Smiles of China Travel Photos
Welcome to another round of my smiling faces series from around the world.
Most people are aware that a smile is contagious but did you realize that it can boost your immune system? Apparently, when grinning from ear to ear, your body is in a more natural and relaxed state contributing to a stronger immune system.
Recently, I returned to mainland China for the first time in several years. I was excited to revisit areas in the South including Guilin and Yangshuo with Audrey.
Yangshuo is as close to paradise on earth as I’ve ever seen with my own two eyes. Lush green karst mountains stand erect while rural roads lead to paths less traveled.
Compared to Hong Kong, our base for the past few weeks, it was a refreshing change of pace for the two of us.
We spent time going for relaxing walks around the city center and slow paced bicycle rides out in the countryside with no guidebooks or maps in hand.
When many people think of China they think of the Alpha cities such as Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai; however, authentic China, for me is just as much the countryside areas, serpentine rivers, rice terraces and karst mountains.
Compared to countries in SE Asia, locals are not as likely to beam a radiant grin; however, if you dig deep (as a photographer) you’ll be rewarded with candid portraits over time. ย Here are a few of my favorites from 2010 ๐
Photo Essay: Smiling Faces from China
This cute little boy – wearing a poorboy cap – was smiling at me while taking a break from eating his section of corn on the cob in Lijiang, China.
A Chinese man dressed in an elaborate regional costume and headdress smiles in Dali, China.
A captured this candid portrait of a Chinese man smiling while walking in one of the more hectic areas of Shanghai, China.
This group of smiling Chinese ladies were sharing a laugh nearby the touristic area of the Bund in Shanghai, China.
An adorably cute moment shared by child and mother nearby the Bund in Shanghai, China.
This Chinese lady with a toothy grin was performing in a Communist inspired show in downtown Guilin, China.
A group of Chinese ladies share an ear to ear smile/laugh with gums showing in hectic Causeway Bay, Hong Kong Island, China.
A Chinese lady wearing a vermilion color leather jacket walks down the street in Shanghai, China while talking on the phone.
This young Chinese lady poses for a portrait nearby a monument in downtown Shanghai, China.
This Chinese man with a distinct long beard and sunhat shares a laugh with a friend on a park bench in Dali, China.
This Chinese lady flashes a smile while glancing out of the side of her eyes at the child she is carrying in her arms – Yangshuo, China.
This Chinese lady smiles while hopping on the back of a motorbike in Shanghai, China.
This lovely young Chinese lady weaves in downtown Lijiang, China while greeting me with a smile.
I hope these smiles from China brightened your day ๐ Do you have a favorite one?
Those are amazing photos! China has always been on top of my places to visit before I die. I love their culture and the people!
Such great pictures. China is one of my favourite holiday destinations. Loving the food and the culture there.
Amazing photos. You know ya a great photo set when the photos themselves have you smiling. Cheers Samuel!
Thanks Ryan! That means a lot to me to know that it put a smile on your face as well ๐
Happy pictures ๐ Really make smile and joy. Do you usually show them to the people you shoot? Or send them digital version potentially?
I believe they all would be happy to see their lovely faces ๐
I often do – especially with children!
I love all of these beautiful smiles ๐
Thanks Chanel!
Gorgeous portraits! I actually, unknowingly, found myself smiling as I scoured through them. It’s pretty hard not to smile when you see others so happy.
Thanks Morgan!
Great portraits, as always!
Such smiley faces, such good vibes! ๐
Thanks Zara!
Smiles certainly do send good vibes ๐
This is so great! I’ve always wanted to visit China, I hope my turn is coming soon!
Thanks! Indeed, best wishes with planning a trip to China in the near future!
Fantastic pictures! You are a really talented photographer, Samuel. I had the chance to visit Hong Kong last February, but I’ve never been to the mainland. I’m getting itchy feet!
Thank you! Hopefully you’ll get a chance to visit soon.
Luv these smiling faces from China! Our favorite is the little boy eating the corn on the cob. Nice idea for a post! And yes, it brightened our morning…
Thank you!
I’m glad it did ๐
These are fabulous and make me want to hop the first flight back to Shanghai! ๐
Thanks Heather!
I hope you get to do that soon!
Great post, makes you smile!!! ๐
Thanks Juan ๐
What photo camera did you use for this shots? Which were ISO, diafragma parameters?
Alex,
I would have used a Sony A77 dslr with a 18-250 mm lens and sometimes a nifty 50 mm. My ISO fluctuates depending on the lighting conditions. Typically I shoot wide open in order to freeze the action (or in this case the faces).
When I went to China in 2012 I captured people from totally different point of view then you did. But it’s really nice to see that every photographer has its own ideas of what is important to capture. It’s like a mirror of our souls.
p.s. I will that all Chinese would smile a lot, at least for their health concerns ๐
M.Borgarbui, I agree with you. I love looking at collection of photos to try and understand how the photographer interpreted the place.
Wonderful shots, as always! I spent a bit of time in Yangshuo a few years ago because a good mate of mine was working there. I found the people to be so friendly and warm – so it’s no great surprise to see all the smiles you managed to capture!
Thanks Michael,
I can see why people love it there. I would consider it as a base in the future.
Great seeing some smiles Samuel, and great photographs of them. People are my favourite subject, you’ve done a great job capturing these ones.
Thanks Iain,
Taking people shots is my favorite subject as well; albeit tricky at times.
You have caught some beautiful smiles in these images and I love that this has been a travel focus for you! I hope that you are enjoying beautiful Yangshuo!
Thanks Mary!
We had such a great time in Yangshuo ๐
I am glad I saw these pictures ๐ very inspiring….they really made me smile ๐
Thanks Renuka! I’m thrilled to hear you felt inspired ๐
I’m Living in Enshi, Hubei. My plans for winter break include Yangshuo and a few days around the area. How did you get from Guilin to Yangshuo itself? Is there a train or is bus better? Is there possibly a river boat? And how about hotel accommodations? Any help would be appreciated! Hope your stay in the PROC was fantastic!
Cole,
It’s easy to get to and from Yangshuo and Guilin. You can do a touristy river cruise (which I recommend doing once) but on the way back consider taking the bus which is really cheap and is about an hour and a half trip.
So many beautiful portraits to choose from – “Chinese man smiling while walking in one of the more hectic areas of Shanghai, China” is my favorite – he looks genuinely pleased and as if he’s enjoying himself.
Thanks Maria!
I think that is one of my favorite ones as well. I like trying to capture those candid moments on the street ๐
This is a wonderful collection of smiles, and yes, they did get a return smile from me. I have three that stood out as favorites: mother and child on the Bund, man with beard on park bench and girl on back of motorbike. Nicely done,
Thanks Joanne ๐
The mother and child photo from the Bund was something I’ll always remember. It feels just like yesterday even though I snapped this over 2 years ago.
Beautiful pictures… all smiles are different yet they convey the same feeling of happiness and joy…..
Thanks you!
I agree with you completely ๐