THE PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY
Go beyond the view
Photograph birch woodland, rolling grasslands and autumn light around Beigou, Wucai Mountain and Aobaotu. A staged galloping-horse session and returning-herd photography offer practice with front light, backlight and movement. Timing depends on weather and local conditions. Visit Princess Lake, Panlong Canyon, Hamaba and Toufeng Gully for reflections, valleys, sunrise and sunset. Morning mist depends on the weather.
Birch forests and autumn grasslands
Photograph birch woodland, rolling grasslands and autumn light around Beigou, Wucai Mountain and Aobaotu.
Galloping horses and herds
A staged galloping-horse session and returning-herd photography offer practice with front light, backlight and movement. Timing depends on weather and local conditions.
Lakes, valleys and changing light
Visit Princess Lake, Panlong Canyon, Hamaba and Toufeng Gully for reflections, valleys, sunrise and sunset. Morning mist depends on the weather.
The journey in pictures
Photographers linked to this route: Chuzhong Huang →
Itinerary images · Select a photo to enlarge
PHOTOGRAPHY LEADERS
A different way of seeing
Chuzhong Huang
THE DAYS AHEAD
A rhythm shaped by light
DAY 01Sep 28 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiChifeng arrival–Ulan Butong
Arrive at Chifeng Airport for dedicated pickup, then take a tour coach to Bashang. After passing Saihanba, enter Ulan Butong's Bashang Grassland and stay at a hotel in the military horse farm area that night.
Accommodation:Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed
DAY 02Sep 29 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiFilm location–Beigou–Wucai Mountain
Morning: Depart at 4:00 for sunrise at the film location, a classic Bashang viewpoint, photographing Beigou sunrise or, with luck, morning mist. This distinctly European-looking grassland has served as an outdoor location for many films and television series. White Mongolian tents appear through ethereal mist while scattered horses stroll on meadows. After sunrise, photograph Beigou's birch woods, flowering crabapple thickets, flower-filled upland grasslands, clear blue Wild Duck Lake, and scenery along Five-Colored Mountain. Afternoon: Photograph light through birch forests and grassland scenery. In good weather, first arrange the galloping-horses scene. Horse photography on Bashang requires skill: downhill charges and level-ground galloping demand different techniques. The leader arranges front-lit and backlit runs and varied lighting angles. Backlit herds, flowing manes, and flying hooves create a powerful spectacle. Photograph horse-herder silhouettes in evening glow until sunset.
Accommodation:Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed
DAY 03Sep 30 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiAobaotu–Yangshubei–Hulunuori
Morning: Leave early for sunrise on Aobaotu's southern mountain, with cloud seas among rolling peaks and beautifully spaced birch forests. After sunrise, photograph light in the birches. Afternoon: Follow the Yangshubei–Hulunor route. Sunshine lays golden gauze across the land; cattle and sheep graze or stroll peacefully through dappled light. As the sun sets, evening glow outlines the herds in gold, merging them with magnificent clouds and boundless landscape in a beautiful pastoral homecoming.
Accommodation:Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed
DAY 04Oct 1 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiPrincess Lake–Panlong Canyon–Hamaba
Morning: Leave early for sunrise at Princess Lake, photographing mist, reflected birches and cabins, and, with luck, cattle, sheep, and horses drinking. Continue to Panlong Canyon to photograph the Salike River winding with the mountains like a dragon through the valley, its course lined with lush vegetation and flowers. Return to the Bashang hotel at an appropriate time for a midday rest. Afternoon: Photograph Hamaba panoramas and broad landscapes at Hamaba Reservoir, whose clear mirrorlike water reflects blue skies, white clouds, green hills, and trees. Rustic villages below the slopes and scattered wooden-fenced livestock pens create a simple, natural setting. Photograph cattle and sheep returning from pasture until sunset.
