French photographer Jeremy Grinan captures the serenity of Zhangzhou, Fujian

The Zhangzhou Ancient City boasts a history of more than 1,300 years. [Photo by Jeremy Grinan/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

For French photographer Jeremy Walter Grinan, the trip to Zhangzhou city in East China's Fujian province offered a serene escape from urban life.

During his recent visit to Zhangzhou as part of the 2024 A Date with China international media tour, Grinan captured the city's tranquil beauty through his lens.

The Zhangzhou Ancient City. [Photo by Jeremy Grinan/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhangzhou, a city nestled between mountains and seas, is a vital stop on the Maritime Silk Road and an important birthplace of the Hakka culture – rooted in migrants who originated from lands adjacent to the Yellow River. The city is also home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of tulou, the unique earthen buildings.

"Tulou was super nice. The people I met there were super welcoming while we were filming," said Grinan.

"During our visit, it was raining, adding to the sense of calm and serenity. You could see the clouds hanging between the mountains and enjoy local tea while listening to the rain falling on the wooden walls," Grinan added. "It felt like stepping into an old kung fu movie."