10 Chinese cities' and provinces' 'business cards' may just inspire a trip

Shi Changhong, a designer from southern China’s Guizhou province, recently became an Internet icon. Shi spent two years sketching “business cards” for 34 cities and provinces in China. His illustrations incorporate each province’s name and most representative spots to create a design that the artist hopes can be appreciated by even those with no formal background in art. Chinese netizens have praised his work, remarking that people could learn a lot about China just by looking through the cards.

Take a look at Shi’s top 10 creative designs below:

Guilin

As an old Chinese saying goes, “East or west, Guilin landscape is the best.” Indeed, Guilin is known for its fantastic natural scenery. Shi highlights Guilin’s beautiful mountains and bodies of water in his design for the city.

(Photo credit: Shi Changhong)

Tibet

Shi incorporated the shape of the Potala Palace into his illustration, painting his design the color of Tibet’s clear blue sky.

(Photo credit: Shi Changhong)

Anhui province

Shi depicts the most distinctive features of traditional Anhui-style architecture – unusually high “firewalls” (intended to prevent fires) – in the card design. Hongcun Village, a 900-year-old settlement located at the foot of Mount Huangshan, boasts such typical residences, in addition to carvings that are said to be among the best preserved in China. The village became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

(Photo credit: Shi Changhong)

Henan province

Shi drew the two characters for “Henan” in the shape of the Longmen Grottoes, which Shi considered a milestone of both art in China and human civilization.

(Photo credit: Shi Changhong)

Chongqing

As Chongqing is regarded as the birthplace of hotpot in China, the spicy snack is a must-try for all travelers in the city. Besides the spicy cuisine, Chongqing has long been known as “Mountain City,” which also inspired Shi’s illustration. 

(Photo credit: Shi Changhong)