THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Changing water levels at Poyang Lake reveal Luoxingdun, mudflats and grassland. Explore landscape and aerial compositions around dawn, dusk and mist. Visibility of the island, vegetation and photography conditions vary with water levels and weather.
Luoxingdun morning and evening light
Luoxingdun, emerging only once a year, resembles a spirit that has slept for a thousand years beneath Poyang Lake. Also known as Luoxing Stone or Dexing Stone, it sits quietly in the centre of Erli Lake by Ziyang Embankment in Lushan City, an undisputed landmark and symbol of Lushan. Use a slow shutter to record its hazy outline amid swirling mist, or warm sunrise and sunset light to trace its contours. Different techniques reveal the unique charm of this thousand-year-old historic site.
Poyang Lake grasslands
Who would imagine that gentle Jiangnan conceals scenery as expansive as the northern frontier—Poyang Lake? When the dry season arrives, water recedes and mudflats emerge, suddenly spreading a green sea before you, so stunning you cannot look away. A breeze sends waves through the grass, bringing to life the poetic scene: 'Vast skies, boundless plains; wind bends the grass to reveal cattle and sheep.'
Mount Sanqing peaks and mist
Ancient Taoist Temple | Nanqing Garden Scenic Area | Sunrises and Sunsets Mount Sanqing is a wonderland carved by nature. Strange peaks and rocks rise like a giant python emerging from the mountain to pierce the clouds, or a gentle Goddess of Spring overlooking the human world. Mist curls through the mountains, sometimes veiling them like gauze, sometimes surging like waves. When sunlight passes through the clouds onto unusual pines and green cypresses, alternating light and shade create an exquisite natural painting.
Wangxian Valley at night
Wangxian Valley Scenic Area | Local Culture | Nightscapes Wangxian Valley seems to emerge from a fantasy tale of immortals. At night, warm yellow lights illuminate the valley in layers, complementing the ink-dark sky and blue-green mountains.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Hua Sheng →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Hua Sheng
Specializes in portrait, landscape and documentary photography, as well as drone aerial photography. He has worked in photography education and travel photography for more than ten years, collaborating with tourism authorities in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Tibet, Malaysia and Thailand on in-depth destination projects. He has also produced official self-drive travel imagery for BMW, Ford, Roewe and Chery. His photography training clients include Shenzhen Library, Standard Chartered, China Merchants Bank, Bank of China, China Mobile, Guosen Securities and Shenzhen Airlines. Photography journeys He has repeatedly led portrait and landscape photography groups to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, and to Tibet, Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan and Zhejiang.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Sep 14 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiPoyang arrival and Wunian Island sunset
Travel from your departure point to Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake. After station pickup in Poyang, transfer to the hotel, check in, and rest briefly. Toward evening, photograph Wunian Island: half lake and half grassland, like discovering Hulunbuir in Jiangnan. The grasslands are vast and sunset gentle, with unbeatable panoramic views and a richly atmospheric sunset shoot. Have dinner and stay overnight in Poyang County.
Accommodation:Poyang County; hotel pending confirmation with the operator.
DAY 02Sep 15 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiChangshan Island and Luoxingdun
Rise early and drive to Changshan Island in the heart of Poyang Lake. The lake's largest inhabited fishing-village archipelago consists of 13 islets and is known as Poyang Lake's Little Hawaii. After photography, return to the hotel for breakfast and a brief rest, then drive to Luoxingdun, Jiujiang's thousand-year-old stone island. It holds only an ornamental archway, a Buddhist courtyard, a viewing platform, and an ancient pagoda. The courtyard gate is locked, but traces of former life can be glimpsed through gaps in the windows. Steps on either side lead to a central platform, where you can watch boats passing along Poyang Lake's main channel in the distance and migratory birds flying overhead. After the photography outing, head to the Molin Hotel for dinner and accommodation.
Accommodation:Molin Hotel; branch pending confirmation with the operator.
DAY 03Sep 16 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiLuoxingdun dawn and Mount Sanqing
Return to Luoxingdun before sunrise for photography, then go back to the hotel for breakfast. After a short rest, travel to Mount Sanqing, take the Jinsha cableway uphill, and check into the Goddess Hotel.
Accommodation:Goddess Hotel, Mount Sanqing
DAY 04Sep 17 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiSunrise near Goddess Hotel and Nanqing Garden
Photograph sunrise near the Goddess Hotel. After breakfast, visit Nanqing Garden Scenic Area to photograph Giant Python Emerging from the Mountain, Yuhuang Peak, and other sights. Then check into Rishang Mountain Villa.
Accommodation:Rishang Mountain Villa
DAY 05Sep 18 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiRishang Mountain Villa dawn and Wangxian Valley nightscape
Photograph dawn at Rishang Mountain Villa, then have breakfast. Descend the mountain and travel to Wangxian Valley. Check in on arrival, then photograph the scenic area. After dinner, continue with night photography in the valley.
Accommodation:Wangxian Valley; hotel pending confirmation with the operator.
