About the event

Cities are thickly inhabited by memories. The process of the city development has been inscribed into the urban landscape: the renovation of an old building, the launch of a new railway, the creation of a green space, and the operation of an innovative public service……

To celebrate the 10th year of the Guangzhou Award, we called for photos under the theme of “Growing with the cities”and received more than 490 pieces from all over the world that show the infrastructure construction, changes and development, folk culture, and citizens’ daily life of global cities.

In collaboration with renowned photographers and representatives of the international organizations, we carefully selected photos from all submissions for our exhibitions online and offline.

Su Fayou

The Tourist Train through the Sea of Flowers

Kunming, China

Title: The Tourist Train through the Sea of Flowers

Author: Su Fayou

Shot in: Kunming, China

This is a special tour line added by Kaiyuan City, based on the former Yunnan-Vietnam Railway. The photo shows one of its stations that is among the sea of flowers. It located in Phoenix Mountain Park, and is popular among tourists.

Ye Limin

The 100-Year-Old Kunming Wujiaba Airport Officially Ceased Operations and Changshui International Airport Took Off

Kunming, China

Title: The 100-Year-Old Kunming Wujiaba Airport Officially Ceased Operations and Changshui International Airport Took Off

Author: Ye Limin

Shot in: Kunming, China

Kunming Wujiaba International Airport was built in 1922 as the second airport built in China's history; during World War II, it was the base for the Flying Tigers and the end of the Humpback route. After the Founding of New China, it became one of the most crucial airport sustaining China's diplomacy.


However, as time goes by, even after three expansions, the designed capacity of this century-old airport could not meet the growing demand. To solve this problem, the State Council approved the decision to relocate a brand new airport. On June 26, 2012, the new Kunming airport--Kunming Changshui International Airport was officially opened. On June 26, 2012, the new Kunming Airport - Kunming Changshui International Airport - was fully completed and the historical mission of Kunming Wujiaba Airport came to an end. Wujiaba Airport was retired and its successor, Changshui International Airport, was officially opened to traffic at 8:00 p.m. on June 28, 2012, with the first flight taking off from this newly built airport, the fourth largest in China.

Liang Yuanhao

New Image of Xiguan

Guangzhou, China

Title: New Image of Xiguan

Author: Liang Yuanhao

Shot in: Guangzhou, China

In the old Xiguan area, surrounded by high-rise buildings, delivery men are ready to go, cats are lazily napping in the trendy beverage stores, old bicycles park under the arcade...... All these elements constitute a harmonious coexistence between the new and the old in the streets of Xiguan after micro-scale regeneration.

Li Shenkai

A Comparison of the Past and Present

Nanjing, China

Title: A Comparison of the Past and Present

Author: Li Shenkai

Shot in: Nanjing, China

Yihezhong community, with the buildings maintaining the features of the Republic of China (1912-1949), is located at the centre of Nanjing. Most of these buildings have only 2 storeys, contrasting with the surrounding tall buildings. These buildings, surrounded by the tall old trees, are regarded as the “green heart” of the city.

Chen Tong

Untitled

Guangzhou, China

Title: Untitled

Author: Chen Tong

Shot in: Guangzhou, China

The photo is taken near the Guangzhou Opera House. The architecture around here has witnessed the development and prosperity of Guangzhou as a cosmopolitan. The wide-angle lens captures the majestic cityscape against the blue and clear sky. I love the city!

Li Shenkai

The Riverbank Glistens under the Sunset

Nanjing, China

Title: The Riverbank Glistens under the Sunset

Author: Li Shenkai

Shot in: Nanjing, China

For half a century, the Nanjing Yangtze River Bridge has made a huge contribution to our country's economy and has come back to life after a major renovation.

Ye Limin

Making the Main Street a Wetland

Kunming, China

Title: Making the Main Street a Wetland

Author: Ye Limin

Shot in: Kunming, China

In the winter of 1985, the first group of black-headed gull traveled thousands of miles from Siberia to Kunming. Since then, the red-billed gulls have forged an indissoluble bond with Kunming. Every winter, they bring the whole family to their second hometown, which is welcomed by Kunming people. Now, the black-headed gulls has become a unique attraction of Kunming. For decades, they have never been late or absent, and waiting these gulls to come has become a common thing that Kunming people must do every winter.

