Photo
         Explorer Tours 2006
         
         

      
   



Scenic Mountains & Waters of China
with Dennis Cox
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May 21 - June 5, 2006
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CONFIRMED DEPARTURE - tour is now closed


All photos © Dennis Cox

Huangshan, Li River, West Lake; plus Shanghai, Beijing & the Great Wall

Our most comprehensive China itinerary, the Scenic Mountains & Waters photo tour has proved so successful that it often fills up months in advance. For 2006, we will schedule this very popular tour in late spring with the same outstanding features and special photographic arrangements as past tours. This 16-day tour will again include three days amid the misty peaks of magical Huangshan (the Yellow Emperor's Mountain), our exclusive photo program guided by Chinese professional photographers along the Li River and the Longsheng minority nationality area near Guilin, the beautiful vistas of Hangzhou's West Lake, and the booming cosmopolitan excitement of Shanghai. In addition to a sunset shoot at a remote section of the Great Wall, the Beijing stay will feature the city's most important historical and cultural sites: the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Tiananmen Square, plus a special luncheon banquet in the imperial restaurant, Fangshan, with some of China's most distinguished photographers as guests.

This tour, price at $3795 based on double occupancy ($675 single supplement), includes three domestic flights and all ground transportation, hotels (3 to 5 star) selected for both their value and strategic access to photo locations, most meals in China including mostly western breakfasts and one western dinner (one dinner and one lunch in Yangshuo and one dinner in Hangzhou not included), and tips of a group nature. It also includes the services of English-speaking guides, as well as the photographic guide services of prominent local photographers in the Guilin/Yangshuo area, who will arrange our special program using private boats and local fishermen for shooting along the Li River. Not included are the visa for China, personal expenses, three meals as listed above, and individual tips, including to the national guide.

International airfare for this tour is available via Northwest, United, and other trans-Pacific airlines with connections from several U.S. and Canadian cities. To save you money on your air booking, we can provide information on reliable consolidators; or your air can be arranged for you with an added service charge. Optional extensions of the tour can also be made to other areas of China and east Asia, or more time can be added to the stays in Beijing or Shanghai. If you are interested in an optional pre- or post-tour extension, such as the Chengde extension described below, please call for a price quote. (Additional nights in Shanghai and in Beijing are available.)

Land price: $3795*3695......Single Supplement: $675675........International Air: $1074**

*Subject to adjustment up to 60 days prior to departure in case of significant currency fluctuations.. **estimated cost through consolidators based on 2005 prices which are subject to change by the airlines.

All photos © Dennis Cox

Scenic Mountains & Waters of China Itinerary

Sunday, May 21 Saturday departures from North America arrive on Sunday, May 21 (a day is lost crossing the international dateline) at Pudong International airport. Tour members will be met and transferred to the group's hotel (Sofitel or Bund Hotel) near the Bund, for the first night of a two night stay in Shanghai.

Monday, May 22 Tour begins with a full day to explore Shanghai including morning activities on the Bund and a cruise of the Huangpu River, Yu Garden and Huxingting Tea House in the afternoon, and an evening performance of the amazing Shanghai Acrobats.

Tuesday, May 23 Fly to Tunxi, then bus to Huangshan. Lodging at the Taoyuan (Peach Blossum) Hotel at base of Huangshan. (Heavy luggage will be stored here during Wednesday's overnight visit atop Huangshan.)

Wednesday, May 24 Morning ascent by cable car up front side of Huangshan to the Jade Screen Terrace with lunch at the Yupinglou Hotel restaurant. Named for the legendary Yellow Emperor of five centuries ago, Yellow Mountain is a wonderland of soaring, mist-enshrouded pinnacles and picturesque pines clinging to precipitous cliffs. Arguably the most beautiful place in China, if not the world, Huangshan has been described as like walking through the unending scroll of a traditional Chinese landscape painting. Its multitude of views from locations such as Bright Summit, Begin-to-Believe Peak, and Cloud Dispersing Pavilion are a delight to photograph as they change with the weather from season to season, hour to hour, and frequently minute to minute. Return to the Taoyuan Hotel for overnight.

Thursday/Friday, May 25/26 Following breakfast take bus to the cable car station mid-way up Huangshan's back side for the 8 minute and 2,500 feet ascent to the back of the mountain. Lodging overnight in the Bei Hai Guest House will place the group in a conveniently strategic position for access to an outstanding sunrise view. Some strenuous climbing of the mountain's numerous stone steps is required to get to some of the back side's best viewpoints, however much can be seen and photographed with only moderate or easy climbing. Late Thursday morning descent to pick up the luggage at the Taoyuan Hotel and have lunch before the two hour drive to Tunxi for some shopping and photography on the fascinating restored Song dynasty "antique" street and a late western dinner at the hotel. Overnight at the modern Huangshan International Hotel.

