Xi'an [Si-an] (西安 - originally Chang'an) is one of the oldest cities in China, the residence of the Tang Dynasty emperors, and the starting point of the Silk Road. The historic city center is a blend of three cultures, dividing the city into parts influenced by Taoist, Buddhist, and Muslim cultures. Each culture has its shrines, street architecture styles, and traditional foods.

If there's a place where modern architecture and a modern lifestyle are slowly overtaking tradition, it's Beijing. With almost 30 million people, it's a bustling metropolis. Modern skyscrapers, glass buildings, and historical sites contrast with gloomy streets full of tangled wires and chaos.

The sun is shining brightly again, and the time has come when most of us are furiously looking forward to vacation. Before heading out, don’t forget to thoroughly think through what camera and gear you’ll take with you to preserve your memories forever.

After visiting China, you’ll never be the same. Something inside you will have changed. China will change the way you see the world and change all the preconceptions you had about China until now. Whether you set out to discover the history, landmarks, modern architecture, good tea, or nature, one thing is for sure. China has many faces, and they all interlace.

When it comes to nature on the British Isles, most people immediately think of Scotland. But let’s go just a bit south to Northern England. There’s an almost continuous strip of three national parks with landscapes reminiscent of Tolkien’s world. What types of opportunities does this lesser-known part of Europe offer photographers?

What exactly is the Way of St. James or Camino de Santiago? Originally, it was the pilgrimage route to the tomb of St. James, located in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. Today, there is more than one route to Santiago. The most famous is the 770km (478mi) long French Way (Camino Francés), but there are many other official and unofficial routes.  

Are you looking to photograph something in Europe that’s exotic, but think Iceland and the Canary Islands are overdone? Try exploring the Portuguese waters. In addition to the beautiful and photo-worthy Madeira, there are also the Azores. These islands have a little bit of everything, yet are very distinctive. Thanks to their remoteness, the Azores are still a safe haven from mass tourism. You will need at least one stopover when visiting any of the islands. Today, we’ll be talking about the largest and most easily accessible island, São Miguel. There are nine islands in total and all are unique. However, it is on this island where you’ll find the highest concentration of sights.

You have probably been somewhere and thought to yourself, “Wow, this is a true photographer’s paradise.” On the island of Madeira, this phrase takes on an entirely new meaning. The main reason is the island’s incredible diversity which is concentrated in a very small area. Imagine going from a tropical city at sea level to a mountain that’s over 1800m above sea level in an hour’s drive. If your goal is to try as many photographic scenarios as possible, then this is the place.

Short day hikes certainly have their charm. You have more freedom when planning and only need to carry the essentials. On the other hand, you’re usually hiking in the blaring midday sun and missing out on some of the most beautiful parts of the day. It’s a different story when you head into the mountains for days, weeks, or even months. All of sudden, you’re waking up to beautiful light, everything is constantly changing, and you’re rewarded with epic sunsets at the end of the day.

Imagine being literally flooded with greenery. It’s so thick it even blocks the sun and only a ray or two sneaks through every so often. Everywhere you turn, there’s a new scent to discover, something rustles, and then there’s the howling of monkeys that carries over everything. From this beauty, unique hills emerge that upon closer inspection reveal mysterious monuments of lost civilizations. Does this sound like something out of a movie to you? The truth is this is the reality you can encounter in the jungles of Mexico and Guatemala.