For 40 years, photographer Xi Zhinong has turned his camera into a tool for conservation, chronicling China’s evolving relationship with its natural world. From his groundbreaking documentation of the elusive Yunnan snub-nosed monkey—a species once pushed to the brink by habitat loss—to his recent work with Tibetan herders safeguarding snow leopards, Xi’s images reveal both fragility and resilience.
Xi’s journey began in the 1980s, when he risked months in rugged terrain to capture the first high-quality images of the golden-faced primates. These photographs sparked public awareness and policy changes, leading to protected habitats in Yunnan province. Today, the monkey population has rebounded, symbolizing what Xi calls "the power of seeing."
His latest projects focus on community-led conservation. In Qinghai’s high-altitude grasslands, Xi collaborated with local herders using camera traps to monitor snow leopard activity. "When people understand their environment," he explains, "they become its fiercest guardians."
This visual storyteller’s work aligns with China’s growing emphasis on ecological preservation, highlighted by recent biodiversity initiatives and the establishment of national parks. For global audiences, Xi’s portfolio offers a unique window into Asia’s environmental challenges and triumphs—a narrative blending art, science, and cultural heritage.
