2019 Mt. Huangshan & Huizhou Photo Tour

Dreamy Mountain Landscape & Ancient Villages with Fall Colors

Nov 5 –15, 2019

Upon popular requests from former photo tour members, we designed this tour to photograph one of the most beautiful region in China, abundant with natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Fall Colors and Ancient Villages of Huizhou Region

Huizhou(徽州) consists Wuyuan county in Jiangxi province and several counties in southern Anhui province, it is famous for ancient streets and buildings in historic villages, such as ancestral temple, memorial archway. Residential buildings in Huizhou attach importance to Fengshui and Yinyang. The Huizhou-style building is one of the most important architectural schools in China, using bricks, wood, and stones as the raw materials. Buildings were always adorned with elegant patterns.

The fall colors in the area are very attractive at its peak season in November, they provide spectacular backdrop to the ancient villages that dot the landscape.

Mt. Huangshan

Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) is well known for its scenery, sunrise/sunset, peculiarly-shaped granite peaks, Huangshan pine trees, hot springs, winter snow, and views of the clouds from above. Huangshan is a frequent subject of traditional Chinese paintings and literature, as well as modern photography. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The mountaintops often offer views of the clouds from above, known as the Sea of Clouds because of the cloud's resemblance to an ocean, and many vistas are known by names such as "North Sea" or "South Sea”. One writer remarked on the view of the clouds from Huangshan as follows:

“To enjoy the magnificence of a mountain, you have to look upwards in most cases. To enjoy Mt. Huangshan, however, you've got to look downward.”

Fall colors at Shicheng village, Wuyuan county, Jiangxi province.

Mt. Huangshan, Anhui province.

When: Nov 5 – 15, 2019
Where: The city of Huangshan, Anhui province, China
Group size: 10 maximum
Category: Photography Tour
Tour Leaders & Photography Instructors: William Yu
Language spoken: English

Tour URL: www.williamyuphotoworkshops.com/huangshan2019
Contact: william@williamyuphotography.com

The cost of this tour is USD3,699, it includes:

9 nights of accommodation(Nov 6 - 14) in hotels with double occupancy. (Single occupany USD700 extra).
Transportation: Our group has dedicated bus and driver.
Entrance fees of scenic areas, parks.
Local tour guide

The cost does NOT include:

International Airfare to/from Huangshan(TXN).
Meals except breakfasts included with hotels.
Hotel at the city of Huangshan on Nov 5.
Gratuities to local guide and driver.

Physical demand: Strenuous

This tour will involve several days of hiking with camera equipment on paved mountain trails on top of Mt. Huangshan (Yellow mountain), some sections are steep, which demands good walking endurance, full-body mobility and physical strength. Please evaluate your health condition seriously before signup. All attendees are required to obtain travel/medical insurance and sign waiver form before the trip.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Nov 5 Meet and Greet in the city of Huangshan (TXN), Anhui province, China.

Our photo tour group will meet and greet 7pm at appointed hotel in the city of Huangshan (TXN), to kick start this exciting journey.

The old town in the city of Huangshan

Day 2: Nov 6 Huangling Village, Wuyuan county, Jiangxi province

Our bus will pick up the group in the morning, driving to one of the most beautiful villages in China in the fall – Huangling village in Wuyuan county, Jiangxi province. It’s dotted with red leaves of maples, black roofs and white walls. We will walk through and around the village for street and landscape photography. Overnight in Huangling village.

Huangling village, Wuyuan county, Jiangxi province.

Day 3: Nov 7. Huangling to Shicheng village

Today, we will travel to Shicheng village, a very senic mountain village in Wuyuan county. On the way, we will have multiple stops to photograph, including a unique horse-shoe shaped village. Overnight in Shicheng village.

The horseshoe shaped village of Jujing

Day 4: Nov 8. Shicheng to Hongcun village

In the morning, the sun rays reacting with cooking smokes at Shicheng village, forms a beautiful painterly looking image. After morning shoot, we drive to the world cultural heritage site – Yi county, Anhui province. Photographing the renowned fall colors in the area and overnight at the hotel inside the ancient village of Hongcun with their traditional architecture.