Zhang Weimin

Changchun Road’s New Look

Kunming, China

Title: Changchun Road’s New Look

Author: Zhang Weimin

Shot in: Kunming, China

Changchun Road has a total length of 1.2 kilometers. It was formed in the Ming Dynasty and is one of the oldest commercial streets in old Kunming, China. The residential buildings, shops, and gate buildings at the entrance of the alley on Changchun Road are matched with the width and height of the road, and the architectural styles are varied and full of charm. 


It can be seen from pictures taken in the 1980s——At that time, urban public transportation is underdeveloped, and walking and cycling are the main ways for people to move. In the late 1980s, Kunming quickly became a famous bicycle kingdom in the country, and its roads became very crowded, which could no longer adapt to the needs of the development of modern cities.

The new photo was taken in 2017. This group of photos was taken at the same location, and the changes of Changchun Road are stunning.

Liang Yuanhao

Baiyun Cable Car

Guangzhou, China

Title: Baiyun Cable Car

Author: Liang Yuanhao

Shot in: Guangzhou, China

Baiyun Cable Car has been built for more than 30 years. It has witnessed the expansion and development of Guangzhou.

Liang Yuanhao

Rural Grid

Guangzhou, China

Title: Rural Grid

Author: Liang Yuanhao

Shot in: Guangzhou, China

In Conghua region, the electric facilities stretching for dozens of miles in the distance, allowing lights to illuminate the night scene of the countryside and escort the revitalization of the township.

Gan Jun

The Reborn of Haizhu Bridge

Guangzhou, China

Title: The Reborn of Haizhu Bridge

Author: Gan Jun

Shot in: Guangzhou, China

The Haizhu Bridge is on my way to work, so I’m familiar with the cycling route around it. When I heard about the renovation plan of the Haizhu Bridge, I couldn’t wait for recording it.


The sidewalk of the original Haizhu Bridge was less comfortable, the road surface had many patches from previous repairs. On February 28, 2012, the renovation of Haizhu Bridge kicked off 2022 marks its 10th anniversary. The renovation plan of Haizhu Bridge has two characteristics —— the dismantled approach bridge will be rebuit as it once was, and the steel structure below the main bridge will be restored while the parts above the main bridge will be retained. Even the steel rivets on the main structure will be made with the original techniques.


I am a photographer working for traditional media and I take riding as a hobby. As a result, I often rode my bike to record the changes of Haizhu Bridge during the renovation. When the construction was finished, all sorts of feelings welled up in my mind. With the upgrade of Haizhu Square and the completion of the Executive Centre Lumina Guangzhou in 2019, this old city axis continues to light up the City of Guangzhou.


Xie Huiying

A Boat Sailing Towards Modernization

Guangzhou, China

Title: A Boat Sailing Towards Modernization

Author: Xie Huiying

Shot in: Guangzhou, China

The photos were taken in Yong Qing Fang, located in the old Xiguan area of Guangzhou. It is surrounded by high-rise buildings, but not appears to be abrupt. In the regenerated Yong Qing Fang, we can see that the landscape of old Guangzhou has been preserved properly, and the historical atmosphere has been organically blended with the modern urban life: old and new Guangzhou live together in harmony. This reflects the new vitality of the old city in Guangzhou and how Chinese cities are developing in a new era.

International Land-Sea Center (CQ100)

The Construction Process of International Land-Sea Center (CQ100)

Chongqing, China

Title: The Construction Process of International Land-Sea Center (CQ100)

Author: International Land-Sea Center (CQ100)

Shot in: Chongqing, China

This set of photos document the construction process of International Land-Sea Center (CQ100) from March 2019 to June 2022. From 10 to 100 storeys, from 50 to 458 metres. This tallest building under construction in Chongqing represents not only the city's physical height has come to a new level, but also the spirit of the city. 

Zhang Yingchao

Yellow Flowers around the City

Guangzhou, China

Title: Yellow Flowers around the City

Author: Zhang Yingchao

Shot in: Guangzhou, China

This set of photos was taken in Zhoutouzui Park, Haizhu District, Guangzhou.


The winding road is lined with Tabebuia Chrysantha, which is a plant with golden and brilliant flowers that look like wind chimes. In the March flowering season, they are in full bloom just like numerous eye-catching golden trumpets that form a golden ribbon decorating the City of Guangzhou.


Li Shenkai

Trickling Streams into the Yangtze River

Nanjing, China

Title: Trickling Streams into the Yangtze River

Author: Li Shenkai

Shot in: Nanjing, China

The Qinhuai River is the mother river of Nanjing. It joins the Yangtze River at Sancha River.

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