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30 Dream-like Pictures I Took In Xi’an, China During The Covid-19 Pandemic
I'm no photographer, but I always have my 70D with me. I like to capture life as I see it.
I lived in Xi'an, China for almost 7 years, amassing thousands of photos. 2020 came as a shock to the world, but unlike the rest of the world which had time to process the information before things started "happening", people in China, such as myself at the time, had no warning before their world was turned upside down.
The day of the Spring festival (Chinese new year) was normal. That evening, though, bar owners and restaurant owners were ordered to close immediately. Without warning. The public hadn't been told yet. The very next morning, communities were told to bar all entrances save for one, and to strictly control entry and exit. That afternoon it was announced that only ONE member of each household was allowed out every SECOND day, ONLY for necessities. Large parts of the city were banned completely. Never had I seen an organization on such a large scale, so fast.
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#1
Peeky Husky
Final score:
44points
I know many will say negative things about China and the Chinese, but I can say that this cooperation and people actually listening to regulations is because this was for the greater good. Yes, many complained, but complied willingly, for the country. This was unique for me, as a South African; my countrymen, like most, just think about themselves and their family.
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#2
Haz-Man
Final score:
42points
#3
Dayanta, When We Were Finally Allowed Near It Again. A Week After Lockdown Ended
Final score:
42points
You can google photos of Xi'an and see it during normal times, absolutely jam-packed streets and landmarks. The photos are the only time I have seen it so absolutely empty. What's worse is that before this, I had only seen masses of hazmat-wearing people in movies. It was a scary time, and facts on the virus were only slowly just emerging.
#4
Usually Thousands Of People Are Here On A Quiet Day
Final score:
37points
#5
A Cleaner With Nothing To Do After He Cleaned The Day Before
Final score:
36points
To answer the question of how I got these photos after I just mentioned most of the city was off-limits and people could only go out at certain times, every so often. I managed to get out every day as I was living alone, and on the days I wasn't allowed out, I volunteered to help at the gate.
#6
The Drum Tower. Never So Quiet
Final score:
34points
#7
Possibly The Busiest Intersection In The City, Now Just Delivery Guys And Bored Police
Final score:
31points
Gogeta Blue 4 years ago
Hey, you get payed for standing around and looking at things and direct the occasional pizza man. I’d love to do that!
#8
Hard-Working Escalator Gets A Holiday
Final score:
30points
#9
One Of The Small Gates Through The City Wall
Final score:
29points
ZuluIsraeliAmnesiac (Submission author) 4 years ago
Definitely frozen, absolutely quiet. The same city, but so different.
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#11
Uhm, I Don't Think That's How You Wear It, Officer
Final score:
24points
Chandelure F-5 4 years ago
Shame the comment below got deleted. Woulda loved to see the screwup.
Monkey Love 4 years ago
I saw a guy with a mask the other day that said "The mask goes over your nose!" I guess this jackass needs to be told it goes over his mouth too.
#12
Deliveries Had To Be Passed Over Fences And Gates. At The Time It Was A Crime To Even Step Foot Outside When It Wasn't Your Day Allowed Out
Final score:
22points
#14
Muslim Street/Quarter. Google This One. It's Never Like This
Final score:
21points
金宇航 4 years ago
I am a Chinese and I don't really know why many people around the world don't like Chinese people, so I just want to express my own opinion. The first and most important point is that whatever happens is not our choice as civilians, but a game, or even a duel, between the governments of various countries, so all we civilians can do is to live a better life. In China, what people hear and see every day are very positive things, things with good energy. I am now studying in Korea and I can often watch youtube, in ytb there are many politicians from different countries denigrating and slandering my country, I don't know if it is true or not, but whether it is true or not, it has nothing to do with me. No matter what country you live in, the people are the most important part. Living in China is really joyful and convenient, such as the developed mobile phone payment system. China has a population of 1.5 billion people and it's great that the government has managed to get its people to a h
James Doe 4 years ago
I lived in Beijing for a year in 2012 and got travel quite a lot. It was absolutely fantastic and people were really nice and sometimes funny. We did speak travel survival mandarin though. There are some great YouTube channels which gave a very honest and differentiated view on many topics in China (at least in the time I was there). One of this channels has really changed its tone within the last 10 years of the rule of Winnie the pooh and I'm afraid it has gotten a bit more hostile (which it wasn't at all ever). https://youtu.be/x0CjXkb99Z4
Load More Replies... #15
Never Imagined The Subway Being Quiet Enough To Hear My Own Steps
Final score:
21points
#16
Lone Duck
Final score:
21points
Joan Zatorski 4 years ago
This image captures what quarantine felt like to me. Your photographs are very powerful & moving!
#17
Spoilt For Choice. On A Normal Day You Have To Squeeze In And Hope That All Your Extremities Are Clear Of The Closing Doors
Final score:
19points
#18
On My Little Ebike, Looking Towards The Bell Tower
Final score:
18points
#19
Lockdown Started Easing, Can't Slack On Dance Practice
Final score:
18points
#20
People Weren't Allowed Into Any Restaurants, So They Had To Queue Outside The Few That Were Allowed To Open
Final score:
17points
#23
Policeman Checking If Drivers Have Permits To Be Out
Final score:
14points
#24
Walls Put Up To Block Entry/Exit To Communities/Complexes
Final score:
14points
#26
Dayanta (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) Where Usually Hundreds Of People Are Milling About
Final score:
13points
#27
Some Damas Out For A Stroll
Final score:
11points
Random Person 4 years ago
Just saying, damas in Chinese is 大妈, which roughly translates to 'Big Mother'. It is sort of like a slang word for older women.
ZuluIsraeliAmnesiac (Submission author) 4 years ago
Yeah I should have explained that, thanks. Once you've lived there long enough you start just using the Chinese terms in English as they carry so much more meaning.
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What do you think ?
NoneYa41 4 years ago
Sad really...Xian is an amazing and beautiful, vibrant bustling city. I've been many times.
ZuluIsraeliAmnesiac (Post author) 4 years ago
I'm waiting for the border to open up, I'm headed back ASAP. It's my second home.
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Curry on... 4 years ago
In 2019, I was seriously considering a trip to China...waited too long...2020 ruined my plans. Now with the current political climate btw the US and China, I wonder if I should wait for a better time.
NoneYa41 4 years ago
Sad really...Xian is an amazing and beautiful, vibrant bustling city. I've been many times.
ZuluIsraeliAmnesiac (Post author) 4 years ago
I'm waiting for the border to open up, I'm headed back ASAP. It's my second home.
Load More Replies... Curry on... 4 years ago
In 2019, I was seriously considering a trip to China...waited too long...2020 ruined my plans. Now with the current political climate btw the US and China, I wonder if I should wait for a better time.
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