China Expedition 2008

16-Day Photo Tour

Departure on May 22, 2008

Visiting:

      Heilongjiang province – Harbin , Qiqihar – Siberian Tiger park, Church of St. Sofia , Ice Sculpture Exhibit, Zhalong Nature Reserve – cats, other animals,  Byzantine architectures, ice sculptures, red=crowned crane, waterfowl.

        Xinjiang province – Urumqi, Yining – Kurningde grazing land, Bayinbuluke Prairie, Swan Lake, Nalati Prairie, Sayram Lake, Fruit Valley -- Silk Road -- prairie, snow mountains, sheep in a flower covered meadow on the shores of lake, grazing land with wild flower, invited in to a yurt, forest farm, swan, yak, whole roasted lamb, international bazaar market.              

        Qinghai province – Xining -- Qinghai Hu(the largest lake in China ), Bird Island – silk road, birds.

        Beijing – Forbidden City , sunset on Great Wall, Peking Duck, acrobaties, Palace formal lunch.

Price:  $3995/person

Single room Supplement: $500

Departure will be on May 22, 2008

Tour Package features:

·        Round-trip international airfare from Portland , Oregon , plus all airfares in China .

·        Sightseeing tours by air-conditioned motor coach.

·        Fine meals during the whole trip.

·        Four-star and five-star hotels or best hotel at local site.

·        English-speaking guides at each city to show local sights.

. Medical insurance in China.

·        Itinerary can be adjusted if photo opportunities appear.

·        Deadline for registration is April 10, 2008.

·        Call Kathie at E-Fly Travel 503-601-8008 or

Sue Zhou 503-639-8396(h), e-mail: zhousu@zhousu.us

·        Tour web site: http://www.zhousu.us and click on China Tour 08

Note: Tips not inclided. We collect tips in advance, to be announced later.

Reservation: 

16 - DAY   PHOTO  TOUR  OF  CHINA

2008

Name___________________________

Additional Person(s)__________________________________________

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Contact Address_____________________________________________

City______________________State__________Zip________________

Home Phone(_________)______________________________________

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E-mail Address______________________________________________

Date____________________________

Notes:

·        The tour will depart on May 22, returning on June 6.

·        A $100.00 deposit will be required by the April 10, 2008.

·        We will have a visa for you, but you must be sure that your passport is current. (You may get a passport application from at any post office.)

• Group size: 10-16 people

·        Send the check to:  Su Zhou

                                     11263 S.W. 91^st Ct.

                                      Tigard , OR 97223

Heilongjiang Province  

The northernmost province of China is literally " Black Dragon River .”  The province, with its borders on Russian Siberia, has long been one of China 's main gateways to Russia and Europe . The region was once part of erstwhile Manchuria . The capital city, Harbin , has heavy Russian overtones, clearly evident in its buildings and restraurants, while strong Korean influences color Dandong town, situated along the North Korean border.  Heilongjiang ’s volcanic lakes include Wu Da Lian Chi and jingpo Hu and the huge bird sanctuary at Zhalong Nature Reserve whose marshy expanse supports hundreds of species of birds during the summer breeding season. 

Harbin

Situated in the far north of China close to the vast sub-Siberian plains, Harbin is the pleasant capital of Heilongjiang Province .  It was a simple fishing hamlet on the Songhua River until the Russians linked it to both Vladivostok and Dalian by rail at the close of the 19^th century.  The railway and the Bolshevik Revolution brought large numbers of Russians to the city, prompting a change in Harbin ’s fortunes.  Once called “Little Moscow” for its charming pockets of Russian architecture, Harbin still vaguely resembles an outpost of Imperial Russia.  While the city’s summer is quite pleasant, its winter temperatures dip below  -22F--perfect weather for its spectacular Ice Festival.

