Changsha 长沙：
我的旅程从长沙开始。长沙，一个现代与传统交融的城市，以其丰富的历史和美食闻名。我游览了岳麓山，登顶后可以俯瞰整个城市的景观。岳麓书院作为中国古代四大书院之一，让我领略了中国古代学术文化的繁荣。当然，到长沙不能错过的还有当地的美食。我尝试了臭豆腐、猪油拌粉和口味虾，每一种食物都让人难忘。晚上，我漫步在湘江边，享受着轻松的夜晚，周围是热情的当地人和五彩缤纷的市场。
My journey began in Changsha, a city where modernity and tradition blend seamlessly, known for its rich history and cuisine. I visited Yuelu Mountain and was able to overlook the entire cityscape from its summit. The Yuelu Academy, one of the four great ancient academies of China, offered me a glimpse into the prosperity of ancient Chinese scholarly culture. Of course, the local cuisine in Changsha is not to be missed. I tried stinky tofu, pork lard mixed with noodles, and spicy shrimp; each dish was memorable. In the evening, I strolled along the Xiang River, enjoying a relaxing night surrounded by enthusiastic locals and vibrant markets.
第二天，我计划拍摄一些长沙的城市风光。清晨，我来到了一座老式居民楼，希望能从高处捕捉城市的日出景象。我悄悄地进入楼梯间，顺利来到了楼顶。天空逐渐由暗转亮，我快速地设置相机，准备拍下日出的那一刻。然而，就在我专心调整镜头的时候，突然听到一阵大喝声。一位老居民发现了我，他显然对我的行为感到非常不满，开始用湖南话严厉地斥责我，言辞之中透露出对私自闯入居民楼顶的强烈不满。尽管我试图解释自己的行为，并保证会尊重居民的私人空间，但他显然并不买账，要求我立即离开。
The next day, I planned to capture some of Changsha’s cityscapes. Early in the morning, I arrived at an old residential building, hoping to capture the cityscape at sunrise from a high vantage point. I quietly entered the staircase and made my way to the rooftop. As the sky gradually brightened, I quickly set up my camera, ready to capture the moment of sunrise. However, just as I was focused on adjusting the lens, I suddenly heard a loud shout. An elderly resident had discovered me and was clearly very displeased with my actions, starting to scold me harshly in Hunanese, expressing strong discontent about my unauthorized entry onto the rooftop. Despite my attempts to explain my actions and assure respect for private spaces, he was not convinced and demanded that I leave immediately.
那一刻，我深感尴尬和愧疚，意识到自己确实打扰了别人的生活。但就在那位老人赶我下楼的时候，我转头一看，发现日出的景象正奇妙地展开。我按下快门，捕捉到了那令人惊叹的一瞬。我没有再说什么，默默收起相机，按照老人的要求离开了楼顶。尽管拍到了想要的照片，我在回程的路上一直在反思这次经历。我意识到，作为一个旅行者，尊重当地人的生活习惯和隐私是非常重要的。虽然这次冲突让我感到有些沮丧，但它也是一次学习和成长的机会。
At that moment, I felt embarrassed, realizing that I had indeed disturbed someone’s life. But as the old man chased me down the stairs, I turned around and saw that the sunrise was unfolding spectacularly. I pressed the shutter and captured that astonishing moment. I said nothing more, silently packed up my camera, and left the rooftop as the old man had requested. Although I captured the photos I wanted, I reflected on this experience on my way back. I realized that as a traveler, respecting the local people’s lifestyles and privacy is very important. Although the conflict was disheartening, it also served as a learning and growing opportunity.
