Since Lyu Fengxiao bought his first camera in 2007, he has thrice visited all China’s 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, as well as Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, to take photos of breathtaking scenery. His images of nature – rolling hills, snow-capped mountains, turquoise waters – portray a side of the country that is rarely seen. In an exhibition at the Shanghai Library next month, the 37-year-old Chinese photographer will showcase some of his colourful and stunning photos – all taken from far above using drones. Lyu says his photographic methods have evolved over the past 12 years. Until 2013 he travelled around China as a backpacker and took stills. In 2014, he hit the road again, this time exploring the time-lapse technique. In 2016, he turned to drone photography. “And this year, I started taking virtual-reality 360-degree immersive views of China,” he says. To date, he has bought three cameras and eleven drones, capturing more than 400,000 images and plenty of time-lapse and aerial footage. “My drones have covered a total of 7,450km [4,600 miles]. To put that in perspective, a drone can fly only around two kilometres every time [before the battery runs out].” Carrying all his equipment has proved to be one of his biggest challenges. “I have to carry a load of at least 25kg [55 pounds] on my excursions,” says Lyu, who always works alone. “I have two backpacks carrying drones, two single lens reflex cameras, two tripods and a time-lapse dolly. The remote destinations often have no paths, so I never use suitcases. I have developed a slight stooped back due to the heavy load.” While photographing the Hanging Temple in Shanxi province in 2016, Lyu’s drone rammed into the cliff on which the famous monastery was built. “I had to find it as it contained a lot of precious footage,” he says. “I spent two hours looking for it on the cliff, which was covered in thorny plants. I eventually found it – only the battery was lost. But it is a high cliff. A fall from there would have been fatal.” The same year Lyu tried to shoot an image of skyscrapers in Guangzhou surrounded by low clouds. “Three plain-clothes policemen thought I was a spy and took me to the police station. They checked all my belongings and pictures. They were surprised by what they saw and praised my photography skills.” Having his work appreciated has been a major force and incentive behind Lyu’s photography. Last year he started posting some of his work online and attracted an overwhelming response. “People left comments saying they have never seen such China looking so beautiful. I was touched by their comments,” he says. Lyu says not being married allows him to be away from home for long stretches. He quit his landscape architect job in Guangzhou half a year ago to devote all his time to photography. “When I was working full-time, it was not easy to get leave. I often slept on transport to squeeze as many spots onto the itinerary as possible. I eat and live very simply on the road.” That frugal lifestyle is likely to continue as Lyu is now living on his savings. But it is all worth it. For all the unforgettable scenery he has seen in faraway corners of China, he says it was the people he met on the road that left the most indelible impression on him. “Many people have given me free rides. I was touched by their generosity,” he says. “Once, when I was in Tibet doing time-lapse photography, it suddenly rained. A Tibetan kid approached me and held an umbrella for me, even though half of his body was getting wet.” His journeys have seen him witness hardship, too. “Later [in Tibet], I saw the same kid rummage through a rubbish bin and drink from a discarded bottle. The image was heartbreaking. Although there are many amazing cities in China, there are also backward and poor rural villages where people are leading hard lives. “I hope my pictures can make people become more aware of the real side of China.” “A Bird’s Eye View of China” will be held from August 25 to September 5 at the Shanghai Library at 1555 Huaihai Middle Road, Xuhui District, Shanghai