Fall Photo Tour 2007

In the fall tour, we will visit: (To see the itinerary, check Q & A section or CHINA TOUR page)

Beijing

Sichuan province: Chengdu , Jiuzhaigou(Nine Villages Valley), Huanglong(Yellow Dragon)

Hainan province: Haikou , Sanya

Hongkong

Beijing --the nerve center for nearly 1.3 billion people--is a must for our tour. The city is the political, cultural and educational center of China and holds the greatest collection of ancient sites and relics of the nation. It has been the heart and soul of politics and society of this country for more than 5,000 years

Su’s note: Oct. 1 is  Chinese National Day, There will be a sea of flags and decorations everywhere,  especially in Tiananmen Square . Our hotel is close to the square, so we will be able to take some pictures in the evening by taking a stroll.  We will also have a half day of free time in Beijing , so please let me know what do you might prefer to do.

The Great Wall , totaling more than 12,000 kilometers in length, is arguably the most famous image of China throughout the world and ranks and as one of the eight wonders of the world.  The Badaling Great Wall is by far the most popular part of the site to visit.   After you get past the hoards and hustlers and make the climb itself, the views are quite spectacular.

Su’s Note: The Great Wall is always crowded by tourists, making it hard to take good pictures.  We will go there in late afternoon and I have arranged for us to stay after the gate has been closed and the tourists have departed.  We will then have the place to ourselves to enjoy the quiet  of early evening while we take pictures at our leisure.

Chengdu , capital of Sichuan Province . It is a city with many faces. On the one hand, it is a modern, vibrant metropolis, an affluent investment center. Skyscrapers dominate its skyline, Japanese cars fill its streets and western goods and restaurants are widely available.

Su’s note: There are presently 50 to 60 more pandas in the Wolong Panda Breeding Center , and 34 pandas have been born since last year (not including the new babies born this year.) We will spend a half day enjoying the babies.  We can hold them, and we’ll be able to get very close-up pictures.

 On the way to the Panda center, we will stop at some local Qiang, Hui and Zang people villages where we might use a lot of film for some great human-interest photos.

Jiuzhaigou (Nine Villages Valley ), Another idyllic place of scenic beauty to gladden photographers is  this fascinating preserve lying not far from Yellow Dragon (Huanglong) Valley. It is the 60,000-acre Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou) Natural Scenic Area, preserved as a natural botanical and zoological scenic park populated by rare plants, giant pandas, golden monkeys, bison and white-lip deer. Soaring mountain peaks surround the valley, disgorging waterfalls,   The  entire area remains largely isolated from the outside world.

Getting to the Nine Valley (Jiuzhaigou) will take us through grandiose mountain scenery on relatively primitive roads. But the trip will reward us with photo shoots of spectacular plunging waterfalls, quiet lakes and bamboo forests inhabited by wild bison and an array of interesting bird species

In December 1992, the Nine Villages Valley (Jiuzhaigou) Scenic Area was listed in the Chronology of Recognition of World Heritages in China .

Su’s Note: The best time to visit Jiuzhaigou is Oct. 15-17 each year, we don’t want to miss the colorful view. There will be some walking involved, but a bus is available.   On our second day here, we will use a chartered bus so that we can stop wherever we wish for pictures.  We will also plan to take pictures of the mountain reflected in Mirror Lake that morning.

Thousands of tourist visit Jiuzhaigou in this season every year, coming not only from other cities in China but from other countries in Asia as well.  When we visited Jiuzhaigou in 2004, we were the first western tour group ever to have been there, and a surprised local TV station covered our visit as a historic moment.

Su’s Note: The trip in Yellow Dragon Valley will require about an hour and a half. The valley lies at a high elevation (10,170 to 11,483 feet), so expect to walk more slowly than usual.(You can buy an oxygen bag there if you decide you need it).

Hainan Island , China 's newest province, lies at the same latitude as Hawaii , with a great climate and charming pace of life. It is a rich and prosperous province and the area is renowned as one of China 's most popular destinations.

The island had once been a getaway for exiled government officials. It had transformed itself into an independent region in 1989, becoming a Special Economic Zone and now a world-famous tropical resort.
The large and noisy city of Haikou is the capital of Hainan , serving as a convenient point on the way to the beaches in the south of the island..

The highlight of Hainan is Sanya. It deserves its great reputation, and some of its beaches rival Hawaii or Thailand in terms of facilities, clean sand and seas.