Siberian Tiger Park

Siberian Tiger Park is a unique sanctuary. Located on the north shore of the Songhua River and nearby Sun Island , it covers more than 5,550 square miles with various-aged tigers roaming free. Siberian Tiger Park currently has segregated fields for different cats--an adult tiger zone, domestically bred tiger zone, a tiger baby zone, a “liger" zone, African lion zone, the king tiger zone and a walking path to two viewpoints. The park offers opporunities to photograph Siberian tigers,white tigers, snow tigers, white lions, lynx, ligers, cheetahs, silver wraiths, African lions, Bangladesh tigers, a black jaguar and other very rare animals. Our bus will drive through each of the zones.  And, besides the walking area and viewpoints, we might also board special vehicles that go among the tigers at mealtime--and even help feed the big cats.

Church of St. Sofia  

St. Sofia Orthodox Church is one of the most imposing architectural edifices of Harbin . In 1903, with the completion of the Sino-Russia railway connecting Vladivostok to northeast China , the Russian No.4 Army Division arrived in this region. After Russia 's failure against the Japanese in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), a plan to restore the confidence of the army by building an imposing spiritual symbol was proposed. The church was completed in 1907.  Expansion and renovation started in 1923, being finally completed to what it is today. 

The 53m tall church is a perfect example of Byzantine architecture: The main structure is laid out as a Latin Cross with the main hall topped with a huge gree-tipped roof. Under the bright sun, the church, together with the square around it, reminds one of the Red Square in Moscow . 

Although there are still several hundred Orthodox believers in Harbin , religious activities are usually conducted in other smaller churches. St. Sofia Church is nowadays used as the Municipal Architecture and Art Museum with exhibitions of the architectural history of the city.

 Zhalong Nature Reserves 

Zhalong is a famous reserve for protection of rare birds. Situated 30 kilometers away southeast of Qigihar,  it is China ’s largest wetland reserve. The 518,700-acre Zhalong Nature Reserve lies in the Songhuanen River plain along a major bird migratory route from the Arctic to Southeast Asia .  Zhalong’s reedbeds, ponds and marshlands provide an ideal home to almost 300 species of birds, including swans, storks, ducks, geese, egrets, white ibis and other waterfowl.  Established in 1979, the reserve is one of the few breeding grounds in the Far East for the marsh grassbird.  Six of the world’s 15 varieties of crane are also found here.  The most famous are the endangered red-crowned crane(Grus japonensis), a tall bird with black-and-white plumage and a red crest that is the symbol of longevity in China, and the white-naped crane (Grus vipio), both of which are bred at a research center here.  Other rare bird species that visit Zhalong include the swan goose and the Siberian crane.  Birds arrive in spring, and begin breeding in summer.  The best time to visit the reserve is from April to June. 

Su’s Note: We will be able to get close to the cranes, and wide-angle and 200m lens will be enough to give us good pictures.

Xinjiang Province  

China ’s second-largest province, Xinjiang shares borders with eight countries from Mongolia in the northeast to India in the southwest.  This isolated region is largely desert and grassland fringed by some of the highest mountains in the world.  

Two thousand years ago a string of oasis towns were established along the Silk Roads that skirted the northern and southern edges of the scorching Taklamakan Desert .  Trade attracted merchants from India and Europe , and Xinjiang became the meeting point of east and west, with Christian churches and Buddhist temples existing in close proximity.  At the end of the Tang era, Turkic tribes repeatedly overran the region, and by the 15^th century Islam was established as the main religion. In the 18^th century, the Chinese took control of what was then Kashgaria, and despite several revolts have maintained their rule ever since.  Almost fifty percent of the population is comprised of ethnic minorities and in 1955, in deference to the large Uighur population, the area became the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region with its capital at Urumqi . 

Urumqi  

Capital of Xinjiang since the 19^th century, Urumqi sits amidst beautiful scenery, with the snow-laden Tian Shan to the east.  Today a growing metropolis with a population of one million, Urumqi is a modern Chinese city with designer stores and high-rises.  Many Han Chinese have settled here since 1949, and the population is now half-Han and half-ethnic minorities, including Uighur, Manchu, Kazakh, Mongolian, and Tajik.  Most visitors come to see Tian Chi (Heaven lake) but the city has other attractions such as its lively markets and the fascinating mix of ethnic peoples. The Erdaoqiao market, the largest Uigur bazaar in Urumqi is located along Jiefang Nan Lu. Here you'll find a bustling market filled with fruit, clothing, crafts, knives, carpets and more. This is a heavily populated Uigur area and many of the city's major mosques are in the Jiefang Nan Lu district. As the area is quite crowded, it is important to be conscious of pickpockets when handling and putting your money away.

