Trip Overview
China is various in geographic landforms on the land of 9,600,000 square kilometers, rich in history as long as over 5,000 years, and perse with nationality culture since 56 ethnic groups live on the land.
This trip will start from Beijing, the ancient capital of this country, where we will see the magnificent historical sites like the over view of the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the newly built National Grand Theater.
Then, we will fly to Huangshan (or the Yellow Mountain) to admire one of the most beautiful mountains in China, and the ancient villages at the foot of the mountains.
Sichuan, out of question, is one of the most beautiful places in China. Not only the natural landscape is so fabulously pretty, but the culture of Buddhism, different ethnic groups are also so charming. Besides, we will visit the pandas in Bifengxia. And it will be our first time to see so many pandas playing together.
Guizhou might be a place you have never heard or noticed before but it is a perfect destination to experience the various ethnic group culture and countryside life of this country. In Guizhou, we will take an overlanding driving in the mountains to Guilin, away from the crowds in the large cities; we even have some home stay in the little villages.
Guilin is another paradise of the natural Karst landscape for photo shooting.
Day 1 Arrive at Beijing
Fly to Beijing.
Be greeted by our local guide and transfer to hotel in downtown with a private car. Tonight we go out for evening shooting at Tian’anmen Square which was the largest square of this world but not it is getting smaller with the buildings rose up around it since 1949.
We will pass over a few buildings with revolution symbolization in distance like the People’s Hero monument, Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum. We also could take a glimpse of the newly built National Grand Theater next to Tian’anmen square.
Overnight Days Inn Forbidden City
Meals: No
Note: You need to arrange your own dinner tonight.
Day 2 Jingshan Park, Jinshanling Great Wall
After breakfast, we will go to the Jingshan Park, which is located north to the Forbidden City, where you can take a bird’s view of the Forbidden City.
Afterwards, visit the Forbidden City to admire the magnificent royal palace before lunch.
After lunch, we drive to Jingshanling Great Wall.
The Jinshanling Great Wall was initially built from 1368 to 1389, also mainly directed by General Qi Jiguang. The 700 meters elevated Great Wall is about seven to eight meters high and five to six meters wide, which is made of brick and stone and its Watching Beijing Tower is on the highest position, from which you can see Beijing.
When we get to Jinshanling Great Wall, we will hike up to the wall for the photo of sunset. In the evening we could enjoy the peaceful night with the bright star on the Great Wall.
Overnight Jinshan Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3 Jinshanling Great Wall to Tunxi
This morning we will get up early to take photo of the sunrise over the magnificent Great Wall if weather permits.
After photo shooting, we will hike a little bit on the Great Wall for more photo taking. The Great Wall looks totally different from different angles.
In the later afternoon, we drive back to Beijing and then take flight to Tunxi. Our Huangshan local guide will greet you at the airport, and transfers you to the hotel, have a good rest in the comfortable hotel.
Overnight Huangshan International Hotel
Meals: B, L
Note: There is no dinner included in the program since we are not sure the flight time.
Day 4 Tunxi to Huangshan
This morning, we drive about one and half hours to the foot of the Yellow Mountain and take cable car up to the top of the mountain.
Mt. Huangshan, known as "the loveliest mountain of China", was acclaimed through art and literature during a good part of Chinese history and still holds the same fascination for visitors, poets, painters and photographers who come on pilgrimage to the site, which is renowned for its magnificent scenery made up of many granite peaks and rocks emerging out of a sea of clouds. Therefore, it is on World Natural Heritage and World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.
This afternoon, we get to Paiyunting area for sunset over the stunning mountains.
We live in the hotel on the mountain.
Overnight Shilin Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Huangshan
This morning if weather permitting, we get up early for sunrise on some peaks like Shixinfeng around the hotel. After the breakfast we will start exploring the canyon, a newly developed scenic site with breath-taking view of steep mountains and deep valleys. Its beauty and cragginess is simply beyond words.
