Xiaohan Zhou

Born in Hangzhou, Xiaohan’s favorite place she lived growing up was actually her mother’s hometown, Qiantong Ancient Town, where gray-tiled houses, pebble-stone streets, and narrow creeks crossed by small bridges set the scene for barefoot adventures chasing tiny fish with her cousins. Her favorite place she’s visited is Zurich, Switzerland, where mountain cabins, snowy peaks, and lakeside views felt straight out of a film. Her love of visual storytelling began early, and at age 11, she won a painting competition for the Xi’an International Horticulture Exposition, earning her family a free trip to the city and the event.