01 / THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view.
Tucked away in Huzhou, Zhejiang, the ancient water town of Shuanglin welcomes visitors with a rich history and distinctive Jiangnan culture. Its celebrated Three Shuanglin Bridges—Wanyuan Bridge, Huacheng Bridge and Wankui Bridge—are nationally protected cultural heritage sites. More than local landmarks, they are outstanding examples of bridge architecture in the water towns south of the Yangtze. Spanning Shuanglin Tang with their distinctive structures and aesthetic character, these three ancient bridges have witnessed the passage of time and the town's transformation. The Qiantang tidal bore is a magnificent natural wonder whose aerial view touches the soul. As the tide rises, water surges like a vast army, as though an endless ocean is pouring in. Its overwhelming force raises countless waves and plays an impassioned symphony of nature.
Qiantang tides and aerial photography
Trees of the Earth | Tidal Forests The Qiantang tidal bore is a magnificent natural wonder whose aerial view touches the soul. As the tide rises, water surges like a vast army, as though an endless ocean is pouring in. Its overwhelming force raises countless waves and plays an impassioned symphony of nature. Every rising and falling tide is a devoted creation by nature, the ultimate artist. The Qiantang tidal bore's grandeur and the mysterious depths revealed at low tide inspire heartfelt admiration. These Trees of the Earth are uniquely beautiful Qiantang scenery and nature's precious gift to the world. Take flight through aerial photography, looking down to capture this moving natural beauty. Record the Qiantang tidal bore's stirring grandeur and mystery, and experience nature's incomparable artistry.
Shuanglin Ancient Town and Three Bridges
Tucked away in Huzhou, Zhejiang, the ancient water town of Shuanglin welcomes visitors with a rich history and distinctive Jiangnan culture. Its celebrated Three Shuanglin Bridges—Wanyuan Bridge, Huacheng Bridge and Wankui Bridge—are nationally protected cultural heritage sites. More than local landmarks, they are outstanding examples of bridge architecture in the water towns south of the Yangtze. Spanning Shuanglin Tang with their distinctive structures and aesthetic character, these three ancient bridges have witnessed the passage of time and the town's transformation.
West Lake and Lingyin Temple
West Lake, Hangzhou | Lingyin Temple
The journey in pictures
Leading photographers: Weixi Lin →
Destination illustrations · select a photo to explore
02 / IN GOOD COMPANY
A different way of seeing.
Leading photographers
Weixi Lin · View photographer profile →
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.
03 / THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light.
Shooting locations, accommodation and transport are subject to confirmation before departure and may change with the weather.
Photography instruction is listed for five days, while the departure spans December 20–25. Service dates, departure arrangements and the Nanchang connection are pending confirmation with the operator. Photography may change with the weather and local conditions.
Itinerary dates and text times without their own zone use: Beijing · Asia/Shanghai。Exact times use your selected timezone; dates alone and descriptions such as “morning” are not converted.
DAY 01Dec 20 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiArrival in Hangzhou
Take the high-speed train from Hong Kong to Hangzhou West, take a taxi to the hotel, check in, rest, and meet the instructor.
Accommodation:near Hangzhou's West Lake Scenic Area
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 02Dec 21 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiWest Lake, Lingyin Temple and Huzhou
Rise early to explore winter West Lake. In December, plane and ginkgo leaves cover Beishan Street; thin morning mist gives the lake a cool Chinese-painting quality. If first snow arrives, Broken Bridge and the snowy lake are iconic subjects. Dawn redwoods along Yanggong Causeway turn crimson in December. Photograph Jihong Bridge reflections in Yuhuwan and reeds at Wuguitan. Visit Lingyin Temple, Feilai Peak, and Yongfu Temple. Fewer winter pilgrims allow serene traditional images of Yongfu's red walls, ancient ginkgo trees, and fallen maple leaves. Vegetarian noodles provide a pleasant rest stop; snow-covered red walls are especially beautiful. After photography, return to check out, have lunch at a local restaurant, rest, then leave for Huzhou and check into the hotel. After resting, attend a briefing for Qiantang River photography.
Accommodation:at Shui'an Garden Hotel or equivalent
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 03Dec 22 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiShuanglin Three Bridges and Qiantang River
Rise early for aerial photography of Shuanglin Three Bridges. After breakfast, travel to the Qiantang River, photograph the tidal bore from the air, then follow it to the next location. Check in at noon and rest after lunch. Photograph orderly wind turbines and shoreline tidal trees from the air in the afternoon, then rest after dinner.
Accommodation:at Yuanhua New Century Mingting Hotel, Haining
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 04Dec 23 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiQiantang River photography
Photography at selected locations along the Qiantang River.
Accommodation:at Yuanhua New Century Mingting Hotel, Haining
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 05Dec 24 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiQiantang River: departure connections to be confirmed
Photography at selected Qiantang River locations. Departure location, time and onward connections are pending confirmation with the operator.
Accommodation:Whether accommodation in Hangzhou is required is pending confirmation with the operator.
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefDAY 06Dec 25 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiNanchang connection pending confirmation
Whether the Nanchang connection forms part of this itinerary, its service and arrival time are pending confirmation with the operator.
