Luminous China Photo Tour Workshop
The China Workshop was exceptional and holds its place with the other Luminous Journeys workshops I have participated in. It was an outstanding blend of culture, historic treasures, and landscapes, all of which were unique to China and offered exceptional photographic opportunities. — Mark Teitlebaum, USA
LJ's China photo tour workshop begins in the north at Beijing and ends in the south in Hong Kong. Iconic locations include The Forbidden City, the Yellow Mountains, some of the most photogenic spots along the Great Wall, the seascapes and fishermen of Xiapu, the mountains and rivers of Yangshuo, and the epic mountain rice terraces of Longji before harvest. The photographic emphasis is mainly fine art travel, culture in action, portraiture, architecture, and landscapes. Naturally you can shoot everything in your own style, as well as pick up Fine Art tips from David.
The Chinese people, though dominated by the Han, are a diverse mix of some 56 ethnic cultures, many still living in traditional ways. We will visit the villages of several and photograph them as they go about their day, with portrait sessions included. The same amazing diversity goes for China's remarkable landscapes and architectural wonders. It is high on the bucket list for most travel photographers, and if it isn't, it certainly should be!
LJ’s Luminous China photo tour workshop is designed and led by Nat Geo contributor and all around great guy, David Lazar. David is teamed with very experienced local photographers and fixers in each of the regions north to south you will visit. Gorgeous, impact image making opportunities abound in China, especially if you know where and when to look for them.
A Luminous Journeys photo tour in China is like all our photo adventures - we do not just bring you from location to location and make you fend for yourselves like so much of the competition does. No sir. We take great pride in providing the extra value added you deserve – insight, instruction, working with locals, and true travel photography guidance all along the way. This is mostly done on an informal basis according to your own needs and requests, with at least one voluntary group editing session using Photoshop and Lightroom.
In addition to free shooting and landscapes, we believe in providing a number of arranged portrait and environmental portrait sessions with locals. This allows you to maximize your image opportunities during the two week period. You'll get the opportunity to work side by side with David and learn how fine art travel photographers create their gorgeous imagery.
Rest assured, David is not only “one of the world’s foremost travel photographers”, according to Practical Photography magazine, but one of those rare photo tour leaders who’s also a generous teacher. He earnestly cares that your expectations are met or surpassed and that you become a better photographer during your China photo tour workshop. Even advanced photographers stand to learn something new along the way.
So – are you ready to take your photography to new heights in China? To invest in your yourself as a “mad keen photographer”, as the great Sam Abell puts it?
Hotels – 4 star, Boutique 4-star in two remote areas
Tour Type – Small group, photo tour workshop, 5 participant minimum, 10 maximum.* See T&C
Skill Level – Suitable for the full range of skill levels, novice to advanced. We genuinely welcome novices, fear not!
Physical Difficulty – Moderate. There are a lot of stairs to be climbed in mountain locations, so you should be in reasonably good shape. Most steps are short and there are rest stops if/when needed
Visa – Requirements and rules are getting increasingly more relaxed. But as of now, US, Canada, and UK passport holders still need a visa to enter China. Australians and New Zealanders do NOT need a visa, as well as dozens of other countries
Transportation – Late model air conditioned vans or buses w/ plenty of space for participants & gear. Two bullet trains, two domestic flights
Highlights
Great Wall of China/Best Photo Sections
Beijing and the Forbidden City
Huangshan & the Yellow Mountains
Iconic Cormorant Fishermen of Yangshuo
The Farmers & Fishermen of Xiapu
Traditional Villages of Honcun & Nanping
Stunning Karst Limestone Formations
Longji's Endless Mountain Rice Terraces
The Warm and Happy People of China!
Itinerary
Luminous China Photo Tour Workshop
Day 1 – Beijing, China – Skies and Seas to the Heart of the Far East
Our driver will pick you up at Beijing Capital International Airport and drive you 32 km into Beijing’s city center to check-in at the Novotel Peace Hotel. Free time before meeting at 2:00 pm for orientation. Then it’s off to the Summer Palace for an afternoon/sunset shoot. This is a stunning imperial garden and palace complex, renowned for its beautiful landscapes, historical architecture, and serene Kunming Lake, making it one of China's most iconic cultural landmarks. A sumptuous Chinese Welcome Dinner follows, which includes Peking Duck, appropriately!
Day 2 – Beijing – Hutong Street Shooting & The Foreboding Forbidden City
Morning visit to the Hutong alleys, exploring Beijing's charming lanes by traditional cycle rickshaw. You'll gain a rare insight into traditional life as you weave through narrow streets lined with ancient courtyard homes and vibrant local shops. Along the way, visit various artisans, then stop for a truly authentic lunch. This afternoon we’ll focus on the Forbidden City, shooting from within and also from a high vantage point at nearby Jingshan Park for classic views of the rooftop architecture.
