Chinese photographer Chen Liang has won third place in the Architecture & Design category at the 2026 Sony World Photography Awards for his series Chinese Watchtowers.
An image from Chen Liang's award-winning series Chinese Watchtowers
The series was shot in Taishan and Kaiping, in Jiangmen, Guangdong Province, and showcases Chinese watchtowers (Diaolou), multi-storeyed defensive village houses that combine Chinese and Western architectural styles. These structures reflect a unique fusion of architectural traditions and serve as an important symbol of overseas Chinese heritage.
Jiangmen is home to more than 3,000 Chinese watchtowers. In 2007, Kaiping Diaolou and Villages were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Images from Chen Liang's award-winning series Chinese Watchtowers
Chen is an independent photographer and curator from Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province. He has been shortlisted for the awards three times and is the only Chinese photographer to receive an award in this year's edition.
This year's competition received more than 430,000 entries from over 200 countries and regions. The winning series is exhibited at Somerset House in London from April 17 to May 4.
Images from Chen Liang's award-winning series Chinese Watchtowers
Author | Huang Xinying
Photo | World Photography Organisation
