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China Yunnan ethnic diversity

8,900 US$ Full: Click for Next Date

Embark on a captivating 11-day photographic odyssey through the heart of traditional China, where we'll immerse ourselves in the cultural tapestry of Yunnan province (or 15 days with an extraordinary optional photo tour to photograph the Cormorant Fishermen).

Our trips are aimed at photographing people in both their cultural settings and in their daily lives. We are fascinated by cultural diversity, as well as the photographic depiction of culture and scenery, whether natural or urban.

We do not, however, overlook the pleasures of nature and breathtaking views. Yunnan fits all of our requirements in the proportions and scales we actually seek.

This is a journey dedicated to the traditions of the region and photography connected to local life and culture. We will be next to the age-old caravan routes that once linked China and India, unraveling the stories of this ethnically diverse region.

Yunnan is a world unto itself, teeming with multicultural encounters, awe-inspiring vistas, time-honored villages, ancient pagodas, Tibetan monasteries, and a wealth of captivating experiences.

DISCLAIMER: The photographs shown in this itinerary do not necessarily depict people or landscapes of the Yunnan area. We often visit different areas of China and the images shown are intended to reflect the nature of the activities we undertake and are not descriptive of a particular trip, area or itinerary,

HIGHLIGHTS

 

 

- An exceptional access to the backstage of a traditional Chinese theatre, where we will have the opportunity to photograph the performers as they prepare for the show.

 

- Photographic sessions with the local ethnic groups, including the colorful and friendly Yis as well as the Hani inside their "Mushrooms houses" known for their unique shape and dark interiors. 

 

- Witness a unique performance by the local Yi ethnic group.

 

- Local Bai ethnic group within their traditional courtyard homes, which are a marvel with plenty of natural light, their musical instruments, and them playing local music.

 

- The experiences and photography with the local Tibetan ethnic group, distinct from the Tibetans in the Shangri-La area and those in Tibet.

 

- Breathtaking rice terraces, a sanctuary of the Yi, Hani, and Miao ethnic communities.

 

- Enchanting village of Xizhou, ensconced amidst the majestic Cangshan Mountains and the haven of the Bai minority.

 

- The UNESCO World Heritage where the Yangtze, Mekong, and Nujiang rivers converge.

 

- The ancient city of Lijiang. Winding cobblestone alleys, centuries-old traditional abodes, and pristine canals fed by the crystal waters of Jade Dragon Mountain

 

- Diverse culinary delights. A gastronomic journey with charming restaurants and hotels.

 

 

An incredible 11 days photo tour through traditional China, the province of Yunnan, where we will follow the ancient caravan routes between China and India.  Home to a number of interesting ethnic minorities, It's a world apart, filled with multicultural experiences, breathtaking landscapes, ancient villages, pagodas, Tibetan monasteries, and much more.

Our journey begins in Kunming, known in China as the "City of Eternal Spring." We'll start our route towards the town of Jianshui. This ancient city situated along the Southern Silk Road or the ancient tea and horse route, is, today, this small town is a true museum of ancient architecture.

We'll continue to Yuanyang, where the beautiful and spectacular rice terraces, home to the Yi, Hani, and Miao ethnic minorities, can be found.  Later, we'll head to the village of Xizhou, located in an unmatched natural setting between the majestic Cangshan Mountains, inhabited by the Bai minority.

From here, we'll travel to Shaxi, an important trading town on the ancient tea and horse route.

We'll continue on the road to the Three Parallel Rivers Natural Reserve, also declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. With three great and legendary rivers: the Yangtze, Mekong, and Nujiang. We'll reach the charming town of Tacheng, inhabited by a community of Tibetan and Lisu ethnic farmers. With a temperate climate year-round, it's abundant in fruit and nut crops. Wheat fields and vineyards surround the beautiful rice terraces.

Tacheng is also home to the endangered Yunnan golden monkey or Rhinopithecus Biteti.

We'll conclude our journey in Lijiang, whose ancient city preserves its historic center entirely intact. It's composed of small cobblestone alleys, century-old traditional houses, and small canals carrying pure and cold water from the Jade Dragon Mountain (5550m), which serves as a symbol of the Naxi minority, Lijiang's inhabitants. Lijiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.

In addition to these experiences, we will enjoy the varied and rich cuisine of the province.  Nice restaurants and charming hotels. Fresh and diverse vegetables, dishes featuring fresh flowers like rose and jasmine, the unique goat cheese from Xizhou, and the famous rice noodles over the bridge in Jianshui.

Initially I was drawn to Harry”s stunning photographs. While the website was very informative on all aspects, my recent trip to Ethiopia exceeded my expectations.
Harry is an amazing host, generously sharing his passion for travel and photography. His spirit and understanding of people, places and cultures truly made this not just a trip,
but an adventure and a memory. I look forward to many more.

Maxine Helfman (USA)



ITINERARY

 

Day 1 -  KUNMING (1800m)

This is a first introductory day and some travelers may still be arriving in the morning. We recommend arriving in Kumming a day earlier.