Day 3 – Beijing – Jinshanling – Kung Fu & The Great Wall
This morning we’ll kick off with a unique photo session at one of Beijing’s top Kung Fu schools. Enjoy exclusive access to capture Kung Fu students and master performers in action as they demonstrate their extraordinary skills. Afterward, we’ll drive 3 hours to the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall for an unforgettable sunset shoot. A cable car up to the Wall, then explore various watchtowers before walking down—a leisurely 20 minutes to our 4-star hotel. Dinner and a good night’s sleep before tomorrow’s sunrise shoot back at the Great Wall.
Day 4 – Jinshanling - Yellow Mountains – Great Wall Sunrise & High Skies to Huangshan
Sunrise shoot of the Great Wall. The section we hit today is much less visited and crowds are not an issue. In addition, this is where the best curve shaped wall patterns against the mountains are, with impressive, original watchtowers to include in our frames. The restoration done here is minimal, which is a nice boon to our imagery. When we wrap here, it’s back to Beijing airport for a domestic flight to Huangshan and the majestic Yellow Mountains.
Day 5 – Mt. Huangshan – Tai Chi & Spectacular Mountain Landscapes
Tai Chi morning. A master will join us at a scenic park, providing a perfect opportunity to capture dynamic photos of this graceful practice. Later we’ll take a cable car up the mountain and walk a fairly short distance to our 4-star hotel, perched on the top! Also known as Yellow Mountain, these peaks and forests have inspired poets and painters for centuries. The mist, cloud and sunlight come and go, and emotive compositions with them. Be ready!
Day 6 - Mt. Huangshan - Nanping – Intricate Landscapes, Traditional Village
Wake up early on Mount Huangshan and venture into the first light of dawn to capture the intricate details of the landscape. After breakfast we’ll visit some more areas, such as West Sea Grand Canyon, Cloud Dispelling Pavillion, and Purple Cloud Peak. After check out and cable car back down the mountain, we’ll drive to Nanping Village for an arranged shoot with young ladies dressed in traditional clothing. Their hair and makeup will be masterfully done to match their elegant dress.
Day 7 – Huangshan - Xiapu – On the Set of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
This morning we’ll visit traditional Hongcun, a location where scenes from the 1999 movie ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon’ were filmed. There are impressive lakes, bridges, and ancient-style architecture, all connected by charming stone alleyways, waiting to be explored. For our second local model shoot, we’ll work as if on assignment for a magazine. The ladies will be dressed in colorful gowns, set against the picturesque locations of the village.
Later take a bullet train to XiaPu, a coastal town in Fujian Province, renowned for its old fishing villages, seascapes and unique mudflat patterned landscapes. Light permitting, sunset shoot after arrival.
Day 8 – Xiapu, Southeast China Coast – Banyan Trees to Mudflats & Fishermen
Welcome to XiaPu - a hidden gem for photographers, especially those drawn to capturing the rustic beauty of Chinese coastal life. Our first shoot will be in a beautiful Banyan tree forest, the tree’s overhanging branches creating chiaroscuro light beams that lend an ethereal quality to the scene. Here we will find farmers with buffalo and flocks of ducks waddling through.
Afternoon at the mudflats. Fishermen working with the reflections of high tide. Excellent opportunities for abstract landscapes as well.
Day 9 – Xiapu – Fishing Nets & Fishermen
We’ll continue to photograph scenes that blend human activity with nature in captivating ways. After a morning fishing shoot, we’ll visit a lady working with green fishing nets, which always make for striking and colorful environmental people photography.
Another location to the south is Banyueli Village and the She Tribe, which is also a great location for a traditional home cooked lunch and tribal portraits.
Day 10 – Xiapu – Guilin – Introduction to Yangshuo
This morning we’ll fly to Guilin in southern China. This region is renowned for its breathtaking karst limestone mountain spires, winding rivers, and striking rice terraces. Instead of staying in Guilin like most do, we will treat ourselves to Yangshuo Cloud Mountain Lodge, located in the heart of the landscape terrain for unmatched ease of access.
This afternoon’s shoot is not exactly easy however. Note that the climb up Cuiping Hill to photograph the remarkable panoramas, requires some 700 steps. Not to worry too much, we’ll allow plenty of time for the ascent. Thankfully, the steps are small and even, with a handrail and many resting platforms.
Day 11 – Yangshuo - Li River – Iconic Cormorant Fishermen & Karst Mt. Scapes
Rise early for a 5-minute drive to a section of the Li River where we’ll meet our morning’s star subject – an old fisherman and his cormorants, with Karst Limestone mountains in the background. The cormorant fishermen have long been known for their unique and remarkable fishing technique, where they train their birds to catch fish and return them to the boat! We will start during Blue Hour with slow shutter landscapes, then focus on the fisherman and his birds as the sun shines in soft and golden.
This afternoon we’ll shoot another area of river and mountain landscapes. At sunset we photograph a different cormorant fisherman. For those interested in seeing ‘Impression Sanjie Liu’, a grand outdoor live show set in the Yangshuo landscape, this can be arranged as an optional extra for this evening. What a day!
