Editor's Note: In this year-end package, we present 13 captivating moments from 2024, each captured by individuals from across China and beyond. These images represent not just personal milestones but also larger events that have shaped our world. Through these lenses, we explore how personal experiences connect to the broader fabric of humanity and the spirit of our shared global journey.
Key moments from this year that shaped China and the world.
Cai Ningzhi (left) shares a Chongqing special pancake with an Australian tourist (right) at the Mountain City Alley in Chongqing in October. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Sweet connections
Cai Ningzhi Chongqing
The highlight of my 2024 was sharing the laoshaobing, a traditional Chongqing pancake, with an Australian tourist when I guided a group of international travelers at the Mountain City Alley in Chongqing in October.
He was eager to try this sweet treat, and when he tasted it and loved it, I realized that this Chongqing specialty not only carried the city's memories and the essence of its people but also transcended national borders. It allowed foreign friends to experience the daily life of Chongqing in a simple and delightful way.
As a tour guide, it was my first time introducing my hometown's famous landmarks in English. When they expressed awe at Chongqing's rich history, I felt a deep sense of happiness and pride.
I hope more international visitors will come to China, and I'm excited to offer them a memorable "China Travel "experience from an authentic perspective.
Top left: Ding Bo, Liu Xiaohui's motherin-law. Left: Li Ai, Liu's daughter, posing for a photo in front of the Oxford University library in 2021. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Silver hair, golden wisdom
Liu Xiaohui Harbin, Heilongjiang
The photo below of my mother-in-law, Ding Bo, was taken during the Mid-Autumn Festival in September when my family and I visited Harbin to celebrate with her. At 80 years old, she is as graceful and composed as ever.
Ding and I are both the first in our families to graduate from university, while my 22-year-old daughter, who just graduated from Oxford University this year, is the first in our family to study abroad.
Over the years, Ding has witnessed three generations of women in our family embrace endless possibilities through education. A lifelong learner herself, she continues to pursue her hobbies and is even writing her own autobiography. Her silver hair represents the unique charm of aging, reminding me that we should always live life to its fullest, no matter our age.
Maria Alejandra Calderon (first from right) poses for a photo with other students from Northwestern Polytechnical University at the Temple of Heaven in July. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Timeless treasures
Maria Alejandra Calderon (Columbia) Beijing
I visited Beijing this summer with my peers from Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi'an, Shaanxi province.
One morning, we rode along the Central Axis of Beijing. As we passed the majestic Bell and Drum Towers, the ancient Wanning Bridge, and the solemn Forbidden City, our teacher informed us that the axis had recently been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Temple of Heaven was one of my favorite places of the trip. What I found especially fascinating was how the temple's design reflects the ancient Chinese belief in the balance between heaven and earth — the round shape represents the sky, while the square base represents the earth. Standing there, learning about its significance, I felt like I was connecting to something much older and deeper than myself.
Wang Miao at China's Antarctic Great Wall Station on Nov 24. [Photo provided to China Daily]
The call of ice
Wang Miao Antarctica
Landing at China's Antarctic Great Wall Station is no small task, even for a seasoned expedition member like me. Since 2019, I have completed the journey only twice.
As China's first scientific research station in Antarctica, it was joined by the Qinling Station on Feb 7 of this year, marking China's fifth research station and further expanding the country's presence on the continent.
Each season in Antarctica, I am captivated by its raw, untamed beauty. Watching penguins incubate their eggs and welcome new life feels like reuniting with old friends, making every return a deeply personal experience.
Kayaking through vast sea ice and towering icebergs, I am reminded of the saying, "Life is not measured by time, but by moments." It is these moments — whether ordinary or extraordinary — that truly define what it means to live.
Top right: Chen Kun (front) sets up his camera equipment at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gansu, on Oct 30. Above: One of the photos Chen took of the Shenzhou XIX launch. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Clicking history
Chen Kun Jiuquan, Gansu
It was an incredible honor to be invited to witness the launch of the Shenzhou XIX crewed spacecraft at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Gansu province on Oct 30.
As the countdown ticked away, each passing second seemed to echo through me. When the rocket finally soared into the sky, I was overwhelmed with emotion — an awe that is difficult to put into words. With the roar of the spacecraft and the rapid clicks of my camera filling my ears, my fingers moved instinctively, striving to capture every detail, every motion, and every historic moment. I felt a deep sense of pride in documenting such a monumental event.
Xu Chao's son stands in front of the ancient Great Wall in Shandan county, Gansu, on June 20. [Photo provided to China Daily]
A road to the past
Xu Chao Shandan, Gansu
During our summer trip to the Hexi Corridor, part of the ancient Silk Road, in June, my family and I drove through Shandan county. We were puzzled by a stretch of earthen "walls" along the way. Then, I recalled reading in Lonely Planet about the Han (206 BC-AD 220) and Ming (1368-1644) sections of the Great Wall extending nearly 200 kilometers through Shandan. It is rare in China to see sections of the Great Wall from different historical periods standing side by side, yet here it was. This became the most unexpected highlight of our trip.
We stopped to take in the view, where the ancient Great Wall, the distant modern railway, and the far-off Qilian Mountains all converged into a breathtaking scene. It felt as if the ancient Silk Road and the modern Belt and Road Initiative were bridging time and space.
