China

I travelled to China without many expectations and left with two cities etched into my memory, Fuzhou and Beijing.

Fuzhou captured my heart. The people were incredibly kind, and the city moved at a gentle pace with scenic roads and calm neighbourhoods. One afternoon, I wandered through Sanfang Qixiang, the historic district of narrow lanes and courtyard houses. Its atmosphere reminded me of Al-Balad in Jeddah, a place that is familiar and close to my heart. In Fuzhou, I stayed with a friend I had met in Sydney. Reconnecting with him and exploring his home city became one of the most meaningful parts of the trip,we drove to nearby coastal towns and explored places new to us both.

Beijing was my second stop. I spent less time there, but its scale and composure left a strong impression. Unlike the relaxed pace of Fuzhou, Beijing carries the unmistakable energy of a capital. Both cities were beautiful in their own ways, and I left knowing I would one day return.

A roadside eatery with neon signs in Chinese characters, parked motorcycles in the foreground, and a dark stormy sky overhead.
Crowded entrance or exit area with people carrying backpacks and luggage, some wearing hats and sunglasses, at a busy tourist or transportation hub, possibly a ferry or train station.
A coastal scene featuring a small blue boat anchored near the shore, rocky beach, and green hills in the background with wind turbines and a communication tower.
Nighttime city street scene with traffic lights, cars, and motorbikes at a crosswalk. Tall illuminated skyscrapers are visible in the background.
People crossing a street during daylight, some wearing hats, and holding bags or phones, with cars parked and trees in the background.
Traditional Chinese palace with yellow tiled roofs, red walls, and ornate decorative elements under a clear blue sky, with a person sitting on a white stone railing.
Crowd of pedestrians crossing the street at a crosswalk in a city, with traffic lights and trees in the background.
Stacked fishing nets and floats with fishing rods and fishing gear in the foreground.
Marine debris including two large red floats, black plastic crates, a rusty buoy, tangled ropes, a plastic bag, and a pole, all piled together.
People standing on a traditional Chinese bridge with tiled roof and decorative railing, likely near a water feature or pond.
Silhouette of people inside a building looking out at a pagoda on a hill in the distance, captured in black and white.
Offshore wind turbines in the ocean under cloudy sky.
A white wind turbine with three blades, labeled 'Vestas,' against a partly cloudy blue sky.
A large crowd of people gather outside a traditional Asian building with ornate architectural details in black and white.
Koi fish swimming in a pond with lily pads and fallen leaves.