CHINA
IN LENS
8-Day Guilin and Huangshan Photography Tour
This exclusive 8-day photography tour presents numerous chances to capture stunning photographs of karst mountains during sunrise and sunset. You will have the opportunity to document the cormorant fishermen from dawn till dusk and marvel at the breathtaking rocky mountains in Huangshan.
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Witness the breathtaking beauty of karst mountains and the Li River during sunrise and sunset.
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Immerse yourself in the ancient tradition of cormorant fishing, observing it at both dawn and dusk.
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Capture the serene countryside scenery and the tranquil way of life.
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Preserve the awe-inspiring rice terraces and the vibrant cultures of minority tribes through photography.
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Photograph the distinctive rock formations, majestic mountain peaks, and the mesmerizing sea of clouds found on the Yellow Mountains.
A photo escape like no other
The itinerary has been crafted by a photography specialist to inspire your next escape. You have the flexibility to personalize it according to your preferences and style, allowing you to capture the scenery and locals on your own conditions and departing at your convenience.
Photo Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Guilin Arrival & Sunset Session
Upon your arrival at Guilin, you will be greeted at the airport or train station and transported directly to Yangshuo.
Later in the day, we will drive for an hour to a mountain location, where you will have an opportunity to capture stunning photographs of the sunset over the traditional karst mountains and rivers from an elevated perspective.
Stay overnight in Yangshuo.
Day 2: Cormorant Fishermen & Landscape at sunset
Our day begins with an early morning drive to a hidden spot beside the Li River. We'll have the chance to capture stunning mountain reflections in the river. With one or two cormorant fishermen in the water, we'll photograph the tranquil scene of fishing at dawn and the sunrise above the fishing nets.
Explore the local market to capture street photography and immerse yourself in the local culture.
Afterward, take a break at the hotel to edit your photos during the day.
Finally, we will end our day with a sunset photography session featuring rice fields and karst mountains as the backdrop.
Stay overnight in Yangshuo.
Day 3: Landscape Photography at Sunrise & Sunset
We'll begin our day early with a 4 am departure for Xianggong Hill, a 1.5-hour drive away. Here, we'll capture stunning images of the sunrise and the Li River Bend from one of the best spots in the Guilin area for classic landscapes.
We'll then return to Guilin to explore an ancient town, photographing locals' daily life and capturing portraits of elderly residents inside an old wooden house.
We drive to a village and capture the stunning 'mirror fields' at sunset. These hundreds of fishponds create a beautiful broken glass effect.
Stay overnight in Guilin.
Day 4: Buffalo Farmer & Longji Rice Terraces
We'll head to the countryside in the early morning to capture an image of a buffalo farmer on an ancient stone bridge with magnificent mountains in the distance.
Afterward, continue with a scenic drive to Ping'an village, the second-largest minority village in the Longji Rice Terraces. We'll capture stunning views of the terraces and the local minority women dressed in traditional attire as they tend to the fields.
Overnight in the village and capture the nightlife.
Day 5: Longji Sunrise & Departure for Huangshan
We will begin our day with a sunrise photography session at a viewpoint near your hotel, where you will capture the flooded rice terraces (March to June) or yellow rice fields (September to October) during sunrise.
Later in the day, we will travel to Dazhai village to visit a local minority family and capture photographs of an elderly couple in their delightful wooden house. This picturesque location offers the potential for some exceptional competition-worthy shots.
Drive to Guilin airport and fly to Huangshan.
Day 6-7: Yellow Mountains
In the morning, head to the magnificent Yellow Mountains, which will take approximately 1.5 hours by car to reach the foot of the mountain.
You will have the incredible opportunity to spend 3 days on the mountains, allowing you to capture the breathtaking beauty of sunrises, sunsets, sea of clouds, as well as the majestic mountains and rocks through your photography.
Over the course of these 3 days, you will have the chance to photograph the following remarkable spots:
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Greeting-guests Pine
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Celestial Capital Peak
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Lotus Pavilion
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One Hundred Cloud Ladders
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Fairy-walking Bridge - sunset
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Bright Top - sunrise
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West Sea Grand Canyon - sea of clouds
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Flying-over Rock
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Dispelling Cloud Pavilion
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Lion Peak
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Beginning-to-Believe Peak
During your visit to the mountaintop, you will be accommodated in two different hotels for a total of 2 nights.
On the afternoon of Day 7, as the day draws to a close, you will begin your descent from the mountain using the convenient cable car and shuttle bus services. Once you reach the base, we will proceed to the enchanting Hongcun Village, where you will spend the night and indulge in the village's unique charm and tranquility.
Day 8: Hongcun & Xidi Ancient Village - Departure
In the morning, you will have the opportunity to explore the captivating Hongcun ancient village, renowned for its remarkable Huizhou-style architecture, making it a perfect destination for capturing stunning photographs.
Hongcun and Xidi ancient villages stand out from other traditional ancient villages in China due to their unique layout, landscape, architectural form, decoration, and construction techniques. These villages retain their original features, showcasing exquisite and grandiose structures.
Capturing the mesmerizing reflections of the old houses in the lake during sunrise and sunset is truly a sight to behold. Moreover, the intertwining alleys adorned with ancient architecture offer numerous opportunities for breathtaking street photography.
In the late afternoon, we will transfer you to either the train station or the airport for your next escape.
Trip Notes
01. The best time for photography
The best time to visit Zhangye is May to October.
02. Camera and lens suggestions
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My recommendation to customers is to carry two cameras while photographing, as it saves time in changing lenses, especially during sunrise and sunset when the scenery changes rapidly. This ensures that you don't miss any beautiful moments.
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For landscape photography, it's best to bring a wide-angle and zoom lens, such as 24-70mm and 70-200mm.
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Additionally, a tripod is essential in low-light conditions, such as at dawn and dusk.
03. Drone photography
Drone photography in Yangshuo and Longji rice terraces is a must-try experience as the stunning mountain views are best captured from above. A drone can capture breathtaking aerial shots that are otherwise impossible to reach.
Moreover, there are no special restrictions for drone flying in Guilin and its surrounding areas.
However, drone flying is strictly prohibited on the Yellow Mountains unless you obtain permission from the local bureau.
What's Included
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Photography guiding
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All transportation in the itinerary
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Accomordation ( 5 star or local best hotels) for 7 nights, breakfast each morning at your hotel
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Personal processing instructions
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Fresh Coffee if outdoor in early morning
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Airport/train station pick up and transfer in Guilin and Huangshan
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24/7 in-destination support from our local office