Saturday/Sunday, May 27/28 Bus to Hangzhou for two nights at the deluxe Shangri-La Hotel conveniently located on the shore of heavenly West Lake. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, lotus-filled reflecting pools, temples and teahouses, West Lake provides a plethora of views to explore in the early morning light before a bountiful buffet breakfast. Six Harmonies Pagoda, Linyin Buddhist Temple, and tea farm will be visited in the afternoon and/or the following morning. Dinner Saturday evening is not included so that group members can choose their own eating experience from among the Shangri-La's fine restaurants, including Italian and gourmet Chinese, or go to a nearby local Chinese restaurant.

Monday/Tuesday, May 29/30 In morning visit the Huqingyu Medicine Factory. Afternoon flight to Guilin, then transfer by bus to the unique market town of Yangshuo, south of Guilin, in the heart of the exotic karst country for which this region is world famous, for two days of photography from sunrise to sunset. If Huangshan is the most beautiful place on earth, then sunrises and sunsets along the Li River around Yangshuo and nearby Xingping must rank a close second. Following the guidance of our local professional photographer, various locations throughout the area will be photographed from land and from a private boat. The group's photographic success will be maximized by arranging for fishermen models with bamboo rafts and cormorants, and in the evening, lanterns. Two nights accommodations at the Paradise Resort Hotel and two ala cart meals at one of Yangshuo's unique sidewalk restaurants, such as the MC Blues Cafe and Lisa's, are included. Dinner on Monday is not included so tour members can try one of the many other restauarants in Yangshuo on their own.

Wednesday, May 31 After another sunrise shoot along the Li near Yangshuo and breakfast in town at Lisa's, a "buffalo parade" will be photographed at Gaotian. Lunch back in Yangshuo is again not included so that another of the unique restaurants can be sampled. In the afternoon a stop will be made at the Jade Dragon River on the way to Guilin. After dinner at the hotel, Dennis Cox will give a slide show in which tour members may participate with their favorite travel shots. Overnight at the Guilin Bravo Hotel.

Thursday, June 1 Three hour bus trip to the Longsheng scenic area near the border with Guizhou Province to climb (if conditions permit) to China's most spectacular rice terraces around the mountaintop village of Ping'an. For those who do not wish to make the somewhat difficult climb all the way to Ping'an, there are many photo opportunities near the bus parking lot where the extremely friendly villagers will also model for photos. Return in late afternoon to Guilin Bravo Hotel.

Friday, June 2 After morning in the city of Guilin (or to Yaoshan mountain if conditons are right), flight to Beijing to arrive in time for dinner and evening Peking Opera show. First of three nights at Jianguo Hotel on Changan Avenue in "downtown Beijing".

Saturday, June 3 Morning in the Summer Palace and after early lunch three hour bus ride to the remote Jinshanling section of the Great Wall for shooting until sunset. Dinner at restaurant near the wall before driving back to city.

Sunday, June 4 Early morning at Jingshan Park photographing activities of the locals & panoramic views overlooking city and Forbidden City followed by walk through the Forbidden City. "Awards Banquet" luncheon at the imperial restaurant, Fangshan, with distinguished guests from the national Chinese Photographers Association, followed by a boat ride across Bei Hai (North Lake) to the famous nine dragon screen. Afternoon walk through Tian An Men Square followed by a light farewell dinner.

Monday, June 5 The photo tour ends with transfers to the Beijing airport for flights home. (Flights to North America arrive same day.)

See optional Chengde extension below for one idea about what to do if you're not ready to go home.

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The Scenic Mountains & Waters of China Tour

will be accompanied by Photo Explorer Tours Director Dennis Cox.

CLICK HERE for photos of China from previous tours by Dennis Cox.

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Guidebook covers shot..... by Dennis Cox on this. Photo Explorer Tour.

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Please reserve your space early by contacting:

Photo Explorer Tours DENNIS COX LLC

2506 Country Village, Ann Arbor MI 48103-6500 USA

Phone 800-315-4462 or 734-996-1440 ... Fax Call for Number

Email DECoxPhoto@aol.com

Direct Link to Reservation Form

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May all your journeys be care free,

And your days be filled with wonder.