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October 20: Join instructor Mingwei Ou for southern Xinjiang’s autumn colours, photographing desert poplars and local culture!2026-10-20 · Linked trip

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October 20: Join instructor Mingwei Ou for southern Xinjiang’s autumn colours, photographing desert poplars and local culture!
BEYOND THE FRAME / FIELD JOURNAL 01

China

Past departure

October 20: Join instructor Mingwei Ou for southern Xinjiang’s autumn colours, photographing desert poplars and local culture!

A photographic expedition

2026-10-20 — 2026-11-01Journey time zone: Beijing · Asia/Shanghai
13 days/ 12 nightsTrip length
Up to 11 peopleGroup size

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Go beyond the view

Explore southern Xinjiang from Kashgar and the Pamir lakes to Yarkand, Hotan, the Taklamakan Desert, Wensu Grand Canyon and Tarim poplar forest, photographing plateau landscapes, autumn colours and everyday life.

Kashgar and southern Xinjiang life

Explore Kashgar Old Town, Yarkand Old Town, the Yarkand royal tombs and Hotan Night Market for architecture and everyday life.

Pamir lakes and Panlong Road

Travel from Kashgar to Muji Volcano, White Sand Lake, Tashkurgan, Panlong Road and Bandir Blue Lake for plateau scenery and winding roads.

Poplars, desert and canyon

Photograph autumn colours and arid landscapes in Honghai and Tarim poplar forests, the Taklamakan Desert and Wensu Grand Canyon.

JOURNEY IMAGES

The journey in pictures

Photographers linked to this route: Mingwei Ou →

Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge

A different way of seeing

Portrait of Mingwei Ou

Mingwei Ou

Specializes in landscape, night-sky, macro and computational photography using Planit. He has taught introductory photography classes on multiple occasions for an extracurricular club at the Foreign Languages Middle School affiliated with Shenzhen University.

A rhythm shaped by light

DAY 01Oct 20 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 1: Kashgar arrival–border permit–old town
Kashgar Old City · Destination illustration
Kashgar Old City

Kashgar Old City · Destination illustration

Meet in Kashgar–Obtain border permits–Kashgar Old City

Accommodation:Kashgar; accommodation awaits operator confirmation

DAY 02Oct 21 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 2: Kashgar–Muji Volcano–White Sand Lake–Tashkurgan
White Sand Lake and dunes, Pamir Plateau · Destination illustration
White Sand Lake and dunes, Pamir Plateau

White Sand Lake and dunes, Pamir Plateau · Destination illustration

Kashgar–Muji Volcano–White Sand Lake (stay in Tashkurgan)

Accommodation:Tashkurgan

DAY 03Oct 22 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 3: Tashkurgan–Panlong Road–Bandir Blue Lake
Panlong Ancient Road · Destination illustration
Panlong Ancient Road

Panlong Ancient Road · Destination illustration

Tashkurgan–Panlong Ancient Road–Bandir Blue Lake (stay in Tashkurgan)

Accommodation:Tashkurgan

DAY 04Oct 23 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 4: Tashkurgan–Kashgar
Kashgar Old City lanes · Destination illustration
Kashgar Old City lanes

Kashgar Old City lanes · Destination illustration

Tashkurgan–Kashgar (stay in Kashgar)

Accommodation:Kashgar

DAY 05Oct 24 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 5: Kashgar–Honghai poplar forest
Autumn poplars in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration
Autumn poplars in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view)

Autumn poplars in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration

Kashgar–Honghai Euphrates Poplar Forest (stay inside the scenic area)

Accommodation:Honghai Poplar Forest Scenic Area

DAY 06Oct 25 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 6: Bachu–Yarkand–royal tombs–Hotan
Yarkand Royal Cemetery · Destination illustrationColegota / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5 es · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5/es/deed.en · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yarkand-tumbas-reyes-d02.jpg · Resized / WebP
Yarkand Royal Cemetery

Yarkand Royal Cemetery · Destination illustration

Bachu–Yarkant Old Town–Yarkant Royal Mausoleum–Hotan Night Market (stay in Hotan)

Accommodation:Hotan

DAY 07Oct 26 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 7: Hotan–Jade Lake
Lakes and golden poplars in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration
Lakes and golden poplars in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view)

Lakes and golden poplars in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration

Hotan–Hotan Emerald Lake (stay in Hotan)

Accommodation:Hotan

DAY 08Oct 27 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 8: Hotan–Taklamakan Desert–Aral
Desert dune patterns in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration
Desert dune patterns in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view)

Desert dune patterns in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration

Depart Hotan for photography in the Taklamakan Desert, then continue to Aral for the night.

Accommodation:Aral

DAY 09Oct 28 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 9: Aral–Wensu Grand Canyon–Kuqa
Wensu Grand Canyon · Destination illustration
Wensu Grand Canyon

Wensu Grand Canyon · Destination illustration

Aral–Wensu Grand Canyon (stay in Kuqa)

Accommodation:Kuqa

DAY 10Oct 29 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 10: Kuqa–Tarim poplar forest–Korla
Poplar forest and road in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration
Poplar forest and road in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view)

Poplar forest and road in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration

Kuqa–Tarim Euphrates Poplar Forest (stay in Korla)

Accommodation:Korla

DAY 11Oct 30 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 11: Korla–Lop village–Yuli
Riverside poplars in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration
Riverside poplars in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view)

Riverside poplars in southern Xinjiang (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration

Korla–Lop Nur People’s Village (stay in Yuli)