Morning at Shicheng village, Wuyuan county, Jiangxi province.

Shicheng village, Wuyuan county, Jiangxi province.

Fall colors near the village of Hongcun, Yi county, Anhui province.

The picturesque village of Hongcun, where we will stay for 2 nights.

Day 5: Nov 9. Street and architectural photography in Lu village and Hongcun village.

Street and architectural photography of ancient Huizhou-style residences at Lu village in the morning, and Hongcun village in the afternoon. Overnight in Hongcun

A fisheye image of morning in Hongcun village

Morning at the village of Hongcun.

The living room of an ancient residence in the village of Hongcun

Traditional door knobs in the village of Hongcun

A rainy day at the village of Hongcun

Day 6: Nov 10. Hongcun to Mt. Huangshan

After breakfast, we are heading to Mt. Huangshan, taking the gondola to the top of the mountain, and check into the hotel up there. Photographing around 2 unique view points. Overnight in Beihai hotel.

Day 7-8: Nov 11-12. Full days shooting on Mt. Huangshan

We will photograph the sunrise every day, then walk around and shoot at the Beihai(North Sea) and Xihaiarea(West Sea) viewpoints. Overnight in Beihai hotel.

Day 9-10: Nov 13-14. Full days shooting on Mt. Huangshan

We are still on the top of Mt. Huangshan, but moving to the front side. Photographing viewpoints around Yupinglou area and several front side peaks. Overnight at Yupinglou hotel.

Day 11: Nov 15 Transfer to Huangshan Airport (TXN)-Departure.

After sunrise shoot, we will take the Yuping gondola down the mountain. Proceed to Huangshan airport(TXN). End of the trip.

NOTE: We reserve the right to adjust/alter the itinerary on location, adapting to local weather, light conditions, or sudden local event/situation to better manage time and/or photo opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What will we cover technically for photography?

The main focus of this tour to open up your mind's eye, keenly identify photographic opportunities and make creative decisions, then properly execute it in terms of exposure and composition. The process will cover all elements of design: line, shape, form, texture, pattern and color. During the breaks, we will review post-processing workflows, techniques using photoshop, lightroom and some third party plug-ins.

I will give instructions/recommendations on every photography opportunities. Questions are always welcome and encouraged. We will have group review every couple of days during downtime or at the evening.

What to bring for this trip?

Your camera, tripod, lenses covering the range of wide angle through telephoto(8mm through 200mm), filters including polarizer, graduated neutral density filter, neutral density filter.
Be sure to obtain China Visa from your local Chinese embassy or consulate. Most foreign citizens are required to obtain Visa before traveling to China.

How do I sign up and pay for this tour?

A deposit of $300 is required for this workshop to hold your spot, you can pay by Visa, Mastercard or PayPal via PayPal.com or send a check (U.S. residents only). The balance is due July 1, 2019. All participants must sign William Yu Photography Workshops/Tours Liability Waiver Form before the tour starts.

How many participants do you allow?

Workshop size is limited to 10 attendees, which ensures that every attendee will get full attention. We need minimum of 8 attendees to make the trip. We will let you know whether it's a go or not by July 1, 2019, allowing plenty of time for participants to book the flight.

What photographic skill level is required to benefit from this tour?

Any people who has a basic understanding of exposure all the way to the advanced amateur and professional who is in search of a fresh perspective!

What is your refund or cancellation policy?

No refunds will be given for delays or cancellations due to inclement weather, (which interestingly, can result in some of the most some amazing shots!), either before or during the tour. If the tour is cancelled by the organizer, we will notify you immediately and you will be issued full refund. We are not responsible for any additional costs you may incur due to any delays or cancellations. Here is the policy of refund due to cancellation:

Before July 1, 2019, full refund of deposit minus USD50 fee.
After July 1, 2019. No refund of deposit.
July 1 - Aug 1, 2019: 75% of full amount will be refunded.
Aug 1 - Sep 1, 2019: 50% of full amount will be refunded.
After Sep 1, 2019: No Refund.