THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Pingtan's 'blue tears' are marine bioluminescence that may appear after dark. Look for night-photography subjects along the waves and shore. Timing, extent and brightness vary with conditions; sightings cannot be guaranteed.
Pingtan blue tears
Longwangtou | Houyan Island | Changjiang'ao | Xianrenjing | Tannan Bay Explore Pingtan's coast and wind farms, with night sessions to look for 'blue tears.' This marine bioluminescence may appear in breaking waves. Timing, extent and brightness depend on environmental conditions; sightings are not guaranteed.
Pingtan's hidden gem: Dalian Island
Waves break around Tongtianmen's sea arch and the dark rocky shore of Yueju Bay. Stone-built fishing villages line the coast, while wind turbines stand near the strait's road-and-rail bridge. Away from the crowds, the island offers rugged coastal landscapes to explore with your camera.
Changjiang'ao, Pingtan: Wind turbines and an orange sea in a soothing seaside fairytale
Changjiang'ao offers coastlines, wind turbines and evening light. Explore layers between the sea, sand and turbines, with sunset colors and wind conditions dependent on the weather.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Weixi Lin →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Weixi Lin
Has led photography trips to Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Russia, Indonesia, Semporna, Xinjiang, Qinghai, Niubei Mountain in western Sichuan, Nyingchi, the Qiantang River, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Yangzhou, Wuxi, Yongfu in Fujian, Dongying, Zhongwei, the Yuanyang rice terraces, Xianggong Mountain and Zhangjiajie.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Apr 11 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 1: April 11 — Home cities–Pingtan
Travel to Pingtan by high-speed train, then drive to Dalian Island to photograph sea caves and evening glow. Photograph seascapes and wind turbines depending on weather, then check in on Pingtan Island. Chase blue tears at night; with luck, you may encounter them. Stay in Pingtan.
Accommodation:Hotel on Pingtan Island; property pending confirmation with the operator.
DAY 02Apr 12 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 2: April 12 — Longwangtou–Houyan Island–Changjiang'ao
Photograph sunrise at Longwangtou, then visit Houyan Island. Return to the hotel at noon to rest, then photograph beach wind turbines at Changjiang'ao in the afternoon. At sunset, light and shadow mingle as turbines turn slowly in the evening glow. After dark, lights twinkle beneath brilliant stars. Chase blue tears at night; with luck, you may encounter them. Stay in Pingtan.
Accommodation:Hotel on Pingtan Island; property pending confirmation with the operator.
DAY 03Apr 13 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 3: April 13 — Xianren Well–Tannan Bay
Photograph Xianren Well and sunrise at Xianren Valley in the morning. Check in and rest at noon, then take long-exposure reef and seascape photographs at Tannan Bay in the afternoon. Chase blue tears at night; with luck, you may encounter them. Stay in Pingtan.
Accommodation:Hotel on Pingtan Island; property pending confirmation with the operator.
DAY 04Apr 14 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 4: April 14 — Pingtan–home cities
After breakfast, explore and photograph Beigang Creative Cultural Village. Return to the hotel to pack, then transfer to the station.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Weixi Lin
- Up to 10 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 · Weixi Lin Up to 10 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 following services are travel references, not mandatory or confirmed group transport. Services and times are pending confirmation with the operator. [Round trip from Guangzhou] Outbound: April 11: Guangzhou South–Putian G1023/09:13/13:38 April 11: Putian–Pingtan D6564/14:06/15:28 Return: April 14: Pingtan–Fuzhou South D6272/12:45/13:14 April 14: Fuzhou South–Guangzhou South G1021/14:20/18:54 [Round trip from Shenzhen] Outbound: April 11: Shenzhen North–Xiamen North G1022/10:04/12:52 April 11: Xiamen North–Pingtan D6564/13:09/15:28 Return: April 14: Pingtan–Fuzhou South D6272/12:45/13:14 April 14: Fuzhou South–Shenzhen North D3311/13:47/18:09 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
Photography
- Pingtan blue tears
- Pingtan's hidden gem: Dalian Island
- Changjiang'ao, Pingtan: Wind turbines and an orange sea in a soothing seaside fairytale
Photography details
Pingtan blue tears Longwangtou | Houyan Island | Changjiang'ao | Xianrenjing | Tannan Bay Explore Pingtan's coast and wind farms, with night sessions to look for 'blue tears.' This marine bioluminescence may appear in breaking waves. Timing, extent and brightness depend on environmental conditions; sightings are not guaranteed. Pingtan's hidden gem: Dalian Island Waves break around Tongtianmen's sea arch and the dark rocky shore of Yueju Bay. Stone-built fishing villages line the coast, while wind turbines stand near the strait's road-and-rail bridge. Away from the crowds, the island offers rugged coastal landscapes to explore with your camera. Changjiang'ao, Pingtan: Wind turbines and an orange sea in a soothing seaside fairytale Changjiang'ao offers coastlines, wind turbines and evening light. Explore layers between the sea, sand and turbines, with sunset colors and wind conditions dependent on the weather. Pingtan blue tears Pingtan's hidden gem: Dalian Island Changjiang'ao, Pingtan: Wind turbines and an orange sea in a soothing seaside fairytale 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 4-day, 3-night itinerary includes relevant specialist post-processing courses, 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
- 3 nights
- Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately.
- Three consecutive nights on Pingtan Island; hotel pending confirmation with the operator.
Accommodation details
Day 1 · 2027-04-11 Hotel on Pingtan Island; property pending confirmation with the operator. Day 2 · 2027-04-12 Hotel on Pingtan Island; property pending confirmation with the operator. Day 3 · 2027-04-13 Hotel on Pingtan Island; property pending confirmation with the operator. 3 nights Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately. Three consecutive nights on Pingtan Island; hotel pending confirmation with the operator. 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 4-day, 3-night itinerary includes relevant specialist post-processing courses, 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;
Insurance for the entire journey;
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] Accommodation is arranged for 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 expenses and services
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. The displayed amount covers photography instruction, support and logistics planning for the trip. The shared travel expenses listed above are additional.
Itinerary notes
Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.
Night photography will adapt to where bioluminescence appears; sightings and photography depend on natural conditions.
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.