Hu Yueting, a photographer from Jinhua. [Photo/jinhua.com.cn]

Hu Yueting, a photographer from Jinhua, Zhejiang province, has captured moments of beauty and humanity across 50 countries and regions worldwide, his lens traversing five continents.

Last year, the 60-year-old embarked on a 10-day trek around Mont Blanc, capturing some of Western Europe's unique vistas.

Hu sees his camera as a window to the world. "I started photography out of a yearning for beauty," he said. In the 1980s, he would cycle around with his camera on weekends, capturing local scenes. Gradually, his desire for unexplored landscapes increased.

From Cambodian temples to Egyptian sunrises, and Indian festivals to Mexican pyramids, Hu's lens has beheld wonders, prompting him to describe his experiences as a visual feast.

There were always surprises on the road — from ancient cacti and "walking" trees to brick walls made of salt.

Years later, Hu is still able to recount the stories behind his photos. "I enjoy capturing people and their activities. That moment in the picture interprets the culture, life, and emotions of the locals, sometimes even more memorably than words," Hu said.

For Hu, a bicycle is as essential as his camera. In 2008, he embarked on a two-month cycling journey from Chengdu to Nepal, planning his route with printed maps.

Language barriers have posed challenges, but Hu's proactive approach, including learning foreign languages before setting off and utilizing smartphone translators, has helped him.

Despite his late start in taking up long-distance cycling, Hu remains undeterred. In fact, he is planning expeditions to depopulated zones in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region with his friends this year.