Jiang Yajun (right) speaks with a foreign professor in front of the statue of Confucius at Nanjing Normal University in Nanjing, Jiangsu. [Photo provided to China Daily]
A meeting of minds
Jiang Yajun Nanjing, Jiangsu
Looking back at 2024, my most memorable highlight was hosting a foreign professor who visited Nanjing Normal University for an international academic conference.
From the moment he arrived at the airport to our time exploring the campus, we continuously exchanged academic ideas and discussed current affairs, covering topics such as linguistics, cognitive science, ecological science, and the impact of AI on contemporary academia.
We were so engrossed in our conversation that we didn't notice a teacher accompanying us had taken an interesting photo. It captured us deep in discussion in front of the statue of Confucius, giving the impression that we were consulting and conversing with the ancient philosopher himself.
This photo reminds me that academic exchange can bridge time and nationality, symbolizing a shared global pursuit of wisdom and truth.
A wedding photo of Dylan Walker (front) and his wife. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Love across continents
Dylan Walker (US) Beijing
Nine years ago, my wife and I met by chance. From friends to lovers, and now deciding to spend our lives together, each step has been filled with both joy and challenges.
I am from the United States, and my wife is from China. As an international couple, we have faced the challenges of time and cultural differences, but each reunion has only strengthened our bond.
On Nov 15, I wore a suit, and my wife wore an outfit reflecting traditional Chinese culture as we took our wedding photos. On that day, it felt like stepping through time, blending the old with the new, capturing unique moments of happiness that belong only to us.
In February 2025, we'll have our wedding in Bazhong, Sichuan, her hometown. I know the journey of life will be long, but as long as we walk together, we will build a beautiful future.
Yuan Lixue (left) and her boyfriend took a selfie among the crowd witnessing the flag-raising ceremony at Tian'anmen Square on Oct 1. [Photo provided to China Daily]
The flag's echo
Yuan Lixue Beijing
At the end of September in Beijing, when the weather was turning a bit chilly, many people were still eager to line up at dawn just to witness the flag-raising ceremony in person.
After passing through security, everyone rushed toward Tian'anmen Square to find the best spot. My boyfriend and I hurried to the front and, along the way, we saw an elderly woman, probably in her 70s, running alongside us.
As the sky brightened, the square grew quieter, and all eyes turned to the flagpole. When the national flag began to rise, my eyes welled up. I had seen this moment countless times since childhood, but this time — on the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China — it felt like a much more profound experience.
Hu Qingning (front),10, at the spring sports meeting of Qi Xia Experimental Primary School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, in April. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Hope on a new step
Hu Qingning Nanjing, Jiangsu
Born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a rare disease that causes progressive muscle degeneration and weakness, I have never been able to walk.
Yet, that did not stop me from participating in the opening ceremony of my school's spring sports meeting, where I fully immersed myself in the exciting atmosphere — an experience I had never imagined.
Since medications for SMA patients were added to China's medical insurance system in 2021, the cost of a single injection of Spinraza (nusinersen) has dropped from 700,000 yuan ($95,906.85) to 33,000 yuan. This significant price reduction has ensured a stable supply of my medication, bringing tremendous hope to my family.
This year, I learned that even more treatments for people with rare diseases have been included in the system, further brightening the outlook for families like mine.
Wong Kuan-wai (left) and his friend at Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport on June 14. [Photo provided to China Daily]
C919, here we go
Wong Kuan-wai Shanghai
This photo, taken on June 14, captures the C919, China's domestically developed passenger aircraft, preparing for its inaugural flight on its fourth commercial route, connecting Shanghai and Guangzhou.
As aviation enthusiasts, my friend and I eagerly booked our tickets in advance. Waiting for the official confirmation felt like I was anticipating lottery results — but it was absolutely worth it.
What made the experience even more amusing was spotting myself later in a news photo of the plane. When I zoomed in, I could clearly see myself by the airplane window, holding my phone and snapping pictures.
Tang Wenqing poses for a photo in her Olympic volunteer uniform in front of the Eiffel Tower, Paris, on July 14. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Zodiac meets Olympics magic
Tang Wenqing Paris, France
From July 26 to Aug 11, I had the privilege of interning at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games, where I witnessed the energy and perseverance of athletes while contributing to intercultural communication.
One experience from my time in the broadcasting sector stands out: I introduced the Chinese zodiac to a French friend, who, after hearing my explanation, realized that his zodiac sign could be the dragon.
We also discussed the differences between Chinese and Western depictions of dragons, which reminded me that, despite our diverse cultural backgrounds, we share a common pursuit of respect, love, art, and beauty.
Cheng Tianxiang wearing a Yao ethnic costume in Ruyuan Yao autonomous county, Shaoguan, Guangdong. [Photo provided to China Daily]
Wrapped in Yao heritage
Cheng Tianxiang Ruyuan Yao autonomous county, Shaoguan, Guangdong
My shining moment of 2024 came in July when I tried on a Yao ethnic costume for the first time. I had always thought these costumes would feel heavy due to their intricate decorations. To my surprise, they turned out to be light, comfortable, and a striking reflection of the rich culture of the Yao ethnic group.
Although I spent the past year deeply involved in a voluntary project called "Yaolan" (Cradle for the Yao Ethnic Group), which focuses on reviving Yao embroidery, I had never felt so connected to the charm of Yao culture. After trying on the costume in person, I felt more confident and energized, as if infused with the vitality of the Yao ethnic intangible cultural heritage — a legacy that also plays a vital role in rural revitalization.
