Before We Explain the World

Photography by Lu Heng

1Leaving the Known

Rivers Unfold

Story 5 of 51 · 8 photographs

At first a river is a branching line across the ground. Look closer and cities, lakes and valleys appear beside it. Follow the water for a while, then notice what has gathered along its edges.

  1. Blue channels divide and rejoin across a brown plain towards the horizon.
    23

    A river branching out

  1. A river unfolding through the mountains; White water threads through dark coastal rock, with blue pools widening towards the sea.
    24

    A river unfolding through the mountains

  2. Seen from above, a river makes broad bends between streets and trees.
    25

    The river bends

  1. A winding stretch of water passes between green hills beneath low clouds.
    26

    Water between the hills

  2. A mountain valley reflected in a lake; A narrow lake bends between steep hills that fade into the distance.
    27

    A mountain valley reflected in a lake

  3. Golden reflection across islands and water; A wide bay, islands and pale sandbars unfold around a densely settled coast.
    28

    Golden reflection across islands and water

  1. A view over mountains and water; A bright cloud column hangs over a dark patchwork of land and distant water.
    29

    A view over mountains and water

  2. A lake shore and distant hills; A long green headland curves around pale water and a narrow coastal inlet.
    30

    A lake shore and distant hills