Essential China
Iconic Landmarks and Landscapes of the Middle Kingdom

		China Photography Tour Details
		Dates	Sep 7–22, 2009
		Leader	Adam Jones and local guides
		Fee	$6,895 from Beijing; departing from Shanghai, China
		Deposit	$400
		Limit	15
			Terms and Conditions

Its name is Zhongguo—the Middle Kingdom—or The People’s Republic of China, as it is known by the rest of the world. China’s wide-open welcome to tourists from around the world has allowed us to craft a journey to photograph many of the spectacular landscapes and landmarks of the Middle Kingdom. Our goal is to assemble a portfolio of the images of China most requested in the publishing world—photographs of nature and culture that parallel the centuries-old traditions of Chinese art. Starting in Beijing we spend a number of days pursuing sweet light on such classic Chinese emblems as the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Many of these monuments have undergone major restorations for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and are in prime condition for photography.

We fly next to Mount Huangshan—the "Yellow Mountain." From high on the mountain we photograph the scenes that so inspired a whole school of painting during the Ming period. Here, wind-sculpted pines cling to jagged, bald, granite crags. Reminiscent of the curtain of a great theater, the stage is set as mist flows among the peaks, shrouding and then revealing the landscape in an unending pageant of form, line and texture. In the shadow of Huangshan we photograph in the UNESCO World Heritage Site villages of Shexian and Hongcun, recognizable for their prominence in the 2000 Ang Lee film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. A trove of traditional architectural details and classic panoramas await our cameras at these remarkable villages.

Flying northwest to Shaanxi Province, one of the first areas of China to be permanently settled, we explore the ancient walled city of Xi’an which was once the eastern terminus of the famous Silk Road. Qin Shihuang governed here as the first emperor of China. His tomb, outside the city, draws thousands of people from around the world to view the fantastic throng of 2500-year-old terracotta soldiers still standing guard.

Along the famous Li River at Guilin, we reproduce the masterpiece landscapes of serrate mountain pinnacles jutting as backdrop to the tranquil river. Light and shadow dance across the rock faces of this uplifted seabed, hewn by the warm, humid climate of southern China. Fantastically photogenic fishermen pole their pencil-thin boats, cormorants in tow, along the sluggish convolutions of the river in a scene as placid and timeless as any in the world.

Join Adam Jones on this journey to photograph some of China’s most familiar national treasures. This is a fantastic trip for first-time visitors to the Middle Kingdom, or a great shoot for those people who have traveled here in the past and did not spend as much time at these locations for their photography as our Photo Safari provides. Once you’ve photographed in China, you’ll undoubtedly long to return to see more!



Day 1
Depart from home.

Day Day 2 (Sep 8)
Arrive in Beijing. (D)

Day 3
Tiananmen Square, site of numerous momentous historical events, was built in the Ming Dynasty. During the Ming and Qing eras, the square was walled and commoners were permitted entry only to be executed. The wall was destroyed during the 1911 revolution, and the square has quadrupled in size. Now a million people could gather there. The afternoon is devoted to photographing the Forbidden City. This dazzling example of Ming Dynasty history and architecture is among the top icons of Chinese culture and a great photo shoot. (BLD)

Days 4–5
The Great Wall at Jingshangling and Simatai are wonderful locations for dramatic photography away from the crowds of the Beijing area. We shoot the Wall during the best light at sunrise and sunset. (BLD)

Day 6
We drive to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and then return to Beijing and for our flight to Huangshan. (BLD)

Days 7–9
During our stay we photograph the villages of Shexian and Hongcun, distinguished for their traditional Chinese architecture. The photographic jewel of this area is Mount Huangshan, one of the most revered natural landscapes in China. A cable car takes us to the mountaintop and our hotel where we stay two nights. We hike the many steep trails that lead to stunning natural overlooks. (BLD)

Day 10
We descend the mountain and fly to Xi’an. (BLD)

Days 11–12
We take a full day to visit the Terracotta Army, Big Goose Pagoda and the Great Mosque. The next morning we fly to Guilin. (BLD)

Days 13–14
Guilin lies on the banks of the Li River, surrounded by perpendicular eroded karst formations. The classic artistic impressions from this location have been immortalized over many centuries, making it one of China’s most notable landscapes. We travel by private boat to Yangshuo and photograph the river from the boat and on shore as well. This cruise presents many scenic areas to shoot the winding Li. Images include sunrise and sunset over the graphic mountain silhouettes, cormorant fishermen and tranquil river scenes. (BLD)

Day 15
Return to Guilin and fly to Shanghai. (BLD)

Day 16 (Sep 22)
Depart for home. (B)