And we will have some rest in the hotel before heading out for the sun-set in another shooting point. The Huangshan Mountain is one of the best locations for landscape shooting in China.
Overnight Shilin Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: Huangshan to Hongcun
This morning, if you prefer, get up early for photography at Guangmingding or area near the hotel.
After breakfast, take cable car down the mountain.
Then, we drive about one hour to Yixian County to visit the Hongcun and Xidi Village.
Hongcun Village is located in the place which is about 10 kilometers off the northeast part of Yixian County. An ancient town over 800 years old leaning against the Huangshan Mountain, it is folded in the fog of the mountain, which makes it look like a river and mountain pictures. It enjoys the reputation of "The Chinese town in the pictures". Especially, the whole town distributes like a "cow", which made it one of the wonders in the world culture heritage. The famous film "Crouching Tiger" was made here.
Xidi Village was built 900 years ago in Song Dynasty; its traditional architecture is well preserved. The buildings and the street patterns, reflect the socio-economic structure of a long-lived settled period of Chinese history.
Overnight Zhanggongguan Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Hongcun to Wuzhen via Hangzhou
This morning, transfer you to Tunxi bus station where you take public bus to Hangzhou.
The drive from Tunxi to Hangzhou is about 4 hours.
Our Hangzhou local guide will meet you up at Hangzhou bus station and transfer you to Wuzhen, one of the most beautiful ancient water town in China.
Wuzhen is located in the center of the six ancient towns south of Yangtze River, 17 kms north of the city of Tongxiang. It displays its two-thousand-year history in its ancient stone bridges floating on mild water, its stone pathways between the mottled walls and its delicate wood carvings.
Our guide will bring you to explore and photo the beautiful water town, particularly when it is lit on.
Overnight Wuzhen Tong’an Hotel
Meals: B, L
Note:
1. If there is only 1 client on the tour, we arrange public bus for transfer from Tunxi to Hangzhou. Our guide in Tunxi will send you to the bus and the guide in Hangzhou will meet you up. If a solo client also want a private car transfer, there would be extra USD350.
2. If there are over 2 clients, we will arrange a private car for transfer.
Day 8: Hangzhou, West Lake
After morning photography in Wuzhen, we head to Hangzhou.
Hangzhou is one of the best cities to live in China because of its slow pace, rich culture and beautiful scenery, which mostly goes to theWest Lake. The West Lake is located in the western area of Hangzhou City\'s historic center. West Lake has an area of 5.6 square kilometers and is the symbol of Hangzhou which lies on its banks and is a place of tranquility.
West Lake is not only famous for its picturesque landscape, it is also associated with many scholars, national heroes and revolutionary martyrs, thus embracing many aspects of Chinese culture. In addition, many ancient buildings, stone caves and engraved tablets in surrounding areas are among the most cherished national treasures of China, with significant artistic value.
Overnight Ramada Plaza Hangzhou Haihua
Meals: B, L
Day 9: Hangzhou to Chengdu
This morning, drive about 1.5 hours to Anchang Old Town in Shaoxing.
Anchang town is one of Shaoxing\'s famous four towns. It is well-known for its long history and brilliant culture. It was built in the Northern Song Dynasty, and was repeatedly burned and rebuilt in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Its architectural style is the typical southern China styles, in accordance with the water, simple and elegant.
In the afternoon, fly to Chengdu.
Be greeted by our Chengdu local guide and visit the People’s Park and Broad and Narrow Alley if time permits.
Chengdu People\'s Park is a good place to linger and enjoy leisure, health fitness.
The Broad and Narrow Alley is the protected historical and cultural area in Chengdu. It is consists of three parallel old alleys and the complex of courtyard among them.
Overnight Buddha Zen Hotel
Meals: B, L
Day 10: Chengdu to Kangding
Early morning departure for Yaan, where we take a stop for Bifengxia Panda Base.
The panda base is in a beautiful scenic park, with waterfalls, brooks, lush trees, wild flowers and of course, fresh air. It is always good to see the pandas. If you prefer, you can make donation to the base and get chance to hug pandas for photo.
