A pair of photographers explore and document Hainan island

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Ten years ago, Irish photographer Patrick Quinn visited the Chinese island of Hainan, and quickly fell in love. Since then, Quinn has established an English website about the tropical island and works with other photographers to share some of the sights.

Joined by British photographer Jake Canning, the pair have filmed and photographed the island's countryside, villages and the local people.

Patrick’s family/ CGTN photo‍

Quinn says some of his most interesting experiences are in the countryside. “We went to a really small village that was a little bit inaccessible, we had dinner with them in the evening. I think we were the first foreigners actually ever go into that village. It was a great experience,” recalls Quinn.

Quinn's wife Wu Hehua is a Hainan local and helps the photography team explore new locations. “What Patrick does is so inspiring and very meaningful, said Wu. “I’m very proud of him, and he’ll always have my support."

Patrick and Jake are filming in a park in Haikou/ CGTN photo

Having lived in the city of Haikou for the last 10 years, Hainan island has become Quinn's home.

“Haikou has definitely become much more modern in the past decade. They have high-speed roads, high-speed trains, the infrastructure has been great significantly. Hainan is attracting more and more international visitors, I think that if it continues to change at this pace, the next five or 10 years it will be an exciting time for Hainan,” he remarked.