THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Poyang Lake's shallow water, mudflats and grassland provide winter habitat for migratory birds. Look for Siberian cranes, Oriental storks, swan geese and other waterbirds. Species, numbers, behavior and available viewpoints depend on water levels, season and local conditions.
Poyang Lake wetlands
Poyang Lake shores | Natural wetland grass islands Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake, lies in northern Jiangxi Province. It collects water from the Gan, Fu, Xin, Rao, and Xiu rivers before flowing into the Yangtze. During high-water season, waves roll across a boundless expanse where water and sky merge. In the dry season, receding water reveals mudflats, lush vegetation, and swaying reeds. Its shoreline winds past rolling sand hills and vast fertile fields, where migratory birds gather. Its unique location and climate make it a habitat and wintering ground for many rare waterbirds and forest birds. Most notably, Poyang Lake is the world's largest wintering ground for Siberian cranes, gathering approximately 98% of the global population.
Winter bird photography
Siberian Crane | Oriental Stork | Swan Goose Geese and ducks | Herons | Storks Winter brings migratory birds to Poyang Lake, with Siberian cranes and Oriental storks gathering along its shores for the year's prime photography season. Years of scouting have helped us select secluded viewpoints away from crowds. The relaxed itinerary avoids hurried early starts and rushed transfers, offering comfortable, productive photography.
Siberian cranes and field guidance
Photograph birds in Poyang Lake's Siberian crane habitat, looking for takeoffs, landings, feeding in shallow water and preening. The instructor explains shutter and focus settings on location. Sightings and behavior depend on natural conditions.
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 01Dec 12 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 1: December 12 — Arrive and meet in Nanchang
Private transfer to the designated hotel. After lunch, head to Poyang Lake to photograph the spectacular sight of flocks of Siberian cranes dancing against the sunset.
DAY 02Dec 13 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 2: December 13 — Full day at Poyang Lake
Visit a photography location at Poyang Lake, an excellent place to watch and photograph Siberian cranes. Witness spectacular dancing flocks and capture cranes taking off, landing, feeding, preening, and displaying other behaviors.
DAY 03Dec 14 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 3: December 14 — Full day photographing birds around Poyang Lake
Visit birdwatching sites at Poyang Lake, where you can photograph rare birds such as Siberian cranes and Oriental storks resting and feeding along the lakeshore at close range.
DAY 04Dec 15 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 4: December 15 — Full day photographing birds around Poyang Lake
Visit the Poyang Lake wetlands and migratory-bird photography sites for shooting.
DAY 05Dec 16 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 5: December 16 — Nanchang–home cities
After lunch, pack your luggage and take the transfer vehicle to the high-speed railway station to return to your departure point, concluding an enjoyable bird photography journey.
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Weixi Lin
- IncludedBefore the course: the logistics team reserves hotels and organizes the itinerary in advance, giving everyone an overview of the photography plan;
- IncludedDuring 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 services below are the tour leader's reference travel options. They are neither mandatory for participants nor confirmed group transport arrangements. Participants may choose suitable services that fit the meeting and departure times. [Round trip from Guangzhou] Outbound: December 12: Guangzhou South–Nanchang West G246/08:27/12:02 Return: December 16: Nanchang West–Guangzhou South G1301/14:34/18:56 [Round trip from Shenzhen] Outbound: December 12: Shenzhen North–Nanchang West G2798/07:57/11:58 Return: December 16: Nanchang West–Shenzhen North G2741/14:25/18:31 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
Photography
- Poyang Lake wetlands
- Winter bird photography
- Siberian cranes and field guidance
Photography details
Poyang Lake wetlands Poyang Lake shores | Natural wetland grass islands Poyang Lake, China's largest freshwater lake, lies in northern Jiangxi Province. It collects water from the Gan, Fu, Xin, Rao, and Xiu rivers before flowing into the Yangtze. During high-water season, waves roll across a boundless expanse where water and sky merge. In the dry season, receding water reveals mudflats, lush vegetation, and swaying reeds. Its shoreline winds past rolling sand hills and vast fertile fields, where migratory birds gather. Its unique location and climate make it a habitat and wintering ground for many rare waterbirds and forest birds. Most notably, Poyang Lake is the world's largest wintering ground for Siberian cranes, gathering approximately 98% of the global population. Winter bird photography Siberian Crane | Oriental Stork | Swan Goose Geese and ducks | Herons | Storks Winter brings migratory birds to Poyang Lake, with Siberian cranes and Oriental storks gathering along its shores for the year's prime photography season. Years of scouting have helped us select secluded viewpoints away from crowds. The relaxed itinerary avoids hurried early starts and rushed transfers, offering comfortable, productive photography. Siberian cranes and field guidance Photograph birds in Poyang Lake's Siberian crane habitat, looking for takeoffs, landings, feeding in shallow water and preening. The instructor explains shutter and focus settings on location. Sightings and behavior depend on natural conditions. Poyang Lake wetlands Winter bird photography Siberian cranes and field guidance 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 5-day, 4-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
- 4 nights
- Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately.
- Specific hotels and any accommodation arrangements not listed here are pending confirmation with the operator.
Accommodation details
4 nights Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately. Specific hotels and any accommodation arrangements not listed here are 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 5-day, 4-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.
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.