By Xinyi Li, EDITOR

Strolling in the streets and alleys, Wanzhou is full of high-rise buildings and hustle and bustle streets. An old man is hobbling through the light and shadows of the city. He used his camera lens and pressed the shutter to shoot the city in the river of time.

Fang Benliang and his camera lens

Fang Benliang is an old man who recorded the Three Gorges with his camera lens. Moreover, he presented old photos about the Three Gorges before its impoundment and changes after its impoundment to the public. In addition, through his photos, we can sort out and touch the vein of the magical land and dig into the root of our history and culture in the past, present and future.

The downtown of Wanzhou District in 2016

The port of Wan County in 1980 (Wan County was the previous name of Wanzhou District at that time)

Ships in the river at the Little Three Gorges in the 1960s

25 years, more than 10000 miles journey 

Since 1993, Fang Benliang has traveled more than 10,000 miles for shooting the Three Gorges for 25 consecutive years. He took his camera and began his journey in 1993 .  in 1992, Fang Benliang recorded the historical and cultural sceneries from Yichang, Fuling, Kuimen, Baidicheng, Zhangfei Temple, Shibaozhai to Baiheliang when he learned that the Three Gorges Project was about to start.

Today, Fang Benliang is nearly ninety years old, but he still often goes out for the shoot.

The blowing up of Wan'an Bridge on May 29, 2003

The first Yangtze River highway bridge opened to traffic on June 28, 1997, in Wanzhou District

The Baidi City in 2009

The Beibin Avenue in Wanzhou District in 2011

Source: Chongqing Daily