the changes of my home land for a lasting memory.
