Ultimate China 1 Photography Tour

Experience a very different side of China on this exclusive winter photography adventure through Beijing, the Great Wall, Bashang and Harbin.

January transforms northern China into a spectacular winter landscape, creating unique opportunities to photograph iconic cultural locations, snow-covered scenery, horses running through the snow and the extraordinary colour of Harbin’s Ice Lantern Festival.

Beginning and ending in Beijing, this 11-day journey combines some of China’s most famous locations with carefully selected photographic experiences away from the usual tourist trail.

With a small group of just 6–8 adventurers, we have the flexibility and time to concentrate on what matters most — exceptional locations, memorable experiences and great photography.

This tour can also be linked with our very different Ultimate China 2 Photography Tour.

• Beijing, including the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and Forbidden City

• Sunrise and sunset photography on the Great Wall at Jinshanling

• Three days photographing Bashang’s spectacular winter landscapes

• Horses running through the snow

• Camels, sheep and traditional cultural subjects

• Snow, ice and minimalist winter landscape photography

• Harbin and the Zhaolin Park Ice Lantern Festival

• St Sophia Church and Harbin’s distinctive architecture

• Small group of just 6–8 adventurers

• Professional WPA photography guide and local expert guide

• Quality 4-star accommodation

• Two domestic flights included

Included

• Accommodation as per itinerary

• Two domestic economy flights

• Beijing to Harbin

• Harbin to Beijing

• Private transport throughout the land itinerary

• Meals as detailed in the itinerary

• Entrance and park fees as per itinerary

• Professional WPA photography guide

• Local expert driver/guide

• Special photographic experiences and access

Not Included

• International flights

• Travel insurance

• Personal expenses

• Tips and drinks

• Items not specifically included in the itinerary

January 1

We meet in the reception of our Beijing city centre hotel, at 5pm for information and a short workshop to help you maximise your photography interests. This is followed by Beijing’s most well know and sumptuous cuisine - Peking duck. (Other options available.)

Beijing Novotel Xinqiao Hotel - (Welcome Dinner)

DAY 2: BEIJING

January 2

In the morning, we visit the Temple of Heaven, an imperial sacrificial altar built during the Ming dynasty. The highlight is the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests. Built without a single nail, the Hall is where emperors once prayed for a good harvest, making offerings of grain, silk and animals.

We walk around Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world and the symbolic centre for all of China. At the south end of the Square is the late Chairman Mao’s mausoleum, on the east side is the Museum of Chinese Revolution and History, and to the west is the Great Hall of the People.

We will then visit and photograph the magnificent Forbidden City (as in Bertolucci’s film ‘The Last Emperor’), directly north of the Square. Forbidden City was the imperial palace during the Ming and Qing dynasties for five hundreds years, twenty-four emperors were living here.

Beijing Novotel Xinqiao Hotel - (B, L, D)

DAY 3: GREAT WALL

January 3

We drive 3 hours to Great Wall Jinshanling. More than 2,500 years old, the Chinese built this impressive fortification to protect their civilization from the unruly northern tribes. We photograph Great Wall Jinshanling at sunrise and sunset. Today is sunset and our location specially picked for less people and a fantastic view.

Great Wall Hotel - (B, L, D)

DAY 4: GREAT WALL TO BASHANG

January 4

After a sunrise shoot, we drive 265 km north to Bashang, the former military horse ranch. At its prime time, there are more than 2,000 horses for Chinese army. Today, very few use horses as a battle resource, except for very high altitude remote border posts. Nowadays, local Mongolian and Han people raise the horses for film shooting and for use to capture unique imagery. Bashang is about 1,000 meters higher than Beijing, the grassland and Aspen offer great opportunity for landscape photographers. Lots of horses in magic winter landscapes will offer you unique imagery.

Hotel in Bashang - (B, L, D)

(B,L,D) - Confirms if - Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - are included that day. Itinerary and price is subject to change.

The itinerary continues…