THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
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.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Mingwei Ou →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing

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.
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Oct 20 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 1: Kashgar arrival–border permit–old town
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
Kashgar–Muji Volcano–White Sand Lake (stay in Tashkurgan)
Accommodation:Tashkurgan
DAY 03Oct 22 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 3: Tashkurgan–Panlong Road–Bandir Blue Lake
Tashkurgan–Panlong Ancient Road–Bandir Blue Lake (stay in Tashkurgan)
Accommodation:Tashkurgan
DAY 04Oct 23 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 4: Tashkurgan–Kashgar
Tashkurgan–Kashgar (stay in Kashgar)
Accommodation:Kashgar
DAY 05Oct 24 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 5: Kashgar–Honghai poplar forest
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
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
Hotan–Hotan Emerald Lake (stay in Hotan)
Accommodation:Hotan
DAY 08Oct 27 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 8: Hotan–Taklamakan Desert–Aral
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
Aral–Wensu Grand Canyon (stay in Kuqa)
Accommodation:Kuqa
DAY 10Oct 29 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 10: Kuqa–Tarim poplar forest–Korla
Kuqa–Tarim Euphrates Poplar Forest (stay in Korla)
Accommodation:Korla
DAY 11Oct 30 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 11: Korla–Lop village–Yuli
Korla–Lop Nur People’s Village (stay in Yuli)
Accommodation:Yuli
DAY 12Oct 31 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 12: Yuli–Hulu Island–Korla
Yuli–Hulu Island (stay in Korla)
Accommodation:Korla
DAY 13Nov 1 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiDay 13: Depart Korla
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
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
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.
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. 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.