Accommodation:Yuli

DAY 12Oct 31 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 12: Yuli–Hulu Island–Korla
Poplars and sandbars amid southern Xinjiang waters (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration
Poplars and sandbars amid southern Xinjiang waters (regional illustration; not a site-specific view)

Poplars and sandbars amid southern Xinjiang waters (regional illustration; not a site-specific view) · Destination illustration

Yuli–Hulu Island (stay in Korla)

Accommodation:Korla

DAY 13Nov 1 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 13: Depart Korla
Peacock River, Korla (departure-city illustration) · Destination illustrationHsu / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5 · https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5 · https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peacock_river_in_Kuerle_of_Xinjiang_by_Hsu_2006.jpg · Resized / WebP
Peacock River, Korla (departure-city illustration)

Peacock River, Korla (departure-city illustration) · Destination illustration

Airport transfer in Korla according to flight schedules

Trip staff

  • Photography leader · Mingwei Ou
  • Up to 11 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

[Round trip from Guangzhou] Outbound: October 20 | Guangzhou–Urumqi | CZ6886 / 08:10–13:30 (baggage checked through) October 20 | Urumqi–Kashgar | CZ8603 / 14:40–16:45 Return: November 1 | Korla–Beijing | CZ8891 / 11:25–15:40 (baggage checked through) November 1 | Beijing–Guangzhou | CZ3180 / 16:30–19:50 [Round trip from Shenzhen] Outbound: October 20 | Shenzhen–Kashgar | CZ6858 / 14:50–21:30 Return: November 1 | Korla–Beijing | CZ8891 / 11:25–15:40 (baggage checked through) November 1 | Beijing–Shenzhen | CZ3188 / 17:00–20:30 Before booking transport, please confirm the departure and travel arrangements through this website. These services are for reference and do not constitute confirmed group transport. Final services and meeting times await operator confirmation.

Photography

  • Kashgar and southern Xinjiang life
  • Pamir lakes and Panlong Road
  • Poplars, desert and canyon
Photography details

Kashgar and southern Xinjiang life Explore Kashgar Old Town, Yarkand Old Town, the Yarkand royal tombs and Hotan Night Market for architecture and everyday life. Pamir lakes and Panlong Road Travel from Kashgar to Muji Volcano, White Sand Lake, Tashkurgan, Panlong Road and Bandir Blue Lake for plateau scenery and winding roads. Poplars, desert and canyon Photograph autumn colours and arid landscapes in Honghai and Tarim poplar forests, the Taklamakan Desert and Wensu Grand Canyon. Kashgar and southern Xinjiang life Pamir lakes and Panlong Road Poplars, desert and canyon Included · Before departure: assistance with insurance, hotel reservations and itinerary planning. Insurance and accommodation are paid separately; details await operator confirmation. 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

  • 12 nights
  • Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately.
  • Cost detailsBefore departure: assistance with insurance, hotel reservations and itinerary planning. Insurance and accommodation are paid separately; details await operator confirmation.
Accommodation details

Day 1: Kashgar; accommodation awaits operator confirmation Day 2: Tashkurgan Day 3: Tashkurgan Day 4: Kashgar Day 5: Honghai Poplar Forest Scenic Area Day 6: Hotan Day 7: Hotan Day 8: Aral Day 9: Kuqa Day 10: Korla Day 11: Yuli Day 12: Korla Hotels and final stay arrangements await operator confirmation. Day 1 · 2026-10-20 Kashgar; accommodation awaits operator confirmation Day 2 · 2026-10-21 Tashkurgan Day 3 · 2026-10-22 Tashkurgan Day 4 · 2026-10-23 Kashgar Day 5 · 2026-10-24 Honghai Poplar Forest Scenic Area Day 6 · 2026-10-25 Hotan Day 7 · 2026-10-26 Hotan Day 8 · 2026-10-27 Aral Day 9 · 2026-10-28 Kuqa Day 10 · 2026-10-29 Korla Day 11 · 2026-10-30 Yuli Day 12 · 2026-10-31 Korla 12 nights Hotel booking assistance is included; accommodation costs are paid separately. Cost details · Before departure: assistance with insurance, hotel reservations and itinerary planning. Insurance and accommodation are paid separately; details await operator confirmation. Excluded · Accommodation throughout the trip;

Meals

  • ExcludedMeals during the itinerary;

Visa

  • To be confirmed by the operator

Know what is included

USD 544.04 per person

Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.

Included

The amount shown per person covers photography guidance, on-site support and trip logistics planning. Round-trip travel, local vehicles, accommodation, meals, insurance and admission are paid separately.

Before departure: assistance with insurance, hotel reservations and itinerary planning. Insurance and accommodation are paid separately; details await operator confirmation.

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.

Single-room supplements, additional local expenses and the final total must be confirmed in writing.

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. Flight, road and boat journey times may vary with conditions on the day. 2. The high-speed train times listed are for guidance only. Timetable 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 travellers 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 organising 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 organising 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 organising team or the local tour operator. The organising 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 pay and share travel expenses separately, including transport, meals, accommodation, guides, staged photography and supplies. Everyone shares the instructor's expenses throughout the trip and must contribute to the instructor's meals and accommodation, even if they skip a meal or overnight stay themselves. The displayed total covers photography instruction, support and logistics planning. It does not include these shared expenses.

Itinerary notes

Photography locations, accommodations and transportation are subject to final confirmation before departure. Weather and local conditions may affect the itinerary.

Photography may change with weather and road conditions. Day-one old-town photography, border-permit processing and the next day's departure depend on arrival times and await operator confirmation.

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.

Past dates2026-10-20 — 2026-11-01
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