In late afternoon, we get to Kangding directly. Kangding, a former outpost on the trade route to Tibet, is a fairly large city tucked within a river valley.
Overnight Kala Kar Hotel (2,616m/9,069 ft)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11: Kangding to Bamei
Today, we cross Tsedho Mountain to Xinduqiao, the paradise of photographers. Then drive north toTagong grassland. We explore around Tagong area, visit the small monastery there, visit the nomad family and enjoy the breathtaking view with Yala Holy Mountain.
In the late afternoon, we drive further north to Bamei and visitHuiyuan temple. Bamei is well-known for its wonderful landscape which is consists of earth and rock forests, wide meadow, stretching snow-capped mountain and lovely Tibetan village.
Huiyuan temple is built in 18th century. It has b religious influence in Tibetan area because the 11th Dalai Lama was born here. It is also in possession of a variety of precious cultural relics.
Overnight Jintaiyang Hotel (3,500m/11,550 ft)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 12: Bamei to Danba
We will drive 2.5 hours to Danba this morning and enjoy your time to take photo on the way.
Danba is famous for its watchtowers. According to archaeologists, the people of Danba began to build walls using stone slabs in 1700 BC
Once in Danba, people visit the watchtowers that are scattered about the county. With unique architectural features, the watchtowers in Danba are more outstanding than the ones in other areas of northwestern Sichuan Province, where the Tibetan and Qiang ethnic groups live in compact communities. The watchtowers in Danba vary in height from 16 to 35 meters. They stand in knots on hillsides or alone on the tops of undulating hills.
Overnight Dongnvguo Hotel (1,860m/6,138ft)
Meals: B, L, D
Day13: One day photo tour to Mt. Four ladies
Take a one day tour to Mt. Four ladies in Xiaojin County.
Mt. Four ladies has been called the Qeen Mountain in Sichuan province for its beautiful scenery, particularly in middle October when the fall color show up.
En route, we also take stops for photography of villages and local people.
In late afternoon, we drive back Danba.
Overnight Xintai Hotel (3,300m/10,890ft)
Meals: B, L, D
Day 14: Danba to Chengdu
Today, we start early heading to Luding.
The route from Danba to Luding is a different road from the one we come and the scenery is quite different too. When we get to Luding, we take a short stop in Luding Iron Bridge where the Red Army won against Kuomintang on the Long March and the battle has been believed a key point of the Communist Party.
After lunch, we continue driving 5 hours to Chengdu.
Overnight Buddha Zen Hotel
Meals: B, L
Day 15: Chengdu to Kaili
This morning, take flight from Chengdu to Guiyang.
Guiyang is the capital of Guizhou province which borders to Sichuan province in the south. And Guizhou is well known for its beautiful Karst landscape and rich Minority culture of Miao, Buyi, Dong, Shui ethnic groups.
Upon arrival Guiyang, be greeted by our local guide.
Then, drive 4 hours to Kaili, the capital of Qiandongnan Prefecture, also the region with perse culture of different ethnic group cultures.
Overnight Kaili Zonghe Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Day 16: Kaili to Leishan
This morning, we drive about 1 hour to Leishan. We will get to Datang village, which is pretty close to Leishan County town. Datang is known for its Short-Skirt Miao. While enjoying the local dances (the Short-Skirt Miao are famous for their dancing), we can also see the impressive view of Mt. Leigong. While in the village, keep an eye out for women with the elaborate tea-oil hairstyles of the Ming Dynasty.
In the afternoon, we will drive to Paika where we could see some water wheels. We also have opportunity to see how the local people make Lusheng, a type of traditional folk music instrument. After then, drive to Leishan and check into the hotel.