DAY 06Sep 19 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiWangxian Valley dawn and departure via Shangrao
Photograph dawn in Wangxian Valley's third phase and continue after breakfast. Check out, collect your luggage and have lunch outside the scenic area. After lunch, transfer to Shangrao high-speed railway station to conclude the trip.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Hua Sheng
- Up to 10 travelers
Transport
- ExcludedLocal vehicle transportation throughout, excluding major transportation to and from the destination;
- ExcludedMeals and transportation during free time;
- ExcludedSpecial tickets within attractions, or cruises, ferries, cable cars, subways, and similar expenses not included in the itinerary.
Travel details and reference schedules
The following services are reference options, not mandatory or confirmed group transport. Confirm meeting and departure times before booking. Departing from Shenzhen: Outbound: September 14: Shenzhen North–Poyang G3328/08:56/13:44 Return: September 19: Shangrao–Changsha South G267/15:30/17:36 September 19: Changsha South–Shenzhen North G6007/18:00/20:44 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
Photography
- Luoxingdun morning and evening light
- Poyang Lake grasslands
- Mount Sanqing peaks and mist
Photography details
Luoxingdun morning and evening light Luoxingdun, emerging only once a year, resembles a spirit that has slept for a thousand years beneath Poyang Lake. Also known as Luoxing Stone or Dexing Stone, it sits quietly in the centre of Erli Lake by Ziyang Embankment in Lushan City, an undisputed landmark and symbol of Lushan. Use a slow shutter to record its hazy outline amid swirling mist, or warm sunrise and sunset light to trace its contours. Different techniques reveal the unique charm of this thousand-year-old historic site. Poyang Lake grasslands Who would imagine that gentle Jiangnan conceals scenery as expansive as the northern frontier—Poyang Lake? When the dry season arrives, water recedes and mudflats emerge, suddenly spreading a green sea before you, so stunning you cannot look away. A breeze sends waves through the grass, bringing to life the poetic scene: 'Vast skies, boundless plains; wind bends the grass to reveal cattle and sheep.' Mount Sanqing peaks and mist Ancient Taoist Temple | Nanqing Garden Scenic Area | Sunrises and Sunsets Mount Sanqing is a wonderland carved by nature. Strange peaks and rocks rise like a giant python emerging from the mountain to pierce the clouds, or a gentle Goddess of Spring overlooking the human world. Mist curls through the mountains, sometimes veiling them like gauze, sometimes surging like waves. When sunlight passes through the clouds onto unusual pines and green cypresses, alternating light and shade create an exquisite natural painting. Wangxian Valley at night Wangxian Valley Scenic Area | Local Culture | Nightscapes Wangxian Valley seems to emerge from a fantasy tale of immortals. At night, warm yellow lights illuminate the valley in layers, complementing the ink-dark sky and blue-green mountains. Luoxingdun morning and evening light Poyang Lake grasslands Mount Sanqing peaks and mist Wangxian Valley at night Included · Photography instruction and services from the photography instructor throughout the trip. Excluded · Tips payable to other people photographed;
Accommodation
- 5 nights
- ExcludedHotel accommodation throughout;
Accommodation details
Night 1: Poyang County; hotel pending confirmation with the operator. Night 2: Molin Hotel; branch pending confirmation with the operator. Night 3: Goddess Hotel, Mount Sanqing. Night 4: Rishang Mountain Villa. Night 5: Wangxian Valley; hotel pending confirmation with the operator. Day 1 · 2026-09-14 Poyang County; hotel pending confirmation with the operator. Day 2 · 2026-09-15 Molin Hotel; branch pending confirmation with the operator. Day 3 · 2026-09-16 Goddess Hotel, Mount Sanqing Day 4 · 2026-09-17 Rishang Mountain Villa Day 5 · 2026-09-18 Wangxian Valley; hotel pending confirmation with the operator.
Meals
- ExcludedMeals listed in the itinerary;
- ExcludedMeals and transportation during free time;
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.
Not included
Local vehicle transportation throughout, excluding major transportation to and from the destination;
Meals listed in the itinerary;
Admission to attractions listed in the itinerary;
Hotel accommodation throughout;
Insurance: travel agency liability insurance and group travel accident insurance;
Invoice tax;
All personal expenses, including laundry, haircuts, telephone calls, drinks, tobacco and alcohol, pay TV, luggage handling, postage, shopping, and meals or banquets not listed in the itinerary;
Meals and transportation during free time;
Tips payable to other people photographed;
Special tickets within attractions, or cruises, ferries, cable cars, subways, and similar expenses not included in the itinerary.
All expenses arising from extended stays for personal reasons;
Financial losses and liability arising from delays or itinerary changes caused by weather or failures of aircraft, vehicles, vessels, or other transportation. Guests are responsible for all additional expenses, including visa extensions abroad, accommodation, meals, transportation, and national airfare adjustments. Where covered by accident insurance, our agency will help contact the insurer to arrange compensation.
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 quoted 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. The photographs above were taken by the photography instructors.
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.