Shangri La & Rice Terraces – (7 places remaining)

Trip Overview

Join Scottish Photographer Alister Benn and his Chinese wife Juanli Sun on a journey through the heart of Southern Yunnan & Shangri La, the most hugely diverse region in China. From the Provincial capital of Kunming, the tour heads south to the spectacular rice terraces of Yuanyang County near the border of Vietnam. From there, the rest of the journey is up, into the mountains near  the Tibetan border, including the mythically beautiful Yading National Park for a thorough exploration of the glaciers, canyons, mountains and flower meadows.

This photography tour is a non stop adventure through some of the most spectacular scenery in China.

Having lived together in China for over a decade, Alister and Juanli know the region extremely well, and with a native Mandarin speaker on the team it helps smooth out any unforeseen bumps on the road. The tour includes their very favorite areas of this incredible country.

The trip has been carefully planned to coincide with the optimum pre-monsoon weather and moon phase for maximum photographic potential.

Itinerary

Day 1
We meet in Kunming, the Provincial Capital of Yunnan Province. Welcome banquet.

Day 2/3
Yuanyang - The spectacular rice terraces, plenty of time to explore this amazing area.

Day 4/5  
Lijiang, Naxi old town, glaciers and forests under the shadow of the 5500m Jade Dragon Snow Mountain.

Day 6
Zhongdian, or Shangri La as it is known locally. The largest Tibetan Monastery in China.

Day 7/8
Deqin – Looking across a deep valley to the Tibetan border, arguably the best view in China. Explore the glaciers of Mt Meili.

Day 9
Derong – Canyon country, complete with Prickly Pear Cactus

Day 10
Daocheng – Authentic Tibetan landscape and culture.

Day 11/12
Yading National Park, simply a stunning place and possibly the true heart of Shangri La.

Day 13
Yading to Daocheng – a leisurely exploration of this beautiful valley.

Day 14
Daocheng to Xiang Chen – Still deep in the heart of Tibetan culture, superb canyon landscapes with huge raging rivers.

Day 15
Xiang Chen to Zhongdian – more incredible landscapes on the way back to the capital of Shangri La

Day 16
Free morning in Zhongdian before afternoon flight to Kunming for farewell dinner.

Day 17
Depart

Facts & Information

Objective
This Photography Tour is primarily geared towards Landscapes, but with complete cultural immersion as a bonus. We will encounter Han, Hani, Naxi, Bai, Tibetan and other peoples on our journey.

Due to circumstances beyond our control the itinerary may change slightly from the one advertised.

What’s Included?
Photographic Guide and Translator, all accommodation (based on single occupancy), some evening meals, all ground transport, domestic flights from Kunming to Lijiang and Zhongdian to Kunming, park entry fees, tea, coffee & water.

What’s Excluded?
International Flights, travel in China pre or post trip, most meals, alcoholic drinks, visas for China, medical or property insurance, snacks.

Accommodation
Good quality 3/4 star hotels in Kunming, Lijiang, Zhongdian and Deqin, more basic although still comfortable in others. Guest house in Yading.

Group Size
Min 4 – Max 8

Activity rating
Moderate to strenuous – There is no serious trekking on this tour, but as we will be spending prolonged periods above 3000m/10000ft even moderate activity can be hard work. Please consult your physician before considering this trip. Every day at altitude there are alternatives for those less physically capable, either with porters available to help carry gear, or even horses to carry you.

Gear Recommendations
Photographers can use whatever format they want, although any instruction is limited to DSLR techniques. A tripod is considered essential. For further details please read the Tour Prospectus.

Cost

US$5700* – 16 Nights/17 Days (deposit – US$1000 payable at time of registration)

*Based on single room occupancy for the duration of the trip. If a spouse and partner are sharing a room, there is a discount of US$350 per person.

Terms & Conditions

Please refer to the downloadable Tour Brochure for full Itinerary details and Terms & Conditions.

 Registration Form

If you would like to register for this Photography tour, please complete the registration form below. (* = Required Field)

A deposit of US$1000 is required to reserve your place, please refer to our terms and conditions for our cancellation and refund policies. Once you have submitted the registration form, please proceed to the “Add to Cart” Button to pay the deposit via PayPal. Alternatively, check the radio button for alternative payment options, and we will be in touch shortly.

ALTITUDE – 1500m/4500ft

Overview
The People
Weather
Access

Overview

Simply put, there are few superlatives to adequately describe the Rice Terraces of Southern Yunnan. On a clear day, when the fog rolls back to reveal hundreds of acres of sculpted hillsides, the scene is truly breathtaking.

The changing light and humidity creates wonderful shooting situations, allowing for broad wide landscapes, or tight zoom abstract.