At Leishan, we join into the Lusheng Festival. We will experience the traditional ethnic group festive. The festival lasts for 4-6 days. During the festival, the heart stirring sounds of massed Lusheng instruments, the colors of Miao costume and many other festive activities such as dancing, singing, bull-fighting, cock-fighting and horse racing are all together. You will be greeted at the festival by Miao girls who eager to sing to you and share their plentiful rice wine. Take care to sip very little from each cup, as you may encounter as many as 16-20 cups on your way in!
Overnight Leishan Time Share Hotel and Resort
Meals: B, L, D
Day 17: Leishan to Rongjiang
Today we will drive to Rongjiang via Sandu, enjoy stunning views along the Duliu River and we will find a chance to visit a minority village of the Shui people, where you could see the famous horse-tail embroidery. Roughly 50% of the Shui population lives in one county in Guizhou province. They have their own language and writing system. The Shui make embroidery using horse hair. The most popular animals depicted are the fish and the pheonix. The best patterns can be found on baby carrier.
Overnight Rongjiang Dongxiangmi Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Day 18: Rongjiang to Zhaoxing
After breakfast, we drive about 2.5 hours to Congjiang to see Mr. Get-Out and his family in Basha village. In Basha village live a sub-ethnic group of Miao though they are totally different from the Miao and bly carry on their own extraordinary traditions and culture. The ethnic group here is one of the several ethnic groups who are legally allowed to carry firearm for hunting. However, nowadays, there is not so much wildlife left for hunting.
Then, we leave for Zhaoxing and arrive there in late afternoon. Explore Zhaoxing around for the rest time of the day, with the company of the guide
Overnight Zhaoxing Indigo Lodge
Meals: B, L, D
Day 19: Zhaoxing to Longsheng
Depart Zhaoxing in the morning; we will visit Chengyang Wind & Rain Bridge in Sanjiang County on the way. The bridge is also called Yongji Bridge or Panlong Bridge, spans the Linxi River of Sanjiang County. Constructed with wood and stones, the surface of the bridge is paved with wooden boards and both sides are inlayed with railings. Sanjiang is a county town and become quite buzz and hustle compare to the small villages in Guizhou. However, it is a nice town to explore around as well. And then we keep driving about 2 hours from Sanjiang to Longsheng. When we get to Ping\'an Village in Longsheng, we explore the terraces, which has been started to build over 1,000 years ago. We will stay in a hostel and admire the beautiful landscape and enjoy the peaceful life there.
Overnight Shenlongtang Hotel
Meals: B, L, D
Day 20: Longsheng to Yangshuo
We spend one morning to photo the rice terraces and the villages until lunch time.
After lunch, we head down to the parking lot and drive to Yangshuo directly.
Yangshuo, where the limestone hills and the Li Rivers running through draw up the most dramatic scenery in all of China, is such a lovely small town.
When we get to Yangshuo, we drive to Yulong River for sunset shooting. Yulong River is also known as Lesser Li River, is more quite and beautiful as well. The reflection of the mountains, bamboos, small huts and the trees are just like another refine traditional Chinese painting.
Evening optional program of Impression of Liusanjie.
Overnight Yangshuo Mountain Retreat or Snow Lion Riverside Resort
Meals: B, L
Note: If you want to enjoy the show in the evening, you need to pay on site since it is not included in our quotation.
Day 21: Yangshuo
We will go to Yangshuo bridge for sunrise photo in the early morning. And then we drive back to Yulong River again for more photos along the river.
And then we drive to the Moon Hilland climb up to the Moon Hill for bird’s eye view of the entire Karst landscape around the Moon Hill.
After lunch, we depart for Fuli town to see the local fan-making workshops of the local villagers, where you could buy some small fans as souvenir. Then countinue our drive to Xingping for the sun-set photo shooting along the Li River, we will hire local fisherman with his comrants and bamboo rafts as model for us to shoot.
Then, we drive back Yangshuo in the evening
Overnight Yangshuo Mountain Retreat or Snow Lion Riverside Resort
Meals: B, L
Day 22: Depart Yangshuo
This morning, we head for Guilin airport for your flight home.
Trip ends.
Meals: B
