With very few exceptions, most countries (includes all EU countries) will require a visa for a 28 day visit to China. For more information visit this site.  If in doubt, contact the local Chinese embassy.

Most nationals do not need a visa to visit Hong Kong (including all EU nationals).  For more information visit this site.

The regions we are visiting covers a very large area so it is hard to be concise.  Generally iIt will be hot and humid.  The average temperature in summer is about 30 °C (86 °F).

There are occasional downpours and vary from cloudy and sunny.  Sunscreen and rain protection recommended as weather vaires.

Most Chinese travel during this period as well so some places can be crowded.

The tour starts and ends in Hong Kong.  So you just need to book yourself a return ticket from where you are to Hong Kong.

Check skyscanner for airline options, best fares and connections.

Don't forget, it will be summer.  You are likely to get better airlines & hotels deals the earlier you book them.  Don't wait till the last minute!

Hong Kong

Accomodations are expensive on the island.  €20 will likely get you a bed in a 6 bed mixed dormitory with shared bathrooms.

If this is an  option you are looking at, let us know.  We can try to make a group booking so we can be in the same room.

Other than that, food & transport is very reasonable.  Eric Fung (one of the workshop leaders) will be showing you around his hometown and share great photography tips and spots.

China

Most of the places we visit have reasonably priced accomodation costs (€20-€30 for a private room).  Meals are generally inexpensive.  Since you are travelling with us, who speak the local languages, you will less likely face hassels and over-charging.

Food

If you are vegetarian or vegan, Hong Kong is fine.  In mainland China, vegetarian or vegan options are very limited and almost non-existant.  

We will be able to provide you more detailed information and answer your questions during the information evening.

Specifically for this tour, we have included :

High speed train tickets (HK to Guilin, Yangshou to Guangzhou and connecting train to HK).  We included this service so you can avoid the hassle of picking up the tickets at the train stations and dealing with language challenges.

3 nights accomodation at Longsheng at a specific hotel, steps away from a magnificent view point (no 40 minute climb to the top).  The hotel is local managed, does not speak English, unbookable on websites.

2 Workshop leaders speaking the local languages.

I aim to keep the group small and cosy. You'll understand that we simply can't take 8 photographers and 8 companions;-).  Due to limited places, space, transport requirements and location, travel companions pay the same rates as the photographer*.  Your travel companion should follow the tour schedule.  We are not able to make separate transport arrangements.  Your travel companion should be aware that this is a photography tour tailored for photographers and photography opportunities and we set on local tours at unusual hours.  The timing and schedule may change en route to fit photography opportunities and local situations.  We wake up very early in the mornings ;-).

Please be on time (grace period of 5 mins waiting time for late-comers) as we will depart after the grace period.  If you or a travel companion are late, you will have to sort out transport arrangements yourself at your own cost to get to the photography point.

As an alternative, we suggest that your travel companion meet or reunite with you in Hong Kong, Yangshou or another major Chinese city.

* Please get in touch if you plan on travelling with a  non-photographer companion and we can see if we are able to make specific arrangements or suggest alternatives.

Due to the nature of the tour and location, we are not in a position to accept travellers under 21 years of age.

Please get in touch if you plan on travelling with family and children and we can see if we are able to make specific arrangements or suggest alternatives.

Due to the nature of the tour and location, we are not in a position to accommodate travellers with special needs.  However, if in doubt please let me know your special needs and I can advise if I can meet your requirements.

In the detailed program you will receive, there will be links (booking.com) to where the workshop leader will be staying at each destination, always centrally & conveniently located with options from budget to luxury accommodations. You choose what suits you in that area, make your booking through any hotel booking search engines of your choice.  Simple!  Just a few clicks!

You having choices, freedom and control over your budget & personal needs is important to me.  Booking a group with a hotel is not less expensive and sometimes more, requires significant advance payments, and offers less flexibility for any changes. Online hotel booking search engines offers more choices and payment flexibility and zero commission  = cheaper for you!