Yining 

Close to the border with Kazakhstan , Yining is the capital of the Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture .  In recent centuries, Russia has noticeably influenced this former transit point on the northern branch of the Silk Road .  It was occupied by Russians in 1872 and later, during the period of Sino-Soviet friendship in the 1950s, a number of Russians resided here.   

Small, but pleasant and friendly with tree-lined streets ideal for walking, Yining is known for its local honey beer and hard cheese.

Su’s note:  We will take scenic pictures in the Yining area, perhaps returning to one of the especially outstanding photo opportunities for a second round of pictures at a different time of day.  I would like to explain at this point that in constructing  itineraries for my photo tours I plan carefully to schedule our travel in such a way that we are at each destination at the moment of best light.  This often means staying overnight at a location where we want to catch the morning light or arriving at a planned locale late in the day when the lowering sun casts the shadowing we want. Choosing each site in this way also permits us to reset our cameras to get the best pictures.  We will, for example, visit the Zhalong Nature Reserve and Bird Islands twice In order to take advantage of the lighting at different times of the day.

Nalati 

Sayram Lake  

The jewel-like Sayram lake, or Sailimu Hu, is a vast stretch of water set amid magnificent mountain scenery and flowering meadows.  Located at 6,560 feet, the lake area is chilly for most of the year and only warm in summer when it is also covered in flowers.  Reached by bus from Yining, it is a beautiful spot, barely touched by tourism, although it is possible to stay in simple lakeside guesthouses or gers (yurts).

Fruit Valley  

The " Fruit Valley " (Guozigou) is about 28km long, stretching along the Urumqi-Yining Highway , which is also known as the Northern Silk Road . Guozigou is a natural storehouse of plant species with a wide range of fruits and herbs growing wild in the area.

This wild and fertile patch of land flows southwards towards the northern section of Tianshan Mountain . The shores of Sayram Lake is visible from the highest point of Fruit Valley on the northern side of Guozigou.

Qinghai Province  

Lying between Gansu and Tibet , Qinghai is a vast mountain plateau inhabited by a mere 5 milion pople.  In every repect--– culturally, historically, and geographically --- it is part of the Tibetan Plateau and was once the Tibetan province of Amdo--- becoming part of China only in the 18^th century.  Due to its remoteness, it has been used as the site for several prison camps for political dissidents.  The province, however, abounds in natural beauty with lush valleys around the capital of Xining and miles of unspoiled wilderness around Qinghai Hu , China ’s largest lake. 

Xining  

Although blessed with very few sights, Qinghai ’s capital, Xining , is home to an intriguing mix of minority people, mostly Hui Muslims and Tibetans with a sprinkling of Kazakhs and Mongols.  From the 16^th century, it served as a stopover on the Silk Road’s lesser-used southern route and is now a good base for exploring Qinghai .  Xining lies in a remote valley and at 7,220ft experiences a cool summer and freezing winter. 

Qinghai Hu  

The largest lake in China , Qinghai Hu covers a vast area of over 1740 sq miles.  Its location on the Tibetan Plateau at a height of 10,500 ft above sea level makes it extremely remote, accessible only with the help of a tour agency.  The grand desert vistas along the way are an excellent reason to visit the lake, and in summer numerous yaks can be spotted grazing.  

Bird Island  

This island, in fact a large rocky peninsula that juts from the lake ( Qinghai Hu ), is located in the northwest corner of the lake. The island holds its name due to the approximately 10,000 birds that, at different seasons throughout the year, migrate here from all over the world. Of the rarer species that can be found are Griffon vultures, Mongolian larks, black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese and giant swans. For those not ornithologically wise, there are more common varieties that can also be found, including gulls, cormorants, egrets, sandpipers, skylarks, swans, geese, crows, minivets and many more. Because of the highly saline and cold waters, the huge lake teems with fish and it is this that makes it the perfect breeding ground for many of these species. The island has a number of bird-watching pavilions and it is nice to simply wander about, enjoying the vivid and contrasting colors that are  part of the lake's scenery. 