Accommodation:Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed
DAY 05Oct 2 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiToufeng Gully–Nanjing–Songshujingzi
Morning: Leave early for sunrise in Toufeng Gully: rolling peaks in light and shadow, a blue river winding through the canyon, and dead but standing birches in the water conveying age. Then visit Nanjing to photograph cattle and sheep leaving for pasture, rustic villages with curling cooking smoke, and linear wheat fields stirred by morning breezes. Afternoon: Visit Songshujingzi for sunset, photographing light in birch forests and cattle, sheep, and horses scattered around rolling hills en route.
Accommodation:Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed
DAY 06Oct 3 · Beijing · Asia/ShanghaiUlan Butong–Chifeng departure
Check out after breakfast and return by coach to Chifeng Airport, concluding the six-day autumn photography trip.
Accommodation:Departure; no overnight stay planned
Trip staff
- Photography leader · Chuzhong Huang
- Up to 11 travelers
Transport
- IncludedFour days in Bashang with three people per SUV, plus coaches for the two arrival/departure days;
- ExcludedRound-trip major transportation;
Travel details and reference schedules
These are reference flights, not mandatory services. Confirm group operation, transfers and connections before booking. September 28: Guangzhou–Shijiazhuang CZ3183, 10:25–13:10; Shijiazhuang–Chifeng GS6675, 15:20–16:50. October 3: Chifeng–Qingdao GS6651, 15:20–16:40; Qingdao–Guangzhou CZ5900, 18:45–21:55. Coach transfers are planned for arrival and departure days, with three participants per off-road vehicle for four days in Bashang.
Photography
- Birch forests and autumn grasslands
- Galloping horses and herds
- Lakes, valleys and changing light
Photography details
Birch forests and autumn grasslands Photograph birch woodland, rolling grasslands and autumn light around Beigou, Wucai Mountain and Aobaotu. Galloping horses and herds A staged galloping-horse session and returning-herd photography offer practice with front light, backlight and movement. Timing depends on weather and local conditions. Lakes, valleys and changing light Visit Princess Lake, Panlong Canyon, Hamaba and Toufeng Gully for reflections, valleys, sunrise and sunset. Morning mist depends on the weather. Birch forests and autumn grasslands Galloping horses and herds Lakes, valleys and changing light Included · One staged galloping-horses session and cattle-and-sheep homecoming photography fees; Included · Photography instruction and services from the instructor throughout;
Accommodation
- 5 nights
- Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and hotel standards are to be confirmed.
- IncludedAccommodation throughout;
Accommodation details
Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and hotel standards are to be confirmed. Day 1: Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 2: Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 3: Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 4: Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 5: Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 6: Departure; no overnight stay planned Day 1 · 2026-09-28 Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 2 · 2026-09-29 Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 3 · 2026-09-30 Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 4 · 2026-10-01 Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 5 · 2026-10-02 Hotel in the Ulan Butong military horse farm area; property and continued stay to be confirmed Day 6 · 2026-10-03 Departure; no overnight stay planned 5 nights Planned overnight arrangements; bookings, room types and hotel standards are to be confirmed. Included · Accommodation throughout; Excluded · An unmatched male or female traveler, or anyone requesting a private room, must pay a full-trip single supplement;
Meals
- ExcludedMain meals, shared equally;
Visa
- To be confirmed by the operator
A CLEAR PICTURE
Know what is included
Deposit in the operator’s published information
per personThis amount reflects the payment terms in the operator’s published information. When booking through this platform, follow the payment schedule shown at checkout.
Public prices may change. Checkout quotes expire at a stated time; your confirmed order records its price and payment deadlines.
Included
Accommodation throughout;
Four days in Bashang with three people per SUV, plus coaches for the two arrival/departure days;
Admission to Ulan Butong and Hamaba scenic areas;
One staged galloping-horses session and cattle-and-sheep homecoming photography fees;
Photography instruction and services from the instructor throughout;
Insurance.
Not included
Round-trip major transportation;
Main meals, shared equally;
An unmatched male or female traveler, or anyone requesting a private room, must pay a full-trip single supplement;
Natural disasters, war, strikes, flight delays or cancellations may require itinerary changes or cancellation. Additional accommodation, meals and transport are settled according to actual expenses, with efforts to minimize participants’ losses.
Other additional service fees not listed;
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 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.
Note: The itinerary may be adjusted according to weather or force majeure.
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.