Zhangjiajie 张家界：
从长沙乘车几小时后，我到达了张家界，这里是《阿凡达》电影中悬浮山的灵感来源地。张家界国家森林公园的美丽景观令人震撼。我花了几天时间徒步穿越峡谷和森林，每一个角落都仿佛是画中景致。黄石寨和天子山是我行程中的亮点，雾气缭绕的山峰间，犹如进入了一个神秘的世界。乘坐百龙天梯和天门山的玻璃栈道行走，更是让人心跳加速，同时也能感受到大自然的鬼斧神工。
A few hours’ drive from Changsha brought me to Zhangjiajie, the inspiration for the floating mountains in the movie “Avatar.” The stunning landscapes of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park were breathtaking. I spent several days trekking through the canyons and forests, where every corner seemed like a scene from a painting. Highlights of my trip included the Hallelujah Mountains and Tianzi Mountain, where the misty peaks felt like entering a mysterious world. Riding the Bailong Elevator and walking on the glass walkway of Tianmen Mountain was heart-pounding, also letting me appreciate the wonders of nature.
张家界，一个隐藏在中国湖南省山水之间的城市，因其令人叹为观止的自然风光而闻名遐迩。在这次背包旅行中，我决定深入探索这个地方的每一个角落，希望能完全沉浸在它独特的自然和文化魅力中。抵达张家界的那一刻，我立即注意到了城市的规模。与其他旅游热点城市相比，张家界的市中心出乎意料地小，商店、餐馆和酒店紧凑地排列在几条街道上。这种小城市的亲切感让我感到既舒适又兴奋。街道上行人络绎不绝，大多是来自世界各地的游客，他们的脸上都写满了对即将开始的冒险的期待。
Zhangjiajie, a city nestled among the mountains and rivers of Hunan Province, is famous for its breathtaking natural scenery. During this backpacking trip, I decided to deeply explore every corner of this place, hoping to fully immerse myself in its unique natural and cultural charms. Upon arriving in Zhangjiajie, I immediately noticed the size of the city center. Compared to other tourist hotspots, the center of Zhangjiajie was surprisingly small, with shops, restaurants, and hotels compactly arranged along a few streets. This small-town feel made me both comfortable and excited. The streets were bustling with people from all over the world, their faces filled with anticipation for the adventure that was about to begin.
张家界的主要吸引力在于其壮丽的自然景观，尤其是张家界国家森林公园。公园内的石柱群是这里的标志性景观，高耸入云的石柱曾是《阿凡达》中哈利路亚山的灵感来源。我花了几天时间徒步探索这片几乎未经人手破坏的自然美景。每走出一步，都有新奇的景色出现，从密集的森林到怪石嶙峋的峭壁，每一处都令人感受到大自然的鬼斧神工。
The main attraction in Zhangjiajie is its magnificent natural landscapes, especially in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The park’s towering stone pillars, which inspired the Hallelujah Mountains in “Avatar,” were a sight to behold. I spent several days trekking through this nearly untouched natural beauty. With each step, new and fascinating views emerged, from dense forests to rugged cliffs, each one showcasing nature’s craftsmanship.
除了自然景观，张家界的文化同样令人着迷。在这次旅行中，我特意参加了一次土家族的文化晚会，这是当地少数民族之一。晚会上，土家族人穿着传统服装，表演了他们的民族舞蹈和音乐。这让我对这个地方的文化有了更深入的理解和尊重。
In addition to the natural scenery, the culture of Zhangjiajie is equally captivating. During this trip, I specifically attended a cultural evening with the Tujia ethnic group, one of the local minorities. The people, dressed in traditional attire, performed their folk dances and music. This deepened my understanding and respect for the place’s culture.
Fenghuang Ancient Town 凤凰古镇
我的背包旅行计划带我来到了湖南省的凤凰古镇，这个地方以其历史悠久的吊脚楼、狭窄的石板街道和浓厚的苗族及土家族文化而闻名。这次旅行中，我特别计划了一个清晨摄影活动，希望能捕捉到古镇在晨光中的静谧美景。
My backpacking plans took me to Fenghuang Ancient Town in Hunan Province, known for its long history of stilted buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and the rich cultures of the Miao and Tujia people. For this trip, I specifically planned an early morning photography session, hoping to capture the serene beauty of the ancient town in the morning light.
