May 20th – June 2nd, 2020
Our China adventure takes us from Beijing and the least touristy part of the Great Wall, to quaint off the path villages, amazing waterfalls, extravagant rice terraces, the mind-blowing mountains around Yangshuo, and the rambling streets of Shanghai!
Check out all the excitement below and e-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
* 13 nights/14 days throughout the real China
* Private local guides throughout
* Breakfast Everyday
* 3 lunches, 2 Dinners (Welcome and Farewell Dinner Celebrations)
* TWO domestic flights included
Beijing (3 Nights)
Beijing, the capital of China, is separated from the Gobi Desert by a green chain of mountains, over which The Great Wall runs. The modern city, China’s second-largest, lies on the site of countless human settlements that date back half a million years. Bicycles are still the main mode of transportation but taxis, cars, and buses jam the city streets in a frenzy of human civilization.
– Temple of Heaven: We’ll explore and photograph this magnificent and beautiful structure built in 1420. Emperors of the two last dynasties, Ming 
and Qing, prayed here over there 3 times a year for a good harvest.
– Tiananmen Square: Walk through the largest square in the world, known as ‘The gate of the heavenly sky’. The square was made infamous by the iconic images and video of a pro-democracy protestor refusing to get out of they of a huge army tank!
– The Forbidden City: Visit the Chinese political center from 1420 AD- 1911 AD with 9,999 
rooms! This place was the residence of the last two dynasties, Ming and the Qing.
– Huttong Alley Adventure by Rickshaw: A Huttong is an ancient city alley or lane typical in Beijing. We’ll be escorted on our very own rickshaws throughout the lanes, including a visit to a local’s home.
The Great Wall: Walk the stunningly beautiful, and much less visited, Mutianyu section of the Great Wall
45 miles from Beijing, Mutianyu Great Wall enjoys a long history and is an integral part of the rich culture of China. This section of the wall was first 
begun in the Northern Qi Dynasty (550 – 557) then built and rebuilt up until the 17th century. As one of the wonders of the world, the Great Wall is a must on any visit to Beijing. Stand atop one of the ancient watchtowers and cast your eye towards the horizon, taking in the vast scale and sheer beauty of the Wall as it snakes its way across the tops of impossibly steep mountain ridges. Originally a series of smaller walls built to repel northern invaders, it was not until the unification of the empire under Qin Shi Huang Di in 221 BC that the various sections of the Wall were linked up. We’ll not only walk along this wonder of the world but also see it from above during a breathtaking cable car ride to the top.
Guizhou Province: Guiyang & Huangguoshu (2 Nights) → Li Bo & Xi Jiang (3 nights)
– Huangguoshu Waterfalls: Amazing photographs to be taken of this iconic waterfall and many others, including above ground falls, underground falls, and water stone forests. Huangguoshu is the largest waterfall in Asia and stretches to a height of 243 feet. This dazzling spectacle is an unmissable stop in Guizhou province.
– Little & Big Seven Caves: Visit the Small Seven Hole Bridge; an overgrown ancient bridge ripe for a photo. Then we can get lost in the magic of the mystical and remote surroundings.
– Li Bo Town: This town is surrounded by the beautiful Karst mountains which have recently been added into the World Natural Heritage List. Plenty of wandering to be done here among the quaint streets and alleys, with the iconic monoliths in the backdrop. 
– Encounter the Miao People: Known for their hospitality and etiquette, they like to pay respect to their guests which makes for a special experience. The Miao’s famous culture has influenced much of China for centuries. Interesting customs include food-sharing rituals, strong hospitality for strangers, and unique wedding ceremonies.
Guilin & Yangshuo (3 Nights)
Massive limestone formations rise up from meandering rivers. The sun sets over mountainous gurgling rice paddies. We’ll travel to Guilin and behold these magnificent sights with our own eyes (and cameras)! Yangshuo is China’s unofficial adventure tourism capital, boasting outdoor activities as diverse as rock climbing, kayaking, caving, bamboo rafting, and biking.
– Day Trip to Longsheng & the Longji Rice Terraces: Translated to Dragon’s Backbone, the Longji Rice Terraces received their name because they resemble a dragon’s scales, while the summit of the mountain range looks like the backbone of the dragon. They were carved by hand into the hillside 
over 600 years ago, making the best use of the scarce arable land and water resources in this mountainous area. The spectacular view changes with the seasons and we’ll have a blast taking pictures of this man-made wonder!
– The Yao Tribe: Visit & photograph the Yao Tribe of Longsheng, one of the 55 minorities in China. The long-haired women of this minority live on top of the mountains and their existence can be traced to 207 BC! Most Yao people survive by farming and live in small groups scattered throughout the mountains. Yet another chance to experience the lives of Chinese living as they have for centuries!
– Li River Cruise to Yangshuo: Take in the fresh air and watch the amazing landscape among the Karst mountains on a peaceful river cruise. Many of the Karst formations are, with a 
little imagination, reminiscent of animals or objects and bear names like Elephant Trunk Hill, Sword Cut Cliff, Reclining Flower Hill, and many more. Along the way, we will also see graceful groves of bamboo, farmers tending to their rice paddies, fishermen working off their small boats, and lumbering water buffalos pulling carts or cooling off in the river; all worthy of more great pictures.
