THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Explore Qixia Mountain, Zhimaling, Chishan Lake and Zhongshan; foliage and mist depend on conditions. Photograph Tiger Hill, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden and Tianping Mountain. Photograph Jinshan Temple and riverside scenery before returning to Nanjing.
Nanjing autumn and architecture
Explore Qixia Mountain, Zhimaling, Chishan Lake and Zhongshan; foliage and mist depend on conditions.
Suzhou gardens
Photograph Tiger Hill, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden and Tianping Mountain.
Zhenjiang riverside scenery
Photograph Jinshan Temple and riverside scenery before returning to Nanjing.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Alvin Huang →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Alvin Huang
Specializes in documentary, portrait and landscape photography. He has explored dozens of intangible cultural heritage subjects and traveled extensively in western China for photographic projects. Each year he leads private, customized leisure photography and travel portrait trips overseas. An experienced retoucher with comprehensive photographic knowledge and advanced digital post-production skills, he has received dozens of provincial-level or higher awards and international awards. Photography journeys He has led groups to Norway, Iceland, Russia, Japan, New Zealand, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dongba, Semporna, Israel, Jordan, Iran, Indonesian Papua, Namibia, Manado, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. Chinese destinations include Tibet, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Guizhou.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Nov 26 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiYour departure city–Nanjing–Qixia Mountain
Arrive in Nanjing, meet the group and depart. Afternoon golden light at Qixia Mountain: photograph red maples around ancient temples and colorful forests across the mountain. From Taixu Pavilion, capture panoramic red foliage and use a telephoto lens to frame temples with leaves. Drive to Zhimaling in Liuhe in the evening. Accommodation: hotel near Zhimaling
Accommodation:hotel near Zhimaling
DAY 02Nov 27 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiNanjing: Zhimaling–Chishan Lake–Qinhuai River Night Scenes
Early morning mist at Daquan Lake, Zhimaling: photograph flooded pond-cypress forests, misty reflections and painterly autumn redwood colors, with instructor guidance on reflection composition; Morning: drive to Chishan Lake Wetland Park and photograph extensive pond-cypress woods and light on the water from boat-based viewpoints; Return to central Nanjing in the afternoon to rest. Evening to night: photograph the Qinhuai River and Confucius Temple’s illuminated historic buildings, boats and local life, practicing long exposures of flowing water. Accommodation: central Nanjing hotel
Accommodation:central Nanjing hotel
DAY 03Nov 28 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiNanjing: Jiming Temple–Niushou Mountain–Meiling Palace
Morning at Jiming Temple: photograph yellow temple walls, traditional cultural scenes and light on temple architecture; Afternoon at Niushou Mountain’s Usnisa Palace: grand architecture, contemplative spaces, interior and exterior light, and instruction on aerial shooting positions; Evening at Meiling Palace: the necklace-like plane-tree avenue, dusk backlighting and golden trees; capture atmospheric shafts of light. Accommodation: central Nanjing hotel
Accommodation:central Nanjing hotel
DAY 04Nov 29 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiIn-depth Zhongshan Scenic Area: Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Music Stage–Linggu Temple–Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum–Yanque Lake
Enter Zhongshan Scenic Area early. At the Sun Yat-sen Mausoleum Music Stage, photograph plane-tree corridors and scenes with white pigeons; Linggu Temple’s plane-tree tunnel: golden avenues, red temple walls with autumn foliage and empty-tunnel viewpoints. Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum: the Sacred Way’s ‘most beautiful 600 meters,’ with Chinese tallow trees, ginkgoes and ancient stone animals; photograph the bald-cypress area. Yanque Lake bald cypresses: trees standing in water, reflections and panoramic viewpoints of Crescent Embankment; Return to Meiling Palace in the evening for additional photographs of its plane-tree avenue in sunset light. Accommodation: central Nanjing hotel
