HANGZHOU, China — When American photographer Joshua Allen Cuppek found himself sharing tea with Buddhist monks in the mountains of Zhejiang, photography briefly became secondary.
"That's something I've always loved the idea of doing, but I never imagined I would actually experience it," he recalled.
That moment—quiet, unexpected, and deeply human—became one of many cultural encounters captured during an eight-day journey that brought together Chinese and American photographers across Zhejiang Province. The resulting images are now on view in Encountering Mountains and Seas: China–U.S. Photographers Exhibition, which opened June 12 at the Reading West Lake Cultural Space in Hangzhou.
Featuring more than 160 works, including 70 printed photographs and 98 digital images, the exhibition presents Zhejiang through multiple perspectives. Rather than focusing solely on famous landmarks, the photographs reveal everyday moments, local traditions, personal encounters, and the evolving relationship between heritage and innovation in one of China's most dynamic provinces.
The exhibition is the culmination of an artistic exchange that paired 14 American photographers with 18 Chinese photographers, sending them across Wenzhou, Lishui, and Hangzhou. Together they explored ancient villages, mountain landscapes, archaeological sites, cultural landmarks, and emerging technology centers, documenting not only what they saw, but how they experienced it.
The journey began in Wenzhou, where photographers visited the Shuomen Ancient Port archaeological site, a reminder of the city's historical role in maritime trade. From there, they traveled through the dramatic landscapes of Yandang Mountain, the tranquil Nanxi River, and the spectacular Baizhangji Waterfall, one of the tallest waterfalls in China.
In Lishui, often referred to as Zhejiang's "Green Valley," the photographers encountered a different rhythm of life. The mist-covered Yunhe Rice Terraces, centuries-old villages of Songyang, and riverside communities of Guyan Huaxiang offered a portrait of rural China where tradition remains closely intertwined with contemporary life.
For many of the visiting artists, the trip challenged preconceived ideas about China.
Photographer Jerald Braddock Jr. experienced Hangzhou's famed West Lake for the first time during the tour. While the scenery impressed him, it was the people who left the strongest impression.
"I love the nature," Braddock said. "I was taking pictures and meeting people who wanted to talk about the flowers, the lake, and the environment. It felt like being part of a big family."
The final days of the journey shifted from ancient landscapes to visions of the future. In Hangzhou, participants explored the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back more than 5,000 years, before visiting the Wensan Digital Life Block and experiencing some of Zhejiang's latest developments in robotics and artificial intelligence.
For Cuppek, the contrast was striking.
"It's pretty amazing what they're able to do with technology," he said. "I'm wondering what's going to happen in two or three years because it keeps advancing so fast."
That juxtaposition—between millennia of history and rapidly evolving innovation—emerges as a recurring theme throughout the exhibition. Images of ancient waterways, historic architecture, craftspeople at work, and futuristic technology sit side by side, reflecting a region where cultural continuity and modernization coexist.
At the exhibition opening, Chen Rufu, Deputy Director-General of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, described photography as an art form capable of transcending language and national boundaries.
"Each photograph is the result of careful observation and genuine emotional engagement with the world," he said.
Huang Ping, Vice President of the China-U.S. People's Friendship Association, emphasized the importance of direct cultural experiences at a time when public perceptions of each country are often shaped from afar.
"Photography preserves not only landscapes but also stories," Huang said. "I hope these photographers will bring both their images and their experiences back to the United States and share them with their families and communities."
For documentary filmmaker William Joseph Tabor, the project ultimately became less about documenting a destination and more about building connections.
Looking across the gallery walls filled with images produced during the trip, he reflected on the collaborative spirit that defined the experience.
"I admire this beautiful work that we have spent the past week creating together," Tabor said.
The exhibition remains on view through June 25. Following its conclusion, organizers plan to publish a bilingual digital catalog of the project and continue developing the initiative as an annual platform for photographic and cultural exchange.
In an era often defined by political headlines, Encountering Mountains and Seas offers a quieter narrative—one shaped by shared curiosity, personal encounters, and the enduring ability of photography to connect people across cultures.