Explore West Street: Yangshuo’s oldest street, with a history dating back over 1400 years, has also been this region’s confluence of eastern and western cultures since the 1980s. Today, it is the heart of Yangshuo, and has excellent cafes and restaurants lining either side serving food from all over the globe. We’ll will pass by quirky boutique shops, hotels in renovated courtyard homes, and curious Chinese tourists who have come to see US and eat Western food!
– Bike Adventure to Moon Hill: The best way to see the breathtaking scenery of Yangshuo is by bike. Rice paddies, centuries-old farmhouses, limestone
karst formations, orchards, and of course the stunning mountains serve as your backdrop as we ride along narrow country roads and the banks of the beautiful Li River. The big hole when we get to the top looks like a moon on the hill which changes as we ride along from a half-moon shape to a full moon. *For those who do not wish to take the bikes, we’ll have an alternate adventure to quaint villages en route to Moon Hill!
Shanghai (2 Nights)
China’s commercial and financial hub pulses with its own unique energy. Its futuristic skyline alone is enough to merit a visit to this thrilling city, but its fascinating museums, spectacular gardens, world-class restaurants, and stunning hotels will make it hard to leave!
– Stroll Through Yu Garden & Old Town Bazaar: With its beautiful Tea House on a small bridge, this historic garden is a peaceful oasis in the heart of bustling Shanghai. Outside the garden gates, the Old Bazaar is the perfect place to
strike a bargain or chat with locals selling a variety of wares and souvenirs.
– “The Bund” and Nanjing Road: The Bund is the famous waterfront regarded for hundreds of years as the symbol of Shanghai. On the side of the river, magnificent colonial architecture represents the splendor of old Shanghai and across the water, enormous skyscrapers rise up to create a futuristic skyline that has to be seen to be believed. After we get our fill of pictures, the Bund leads into Nanjing Road, one of the world’s busiest shopping streets. Upmarket shopping malls, prestigious historical hotels, restaurants, and shops all line this mile-long shopper’s paradise. It also serves as the venue for festivals and fireworks for 
various holidays such as Chinese New Year and New Year’s Eve.
– Tianzifang: Once an unassuming laneway in a factory area, this street has been transformed into the art district of Shanghai. Here you will find many art galleries, private studios, craft shops, and some of the most charming bars and cafes in Shanghai.
– Optional Day Trip to Suzhou & Tong Li Water Town :
* Humble Administrator’s Garden: This is the largest and most renown of Suzhou’s famous gardens, covering about 52,000 square meters (nearly 13 acres) of land. Its unique design, ethereal beauty, and enduring cultural significance have seen it proclaimed a UNESCO 
World Heritage Site.
* Tong Li Water Town: Originally named Futu (meaning a rich land), Tongli is an age-old but very well preserved water town with a history of more than 1,000 years. Lots of narrow lanes and canals lend to its charm making it a perfect spot where we’ll enjoy a boat cruise. Awesome cultural photographs to be taken here!
– Optional Shanghai Tower Sky Deck Visit: The world’s tallest sky deck is a must-see if you’re leaving on an evening flight on our final day or staying an extra night(s) in this great city. This mega skyscraper stands 2,073 ft tall making it the second tallest building in the world behind Dubai’s Burj Khalifa. The observation deck is 1,840 ft high on the 121st floor, only 7 floors from the top and the tower holds the record for the fastest elevators in the world with a top speed of 46 mph! Aside from amazing panoramic photographs to be taken of the entire city, there’s a fascinating exhibit about the world’s mega skyscrapers before heading to the top.
* Tour Leader to help those who want to learn more about using their cameras, taking better pictures, etc throughout these China group tours. (PhotoFly Travel Club adventures are laid back when it comes to photography. They are not workshop style based tours and you do not need to be an avid photographer to join. All are welcome!)
* International Airfare is not included. We are happy to help you find a good flight as always! (Flying into Beijing (PEK) & flying out of Shanghai (PVG) )
* All Taxes, Fees, & Transfers Included
E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Join Us!
*For our solo travelers, we will pair you up with someone of the same sex unless single occupancy is requested.
Price: $2850.00
Single Supplement: $595.00
*Notice: Payment online incurs 3.2% processing fee (automatically added to shopping cart). Payments from outside the USA incur a 4.5% processing fee. Please mail payment to avoid fee.
OR
*Refundable Deposit: $600.00
*Notice: Payment online incurs 3.2% processing fee (automatically added to shopping cart). Payments from outside the USA incur a 4.5% processing fee. Please mail payment to avoid fee.
Local Planet Travel
325 Rocky Slope Road, Suite 104-240
Greenville, SC 29607
Cancellation Policy & Refunds
*There is a $100.00 administrative fee for all cancellations. Cancellations made 95 days or more prior to departure are fully refundable except for the $100 fee. Cancellations less than 95 days prior to departure date will receive no refund of the full amount due. No refunds on unused portions of the tour. Credit card fees and paypal processing fees cannot be refunded. After airline tickets are issued, airline cancellations are per the airline’s policy and are usually non-refundable and changeable with a fee plus new ticket price.
*Hotels subject to change based on availability
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