Accommodation:central Nanjing hotel
DAY 05Nov 30 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDrive to Suzhou: sunset at Tiger Hill’s ancient pagoda
Drive together to Suzhou after lunch. Evening sunset highlight at Tiger Hill Scenic Area: Yunyan Temple’s leaning pagoda, ancient tower and autumn woods, glowing dusk and blue hour, and reflections in water. Capture striking sunset images of Gusu’s thousand-year-old pagoda. Accommodation: central Suzhou hotel
Accommodation:central Suzhou hotel
DAY 06Dec 1 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiHumble Administrator’s Garden–Lingering Garden–Tianping Mountain Red Leaves–Drive to Zhenjiang
Morning at two great Suzhou classical gardens: the Humble Administrator’s Garden for framed Jiangnan garden views, water and autumn trees; the Lingering Garden for rockeries, pavilions and garden light, learning Chinese garden composition; Afternoon’s main autumn highlight: Tianping Mountain, one of China’s four renowned maple-viewing sites. Photograph ancient maple woods, red-maple reflections in Baiyun Pool and foliage framed with historic buildings. Meet in the evening and drive to Zhenjiang. Accommodation: central Zhenjiang hotel
Accommodation:central Zhenjiang hotel
DAY 07Dec 2 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiJinshan Temple, Zhenjiang–Return to Nanjing (approximately 1.5 hours)–Home
Morning at Jinshan Temple: Cishou Pagoda and ancient riverside temple scenery associated with the Legend of the White Snake. Photograph upturned eaves, river views, pagodas and cultural landscapes. Afterwards, drive approximately 1.5 hours back to Nanjing, where the group disperses and participants return home independently. [Reference services] Reference services for this trip: [Round trip from Guangzhou] Outbound: November 26 | Guangzhou–Nanjing | CZ3843 / 08:15–10:30 Return: December 2 | Nanjing–Guangzhou | MU9767 / 18:50–21:30 [Round trip from Shenzhen] Outbound: November 26 | Shenzhen–Nanjing | CZ3559 / 08:10–10:20 Return: December 2 | Nanjing–Shenzhen | CZ3578 / 18:45–21:20 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
Accommodation:Departure; no hotel planned
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Alvin Huang
- Up to 12 travelers
- IncludedBefore the course: the logistics team reserves hotels and organizes the itinerary in advance, giving everyone an overview of the photography plan;
View trip staffing details
Photography leader · Alvin Huang Up to 12 travelers Included · Before the course: the logistics team reserves hotels and organizes the itinerary in advance, giving everyone an overview of the photography plan; Included · During the course: One-to-one on-site guidance from the instructor helps ensure successful photographs;
Transport
- ExcludedRound-trip transport between your departure city and the destination;
- ExcludedLocal vehicle expenses throughout the trip;
Travel details and reference schedules
The listed flights are for reference only; they are not confirmed group flights, and you do not need to take them. Please confirm the meeting location and transfer plan with us before booking your own travel.
Photography
- Nanjing autumn and architecture
- Suzhou gardens
- Zhenjiang riverside scenery
Photography details
Nanjing autumn and architecture Explore Qixia Mountain, Zhimaling, Chishan Lake and Zhongshan; foliage and mist depend on conditions. Suzhou gardens Photograph Tiger Hill, the Humble Administrator’s Garden, Lingering Garden and Tianping Mountain. Zhenjiang riverside scenery Photograph Jinshan Temple and riverside scenery before returning to Nanjing. Nanjing autumn and architecture Suzhou gardens Zhenjiang riverside scenery Included · Photography instruction and services throughout the trip. Included · Before the course: the logistics team reserves hotels and organizes the itinerary in advance, giving everyone an overview of the photography plan; Included · During the course: One-to-one on-site guidance from the instructor helps ensure successful photographs; Included · During the course: the seven-day, six-night itinerary includes a series of relevant post-processing workshops, combining theory and practice; Included · After the course: participants share and review their photographs, learn from one another and develop work they are happy with.
Accommodation
- 6 nights
- Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately.
- Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed.
