Back in 1987, my knowledge of China was limited. It was a country few Scots had visited and did not feature in our education system. I had gleaned a few images from my university's library, but I realized later those were quite out of date. On returning home after that first journey, many requests came to give talks about my travels halfway across the world.

I can still recall the incredulity from my friends when I told them I was contemplating a train journey from Glasgow that would reach Hong Kong weeks later. After all, there were direct flights from London. Taking the train was an eye-opener, watching Europe gradually morph into Asia; watching how people changed and the changes in geography along the way.

A long train journey presents many opportunities to interchange and talk with people from other lands. For example, my only contact with Chinese people had been through visits to restaurants in my city where the staff were speaking variations of Cantonese. I did not hear Mandarin spoken until July 1987. And that Chinese food I was familiar with, I would discover, had been "Westernized". I can still remember that first dinner in Beijing after arriving off the train -- simply delicious.

What I also recall about China was how relaxed it felt and how friendly people seemed. There was considerable curiosity about me, a Westerner, with endless "Hellos" coming in my direction. I have often mentioned the first words said to me as the train slowly crossed over from Mongolia, "Welcome, you are welcome in China", delivered with a firm handshake. That is something I still feel today, even recently at Beijing's Temple of Heaven, where visitors from other provinces would ask me where I was from while often saying "welcome".

I feel travel is important, as it leads to a better understanding of other lands and lifestyles. With China I have made it a priority to develop a greater understanding of this country through photography, to share experiences while letting others see, via my lens, an often personal perspective.