The visual approach in So Long, China by Patrick Zachmann captures a nuanced portrait of contemporary China through a diverse and expansive array of images. With a substantial 580 pages, the work offers an in-depth and prolonged observation of the country, documenting its social transformations and everyday realities over time.

Zachmann’s method combines documentary photography with a thoughtful exploration of change, recording moments that convey themes of transition, displacement, and cultural shifts. The mood throughout the series alternates between intimate personal interactions and wider societal scenes, presenting a complex and layered narrative.