Guilin Landscape + Guizhou Minority Villages
A private photographic trip of landscapes and minority tribes.
We've put together an amazing photo tour in Guilin. You'll get to take pictures in stunning rice terraces, with different tribes, and during beautiful sunrises and sunsets over mountains. We'll also capture the traditional cormorant fishing at dawn and visit local families. It's a memorable photo adventure, and you'll come back with a fantastic collection of pictures of landscapes, culture, and people.
Cities Covered: Guilin - Yangshuo - Longji - Zhaoxing - Xijiang - Guiyang
ITINERARY
Day 1 - Guilin Arrival
Upon your arrival at the airport or train station, you will be picked up from the airport/train station.
In the afternoon, head to a mountaintop to capture the amazing sunset, featuring classic karst mountain peaks and village rivers.
Overnight in Yangshuo.
Day 2 - Yangshuo Landscapes
Begin your day with an early morning excursion to Damian Hill or Xianggong Hill, eager to capture the stunning beauty of the karst mountains and the panoramic bend of the Li River as the sun rises.
Discover additional photography opportunities along the Yulong River.
Wrap up the day with a sunset session, framing the karst mountains overlooking the Yulong River in Yangshuo. Stay overnight in Yangshuo.
Day 3 - Cormorant Fishermen & Landscapes
Start your day early by heading to a quiet spot along the Li River. Capture beautiful sunrise photos of mountains reflecting in the water, featuring a cormorant fisherman and gaslamp portraits.
Afterward, visit a countryside family, taking candid shots of people at home or working in the fields.
Take a short break at the hotel, and in the afternoon, go to a mountaintop to capture the amazing sunset with classic karst mountain peaks and village rivers.
Day 4 - Guilin - Longji
In the early morning, head to the countryside to capture photos of a buffalo farmer on an ancient stone bridge in a village, framed by the backdrop of spectacular mountains in the distance.
Head to Dazhai Village in Longji Rice Terraces, the largest minority tribe in the area.
Capture the beauty of the golden rice terraces and the vibrant minority village from various picturesque locations.
Drive to Ping'an Village and overnight there.
Day 5 - Ping'an - Zhaoxing
Begin your day capturing the beauty of flooded rice terraces at sunrise. Optionally arrange for local minority women carrying bamboo baskets for a picturesque scene.
Drive to Zhaoxing Dong minority village. Explore Biasha Miao Village during the day, gaining a unique perspective on the Miao culture.
Capture the lively nightlife of Zhaoxing Dong Village in the evening.
Stay overnight in Zhaoxing.
Day 6 - Zhaoxing - Xijiang
After the morning photography in Zhaoxing, drive to Xijiang Miao Village.
There, you'll have the opportunity to photograph the largest Miao tribe in China against the backdrop of a stunning sunset.
Capture nightlife scenes from a high spot in the village. Stay overnight in Xijiang.
Day 7 - Xijiang Miao Villages
Capture the Miao village bathed in the warm glow of sunrise lighting.
Throughout the day, visit Langde Miao Village and Jidao Miao Village. Both villages offer excellent opportunities for photographing the Miao people, their unique architecture, and immersing yourself in their rich cultural experiences.
Stay overnight in Xijiang.
Day 8 - Xijiang - Guiyang Departure
After the morning sunrise in the village, we'll transport you to Guiyang.
We'll drop you off at Guiyang airport or train station for your departure.
Photos from this trip
Trip Notes
What's included?
- Photography guide
- Private transportation
- Entrance fees
- Expenses for people photography and family visits
- Accommodation for 7 nights in boutique hotels
- Airport/railway station pick-up and drop-off
What's not included?
- Flight/train to Guilin
- Travel insurance
- Meals
- Tip for guide and driver
What's the accommodation situation?
Based on your budget and perference, we can suggest or book budget hostels, boutique hotels and luxury hotels for you.
For your reference, the boutique hotel is USD 80-150 per room/night.
How can I customize this itinerary?
Telling us your requirements, such as adding one more day or making it shorter, or focus on landscapes more. We can easily design a new itinerary by your interests.
What gears should I bring?
Two cameras will be very helpful, it will save your time to change the lenses. Better to have one full frame body with regular lens, and one half frame for zoom lens.
For sunrise, 24-70 and 70-200 are needed; at sunset, 70-200 is more useful.
Besides, if would be great if you have a primary lens with big aperture (1.4 or 1.8) for low light indoor photography.
Tripod is very necessary of course. We prepare at least 2 tripods for backup, you can bring your ball head only and use it on our tripod if concerning about the weight of your luggages.
I don't think you will use polarizer filters or ND filters in Xiapu.
Besides, it will be great if you can bring a mini tripod for your mobile phone, lots of opportunities to film time-lapse when tide coming.
Cancellation Policy
If you decide to cancel your trip a month before the departure date, you will receive a complete refund.
In the event of a cancellation within 30 days of departure, we can retain your payment as credit for your next journey.