THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Look toward Gongga, Emei, Siguniang and other western Sichuan peaks and the Dadu River canyon from Niubei Mountain. Photograph mountain layers, sunsets and cloud, with visibility dependent on the weather.
Niubei Mountain sunrise and sunset
Stay two nights on the mountain for sunrise, sunset and layered mountain landscapes, adapting to the weather.
Cloud seas and mountain camp
Photograph changing cloud and light patterns from Niubei Mountain, with planned tent accommodation with private bathrooms. Room type and admission conditions require confirmation.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Xavi Zhuang →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing

Xavi Zhuang
Graduated from the Photography Department of South China Normal University. Specializes in landscape, documentary, mobile and drone photography. He has provided photography lectures and training for the municipal library, the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen, the news agency of South China Normal University, the Senior Photographers Association, China Southern Power Grid, the Bao'an land bureau, UnionPay International, Standard Chartered, Ping An Bank, Bank of China, Industrial Bank, China Merchants Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of Jiangsu, the coastal administration, the Capital Institute, SF Express and local community offices. Photography journeys He has led photography groups to Turkey, the Balkans, Japan, Eastern Europe, Semporna, Israel, Cuba, Iran, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Spain, Namibia, Bangladesh, Russia, Cambodia, Chiang Mai, Myanmar, Italy, Portugal and Morocco. Destinations in China include Longji, Weizhou Island, Yuanyang, Puzhehei, Bashang, Xuexiang, Beijing, Niubei Mountain, Guangwu Mountain, Huangshan, Wuyuan, Poyang Lake, Nanjing, Wuxi, Nyingchi, the Yellow River in Shaanxi, the Qiantang River, Hainan, Xiaodongjiang, Zhangjiajie, Zhongwei, Xiapu, Daocheng–Shangri-La and Ejina Banner. Selected awards and exhibitions 15th National Art Photography Competition; 2nd Shenzhen Photography Annual Exhibition; 10th PSAChina International Photography event; 2015 Toronto International TIPF Annual Excellence Award; multiple acceptances in the Austrian circuit, 2017–2019; exhibition at the 7th Dali International Photography Festival, 2018; silver award in the first Beautiful China Aerial Photography competition; second prize in the People category of the China division of the 2019 National Geographic Global Photography Contest.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Nov 30 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiMeet in Chengdu
Meet in Chengdu and rest or photograph independently. Airport-to-hotel transfers require confirmation. Departure for Niubei Mountain is planned for 8 am the next day. The accommodation area is around 500 m above sea level; meals are shared expenses.
Accommodation:Chengdu Jincheng Yuanshe or equivalent
DAY 02Dec 1 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiChengdu–Niubei Mountain
Photography: scenery along the route and sunset on Niubei Mountain Driving distance: 290 kilometers, approximately 5 hours Accommodation elevation: approximately 3666 m Meals: shared expenses, paid by participants
Accommodation:Niubei Mountain tent with private bathroom
DAY 03Dec 2 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiNiubei Mountain sunrise, clouds and sunset
Photography: sunrise, sunset and seas of cloud on Niubei Mountain. Driving distance: 0 kilometers Accommodation elevation: approximately 3666 m Meals: shared expenses, paid by participants
Accommodation:Niubei Mountain tent with private bathroom
DAY 04Dec 3 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiNiubei Mountain–Chengdu
Photograph along the return journey to Chengdu, approximately 290 km and five hours. Confirm airport-transfer timing. Meals are shared expenses.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Xavi Zhuang
- Up to 10 travelers
- IncludedDuring the course: on-location guidance from the instructor to help participants achieve their photographs;
Transport
- ExcludedRound-trip transport between your departure city and the destination;
- ExcludedLocal vehicle expenses throughout the trip;
Travel details and reference schedules
The following flights are references, not confirmed group bookings. Confirm departure and transfers before booking. [Round trip from Shenzhen] Outbound: November 30, Shenzhen–Chengdu Shuangliu T2, CA4326 / 13:30 / 16:20 Return: December 03, Chengdu Shuangliu T2–Shenzhen, 3U8709 / 19:20 / 21:40 [Round trip from Guangzhou] Outbound: November 30, Guangzhou Baiyun T1–Chengdu Shuangliu T2, CA4308 / 13:30 / 16:10 Return: December 03, Chengdu Shuangliu T2–Guangzhou Baiyun T1, CZ3418 / 19:35 / 22:15 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
Photography
- Niubei Mountain sunrise and sunset
- Cloud seas and mountain camp
- IncludedPhotography instruction and services from the photography instructor throughout the trip.
Photography details
Niubei Mountain sunrise and sunset Stay two nights on the mountain for sunrise, sunset and layered mountain landscapes, adapting to the weather. Cloud seas and mountain camp Photograph changing cloud and light patterns from Niubei Mountain, with planned tent accommodation with private bathrooms. Room type and admission conditions require confirmation. Niubei Mountain sunrise and sunset Cloud seas and mountain camp Included · Photography instruction and services from the photography instructor throughout the trip. Included · During the course: on-location guidance from the instructor to help participants achieve their photographs; Included · During the course: themed sessions integrating 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
- 3 nights
- Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately.
- Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator.
Accommodation details
Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Day 1: Chengdu Jincheng Yuanshe or equivalent Day 2: Niubei Mountain tent with private bathroom Day 3: Niubei Mountain tent with private bathroom Day 1 · 2026-11-30 Chengdu Jincheng Yuanshe or equivalent Day 2 · 2026-12-01 Niubei Mountain tent with private bathroom Day 3 · 2026-12-02 Niubei Mountain tent with private bathroom 3 nights Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately. Planned overnight locations; confirm hotels, room types and camps with the operator. Booking assistance included · Pre-trip planning and assistance with hotel and insurance arrangements; insurance premiums are shared separately. 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 from the photography instructor throughout the trip.
Pre-trip planning and assistance with hotel and insurance arrangements; insurance premiums are shared separately.
During the course: on-location guidance from the instructor to help participants achieve their photographs;
During the course: themed sessions integrating 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;
Insurance for the trip;
Admission tickets listed in the itinerary;
Personal expenses;
Attractions or activities added outside the itinerary;
Other unspecified additional services and personal expenses.
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.
Shared travel expenses
Participants share travel expenses, including meals, accommodation, transport, guides, staged photography, supplies and the instructor's expenses. Everyone must contribute to the instructor's meals and accommodation, even if they skip a meal or overnight stay themselves. Photography instruction and trip organization are charged separately. Please confirm the amount with the operator.
Mountain access requirements
Please confirm age limits, required health documents and mountain access arrangements with the operator and the scenic area.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
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.
