Snapshots of history

Unlike Li's images, which convey a sense of heaviness, Su's photos are heartwarming.

His photos have gone viral on Chinese social media platform Sina Weibo. Some online users say that Su's compositions make them feel close to "the Palace Museum", rather than the Forbidden City.

"It's a museum open to the world. Every corner is unique and extremely beautiful," says the 44-year-old policeman and photographer, who lives in Yucheng county, Henan province.

"I hope I can bring this beauty to others in my photos. I hope my photos offer new perspectives of the museum."

He has taken more than 30,000 shots of the ancient complex since late 2013.

This year, Su has traveled to Beijing four times since the museum reopened in May after a three-month closure due to COVID-19.

Although the trip to the capital takes about five hours, a good picture is "the best reward", he says.

He has paid close attention to weather forecasts in order to capture the world's most popular museum in snow and rain. Su was especially impressed when a dazzling dawn light engulfed the Hall of Supreme Harmony on an ordinary day.

"It's the beauty that I want to keep shooting and sharing with everyone in the world," Su says, smiling.