We will conduct a briefing on the trip and the program and in the afternoon we are expecting to have exceptional access to the backstage of a traditional Chinese theatre, where we will have the opportunity to photograph the performers as they prepare for the show.

Accommodation in Kunming

 

Day 2 -  KUNMING - SHILIN OR STONE FOREST – KUNMING

Early in the morning, we depart for Shilin, also known as the Stone Forest. The Stone Forest, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2007, is one of the most breathtaking examples of karst landscape and is regarded as an extraordinary natural phenomenon and a global geological reference. We'll explore the site with a local guide from the Sani ethnic group.

Later return to Kunming and have a photo session at an authentic Chinese home of a typical contemporary Chinese.

In the evening, we will attend the wonderful show featuring ethnic minorities, "Impression of Yunnan," directed by the famous artist Yang Liping (activity included).

 

Day 3 -  KUNMING - YUANYANG

Early departure from Kunming to Yuanyang (6 hours by road), where we’ll find the most impressive and vast rice terraces in Asia. We will be enjoying the fields and photographic sessions with the local ethnic groups, including the colorful and friendly Yis as well as the Hani We will have the landscape of the rice terraces and a more intimate access to their "Mushrooms houses" known for their unique shape and dark interiors. We will visit as well a fantastic Hani village.

Accommodation in Yuanyang.

 

Day 4 -  YUANYANG

On this day we will continue to visit the area and interact with the local people.  

Accommodation in Yuanyang.

 

Day 5 -  YUANYANG – JIANSHUI

In the morning, we will head to the town of Jianshui (approximately 3 hours by road). This ancient city, situated on the ancient Tea and Horse Road, was once a bustling hub for travelers heading to Vietnam in the 13th century. Nowadays, this small city is like a genuine museum of ancient architecture.

Accommodation in Jianshui.

 

Day 6 -  JIANSHUI – NANJIAN - DALI – XIZHOU

Early departure for Dali (approximately 6 hours of travel). Dali, nestled in a breathtaking natural setting between the majestic Cangshan Mountains. The area is primarily inhabited by the Bai minority, who settled by the lake about 3,000 years ago. This charming city is enclosed by Ming Dynasty walls and retains the traditional Bai architecture.

We'll stop for lunch in the town of Nanjian, where we will witness a unique performance by the local Yi ethnic group while enjoying our meal. After lunch, we'll continue to the small town of Xizhou, also home of the Bai ethnic group.

Here, we will stay in a charming hotel located in a beautiful old house that once belonged to an important tea-trading family. We will capture with our cameras the local Bai ethnic group within their traditional courtyard homes, which are a marvel with plenty of natural light, their musical instruments, and them playing local music.

Accommodation in Xizhou.

 

Day 7 -  XIZHOU – ZHOUCHENG – SHAXI

In the morning, we will visit Zhoucheng, where almost all the locals are engaged in indigo batik dyeing following a fascinating ancient process. There's an opportunity to photograph them in action wearing their traditional attire in a small workshop within an old house, creating a beautiful color contrast!

Next, we'll depart for the town of Shaxi (approximately 2 hours). Upon arrival, we will check into the hotel and then explore the ancient city.

Accommodation in Shaxi.

 

Day 8 -  SHAXI

Located in the southeast of the Jianchuan district, this town was once an important trading hub on the ancient Tea and Horse Road during the Qing and Han dynasties. Since the Tang Dynasty, Shaxi had been a crucial communications center between the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Tibet. It was where tea, brown sugar, fabrics from Yunnan and Sichuan, furs, and other regional products were traded. Shaxi still retains its cobblestone streets and traditional houses, much as they were a thousand years ago. 

In addition to visits to the streets, temples, and alleyways, we will enjoy street photography with the locals.

Accommodation in Shaxi.

 

Day 9 -  SHAXI – TACHENG

Today, we enter the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan Protected Areas, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.  With three great and legendary rivers: the Yangtze, the Mekong, and the Nujiang, all originating from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and flowing alongside each other from north to south for over 170 kilometers.

We'll continue our journey to the town of Tacheng. Upon arrival, we'll check into the hotel.

Tacheng is home to a community of Tibetan and Lisu farmers. With a mild temperate climate year-round, the region is abundant in fruit and nuts. Wheat fields and vineyards surround beautiful rice terraces. Tacheng is also home to the charming Yunnan golden monkey, or Rhinopithecus Bieti, which is endangered. Here, we will exchange experiences and photograph the local Tibetan ethnic group, distinct from the Tibetans in the Shangri-La area and those in Tibet.

Accommodation in Tacheng.

 

Day 10 -  TACHENG – SHUHE (LIJIANG) (2500m)

Early in the morning, we'll visit the Golden Monkey National Park.

Then, we will depart for the ancient city of Lijiang. Lijiang was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999. This town preserves its entire historic core, characterized by narrow cobbled streets, centuries-old traditional houses, and small canals carrying pure, ice-cold water from the Jade Dragon Mountain (5550m). This mountain, perpetually covered in snow, is a symbol of the Naxi minority, the residents of Lijiang.