The optimum time for bird watching is between March and July, when many of the birds migrate here to breed and take their summer holidays. If you can weather the cold and are an intent bird watcher, November to February is the time to catch the famed giant swans. The island also contains the Longbao Black-necked Crane Sanctuary, a conservation project for these protected species.

Beijing

The capital of the People’s Republic of China is one of the world’s largest cities with a population of over 14 million.  Beijing first became an imperial capital during the Mongol Yuan dynasty (1279-1368), and both the Ming and Qing emperors ruled from the Forbidden City at its heart.  Today, an all-pervading spirit of change has added an exciting new dimension to the city.

Forbidden City

Forming the very heart of Beijing , the Forbidden City, officially known as the Palace Museum (Gugong), is China ’s most magnificent architectural complex and was completed in 1420.  The huge palace is a compendium of imperial architecture and a lasting monument of dynastic China from which 24 emperors ruled for nearly 500 years.  The symbolic center of the Chinese universe, the palace was the exclusive domain of the imperial court and dignitaries until the 1920s.  It was fully opened to the public in 1949.

Great Wall

A symbol of China ’s historic detachment and sense of vulnerability, the Great Wall snakes through the countryside over deserts, hills, and plains for several thousand miles.  Originally a series of disparate earthen ramparts built by individual states, the Great Wall was created only after the unification of China under Qin Shi Huangdi (221-210 BC).  Despite impressive battlements, the wall ultimately proved ineffective; it was breached in the 13^th century by the Mongols and then, in the 17^th century, by the Manchu.  Today, only select sections of its crumbling remains have been fully restored.

Sue Zhou, a native of China and a skilled Oregon photographer, has become widely known for the photo expeditions she has organized to take photographers—both professional and amateur—to hidden areas of superlative grandeur in China , scenes that confound the expectations of westerners who imagine that ancient land  to have been totally exploited.  These tours visit spectacular places unknown to westerners and some even unknown to most Chinese.  They will also visit villages of some of China’s many minorities who continue to practice ancient customs.

Sue’s itinerary for this May will include visiting China's unique Siberian Tiger Park where the animals roam freely over a huge acreage (but always show up for pictures that visitors can take from specially made vehicles at feeding time); a photo shoot at Bird Island, a national preserve which attracts hundreds of thousands of birds each spring--including species unknown in the U.S.; and a visit to scenic parts of the fabled Silk Road.  We will visit the main scenic and animal sites twice in order to reset our cameras to get better pictures.  Besides scenery and animal, the group will visit several local minority-nationality people’s villages to be guests in their homes and participate in their activities.  In Beijing , Sue has arranged for her group to visit The Great Wall in early evening after the gates have closed to the daily hordes of tourists so that her members may enjoy taking pictures in a quiet atmosphere.       

The itinerary of the expedition will provide a relaxed pace to provide plenty of time for taking photos.   To see highlights of Sue’s tour in 2004, visit her web site at http://home.comcast.net/~zhousu.  To see the pictures from her 2007 spring tour, click on the “Gallery” section at her web site. For a reference about the tours from people who have joined one or more of Sue's trips, call Sandy at 503-629-9497 ( Sandy ’s China photos won first prize in the ( Portland ) Oregonian newspaper contest in 2002. She has been on Sue’s tours three times) or Lois at 503-618-9801.

Questions and Answers about the Expedition

 Q:  Can you give us more details about the tour?

 A:  The deadline for registering is April 10.   By that time, I will email a tour-member list to you providing a detailed itinerary including hotel names, phone numbers and Internet service information.  I will ask you to send me your passport or a copy of the passport so that I may arrange for your visa.  Meanwhile, I will book all of the airline tickets.  We will also invite the traveling group to a meeting before our departure so that we may discuss the expedition and get to know each other.

Q: How can I join your tour from the east coast?

A: We will take United to China from San Franscico, on May 22.  If you come from the East or Midwest, you will need to fly to San Franscico at your own expense, and we will meet you at San Franscico airport.   Departure time there will be 11:17am.   United includes airfare for those coming from the West Coast.

Q: How can I get a visa to China ?