Accommodation details
Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed. Day 1: hotel near Zhimaling Day 2: central Nanjing hotel Day 3: central Nanjing hotel Day 4: central Nanjing hotel Day 5: central Suzhou hotel Day 6: central Zhenjiang hotel Day 7: Departure; no hotel planned Day 1 · 2026-11-26 hotel near Zhimaling Day 2 · 2026-11-27 central Nanjing hotel Day 3 · 2026-11-28 central Nanjing hotel Day 4 · 2026-11-29 central Nanjing hotel Day 5 · 2026-11-30 central Suzhou hotel Day 6 · 2026-12-01 central Zhenjiang hotel Day 7 · 2026-12-02 Departure; no hotel planned 6 nights Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately. Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and unspecified details are to be confirmed. Booking assistance included · Before the course: the logistics team reserves hotels and organizes the itinerary in advance, giving everyone an overview of the photography plan; Excluded · Accommodation throughout the trip;
Meals
- ExcludedMeals during the itinerary;
Visa
- To be confirmed by the operator
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
Photography instruction and services throughout the trip.
Before the course: the logistics team reserves hotels and organizes the itinerary in advance, giving everyone an overview of the photography plan;
During the course: One-to-one on-site guidance from the instructor helps ensure successful photographs;
During the course: the seven-day, six-night itinerary includes a series of relevant post-processing workshops, combining theory and practice;
After the course: participants share and review their photographs, learn from one another and develop work they are happy with.
Not included
Round-trip transport between your departure city and the destination;
Local vehicle expenses throughout the trip;
Accommodation throughout the trip;
Meals during the itinerary;
All participants must have the same travel accident insurance, purchased on their behalf by the organizing team;
Admission tickets listed in the itinerary;
Personal expenses;
Attractions or activities added outside the itinerary.
Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.
BEFORE YOU GO
What to know before you go
Availability and booking
Let us know if you’re interested in this trip. Availability is not updated in real time, so please contact us to check whether the trip is confirmed, how many places are available, and the final total and booking terms.
Trip information
[Transport] 1. Flights arranged by the organizing team use economy-class group tickets. Before tickets are issued, check the airline's rules for changes and refunds. 2. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 3. The airlines and flight times listed are for guidance only. Flight changes may require minor adjustments to the itinerary. Please follow the final trip details sent before departure. [Accommodation] The total is based on two people sharing a room. We'll try to match solo travelers with a roommate of the same gender. If you prefer not to share, or no roommate is available, you must pay a single supplement for your own room. [Group meals] We aim to serve meals suited to Chinese tastes. We make sure everyone has enough to eat. [Photography] 1. Photography sessions follow the itinerary, but conditions on the day may affect how long we spend at each location. 2. Read the itinerary carefully and choose a trip that suits your health and circumstances. Skipping part of the itinerary for health or other personal reasons, or choosing not to use the arranged accommodation or transport, counts as voluntary withdrawal from those arrangements. You are responsible for your own safety while not taking part in the itinerary. 3. Stay with the group during photography sessions unless you have permission to leave. This does not apply during free time. The organizing team is not responsible for accidents that occur while you are away from the group. 4. Typhoons, blizzards or other events beyond our control may require changes to the itinerary. [Fuel surcharges] The organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if fluctuations in global oil markets lead to a substantial rise in fuel surcharges. If the team can absorb the increase, the amount payable will remain unchanged. [Before departure] 1. We'll send your final trip details no later than the day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed sooner, we'll let you know as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the final trip details sent before departure, the final trip details take precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from arranging optional paid activities, please contact the provider directly for details, charges and bookings if you wish to take part. If you need language assistance from a guide or tour leader, any help is provided in a personal capacity, whether paid or unpaid. It is not provided on behalf of the organizing team or the local tour operator. The organizing team is not involved in the payments, transactions or service standards for activities during free time. You are responsible for the outcome of those arrangements. Images above were taken by participants on the organizing team’s previous Nanjing tours.
Shared expenses
Participants share travel expenses, including meals, accommodation, transport, guides, staged photography and supplies. Everyone must contribute to the instructor's meals and accommodation, even if they skip a meal or overnight stay themselves.
Photography services and shared expenses
Photography guidance, support and planning are charged separately from shared travel expenses. Payment arrangements are still to be confirmed.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Daily arrangements depend on weather, transport and local conditions. Unspecified or conflicting details are to be confirmed.
Itinerary dates use Beijing time (Asia/Shanghai). Flight, transfer and other times follow the time zone stated for each location. Please confirm any time without a stated time zone before departure.