One-Hour HD Documentary (2021)

A rare travel documentary shot during the Covid-19 pandemic, while most Americans were sheltering at home in 2020, two Americans living in China had the unique opportunity to travel to Nanjing to discover a city with a remarkable history.  After relocating to China from Massachusetts Gina Falzon became a photographer. Alden McDonald, an actress, moved from Los Angeles to China five years ago.  Both friends spent a week during the pandemic exploring the sites of Nanjing starting with a visit to Zhonghua Gate, an architectural structure known worldwide as the most complex castle-style gate in China. They also visited Zhanyuan Garden, considered to be the most authentic garden of the Ming dynasty and restored in 1960 to the beautiful site it is today.

Two significant stops along the way included a visit to the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum via the Elephant Road and a trek to the Purple Mountain to see Dr. Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum. Their adventure topped off with an exploration of the Jiming Temple and Chaotian Palace, an architecture wonder.

Nanjing is well known for beautiful traditional artwork. From calligraphy to brocade, lantern making and the art of gold thread and leaf making, there was no shortage in creative inspiration on this trip.  Gina and Alden visited several artists that included a meeting with Ronghua velvet flower making Master Zhao Shuxian the only acclaimed velvet flower artist in China.  Explore Dapaidang a relatively new restaurant featuring over 100 dishes of delicious Chinese cuisine including Nanjing’s famous boiled salted duck.

With limited travel across the world in the midst of a global health crisis the two friends found an amazing adventure in China, a place they now call home.

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