Hainan Island is known locally as "Oriental Hawaii" with spectacular scenery including tropical beaches, lush coconut groves, peaceful islands and dense forest. The coastal line here extends over 1580 Km, and 60% of this consists of fine and clean sandy beaches. The sea here, especially in the south of the island, is wonderfully blue, and the temperatures are perfect for swimming. The coast is dotted with palm trees, providing shelter from the heat of the sun. This is a perfect spot for weary travelers. Here you may kick off your shoes, sit back and soak up the sun and the relaxing atmosphere of this truly tropical island!

Haikou ,  a bustling city, perches neatly at the top of Hainan Province , facing Guangdong Province across the Qiongzhou channel at the mouth of the Nandu River . This is a political, commercial and transportation center and serves as a convenient stopping point en route to the beaches  south of the island. 

Despite local government attempts to market this place as a “hot” Chinese tourist destination, which has led to inevitable "renovations," Haikou still has a few interesting sights and some charming old streets and alleys where one may wander and explore. Most of all, however, this is a good place to get accustomed to the island and its laid back feeling.  Palm trees line the boulevards, and some well preserved colonial architecture adds to the feeling that this is a city with a distinct and unique way of life, struggling to come to terms with its new role as a tourist destination and as the capital of one of China 's newest Special Economic Zones and the country’s newest province.

Two minority groups currently inhabit Hainan , based largely around the highland area and the central part of this tropical island.

Anthropologists estimate that approximately one million Li people live on Hainan and trace their history back to 2000 BC. The Li (literally translated as "top knot" due to the style of the men's hair), arrived here from Guangxi province, gradually displacing the aboriginals on the island and forming their own unique culture with tunnel shaped houses and shamanistic religious practices. Li women have a particularly interesting history, renowned for their vivid tattooed faces decorated with geometric patterns. The objective of these designs is to scare off any potential suitors among raiding troops or rival clans. Although tattooing is no longer as common, many of the older women still have richly decorated faces and body paint. This group also has a fairly radical history. Five rival clans make up the entire group, and especially after Hainan's assimilation into China this group has become increasingly negative in its attitude toward the Han people and the mainland. To outside visitors, however, they remain friendly and open and, despite the fact that many aspects of traditional life have disappeared here, a visit to the highland towns or countryside provides a fascinating insight into an unusual culture.

The second reportedly more "native" group inhabiting Hainan 's highlands is the Miao people. Historically, these people are comparatively recent arrivals to the island, recruited from Guizhou to put down a Li uprising. Today, the two groups appear to co-exist fairly harmoniously and some anthropological studies even suggest intermarriage between the two. The characteristics of the cultures are similar and Miao women produce beautiful African-style jewelry. Some of Hainan 's most famous dishes are inventions of the Miao, including rice cooked in bamboo leaves and roasted grasshopper!

Su’s note: We are going to visit a few villages where Li and Miao people live. We will have opportunities to take pictures when they are weaving cotton and engaged in other activities. We will also see some richly decorated faces and body paint.

Sanya is a famous coastal tourist city with tropical landscapes. It is situated in the south part of China . In ancient China , it was viewed as the border of heaven and the ending corner of the sea. The most beautiful and well-maintained stretches of sand make up the beaches of Sanya. Picture it: white sand, palm trees, warm sunshine and a wonderfully blue sea. You can easily spend a few days or a week here

Nanshan Temple, On the outskirts of Sanya city, 20 kilometers west of 'the end of the world' lies Nanshan Mountain, guarded by one grandiose statue of the Buddasava of Mercy rising up to 108 meters overlooking the sea. Nanshan Temple was the only Buddhist temple built from scratch after the birth of PRC. The architecture of the entire temple complex was tastefully adapted to pre-Tang style, surrounded by tropical botanic gardens.

Its short history does not discourage pious Buddhists and dutiful sons and daughters from making pilgrimages here. Because of  its location, South is believed to be the direction of the Buddisava of Mercy's domain. This golden sculpture is a remarkable piece, resembling the modern portrayal of her in Tibetan Buddhism style.  Nanshan, the mountain on the south, is also believed to be the auspicious mountain of longevity in Chinese mythology.

Asian Dragon Bay (Yalong wan) is arguably Hainan's best beach and definitely the most pristine--7 km of white sand stretches along beautifully clean blue water here, backed by palm trees and lush green hills.

