One episode of BBC's 2008 documentary series Wild China, entitled "Beyond the Great Wall," depicts the enchanting natural landscapes and rare and precious wildlife of North China. The episode hooks viewers from the start with the following description of China's northeastern regions: "Its upper reaches are on the same latitude as Paris, but in winter, it is one of the coldest, most hostile places on the planet. Bitter winds from Siberia regularly bring temperatures of 40 below zero … The people who live here aren't exactly fearsome warriors [of legend that the wall was built to keep out]. They are too busy coping with the harsh winter conditions and they respond to the challenge in some creative ways."

Wang Fuchun, a Northeast China native, shares BBC's impression, and feels an even closer kinship to the people and land. About 30 years ago, Wang began to record the lives of his compatriots with his camera. With the accelerated growth of the nation, many traditional ways of life have gradually changed or vanished, and Wang's photos have become priceless treasures of memory. Some of his images depict locals still clinging to age-old lifestyles in harmony with nature.