I spent two weeks traveling in China this spring, and my route from Beijing to Xi’an to Shanghai was a fusion of ancient history and modernity. Here are some snapshots from the trip—bits of color, architecture, and typography that caught my eye and continue to provide inspiration. You can click on the thumbnails for a closer look.

(left to right, top to bottom) 1. Painted pandas – Beijing Zoo; 2. Beihai Park – Beijing; 3. A + Bird’s Nest – Olympic Park, Beijing; 4. Script + paper screens – Forbidden City, Beijing; 5. Geometric architecture – Shanghai; 6. Fountain Deli – Shanghai.

(left to right, top to bottom) 7. Heart type – Beijing; 8. Wedding window display – Xi’an; 9. Red and gold – Confucius Temple, Beijing; 10. Paper cut in the subway – Beijing; 11. Tiled – Yonghegong Lama Temple, Beijing; 12. Uighur embroidered scarf – Shanghai Museum.

(left to right, top to bottom) 13. Jade pieces used for a funerary face covering – Shanghai Museum; 14. Brown Sugar – Shanghai; 15. The Hall of Clocks and Watches – Forbidden City, Beijing; 16. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – Shanghai; 17. Water Cube – Olympic Park, Beijing; 18. Stone armor for Terracotta Army – Xi’an.