Hello! Just to say how much I am looking forward to meeting you all in China, on what promises to be a truly fabulous holiday.
I will be buying extra memory cards in the expectation of lots of amazing photo opportunities, and I’m particularly looking forward to some wonderfully atmospheric landscapes – and to our shoot with a cormorant fisherman on the Li River.
I do rather like using a tripod, not just to avoid camera shake but so that I can really fine-tune my compositions, so I will probably pack my (rather heavy!) tripod in my suitcase and just make do with a very small selection of clothes for the trip!
Like John, I’ll be keen to hear about everyone’s photographic hopes and preferences!
Hi, I’m looking forward very much to our exciting trip together. We’ll be seeing some great sights and, after 17 days, we’ll have some tales to tell!
I’m sure we are all thinking about what equipment to take to China. I am personally entirely digital now and will be taking Canon SLR kit (5D MkII) with three zoom lenses giving me a range from 17mm to 400mm. I will also take a spare body and a compact camera as back up. After weighing up the pros and cons of carrying a tripod I’m going to compromise and settle for a monopod!
My photographic interests in China will be broad. I will be looking for landscapes – ideally in mist and in glowing light. I will also be hoping for shots with detail and local atmosphere. I will be interested to hear what others are hoping for, what kit you will be taking, and about your photographic experiences to date.
We board our flight with BA for our 12hr flight back to the UK.
Just as I had expected, China still has the capacity to enthral me with its stunning beauty, amazing sites, warm people and great food.
Everywhere we visited captured me like I had never been before. So I can definitely say that you will not be disappointed if you decide to visit this country.
Beijing, Xian, The Yangtze River, Chengdu, Leshan, Guilin and Shanghai all have something unique to offer you.
One last day in this remarkable city to wind down, shop, indulge and above all relax before our flight home.
SHANGHAI
After a mid morning flight to Shanghai, which takes 2hrs, we board the Maglev train to the outskirts of the city. The journey takes 7 minutes and we travel up to 431kms hour. Exhilarating and spine-tingling!
Shanghai is home to 20 million people and is a modern, busy and and vibrant city today. We visit the YU GARDENS and BAZAAR. The gardens are enclosed and peaceful, where outside you have a lively shopping market. Here you can shop till you drop!
This evening, we board a small cruise ship for a 1 hr trip down the Huangpu River to see where the new and the old Shanghai meet. Get your camera at the ready as it’s full of wonderful sights.
Yu Gardens in Shanghai
Yu Gardens in Shanghai
Enjoying the peace and quiet in the Yu Gardens
Pudong, Shanghai
Pudong, Shanghai
Shanghai Light Show
GUILIN
We are visiting the FOLDED BROCADE HILL today, where you can get the most dramatic photo opportunities but you will need to climb high so get your walking boots on!
Followed by the REED FLUTE CAVES, which are a fairytale grotto which opened to the public in 1980.
View from Folded Brocade Hill
GUILIN
It has a population of 600,000 and two rivers – the Li and the Peach Blossom.
The Hotel Osmanthus is named after the beautiful Osmanthus trees that line the roads, but everywhere you look all you can see are these incredible limestone peaks which date back to the ice age. We take a trip today down the Li river to Yangshou which is a relaxing and mindblowing journey due to the spectacular scenery.
YANGSHOU
This has a small population of 40,00 but is a backpackers retreat which explains why it is so tranquil. The scenery is impressive, astonishing and breathtaking. This ranks in the top 3 places I have ever visited. INCREDIBLE.
Guilin
Yangshuo
A local celebrity
CHENGDU PANDA RESERVE
I was so excited at the prospect of cuddling one of these iconic creatures. The early bird catches the worm so make sure if you want a cuddle you go early. At 10.30 they feed the pandas so cuddles are off limits. It will cost you approx £100 with a baby panda and £50 with a junior for 10 pictures with your camera taken by the keepers. A once in a lifetime and the money goes back into the reserve. They also have red pandas, and some stunning gardens around the lake.
Tonight we fly to GUILIN.
Pandas
Pandas
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And more pandas
Spot the difference!
Downtime at the reserve
LESHAN
Today we are going to see the GRAND BUDDHA in Leshan which is a 2hr journey by coach.
This is a remarkable sight from the river, which is the best way to view this GIANT. The Buddha has 2 guardians either side of him and was initiated by a monk called Haithong. Construction started in 713 AD and completed in 803 as funds ran out and Haithong died.
We then visited the wonderful tea houses that line the river where the locals relaxed, playing cards and Mahjong whilst sipping tea.
HUANGLONGXI
300 year old houses which are private homes to these ancient village people who live in this stunning place.
There are tea houses, restaurants and food shops where you can sample the produce whilst watching them make it. I loved this magical , friendly and very relaxing community.
Entrance to the Grand Buddha
The Grand Buddha
Getting up close...
A local shrine
Huanglongxi
Can you keep a secret...?
So that's how it's done...
Huanglongxi waterway
CHENGDU
Today we fly to Chengdu, which has a population of 12 million and is a busy modern city.
We have the afternoon at leisure – right, time for exploring!
Traditional Chengdu Street
Mmmm - local delicacies
Traditional gardens
Local costumes
Buy a lucky card, make a wish and hang it up until it comes true!
Meeting the local Tai Chi master
Hello! Just to say how much I am looking forward to meeting you all in China, on what promises to be a truly fabulous holiday.
