A photographer from Hong Kong has claimed first prize in the 2016 National Geographic Travel Photographer of the Year Contest. Anthony Lau secured the prestigious title with a photograph of a Mongolian horseman in action.

“The snow was getting heavier, the wind was getting stronger, the morning snow was getting thinner and the light was moving away from its optimal position,” Lau said in a statement. “I knew I only had a couple of shots to get the best out of this encounter. With a bit of luck, one of my final attempts managed to capture the moment when one of the riders charged out from the morning mist along with his horses.”

Lau’s prize is a seven-day Polar Bear Photo Safari for two at Churchill Wild – Seal River Heritage Lodge, a National Geographic Unique Lodge of the World, where he will head out on guided excursions to photograph polar bears and other wildlife.

The contest also recognises the best photographers in the categories of nature, people, and cities. Lau’s image took the top spot in the people category and two Japanese photographers, Takashi Nakagawa of Tokyo and Hiroki Inoue of Hokkaido, won in the cities and nature sections, respectively.

Get inspired by the winners, runners-up, and honorable mentions in the gallery above. Each image is accompanied by a caption from the photographer.

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