Final arrangements follow the operator’s departure briefWhere we stay
Day 1:near Hangzhou's West Lake Scenic Area Day 2:at Shui'an Garden Hotel or equivalent Day 3:at Yuanhua New Century Mingting Hotel, Haining Day 4:at Yuanhua New Century Mingting Hotel, Haining Day 5:in Hangzhou Specific hotels and any accommodation arrangements not listed here are pending confirmation with the operator.
Getting there
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. [Instructor's outbound high-speed train from Guangzhou] Outbound: December 20: G246 Guangzhou South–Hangzhou East 08:27–14:16 [Outbound high-speed train from Hong Kong] Outbound: December 20: G902 Hong Kong West Kowloon–Hangzhou West 11:35–18:27 [High-speed train to the consecutive Poyang Lake tour] Return: December 25: G201 Hangzhou East–Nanchang West 10:50–12:50 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website.
04 / A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included.
Platform service fee to be confirmed
Included
Photography instruction and services from the photography instructor throughout the trip.
Before the course, the logistics team assists with travel insurance purchases, hotel reservations and itinerary planning. Insurance is paid separately; arrangements are pending confirmation with the operator.
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;
Attractions or activities added outside the itinerary;
Other unspecified additional services and personal expenses.
Service fees, supplements, taxes and the final total are subject to written confirmation.
05 / BEFORE YOU GO
Clarity before departure.
Availability and registration
This website accepts expressions of interest in this trip and does not synchronize the operator's remaining places in real time. Please contact us to confirm group departure, availability, the final quotation and booking conditions.
Cancellation and breach provisions
Participants and the organizing team may give written notice before departure to terminate the trip agreement. If notice is given more than 7 days before departure, calculated as the difference in calendar days between departure and receipt of the termination notice, neither party is liable for breach provided no actual expenses have been incurred, such as flight or high-speed rail tickets booked with both parties' knowledge. For later termination, the party terminating the agreement bears liability for breach. [Liability of the organizing team] If we notify participants within 7 days of departure that the group cannot operate, we will refund all fees and pay compensation. For notice given 7 to 4 days before departure, including day 7, compensation is 10% of the total trip fee; for 3 to 1 days before departure, 15%; and on the departure date, 20%. [Participant liability] Participants cancelling within 7 to 4 days before departure, including day 7, must pay us a business-loss charge under the following schedule: 50% of the total trip fee for cancellation 7 to 4 days before departure; 60% for 3 to 1 days before departure; and 80% on the departure date. If these percentages do not cover our actual losses, the participant must compensate the actual losses, up to the total trip fee.
Trip information
[Registration] Registration for this trip is confirmed upon receipt of the deposit. [Transport] 1. Flights booked by the organizing team are economy-class group tickets. Once issued, they cannot be endorsed to another carrier or refunded. 2. Actual flight, driving and boat travel times on the day apply. 3. Airlines and flight schedules above are for reference only. Changes to flight times may require minor itinerary adjustments; the departure notice takes precedence. [Accommodation] Accommodation is based on 2 people sharing 1 room. We will try to pair solo participants with another participant of the same gender. Participants who do not wish to share, or cannot be matched, must pay the single supplement for a room of their own. [Group meals] We try to choose meals suited to Chinese tastes and ensure that every guest receives an adequate portion. [Photography] 1. Photography activities follow the itinerary. In exceptional circumstances, time spent photographing each location will depend on the actual conditions that day. 2. Please read this itinerary carefully and choose a photography trip suited to your circumstances. If you give up part of the itinerary for personal reasons, including health, or request to forgo accommodation or transport, this is considered voluntary withdrawal. expenses already incurred are non-refundable. You are responsible for your personal safety while not participating in the itinerary. 3. Participants may not leave the group without permission during group photography activities, except during free time. Leaving partway through the trip is considered a breach by the participant. Unused photography activities, meals, accommodation and vehicle services are non-refundable, and the organizing team is not responsible for accidents occurring while the participant is away from the group. 4. If force majeure events such as typhoons or blizzards prevent travel according to the agreed itinerary, additional or reduced expenses following changes will be settled according to the travel agency's actual group operating expenses. [Payment adjustments] the organizing team reserves the right to adjust the amount payable if major fluctuations in international oil benchmarks cause substantial increases in fuel surcharges. If the increase is within what we can absorb, the trip fee will not be adjusted. [Departure notice] 1. The departure notice will be sent no later than 1 day before departure. If arrangements are confirmed earlier, we will notify you as soon as possible. 2. If the online itinerary differs from the departure notice, the departure notice takes precedence. [Optional activities at your own expense] Under the Tourism Law provisions prohibiting travel agencies from organizing or arranging optional activities at additional expense, guests wishing to join such activities should contact the service provider themselves for information, payment details and participation. If language difficulties lead you to ask a guide or tour leader for additional assistance, any paid or unpaid help is provided solely in that person's individual capacity, not on behalf of the organizing team or the local receiving agency. the organizing team has no involvement in the expenses, transaction amounts or service standards of free-time activities; guests bear the outcomes themselves.
Shared expenses and service scope
Other travel expenses are shared and paid by participants, including vehicles, meals, accommodation, guides, staged photography, supplies and related expenses. The instructor's expenses throughout the trip are shared by all participants. Participants must contribute to the instructor's meals and accommodation even if they themselves do not join a meal or stay overnight; The displayed amount covers photography instruction, service, and logistics planning for the trip, excluding the shared travel expenses above.
Fitness, equipment and conditions
Equipment and fitness requirements will be provided by the operator.