Day 12 – Yangshuo - PingAn Zhuang – Sunrise Panoramas & Epic Rice Terraces
Sunrise shoot at Xiangong Hill, which offers glorious panoramas of the Li River and its surrounding Karst peaks. It’s hundreds of steps to all this glory, and well worth it! We will start early and take it easy. The early light creates dramatic shadows that illuminate the mist-filled valleys and peaks, resulting in a truly breathtaking scene.
Next stop is Long Sheng and the new boutique hotel, Tianjian Pavillion, located in PingAn Zhuang Village. It’s the perfect base to shoot the Longji Rice Terraces before the harvest, when the rice is starting to turn bright yellow. These terraces are epic in scale, providing mind-blowing landscape opportunities. We’ll also have a human element in all this grandeur, with members of the Zhaung tribe. Two nights in this heavenly location.
Day 13 – PingAn Zhunag - Jingkeng - Colorful Tribes & Endless Rice
Sunrise rice terrace shoot, then drive to another section of the Longji terraces at Jingkeng. All new shapes and angles to be discovered here, along with Zhuang and Yao ethnic minorities clad in traditional clothing. Later visit a tribal family house for lunch and photograph life in the villages.
This afternoon, continue exploring the Longji terraces, ending at a great sunset location at Jingkeng. Return to the hotel for dinner. Baiju shots, anyone?
Day 14 – PingAn - Hong Kong - Last Chance Landscapes to Dusk at Victoria Harbor
Last chance sunrise shoot at the PingAn rice terraces, (or sleep in!) where the ever-changing clouds and light conditions offer a never ending variety of possibilities. After breakfast, we drive 2.5 hours to Guilin Train Station, where we catch a speeding bullet train to Hong Kong. Check-in at the 4-star Park Hotel Hong Kong, ideally located by the riverfront and the vibrant Victoria Harbor. As the sun sets we’ll capture dusk and night cityscapes, with boats gliding past illuminated skyscrapers, their reflections shimmering across the waters of Kowloon Bay. Our farewell dim sum dinner and drinks in Hong Kong will be the perfect end to our unforgettable two-week journey through magnificent China.
Day 15 – Hong Kong – Departure Day or Stay On
If departing today, we will drop you at the airport at the appropriate time. If staying, recommended shooting locations include: Man Mo Temple and Wong Tai Sin Temple - vibrant colors and intricate details and worshippers burning incense. Victoria Peak, which offers awesome views of the city's skyline, especially when it's illuminated at night. Tai O fishing village, and Sham Shui Po, which has a lot of old-school markets and shops. Sheung Wan for narrow streets and old HK buildings.
*Please note the above China photo tour itinerary is only a brief, subject to change if necessary. A 30+ page detailed schedule and information kit concerning traveling for photography in China will be sent to all participants approximately 100 days prior to tour start date.
**All photographs are by Luminous Journeys photographers or participants.
What’s Included in the Price of Your China Photo Tour?
Included:
China government fees and taxes, photographer and English speaking guide fees
All accommodation
All tour related ground transport
All quality, healthy, mostly Chinese meals during the tour, w/ water, tea, or soft drink
Ample bottle water & refresh towels throughout
All entrance, zone and camera fees
Local model fees
Excluded:
International Airfare - China Visa
Extra drinks @ lunches/dinners
Personal purchases
Trip cancellation or medical insurance
Medical expenses
Gratuities – drivers, porters, guides
Getting Cultural
More Knowledge – Better Pictures
China's Indigengous Peoples
While China is dominated by the Han, who represent 92% of the population, it is home to some 56 different enthic cultures, the largest being Zhuang at 1.4%, with the remaining 54 all at less than 1%. They include Tibetans, Mongols, Uyghurs, Manchu, Miao, Yi, Tatar and Yao. Taiwanese aboriginees, called Gaoshan in China, number around 3,500.
On LJ's China Photo Tour we will visit and photography the southern Yao and Zhuang near Lonshen/Longyi in the mountains of the South. The Zhuang wear traditional clothing for farming, special garb for festive occasions, and dress contemporary in urban areas. They speak a form of the Thai language, and many also speak Mandarin. They are most renown in China for their Singing Festival, and also thier rice farming techniques. Their religion is like many in Asia, a mix of ancestor worship, nature worship, Buddhism, Daoism, and even Christianity.
Yellow in the Forbidden City
The Forbidden City was designed to accentuate bold colors. These colors have meaning bot culturally and aesthetically. Wu Xing is an ancient Chinese philosophy that explains events based the 5 elements and their interactions. In the earliest times the 5 elements of metal, wood, water, and earth were considered. Later these included the colors of green/blue, yellow, red, white, and black, each with their own significance and combinations of significance. The designers chose vibrant colors to stand out boldly from the dull grey of the surrounding buildings. These also played against white marble of balustrades, terraces, sand stairs.
Yellow is seen as the color of earth, that which produces life. Therefore, yellow was deemed the most critical element of all, and reserved for the Emperor. Yellow illustrated the connection of the Emperor, as the son of heaven, between earth and the abode of the gods. According the Ming law, yellow could only be used for temples, tombs, palaces, and the Emperors robes, blazoned with dragons.
