China: Giant Pandas & Iconic Landscapes
Its name is Zhongguo—the Middle Kingdom—or The People’s Republic of China, as it is known by the rest of the world. China’s wide-open welcome to tourists from around the world has allowed us to craft a journey to photograph many of the spectacular landscapes and landmarks of the Middle Kingdom. Our goal is to assemble a portfolio of images of China most requested in the publishing world—photographs of nature and culture that parallel the centuries-old traditions of Chinese art. Starting in Beijing we spend a number of days pursuing sweet light on such classic Chinese emblems as the Great Wall, the Temple of Heaven, the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. Many of these monuments underwent major restorations for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and are in prime condition for photography.
We fly next to Mount Huangshan—the “Yellow Mountain.” From high on the mountain we photograph the scenes that so inspired a whole school of painting during the Ming period. Here, wind-sculpted pines cling to jagged, bald, granite crags. Reminiscent of the curtain of a great theater, the stage is set as mist flows among the peaks, shrouding and then revealing the landscape in an unending pageant of form, line and texture. In the shadow of Huangshan we photograph in the UNESCO World Heritage villages of Shexian and Hongcun, recognizable for their prominence in the 2000 Ang Lee film, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. A trove of traditional architectural details and classic panoramas await our cameras at these remarkable villages.
Flying northwest to Shaanxi Province, one of the first areas of China to be permanently settled, we explore the ancient walled city of Xi’an which was once the eastern terminus of the famous Silk Road. Qin Shihuang governed here as the first emperor of China. His tomb, outside the city, draws thousands of people from around the world to view the fantastic throng of 2500-year-old terracotta soldiers still standing guard.
When the subject of China comes up in discussion among nature photographers, two topics are usually among the first mentioned: Where are those ethereal craggy mountains depicted in so many classic scenes of Chinese artwork? Is there a way to photograph giant pandas, other than in the National Zoo?
On our Photo Safari we have the answer to both questions! The giant panda’s rise to wildlife superstardom has been rapid. Since its discovery in 1869 and subsequent introduction to the West as a zoo animal in 1937, the giant panda has become a symbol of scarcity. This is not only due to its (always) limited habitat range in nature, but also because of the judicious way the Chinese have allowed the exportation of this, one of the world’s rarest mammals, from their country. In recent years, the giant panda has become a precious diplomatic gift, presented to only a few highly-favored countries. Its worldwide image of scarcity has led to its adoption as the icon of the World Wildlife Fund and its conservation work.
Our group has the privilege of photographing these endearing, “cuddly,” and virtually inaccessible animals with special permission from the Government of China. Animals from a captive breeding program are used as models as they are placed for us in habitat at the Bifengxia Giant Panda Breeding Center. We have scheduled the equivalent of three days of panda photography to capture fantastic digital images.
Along the famous Li River at Guilin, we reproduce the masterpiece landscapes of serrate mountain pinnacles jutting as a backdrop to the tranquil river. Light and shadow dance across the rock faces of this uplifted seabed, hewn by the warm, humid climate of southern China. Fantastically photogenic fishermen pole their pencil-thin boats, cormorants in tow, along the sluggish convolutions of the river in a scene as placid and timeless as any in the world.
Join John Shaw on this journey to photograph some of China’s most familiar national treasures. This is a fantastic trip for first-time visitors to the Middle Kingdom—or a great shoot for those people who have traveled here in the past and did not spend as much time at these locations for their photography as our Photo Safari provides. Once you’ve photographed in China, you’ll undoubtedly long to return to see more!
Itinerary
Day 1
Depart from home.
