The 2026 Global Chinese New Year Photography Competition (GCPC) invites photographers, visual storytellers, and creatives from around the world to capture the spirit, beauty, and cultural richness of China and Chinese heritage.
The competition welcomes compelling images that explore contemporary life, the splendor of China’s natural landscapes, and the global presence of Chinese culture, whether through modern cities, traditional customs, or cross-cultural scenes abroad.
Open to participants of all skill levels, GCPC offers a free and inclusive platform for artists to gain international visibility, build their portfolios, and contribute to a global conversation on Chinese culture.

This year’s themes: China Today, Chinese Landscapes & Travel, and Chinese Elements Abroad, embrace the many dimensions of Chinese culture in the 21st century, from innovation and social change to heritage, tradition, and worldwide cultural influence.
Through this competition, we aim to highlight powerful storytelling, celebrate cultural exchange, and showcase exceptional photographic talent on a global stage.
All award-winning works will receive official digital certificates and be featured across GCPC’s promotional platforms, providing artists with a meaningful opportunity to share their vision with audiences around the world.

Why Participate?

Global Exposure: Showcase your work to a worldwide audience through NAPA and UNWCAO’s platforms.
International Recognition: 248 awards will be granted, and all winners will receive official digital certificates.
Online Presence: Winning and selected works will be featured in online galleries, social media spotlights, and exhibition outreach initiatives.
Cultural Contribution: Join in showcasing the richness of Chinese society, landscapes, and cultural expression at a meaningful moment of global connectivity.

Categories & Definitions

CT-China Today
Showcasing the development of contemporary Chinese society and everyday life, this theme highlights the progress and vitality of China in the new era across its economic, technological, social, and cultural spheres.

Relevant subjects include:
• Urban construction and the transformation of cities and rural areas
• Technological innovation, such as artificial intelligence, new energy, and scientific research achievements
• Economic activities, daily life of the people, improvements in education and healthcare
• Authentic depictions of workers and ordinary individuals in the new era
• Social and cultural ecology, including arts, youth culture, and new consumption trends
• Ecological civilization and green development

CLT-Chinese Landscapes & Travel
China is home to an abundance of breathtaking natural landscapes, from majestic mountains and vast rivers to tranquil rural scenery, every corner holds its own unique beauty.
Through their lenses, photographers are encouraged to capture the splendor of China’s natural environment and the fleeting beauty of its changing seasons.

Relevant subjects include:
• Famous mountains and great rivers, lakes, wetlands, and other natural scenery
• Ancient towns, traditional architecture, cultural sites, and historic landmarks
• Cultural heritage, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites and intangible cultural heritage
• Ecological conservation and harmony between humanity and nature
• Distinct regional cultures, customs, and local ways of life

CEA-Chinese Elements Abroad
As Chinese culture continues to take root around the world, it has formed distinctive cultural landscapes.
From Chinatowns to diverse cultural celebrations, photographers are invited to capture these overseas Chinese elements, showcasing the global influence and appeal of Chinese culture.
This theme encourages a global perspective to discover, document, and present how Chinese cultural elements are distributed, preserved, integrated, and developed across different countries.

Whether you’re documenting the pulse of a fast-changing city, the serenity of rural traditions, or Chinese cultural scenes abroad, this competition invites you to showcase China’s spirit to the world, one frame at a time.

Submit your entries by December 31, 2025, 11:59pm ET at www.napaWPA.com or www.theWorldPhotographyAwards.org .
Email submissions accepted at: NapaPhotoPro@gmail.com

Prize Details:
First Place Award – 1 Winner of Each Category
Second Place Award – 3 Winners of Each Category
Third Place Award – 4 Winners of Each Category
Award of Excellence – 50 Winners
Finalist Award – 164 Winners
Online Popularity Award – 10 Winners

Total: 248 Awards

Note: All award recipients will receive an official digital certificate.