Greetings to the China in Focus group!

sbportrait 150x150 Greetings to the China in Focus group!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!

China in Focus Tour

jhportrait 150x150 China in Focus TourHi, 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.

Day 15 – Home!

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.

Day 14 in China – Shanghai

One last day in this remarkable city to wind down, shop, indulge and above all relax before our flight home.

Day 13 in China – Shanghai

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

Yu Gardens in Shanghai

Yu Gardens in Shanghai

Yu Gardens, Shanghai

Enjoying the peace and quiet in the Yu Gardens

Pudong, Shanghai

Pudong, Shanghai

Pudong, Shanghai

Pudong, Shanghai

Shanghai Light Show

Shanghai Light Show

Day 12 in China – Reed Flute Caves

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.

Yangshuo1 300x225 Day 12 in China – Reed Flute Caves

View from Folded Brocade Hill

Day 11 in China – Stunning Guilin and Yangshuo

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 225x300 Day 11 in China – Stunning Guilin and Yangshuo

Guilin

Yangshuo 300x225 Day 11 in China – Stunning Guilin and Yangshuo

Yangshuo

A local celebrity

A local celebrity

Day 10 in China – Chengdu Panda Reserve

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

Pandas

Pandas

And more pandas

And more pandas

Adorable pandas

Spot the difference!

Giant Pandas

Downtime at the reserve


Day 9 in China – Grand Buddha and Huanglongxi

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

Entrance to the Grand Buddha

The Grand Buddha

The Grand Buddha

Getting up close...

Getting up close...

A local shrine

A local shrine

Huanglongxi 300x225 Day 9 in China   Grand Buddha and Huanglongxi

Huanglongxi

Local children

Can you keep a secret...?

Noodle making 300x225 Day 9 in China   Grand Buddha and Huanglongxi

So that's how it's done...

Huanglongxi waterway

Huanglongxi waterway

Day 8 in China – Chengdu

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

Traditional Chengdu Street

Mmmm - local delicacies

Mmmm - local delicacies

Traditional gardens

Traditional gardens

Local costumes

Local costumes

Lucky red letters

Buy a lucky card, make a wish and hang it up until it comes true!

Tai Chi master

Meeting the local Tai Chi master