我在一个宁静的午后抵达凤凰古镇。古镇的入口处是一条石板路，两旁是充满历史感的建筑，仿佛时间在这里停止了流动。抵达后，我先在一家小客栈安顿下来，这家客栈就建在沱江河边，窗外就是著名的虹桥。整个下午，我都在古镇闲逛，逐渐熟悉这个充满古色古香的地方。
为了捕捉最好的光线，第二天我计划在日出前起床。清晨四点，当大部分游客还沉浸在梦乡时，我已经拿起我的相机包，带着三脚架走出了客栈。镇上的街道在这个时候异常安静，只有偶尔传来远处早起居民的生活声响。
I arrived in Fenghuang Ancient Town on a quiet afternoon. The entrance to the town was a cobblestone path flanked by historic buildings, giving the impression that time had stopped here. Upon arrival, I settled into a small inn located right by the Tuojiang River, with a view of the famous Rainbow Bridge from my window. I spent the afternoon getting familiar with the quaint and picturesque town. To capture the best light, I planned to wake up before sunrise the next day. At four in the morning, while most tourists were still deep in sleep, I had already picked up my camera bag and tripod and stepped out of the inn. The streets of the town were exceptionally quiet at this time, with only the occasional sounds of early risers starting their day.
我选择了沱江河边的一处位置设立我的三脚架，对面是若干座古老的吊脚楼，河水在晨光的照射下波光粼粼。随着天边渐渐亮起，第一缕阳光穿透薄雾，洒在古镇的屋顶和河面上，创造了一幅幅如梦如幻的画面。我按下快门，一次又一次，试图将这份静谧永恒地保存下来。
I set up my tripod by the Tuojiang River, opposite several ancient stilted buildings, with the river shimmering under the morning light. As dawn gradually broke, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the mist, casting a dreamlike glow over the rooftops and the river surface. I pressed the shutter repeatedly, trying to capture this tranquility forever.
拍摄结束后，我沿着沱江漫步，感受着古镇逐渐苏醒的气息。渔民开始准备他们的船只，准备出发捕鱼；早点摊逐渐开张，飘出了诱人的食物香味。我尝试了当地的油茶和糍粑，这些都是具有当地特色的早餐。
After the photography session, I walked along the Tuojiang River, feeling the town slowly come to life. Fishermen began preparing their boats for a day of fishing; breakfast stalls started opening, wafting tempting aromas into the air. I tried local oil tea and rice cakes, which are typical breakfast items in the area.
接下来的几天，我深入探访了凤凰古镇的每一个角落，参观了沈从文故居、东门城楼等地标性建筑。每个地方都有着自己的故事，而每位居民似乎都是这个故事的一部分。
Over the next few days, I explored every corner of Fenghuang Ancient Town, visiting landmarks like the former residence of Shen Congwen and the East Gate City Tower. Each place had its own story, and it seemed like each resident was part of this narrative.
这次背包旅行到凤凰古镇是一次深刻的文化和视觉体验。摄影活动不仅让我捕捉到了古镇的宁静与美丽，也使我更加珍惜那些平常不为人注意的瞬间。凤凰古镇的美，在于它能在不经意间，用它那古老而永恒的魅力，深深打动你的心。整个旅程中，我不仅看到了中国南部自然与文化的多样性，也体验到了当地人的热情与友好。长沙的繁华、张家界的壮丽和凤凰古镇的宁静，构成了一次难忘的旅行。
This backpacking trip to Fenghuang Ancient Town was a profound cultural and visual experience. The photography not only allowed me to capture the town’s tranquility and beauty but also made me appreciate those moments often unnoticed. The beauty of Fenghuang Ancient Town lies in its ability to subtly touch your heart with its age-old charm. Throughout the journey, I not only witnessed the diversity of nature and culture in southern China but also experienced the warmth and hospitality of the locals. The bustling atmosphere of Changsha, the majesty of Zhangjiajie, and the tranquility of Fenghuang Ancient Town made this trip unforgettable.