The beach sits roughly at the same latitude as Hawaii and enjoys similar temperatures and weather conditions. The water here is wonderfully clear, reflecting the blue sky and white sand beneath it. Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular pursuits given the clear water, bright-colored coral reefs and tropical fish that abound.  This is a new resort and development is underway in a tasteful manner. It is a protected marine reserve, and commercial fishing is forbidden here, keeping the water clean and lovely for swimming.

Dadonghai Beach (Dadonghai) is one of Sanya's cleanest beaches, situated about 3 km from the center of the city and just off the main road. The beach's close proximity to the city means that it can get very busy, but this remains a pleasant and convenient spot to kick off your shoes, soak up the rays and swim in the sea.

Like most of the beaches around Sanya, this is a truly tropical beach with 3 km of white sand curving round a crescent-shaped bay, warm blue seas and palm trees. Facilities here are good.. Water sports are popular and there are numerous small restaurants and bars serving up tasty snacks and drinks. It is particularly pleasant here in the evenings when the sun sets and the crowds disperse.

Hong Kong Introduction:

Arriving at Hong Kong, we will stay at a hotel overlooking Victoria Bay , one of the world’s most dramatic harbors, and where you can also take some excellent pictures of the city at night.  We will be staying in the heart of the city’s incredible shopping district and a few steps from Hollywood Avenue where a “big screen show” is projected against a skyscraper each night. 

We will enjoy a classical English "high tea" in an afternoon snack at the famous Peninsula Hong Kong Hotel.  And we will visit the Sea Life Center at Hong Kong’s huge Ocean Park which covers 170 acres.  Sea Life features a four-level aquarium filled with penguins, seals, sharks, dolphins and other creatures living from sea level to the ocean bed.   You may also enjoy the cable car which runs through the park to a historic Chinese Middle Kingdom featuring ancient model villages. 

Sue’s Note: Besides the sea animals, there is an aviary filled with Chinese birdlife, a butterfly house and a very beautiful goldfish aquarium framed against a wall like Chinese embroidery.  It is a “must see” for any traveler to the island and is almost worth visiting twice--once in daylight and once at dark. 

Victoria Peak has long been the most expensive and exclusive residential area of Hong Kong .  Before the arrival of the Peak tram in 1888, the wealthy were carried up the mountain in sedan chairs. In colonial times, too, this was the city's most prestigious district. Many governors and businessmen bought exorbitantly priced houses here to be away from the smog and heat below.  As we shall see, nothing much has changed, and when you reach the top it is not hard to see why this area is so popular.  The views from Peak Tower are truly spectacular and this is also a great place to get your bearings on Hong Kong and Kowloon . Peak Tower where the tram terminates stands 400 meters above sea level and was built to withstand typhoons. (Check out the prices in the estate agent’s window in the tower for property on the Peak if you fancy a pad up here!) 

Standing next to the Tower is the Peak Galleria. This is another complex filled with restaurants, bars, shops --and even a McDonalds. Walking half a kilometer to the west of the tower brings you to the Old Governor’s Mountain Lodge and Gardens. This is actually the real Peak, situated 140 meters above the tower. The lodge itself is a ruin today, but the gardens are very pleasant, offering an alternative to the tower and an equally impressive view in a more peaceful setting. There are numerous paths and tracks around the Peak and this is a popular spot for jogging and walking for the ex-pats who live here.  

Sue’s note: We might not have enough time to visit the Old Governor's Mountain Lodge and Gardens and, of course,  you might not feel inclined to walk there in any case.

Q: What's the highlight of fall tour?

A: Fall Tour Highlings:

Beijing :  

     The Great Wall at sunset,  Decoration for China's National Day in Tiananmen Square  (at night and in morning).

Sichuang Province:

    1. Nine Village Valley (Jiuzhaigou).  Waterfalls, colorful ponds and mountains, mirror-like reflections.

    2. Yellow Dragon (Huanglong).  Limestone Corridor,  local Tibetan village.

    3. Wolong Panda Protection and Breeding Center.  Best and biggest Panda base in China .

Hainan Province: 

     Oriental " Hawaii, " sunset at the beach against the coconut trees,  local minority villages, fishing port  and market.

Hong Kong: 

     Sea animals in Ocean Park , overview of Hong Kong from The Peak and from bay at night and in morning.

Q: What is the detail of the itinerary?

A:

Q: If some one departure from east coast, what is the arrangement?

A: We will buy NW Airline ticket for you, and the tour group will meet at Japanese airport. Since you departure from east caost, the airfair will be charged $150.00 extra.