Day 2 (May 16)
Arrive in Beijing and then gather for dinner, including that most well-known and sumptuous offering of Chinese cuisine—Peking duck. (D)
Day 3
This morning we visit the Temple of Heaven, an imperial sacrificial altar built during the Ming dynasty. We walk around Tiananmen Square, the largest public square in the world—where more than a million people can gather. The afternoon is devoted to photographing the magnificent Forbidden City, just north of the square. This dazzling example of Ming dynasty history and architecture is among the top icons of Chinese culture and a great photo shoot. In late afternoon we take panoramic shots from a pavilion in Jingshan Park, high above the city. (BLD)
Day 4
We photograph the Summer Palace, a retreat built by the Qing emperors. Notable shots include a 700-meter-long corridor lined by individually-decorated red columns, and the Pavilion of the Fragrance of Buddha with its sweeping views of the Palace and Kunming Lake. After lunch at a photogenic restaurant nearby, we drive to the Great Wall at Jingshangling. This is a wonderful location for dramatic photography, well away from the crowds of the Beijing area. We shoot the wall during the best light at sunset. (BLD)
Day 5
After sunrise photography at Jingshangling, we drive to the Mutianyu section of the Great Wall and then return to Beijing for our flight to Huangshan. (BL, Dinner airport snack on your own)
Days 6–8
During the next few days we photograph villages distinguished for their traditional Chinese architecture and the photographic jewel of the area—Mount Huangshan. This is one of the most revered natural landscapes in China! A cable car takes us to the mountaintop and our hotel, where we spend two nights. In the early morning and at dusk we hike many steep trails leading to stunning natural overlooks. After sunrise photography on the morning of Day 8, we descend the mountain and fly to Xi’an. (Days 6‒7: BLD, Day 8: BL, Dinner airport snack on your own)
Day 9
We spend a full day exploring Xi’an. Our first stop is another UNESCO World Heritage Site—one of the most remarkable archeological discoveries of all times, the Terracotta Army. After lunch we return to the center of the city to photograph the Big Goose Pagoda. As the easternmost city on the Silk Road, Xi’an was a flourishing center of Buddhist development when this monument was built. In late afternoon, we enter the Great Mosque and then walk around the Muslim quarter. We find a way of life rooted as much in ancient cultures of Central Asia as in Chinese tradition. For over 1,300 years, Muslims have been an integral part of the colorful daily life of Xi’an. Dinner this evening is at a restaurant in the quarter. (BLD)
Day 10
We fly this morning to Chengdu and drive to the Panda Breeding Center. This center is the location to which the majority of the pandas housed at the Wolong Giant Panda Breeding Center were translocated after the devastating Sichuan earthquake of May 2008. On arrival we explore the center and photograph pandas in their enclosures. (B, Lunch airport snack on your own, D)
Days 11–12
We photograph the pandas during periods of good light for these two days, with two sessions daily. The pandas forage in bamboo groves, climb trees and play, both in the center and at two specially arranged sessions in natural settings outside the center. Additional photography is available within the panda compound between arranged sessions. (BLD)
Day 13
After getting our last shots of pandas this morning, we drive back to Chengdu and fly to Guilin, stopping en route to photograph the Leshan Giant Buddha—the world’s largest stone Buddha. (BL, Dinner airport snack on your own)
Day 14
Guilin lies on the banks of the Li River, surrounded by perpendicular eroded karst formations. The classic artistic impressions from this location have been immortalized over many centuries, making it one of China’s most notable landscapes. We gather before dawn at the Yangti Dock in a small fishing town at the most beautiful section of the Li River. We travel by private boat to Yangshuo and photograph the river from the boat and on shore. This cruise presents many scenic locations to shoot the winding Li. Images include sunrise over the graphic mountain silhouettes, as well as specially arranged models for a private shoot of cormorant fishermen on their bamboo rafts in tranquil river scenes. (BLD)
Day 15
We photograph fishermen and cormorants this morning from a bridge near Yangshuo, then photograph in the town before driving to Xingping with many stops en route. At dusk we again board our private boat for a sunset river journey. (BLD)
Day 16
We fly to Shanghai in early afternoon and have a leisurely tour of the city. (B, Lunch airport snack on your own, D)
Day 17 (May 31)
Participants may depart for home at any time. (B)
Trip Highlights
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Photograph China’s iconic giant pandas for three full days!
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Inspiring landscapes of the mountains and valleys of the Li River are an often-requested stock shot
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Shoot locations made famous in many recent western and Chinese films
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Photograph the classic Guilin/Li River karst formations depicted in traditional Chinese scroll art
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Create spectacular images of the famous terracotta soldiers at Xi’an
Pandas & Landscapes Photo Tour Details
Dates
May 15–31, 2010
Fee
$8,595 from Beijing; returning from Shanghai
Deposit
$400
Limit
14
Terms & Conditions