Travel Photographer Uses a Drone To Explore China’s Diverse Landscape From Above

Drone Photo of Green Landscape in China

For the past 12 years, travel photographer Florian Delalee has been constantly on the move. With his base in Shanghai, he's been able to trek to remote areas of Asia and document its landscape. But as 2020 was a year like no other, he was forced to get creative when he found himself having to stay in China. That's where his series The Beauty of China from the Air was born.

With his drone in hand, Delalee took his adventurous spirit on the road and explored China far and wide. Xinjiang, Tibet, Sichuan, Jiangxi, and Inner Mongolia were just some of the places that he visited. What he came away with is a wonderful portfolio of images that shows the full, rich beauty of the Chinese landscape.

Whether he was hiking on a remote section of the Great Wall, flying over the red forest in Anhui, or photographing a pink lake in Inner Mongolia, Delalee was always ready to fly his drone high and get unique imagery. This allows viewers to take the adventure with him and marvel at the different geographies found across China.

As the fourth largest country in the world, and nearly the size of the United States, it should come as no surprise that the Chinese landscape is full of diversity. But to see it so clearly on display is still a sight to behold.  For instance, the incredible rock formations of the Gansu Canyon and the sandy expanses of the desert contrast with the lush, green terraced landscape and stunning blue waterways.

For all of his travel, there are still five provinces that Delalee still needs to visit. As he continues to make his way around the country, he hopes that people will view these photographs and marvel at what one can see while in China. For him, the most interesting part was seeing the human impact on nature and how Chinese culture has worked with nature for centuries but also left many areas wild and untamed.

Travel photographer Florian Delalee spent the past year traveling across China.
Drone Photo of the Great Wall of China

Incredible Rock Formation in China

Aerial Photo of China

Aerial Photo of Village in China

His drone photos give an aerial view of China's diverse landscape.

Landscape in China

Aerial Photo of the Desert in China

Aerial Photography of Chinese Landcsape

Drone Photo of Homes in China

From mountains to waterways to villages, he captured unique perspectives with his drone.

Drone Photo of Mountains in China

Sunlight Streaming Across Village in China

Aerial View of Chinese Waterway

Aerial View of Chinese Waterway

Aerial Photo of Village in China

Aerial Photo of Village in China

Field Workers in China from Above

Aerial Photography of Chinese Landcsape

Aerial Photo of China by Florian Delalee

Terraced Land in China

Aerial Photography of Chinese Landcsape

Florian Delalee: Website | Instagram | Behance

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Florian Delalee.

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Jessica Stewart

Jessica Stewart is a Contributing Writer and Digital Media Specialist for My Modern Met, as well as a curator and art historian. Since 2020, she is also one of the co-hosts of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. She earned her MA in Renaissance Studies from University College London and now lives in Rome, Italy. She cultivated expertise in street art which led to the purchase of her photographic archive by the Treccani Italian Encyclopedia in 2014. When she’s not spending time with her three dogs, she also manages the studio of a successful street artist. In 2013, she authored the book 'Street Art Stories Roma' and most recently contributed to 'Crossroads: A Glimpse Into the Life of Alice Pasquini'. You can follow her adventures online at @romephotoblog.
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