A memory of Shandong province

I gained extensive experience traveling to different regions of Nepal after joining the journalism profession. Eager to learn new things every day, I often embarked on trips. Recently, a proposal came from the National Photojournalist Group to visit the People's Republic of China to participate in the Shandong Cultural Week Program. I was unable to sleep that night when it was confirmed we would leave Nepal on December 8, at the invitation of the Binzhou Photographer Association and Mr. Su Xue I marked December 8 on the office calendar and requested leave approval, which was granted.

The day I had been eagerly anticipating arrived. On December 8, a team of 14 people, including officials and members of the National Photographers Group of Nepal, went to Tribhuvan International Airport to board a flight to Shandong Province, China. From December 8 to 16, the National Photojournalist Group of Nepal participated in the Shandong Cultural Week program and visited various cities, including Binzhou, Qufu, Jinan, and Qingdao.

Upon arriving in China, representatives from Shandong University of Aeronautics welcomed us at the airport. Despite the colder weather compared to Kathmandu, their warm hospitality and sweet smiles made us feel at home.

After a 4-hour drive from the airport, we reached the Zibo Gaoqing Guest House. The entire staff, led by Teacher Su Xue, was ready to welcome us. A large sign on the wall read, "Welcome to China, National Forum of Photojournalists." Although I was excited, I felt a bit tired, likely due to the long journey. I had a headache, perhaps caused by the change in weather, and decided to focus on resting rather than fully enjoying dinner.

To my surprise, when I went to eat, I discovered 25-30 different dishes prepared. For a moment, I thought I was at a Newari feast, which also features a variety of dishes. This was my first time tasting Chinese food. I sampled some dishes, but due to my health condition, I couldn't fully enjoy the meal that night and prioritized resting.

Since there were no formal programs on December 9, we planned to visit the museum at Zibo Gaoqing Guest House after breakfast. The museum visit was memorable, filled with historical and architectural heritage that allowed me to learn more about the province. I also had the opportunity to connect with photographers from Binzhou.

As a photojournalist, the most fascinating aspect of the museum was the collection of cameras on display. The museum showcased a range of cameras from old to new, providing insights into the history and evolution of photography.

Later that day, we visited the Guoging Tasting Center, where wine is produced. Observing how alcohol is commercialized sparked my thoughts about how local liquor from my Newar community could be produced in a similar manner for economic benefit.

One of the highlights of the trip was visiting the Underwater World. Being a landlocked country, Nepal only allows us to see freshwater animals. However, this visit enabled me to directly observe marine life, and I was astonished by the variety of sea creatures.

With each visit, my excitement about being in China grew. Having grown up in the Kathmandu Valley, I was accustomed to witnessing sunrises and sunsets behind the hills, but experiencing a sunset near the sea was a completely new and breathtaking experience.

On the third day of our visit, we attended the official program for the Shandong Cultural Week. As we traveled to the venue, I was filled with thoughts. It was a great opportunity to meet new people, but I was also curious about how to communicate due to language barriers.

Upon arriving at the event called Cultural Week, featuring breathtaking flights over the Himalayan range in fascinating Nepal, my curiosity transformed into excitement. I felt a sense of belonging when I saw the photo exhibition featuring my work. Gradually, I became absorbed in the experience. The program concluded with the presence of Hwangji Chun, the former Vice Minister of Publicity of Shandong Province.

Despite Nepal and China being neighboring countries, I found significant differences in language. Since I couldn't understand their language and they didn't understand mine, I felt a bit embarrassed needing to rely on a third language. However, thanks to interpreters like Haoxiang Chen, Seemi, Cai Leyi, and Chris, who made communication easier. I was impressed by their love for their language and resolved to learn some Chinese language for my next visit.

During the trip, I visited several places, including the Binzhou Museum, Liao River Tower, Yuyle Home Textiles, Lizhuang Rope and Net Museum, Sun Tzu Cultural City, Wudi Ancient City, Binzhou Advanced Technology High School, The Temple of Confucius, The Kong Family Mansion, Qufu City, Daming Lake, Qushuiting Street, Furong Street, and Baotu Spring in Jinan City, as well as Quancheng Square, Liberation Pavilion, Fourth Square, Olympic Sailing Center, and the Light Show in Qingdao city.

In my childhood, I used to buy a large copy for 10 rupees, featuring an old man with a long beard on the cover. I gradually learned that this figure was Confucius, a great thinker and philosopher of China. Visiting the Temple of Confucius evoked memories of my childhood, and I felt emotional seeing his statue.

My birthplace, Bhaktapur, is an ancient city. Growing up there, I was fascinated by Wudi Ancient City in China. I pondered the similarities between Bhaktapur and this historic city. The architectural beauty of Wudi Ancient City taught me the importance of preserving heritage and keeping it clean and beautiful.

In Nepal, it is customary to sing psalms (bhajan) in the evening as a form of prayer. One evening while traveling to Zinan City, I saw a group of senior citizens dancing joyfully, leaving all their worries behind. Their smiles and laughter reminded me of the senior citizens in my locality who sing psalms together. The music uplifted my spirit and helped me forget the stress of travel.

I also experienced the joy of meeting fellow Nepalis abroad. While visiting Wangsuxian Village, we encountered some brothers and sisters who had come to China for higher education. Their emotional stories about family visits warmed our hearts, and we felt proud of their efforts to pursue education for the development of our country.

We are grateful to Teacher Su Xue for his hospitality and for inviting the members of the National Photojournalist Group of Nepal to visit China. This trip was made possible through the cooperation of the Binzhou Photographer Association, allowing us to showcase our photographs in a vast country like the People's Republic of China—a dream come true for photojournalists. Special thanks to Pradeep Raj Onta, President of the National Photojournalist Group, and Sunil Sharma, the coordinator of this visit, for this incredible opportunity.