"_blank" data-runtime-url="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_China">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.

The regions we are visiting covers a very large area so it is hard to be concise.  Generally it feels like Spring during the day with temperatures reaching 20-25  °C and during the night between 0-10 °C. Mostly blue skies and ocassionally cloudy.  Snow is always a possibility but is very rare. 

Except for the 5 stars hotels, there is no central heating in hotels.  In most places, electric blankets are provided in your rooms.

Sunscreen and rain protection recommended as weather vaires.

The tour starts and ends in Kunming the capital city of the Yunan province.

How you get to Yunan really depends on what you wish to do after the tour ends in Kunming.  Below are some scenarios.

1). You want to end up in some cheap Asian city at the end of the tour where English is more commonly spoken or a beach vacation after.

• Flying internationally to Bangkok  is probably the best way. You should be aware that there are 2 international airports - BKK Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (serving big name airlines, all European, U.S. flights operate from here) and DMK Don Mueang (serving low costs carriers).  Transferring between these 2 airports need at least 2 hours to be on the safe side.
• You should buy a Europe return ticket to BKK.  And a separate ticket from BKK to Kunming (KMG), if you do not plan on staying breaking your journey.  Ensure there is sufficient connecting time (pick bags, go through immigration and recheck-in again and immigration) as some airlines may not check the bags through.
• If you do break your journey and stay overnight in Bangkok, you can choose to fly DMK or BKK to KMG.
• Vice versa, on the way back if you plan to break your journey in Thailand at the end of the tour.

2). You are pressed for time (Christmas season) and want to  arrive on/by 30th December in Kunming (KMG) with no stopover/overnight in Bangkok. And at the end of the tour, you want to end up in some cheap Asian city where English is more commonly spoken or a beach vacation after.

• You can fly Thai Airways to Bangkok and connect to KMG directly.  Return from Bangkok (BKK)  (this is called a multi city booking).
• Another way is to fly Cathay Pacific to Hong Kong and connect to KMG directly.  Return from Bangkok (BKK) via Hong Kong (this is called a multi city booking).

3) You just want to get in and out of Kunming for the tour.  You will have lots of choices (check Skyscanner).  Personally, Thai Airways or Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong will be the easiest.

In most cases you'll have to mess around abit with different options, (all same booking/ticket, mutli city booking, separate airline bookings and tickets) to find the best combination of schedule and fares.

If in doubt or need suggestions, just get in touch with me!

Check skyscanner for airline options, best fares and connections.

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

China is a relatively affordable place to travel offering good value for money in most places.  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

China, Yunnan

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 me, who speak the local languages, you will less likely face hassels and over-charging.

Food

If you are vegetarian or vegan, mainland China, vegetarian is possible or vegan options are almost non-existant.  

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

Specifically for this tour, I have included :

Return High speed train tickets (Kunming to Dali).  I have included this service so you can avoid the hassle of buying the tickets at the train stations and dealing with language challenges.

Quite a lot of private transfers to save time, unnecessary overnights to connect to public transport.  Namely :

Return Kunming - Dong Guan.

Return Yuan Yang to Jiangshui.

3 days private car to visit the special areas (otherwise impossible to visit)

I aim to keep the group small and cosy. You'll understand that we simply can't take 6 photographers and 6 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 a major Chinese city or Bangkok

* 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 Yuan Yang rice fields.  You can always choose to opt out of the trek and explore surrounding areas near the hotel.

In Yunan a mix of the following :

- local buses (of different sizes & comfort).

- private cars for some transfers.

- optional private hiring of local transport to save time and see more.

- walking.

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.

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

Excluded :

International airfares.

Meals and accommodations, 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  through Paypal which is 100% safe and secure or European bank transfer.  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 €430 to secure your booking.   (€330 for early bird bookers before 15th September)

2nd Payment.

Balance payment of €600 to be made when you arrive in Kunming.

Read the Tour Terms & Conditions.

Just get in touch!