Some reasons that may help you understand my philosophy :

• Each of us have different accommodations needs and budgets. This way you can book your own accommodations that best corresponds to your requirements.
• You are after all on vacation.  Outside of the workshop, you can choose to have your own space & time or hang out with those who wish to hang out together.
• We have different meal, dietary & dining companion(s) preferences.  At times due to the locations, the best or even only arrangement will be to dine together. You still have the flexibility to hang out with the group on an ad hoc basis.
• I try to make the photography workshop and tour  accessible to different people.
• The workshop activities as well as transport pick-up point will be centred at the hotel where the workshop leader is staying (a mid-priced hotel).  When booking your hotel, it is recommended that you should be within reasonable walking distance to the workshop leader's hotel.  You can easily check this on google map or www.booking.com.  If in doubt, just ask!

Exception!  3 nights accomodation included in Longsheng

You just need to be reasonably fit as the tour requires some light trekking and walking up steps for panoramic views, at a comfortable pace.

There is a 1 day trek (leisure pace) planned at Longsheng rice fields.  You can always choose to opt out of the trek and explore surrounding areas near the hotel.

In Hong Kong - buses, metro and walking.

In china a mix of the following :

- local buses (of different sizes & comfort).

- private cars for some transfers.

- walking.

China is a relatively affordable place to travel.  Hong Kong accommodation is 'expensive' compared to mainland China.  An average of €20/night will only get you a dormitory bed.  In mainland China, a budget of €20-€30 will get you reasonable accommodation options.  Eating at good local places is about €5 a day.

It is always possible to do it for less by sacrificing some comfort in your accommodation and meal choices or really treat yourself to a nice vacation with a higher budget.

You should also be aware that if breakfast is included in your accommodation, in some cases, we depart before breakfast is served

Yes, I'll be happy to help you look for a roommate!   Let me know and your contact details will be shared with other participants who might potentially be looking for a roommate.  

The involved parties will contact each other directly to see if there is a good fit and make arrangements. I cannot accept any responsibility for the outcome.

Travel insurance is not included.  Participants are required to have a travel insurance with coverage for cancellations. medical, or evacuation emergencies.

Sure! Transparency is important so you are in full control of your budget.

All transport (except where specified), workshops and local tours are included as outlined in the travel Itinerary.

Excluded :

International airfares Hong Kong.

Meals, accommodations (exception 3 nights in Longsheng included), entrance fees, small local transport expenses.

Tips and expenses of a personal nature

Travel insurance.

The tour is designed for DSLR and high-end mirrorless camera users.  Compact cameras, phone cameras and mobile devices are not suitable however, they can of course be useful to supplement your casual photography.

Personal laptops with Adobe Lightroom & Photoshop  installed are 'nice to have' as we will be reviewing images and editing as we go along.  If you don't come with one, no big deal, just follow the visual presentations.

For more details, read the Suggested Equipment List.  You will find useful informtion on 'must have', 'nice to have'.

While we will go through some quick revision about the camera & exposures, you should have some knowledge of handling your camera in manual mode, reasonable understanding about exposures (what f-stops are, controlling apertures/shutter speeds/Iso/focus on the camera).

This customised tour is not suitable for those just starting out in photography from scratch or currently using the camera in full auto mode,

For beginners and those needing a refresher, it is recommended that you join an optional half day workshop before the commencement of the workshop to understand some basic camera techniques to get the most of of the tour.  Over the next 12 days, you can improve, deepen your skills and go home with great photographs to share!

Payment is only through Paypal which is 100% safe and secure.  You will receive a link to make the payments using your bank or credit card.  Payments are made in 2 intervals and in EUR.

1st Payment.

A non-refundable deposit of €590 to secure your booking.   (€490 for early bird bookers before 30th March)

2nd Payment.

A request for the balance payment of €500 will be sent to you on 15th May 2019.  If payment is not received within 7 days, your reserved place will be released.   Cancellations made within 16th June 2019 to 45 days prior to the start of workshop dates are entitled to a 50% refund.

Cancellations made within a 44 days period prior to the start of a workshop will not be entitled to a refund.

Any refund made is based on the 2nd payment received less Paypal commission fees (4.5%).

Read the Tour Terms & Conditions.