MUCH MORE THAN A SAFARI

Photographer shares his experience of Africa and its people

This September, I traveled to South Africa, Lesotho, Uganda, Rwanda and six other African countries for the first time. The 45-day trip brought surprises almost every day.

Most of these countries are underdeveloped, but they have many world-class natural and cultural heritage sites recognized by the United Nations.

Also, during my trip, I saw the richness of Africa’s natural resources and enjoyed the beauty of the natural environment. And I could also sense the diversity and complexity of African ethnicity, languages, religions and culture.

I was even more moved by the simplicity and optimism of the African people. They are hardworking and are struggling to improve their lives.

Today, Africa is a popular and diverse tourist destination. And tourism plays an important role in the economy, in improving livelihoods and enhancing cultural exchanges.

For now, not very many Chinese travel to Africa for sightseeing. But my trip was an opportunity brought about by China’s reform and opening-up in the past 40 years, that gave me an ordinary photographer the opportunity to visit these countries.

Although the tourism facilities in some of these countries are not yet ideal, I would like to use my photographs to interest more Chinese to visit Africa and discover it.

The story by Sun Zhengyi is translated by Zhang Lei.

newlyweds take wedding photos on a large lawn outside the Kampala Palace in Uganda.

greets Chinese tourists at the Gishora drum sanctuary on the outskirts of Gitega, the second largest city in Burundi.