Upon arrival, we will explore the ancient city and then transfer to a charming hotel located in the smaller and less touristy town of Shuhe. Lijiang is quite touristy, but here, we'll find many young Chinese people dressed as local ethnic groups from different dynasties, providing plenty of photographic opportunities.


Accommodation in Lijiang.

 

Day 11 .-  SHUHE (LIJIANG) – Departures or transfer day to the extension program

At the agreed-upon time, we will leave for the airport for your flight.  Those who stay for the optional extension will leave by train to Guilin via Kunming.  

 

Accommodation in Guilin.

 



EXTENSIONS

Extension Guilin (07 Nov 2024)


 5 DAYS. KARTIC MOUNTAINS, CORMORANT FISHERMEN. TRADITIONAL HOMES.

 

IMPORTANT: 

- The extension needs at least 4 people to depart.
- We could modify the date of the extension and reschedule it to depart before the main trip.

 

 

During our upcoming journey, we have some exciting plans in store. Not only will we be immersing ourselves in the local culture, but we'll also have the unique opportunity to capture these experiences through the lens of our cameras.

 

One of the highlights of our trip will be photographing the renowned cormorant fishermen. This age-old fishing technique involves skilled fishermen harnessing the expertise of trained cormorant birds to capture their catch. Witnessing this mesmerizing tradition and documenting it through our cameras promises to be an unforgettable experience. The scenery is nothing short of spectacular, and the river's picturesque beauty serves as an enchanting backdrop for our photography.

 

We will be as well visiting traditional private homes, where we've thoughtfully arranged photo shoots. This special access grants us the privilege of fully engaging with the local people and savoring the essence of their way of life. We believe that these encounters will allow us to create meaningful photographs that tell captivating stories.

 

And, of course, nice boutique hotels and great food!

 

 

HIGHLITS:

 

Day 1 (Nov 7):

  • Arrival in Guilin by high-speed train.
  • Train station pick-up and overnight stay in Guilin.


Day 2 (Nov 8):

  • In the early morning, make your way to a village to photograph the mirror fields - hundreds of fish ponds that resemble pieces of mirrors - under the sunrise, and capture local farmers at work in the fields.
  • Back to the hotel, have breakfast and take a short break.
  • Visit Daxu ancient town for portraits photography in an old house.
  • Capture sunset photography in Yangshuo.
  • Overnight in Yangshuo.


Day 3 (Nov 9):

  • Cormorant fisherman session at sunrise.
  • Photograph the buffalo farmer, ancient stone bridge and countryside scenery in the village.
  • Take a visit of a local family in countryside near Yangshuo, photograph the people portraits in their house
  • Sunset session of karst mountains over the Yulong River in Yangshuo.
  • Overnight in Yangshuo.


Day 4 (Nov 10):

  • Photograph the Karst mountains and Li River landscape during sunrise at Xianggong Hill or Damian Hill.
  • Explore the village by driving down to the Li River side, for more landscape opportunities.
  • Overnight in Guilin.

 

Day 5 (Nov 11):

  • Departures

 

 

 



Prices per person
9-10 Participants 8,900 US$


Supplements
Single Room Surcharge Main Itinerary 490 US$
Single Room Surcharge Optional Extension 100 US$


Extensions
Extension Guilin 2,900 US$


WHAT'S INCLUDED

 

Prices are per person, based on double occupancy.  A limited quantity of single-occupancy rooms are available for an additional charge.

 

The maximum number of participants are listed under "Maximum Group" in the Price section of each individual workshop. However, we reserve the right to add by up to two , the maximum number of participants per workshop at any time.

 

 

INCLUDED

 

- 1st class and boutique Hotels

 

- All Meals except the first lunch and departure day

 

- All internal transportation

 

- Train to the optional extension

 

- Travel Photographer Leader Harry Fisch or/and Robereto Pazzi

 

- Local guide

 

- Private air-conditioned bus

 

- Airport pick-up and transfer to hotel on arrival

 

- Hotel pick-up and transfer to the airport on departure

 

- Coordination of all listed activities

 

- Many very special photographic encounters ...

 

 

NON INCLUDED

 

 

- International flights,  

 

- Tips for local guides and drivers

 

-Individual house/hotel expenses (minibar, room service, laundry fees, etc.)

 

-Medical Insurance and cancellation trip insurance

 

- Anything not specified in"Included"

 

 

 

FITNESS LEVEL  II.-  MODERATE ACTIVITY.

 

 

 Appropriate for travelers who are physically fit, who enjoy participating in two to three hours of walking activity per day.

You will need to be able to walk for a few hours ( 2-3 hours) with regular breaks -most of the time taking pictures - at a gentle pace, remain standing, and get on and off coaches, planes, and trains unassisted. You will also need to be able to climb several flights of stairs and navigate steps and uneven terrain walking for a short time over more difficult terrain (e.g. cobblestones, city hills, stairs without handrails, limited or no access to elevators). Excursions require standing and walking to city centers where coaches are prohibited.

The itinerary can include significant changes in temperature and altitude and may require a higher number of longer travel days with early morning and/or evening activities. Most trips will feature some long touring days.