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I'm no photographer, but I always have my 70D with me. I like to capture life as I see it.

I lived in Xi'an, China for almost 7 years, amassing thousands of photos. 2020 came as a shock to the world, but unlike the rest of the world which had time to process the information before things started "happening", people in China, such as myself at the time, had no warning before their world was turned upside down.

The day of the Spring festival (Chinese new year) was normal. That evening, though, bar owners and restaurant owners were ordered to close immediately. Without warning. The public hadn't been told yet. The very next morning, communities were told to bar all entrances save for one, and to strictly control entry and exit. That afternoon it was announced that only ONE member of each household was allowed out every SECOND day, ONLY for necessities. Large parts of the city were banned completely. Never had I seen an organization on such a large scale, so fast.

 

 

#1

Peeky Husky

Peeky Husky

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I know many will say negative things about China and the Chinese, but I can say that this cooperation and people actually listening to regulations is because this was for the greater good. Yes, many complained, but complied willingly, for the country. This was unique for me, as a South African; my countrymen, like most, just think about themselves and their family.

#2

Haz-Man

Haz-Man

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#3

Dayanta, When We Were Finally Allowed Near It Again. A Week After Lockdown Ended

Dayanta, When We Were Finally Allowed Near It Again. A Week After Lockdown Ended

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You can google photos of Xi'an and see it during normal times, absolutely jam-packed streets and landmarks. The photos are the only time I have seen it so absolutely empty. What's worse is that before this, I had only seen masses of hazmat-wearing people in movies. It was a scary time, and facts on the virus were only slowly just emerging.

#4

Usually Thousands Of People Are Here On A Quiet Day

Usually Thousands Of People Are Here On A Quiet Day

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#5

A Cleaner With Nothing To Do After He Cleaned The Day Before

A Cleaner With Nothing To Do After He Cleaned The Day Before

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To answer the question of how I got these photos after I just mentioned most of the city was off-limits and people could only go out at certain times, every so often. I managed to get out every day as I was living alone, and on the days I wasn't allowed out, I volunteered to help at the gate.

#6

The Drum Tower. Never So Quiet

The Drum Tower. Never So Quiet

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#7

Possibly The Busiest Intersection In The City, Now Just Delivery Guys And Bored Police

Possibly The Busiest Intersection In The City, Now Just Delivery Guys And Bored Police

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#8

Hard-Working Escalator Gets A Holiday

Hard-Working Escalator Gets A Holiday

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#9

One Of The Small Gates Through The City Wall

One Of The Small Gates Through The City Wall

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#10

One Of Many Streets Usually Packed With Traffic

One Of Many Streets Usually Packed With Traffic

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#11

Uhm, I Don't Think That's How You Wear It, Officer

Uhm, I Don't Think That's How You Wear It, Officer

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#12

Deliveries Had To Be Passed Over Fences And Gates. At The Time It Was A Crime To Even Step Foot Outside When It Wasn't Your Day Allowed Out

Deliveries Had To Be Passed Over Fences And Gates. At The Time It Was A Crime To Even Step Foot Outside When It Wasn't Your Day Allowed Out

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#13

The Famous Bell Tower Of Xi'an

The Famous Bell Tower Of Xi'an

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#14

Muslim Street/Quarter. Google This One. It's Never Like This

Muslim Street/Quarter. Google This One. It's Never Like This

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#15

Never Imagined The Subway Being Quiet Enough To Hear My Own Steps

Never Imagined The Subway Being Quiet Enough To Hear My Own Steps

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#16

Lone Duck

Lone Duck

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#17

Spoilt For Choice. On A Normal Day You Have To Squeeze In And Hope That All Your Extremities Are Clear Of The Closing Doors

Spoilt For Choice. On A Normal Day You Have To Squeeze In And Hope That All Your Extremities Are Clear Of The Closing Doors

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#18

On My Little Ebike, Looking Towards The Bell Tower

On My Little Ebike, Looking Towards The Bell Tower

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#19

Lockdown Started Easing, Can't Slack On Dance Practice

Lockdown Started Easing, Can't Slack On Dance Practice

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#20

People Weren't Allowed Into Any Restaurants, So They Had To Queue Outside The Few That Were Allowed To Open

People Weren't Allowed Into Any Restaurants, So They Had To Queue Outside The Few That Were Allowed To Open

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#21

Haz-Man 2

Haz-Man 2

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#22

Empty

Empty

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#23

Policeman Checking If Drivers Have Permits To Be Out

Policeman Checking If Drivers Have Permits To Be Out

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#24

Walls Put Up To Block Entry/Exit To Communities/Complexes

Walls Put Up To Block Entry/Exit To Communities/Complexes

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#25

The Sleep-Anywhere Champ

The Sleep-Anywhere Champ

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#26

Dayanta (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) Where Usually Hundreds Of People Are Milling About

Dayanta (Big Wild Goose Pagoda) Where Usually Hundreds Of People Are Milling About

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#27

Some Damas Out For A Stroll

Some Damas Out For A Stroll

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#28

Out For A Smoke

Out For A Smoke

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#29

A Week After Lockdown Ended

A Week After Lockdown Ended

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#30

Out Cycling On A Shared Bike

Out Cycling On A Shared Bike

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