At the end of 2019, Chinese photographer Ai Xiao shot a video coupled with the Myanmar language at the Yangon International Airport right before his return trip from Myanmar.

Ai Xiao comes from the border town of Ruili in west Yunnan’s Dehong prefecture. Travelling to Myanmar many times, he has set foot on the Myanmar cities of Naypyidaw, Yangon, Mandalay, Bagan, Taunggyi and Dawei. Seeing the beautiful sites, diverse culture, and special buildings, Ai Xiao can’t stop taking photos. And the beautiful photos also record his traveling experiences in Myanmar.

Located near the China-Myanmar border, Ruili is a bustling town with frequent entries and exits. Growing up in the border area, Ai Xiao has heard the word Myanmar daily since childhood. Many Myanmar people also lived Ruili, and by making friends with them Yan has got familiar with the Myanmar customs. But during his trips to Myanmar, Ai Xiao saw the scenery he had never seen before. The country showed him its exotic and mysterious aspects.

In November 2014, Ai Xiao had an interview trip to the Myanmar localities of Bagan, Taunggyi and others. Sitting on the plane from Taunggyi to Bagan, he captured a field with its parts covered by red earth, yellow crop, and green vegetables. Such an idyllic scene was what he had never seen before, reminding him of the cushions in his childhood. His mother used to sew cushions with cloth bits or pieces.

"This field is beautiful, and I will never forget it! If I hadn’t taken the plane, I wouldn't have seen its beauty." Three years later, Ai Xiao went on a vacation, carrying his camera again to Myanmar. Having searched it all the way, he finally found the field in Kalaw. "If hadn’t visited in person, I couldn't have seen the real beauty of the country," said Ai.