A: If you depart from Portland , I will apply for a group visa for us.  If you depart out of Oregon , I will send you an application form to fill out.  You can apply for a visa by yourself or I can apply for a visa for you.

 Q:  What is the weather like during May and June in China ?

 A:  It will be mild, about the same as the U.S. West Coast.  Night time might be cooler than here. Daytime may be a bit warmer.

 Q:  Should we consider anything extra to bring?

 A:  Basically, no.  Qinghai Lake (where we will photograph birds) lies in a warm plateau, and you might consider taking sun lotion for protection as well as mosquito spray.  One more thing is to bring plenty of film from the U.S. , because you will pay much more to buy film or slides in China .

 Q:  Is it easy to exchange U.S. money for Chinese currency in China ?

 A: You can get an initial supply of Chinese money at a Federal Reserve bank and at some other large U.S. banks.  In China , you can exchange US dollars at Chinese airports and hotels.  Bring cash or travel checks with you, because there are no places to use credit cards in small cities.  Keep receipts on purchases so that you can reclaim US dollars at your departure airport if you have Chinese money left when you leave China .  The exchange rate from US dollars to Chinese Yuan is $100=RMB705 Yuan (as reported by the Chinese government on 3/20 2008).

 Q:   How much money should I bring with me for this trip?

 A:   The tour charge of $3995 includes your visa fee, international airfare, domestic airfare in China , all ground transportation, our tour guides, room and board.  You only need pocket money and tips for tour guides, bus drivers, and bellhops.  We don’t require much walking in this trip, so you may not want to hire porters to carry your camera equipment.  Also, there will be some extra activities available in addition to the trip itinerary, such as shows and shopping..  Normally, $500 will be enough for the whole trip.

 Q:  How much should I consider tipping?

 A:  Our tips need to run a bit higher than the normal amount for general sight-seeing tours.  Ours will be a special photo expedition that will require more from our tour guides and bus drivers.   They will need to get up early and go home late. We tried to ask the guides not to bring us to shopping centers (where they are paid by the merchants to deliver customers).   We paid about $7.50 per person per day for all tips during out last expedition.  I collected the tips and paid them through our travel agents ahead of time before we left the U.S.

Q: What is the standard voltage in China for chargers and other small devices?

A:  220 volts.  You should take a plug adapter for the outlets and a converter if you need to use electricity.  Some electronic adapters work on either 110v or 220v. If you are an AAA auto club member, it can supply adapters in its stores.   (In Portland , there is a store at Hwy. 217 and I-5.  It is at 6 Centerpoint.  It’s a large red brick building, with a very large AAA on top.  You can’t miss it.)

Q: Do I need to get shots, and what medicine should I take?

A: You don’t need to get shots.  Bring your own prescription medicine, plus basic medicine like Advil, aspirin, antacid, etc. You might bring "Diomaox" for altitude sickness, or you can buy Osygen bag or spray locally in China.

Q: Is it safe for the airlines to X-ray my film?

A: Yes and no.  One X-ray experience shouldn’t have any noticeable effect.  Several exposures to X-ray probably will affect your film.  I recommend that you have your film hand checked before boarding the plane.

Q: Can I get my laundry cleaned?

A: Yes.  In the cities hotels will be able to launder your clothes.  The rooms have a laundry bag with a form to fill out.  You can mark rush cleaning (same day return); otherwise, they will be returned the next morning, clean.  You do this in the morning when you leave for the day.

Q: Can I go to Internet at hotels?

A: Yes. In the cities hotels will provide Internet service, but in the countryside such as at Nalati and Sayram Lake there may be no connections.

Q: What if I have to cancel the trip?

A:  You may cancel and withdraw your deposit at any time up to April 23, when the full cost of the trip is due and payable so that we may purchase our airline tickets.  After that date, no refunds will be made for cancellation.  It is suggested that you consider trip insurance if you believe there is a possibility that you could be forced to cancel the trip.

 Q: What do we call you--Sue Zhou or Su Zhou?

 A: Either way.  Sue Zhou is my American name, Su Zhou is my Chinese name.  The pronunciation is the same.

Last revised: 4/4/2008