Each month we chat to a different local in the city to find out their top tips on discovering Edinburgh, this month we caught up with Daniel Sun, an Instagrammer and University of Edinburgh student with a keen eye for photography and no fear of heights.
Tell us a little about yourself?
Hi, my name is Daniel! By day, I am a University of Edinburgh medical student; by night, I am a vocational urban photographer focused on cityscapes and dabbling in portraiture. I aim to find shots of Edinburgh that people really have never seen and to show the city in a new light. I try to avoid the more tourist-centric postcard pictures when I can. The city is so much more than shots of pretty shop fronts and cobblestone closes; Edinburgh is a city of grit as well as beauty. My IG handle ‘sunxjin’ comes from my Chinese name Sun Jin. I threw an x in there for some much-needed edginess.
Tell us your favourite places to eat and drink?
Being a university student away from home, I miss regular home-cooked Asian food but there’s enough Edinburgh spots to satisfy my Asian cravings. Shoutouts to Kampung Ah Lee, Dai Pai, Maki and Ramen, Caravan and Lian Pu for seeing me through my degree as well as my student loan. Also, RIP to the recently deceased Fusion, my go-to Chinese takeaway spot. It was definitely not fantastic, but it was 20 metres from my flat. Also, everyone has to try ‘The Batman’ Panini at Bonnington’s Eaterie, it’s so damn good.
Any hidden little gems you would recommend to visitors?
Part of the charm of Edinburgh is finding that one new shot in a city of clichés. It’s a small city and with so many tourists coming each year, it’s hard to find that new angle that’s special to you. Start with trying to find a new take on the Balmoral, which has my personal vote for the most photogenic building in Edinburgh. The Balmoral just doesn’t have a bad angle, which makes it so good to work with. I’d also love to see different takes from people on the beautiful Circus Lane and Victoria Street, two signature Edinburgh Instagram spots that I don’t think have been fully taken advantage of.
Anything in the city you haven’t done but would like to do?
It’s not a hidden gem by any means, but tip to tourists: come to Edinburgh in April for that sweet, sweet cherry blossom. You’ll definitely see me lurking in the Meadows come Spring for my 1000th cherry blossom shot. Where you find cherry blossom in the Meadows, you’ll find me. And honestly, go try that Batman Panini.
Tell us about your perfect day in Edinburgh?
The day has to start with a rooftop climb in time for sunrise, preferably somewhere in Old Town. By the time I climb back down, breakfast and coffee will be waiting for me at Kilimanjaro, where I’ll play with edits from my morning climb. I’ll be slowly dying on the inside because I’m dumb and woke up at 5am to take a picture for Instagram, so I’ll nap until lunch. Quick-fire lunch at Dai Pai, and then either more shooting in the afternoon or more coffee at the Milkman. I’d end the day up Arthur’s Seat, watching the sun set right behind Edinburgh Castle then hurry along (taxi) to Dishoom for their signature Pau Bhaji. And then finish the night with one final rooftop looking over a glowing Edinburgh Waverley Station against the night sky.
You can follow Daniel on Instagram at instagram.com/sunxjin
