Meet Jian Shan Zhai – the 93-year-old university student who’s swapping lecture notes for camera lenses! 🌟 Once a professor, Jian now spends his days as a star pupil at a university for the elderly in China, capturing everything from misty mountain peaks to sun-dappled classrooms through his trusty camera.
Why All the Buzz?
Jian’s story is part of Wander Lens 2025, a nationwide project that’s gone viral for mailing cameras to everyday people across China. Their mission? To freeze-frame life’s rollercoaster – the chaotic, the serene, and everything in between – through unfiltered perspectives.
Capturing Life’s Hidden Gems
From fishing villages to bustling cities, Jian and fellow 'Light Catchers' are snapping the moments most rush past: a street vendor’s smile, a crumbling wall’s history, or sunlight hitting autumn leaves just right. 🍁 "Every click tells a story we’ve forgotten to listen to," says Jian, who’s become a TikTok sensation among Gen Z for his wisdom-laced photo tutorials.
His latest project? Documenting the vibrant lives of retirees-turned-students at his university – proving community and curiosity keep hearts young. 💡 The best part? You don’t need a fancy camera to join the movement. As Jian says: "The real lens is how you see the world."
