Just a few hours after touching down at KLIA from our Yunnan, China trip, we found ourselves changing clothes, repacking, and heading straight back to the airport. Our next destination? Guilin, China—a place we had long dreamt of photographing.

The contrast between Yunnan and Guilin was immediate. While Yunnan had its own charm, Guilin offered a completely different climate and landscape. It was our first experience with the region's magnificent and breathtaking scenery, but this trip proved to be one of our toughest yet.

We arrived in the midst of the rainy season, which meant waking up every day at 3 a.m. and hiking up mountains in search of that perfect sunrise shot. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans, and most mornings were met with overcast skies, leaving us disappointed more often than not. But the pursuit of the perfect shot kept us going.

Beyond the landscapes, we also turned our lenses toward the local lifestyle—fishermen, farmers, villagers—each scene staged to represent the authentic way of life from the past. While these moments were orchestrated, they still captured the essence of a time gone by, allowing us to document a slice of history.

The physical demands of the trip were intense, with over 10,000 steps of walking and hiking per day, often in the rain. Yet, despite the challenges, the experience was uniquely rewarding. Each shot, whether perfect or imperfect, told a story of persistence and passion.

Guilin left a deep impression on us. It was a true adventure, one that we’ll remember for its beauty and the resilience it demanded. We hope to return during a different season, ready to discover new facets of its breathtaking landscape and capture the beauty we know is waiting to be revealed.