The People

Yunnan is home to over 250 individually recognised ethnic minorities – in Yuanyang County it is the Hani who have been responsible for the creation of the terraced hillsides. The local culture is distinct, as is the colourful dress of the locals. Life remains very much as it has been for centuries, with few encroachments from modern living.

Weather

Unpredictable and changeable. The flooded rice paddies on the steep hillsides create a unique microclimate, with increased humidity and lots of fog. From October through to spring this unpredictability creates cat and mouse conditions, with heavy mist one minute and clearing magnificence the next. A stay of 2-3 days is usually enough to get some good conditions.

Access

By road from Kunming – about 4 hours. The last hour of which rising through first Banana Plantations and then Orange groves.

Full details can be found HERE on the HarvestingLight.net website.

ALTITUDE – 4400-4718m/14435-15479ft

Overview
Ta Er Qin
The Kora
Weather
Access
Associated Locations

Overview

Mount Kailash  6638m/21778ft is a mountain in the far west of Tibet, and is considered extremely sacred by at least four separate faiths; Buddhist, Bon, Jane and Hindu. The peak is unclimbed and permission to do so is not possible to obtain.

Its distinctive shape and extreme isolation make it something of an enigma, even to those of non religious persuasions. The journey to get there is suck a mammoth undertaking, that when you do arrive, the 52km/32mi Kora, or circumnavigation of the peak seems like a pleasant thing to do rather than day after day in the back of a Landcruiser.

Ta Er Qin

For the visitor, the small town of Ta Er Qin serves one purpose, some rest before the Kora, a chance to stock up on supplies and procure the services of a porter, or to wait for colleagues to return from their journeys.

Situated at around 4750m it is a dry and dusty place, but also a place of solace and comfort after the days on the road. The views are magnificent, not only of Mt Kailash itself, but also looking south across the grasslands towards Namunani and the Nepalese border, which itself is fringed with gigantic Himalayan peaks.

The Kora

The full Kora is 52kn/32mi starting and ending in Ta Er Qin, but there are softer options for those wishing to do it, but have limited energy. The first is to take a horse, which will carry you round in two/three days. The second is only to do half of it; up to the primitive guesthouses at 5200m/17060ft with the magnificent view of the North Face of the mountain. Or thirdly, some of the way is accessible to 4×4, with a good road taking about 10km of the start and finish.

Of course, anything other than a full sell-propelled Kora is considered poor form, but at the same time prudence regarding physical capabilities have to be considered. I twisted and dislocated a kneecap on one trip there, whereas Juanli ran round the full Kora in a day and a half on her first visit.

The secret is to be well acclimated by the time you get there, 5000m is not a place to be puffing or panting, feeling sick or plagued by a headache that nothing will shift.

Mt Kailash is an unbelievably beautiful peak; the pilgrims, most wearing cheap trainers, the cobalt blue sky, the incongruous shape, the thin air, isolation, it all comes together to make quite a package.

Weather

Winter is not a time to be on the mountain, and you’d be hard pressed to find any guide in Lhasa prepared to take you there. From Spring through to late Autumn the trip is possible, and due to the extreme western location, the area is not adversely affected by the southern monsoon. The HImalaya to the south create a vast rain shadow.

On all our visits the weather has been glorious, but it can be foul also. Low cloud, mist, snow at any time of the year and freak high altitude storms can break any time.

This is a high altitude mountain expedition, and suitable clothing etc is essential.

The porters will only carry 15kg for you, and that includes your water, so pack carefully.

Access

850km west of Lhasa, it used to be a long 4 day dusty ride. Now the road has been improved, and it’s tarmac all the way. I heard recently of a friend that did it in 22 hours non-stop, but that isn’t recommended. 3 x 7 hour days in the car are a better option, with lots of interesting stops on the way. 10-12 days from Lhasa round trip allows for detours and adventures, plus the Kora of Kailash.

Associated Locations

Lhasa
Everest Region
Tibetan Holy Lakes

ALTITUDE – 3700-4400m/12100-14400ft

Overview
Is this Shangri La?
Temple
Weather
Access
Yading Gallery

Overview

As we journey further from civilisation, I appear to struggle more and more with running out of superlatives. There is no doubt that it can take a certain degree of dedication just to get here, but I know of no-one who returned without a huge sense of achievement and wonder that places like this still exist in our overcrowded and complex world.

Yading also holds the accolade of being one of the most remote national parks in China, simply put, it’s a long way from anywhere.

Until the late 1990′s it was almost completely unknown to the outside world and remained a secret only to the Tibetan people who came here as an act of pilgrimage to worship the three Holy peaks that reside in the park.

Is this Shangri La?

The Lost Horizons author James Hilton never visited Tibet, getting no closer than northern India, but it was there he must have heard stories of a lost valley, in which a secret monastery was located. Bounded on all sides by massive snowy peaks, a gentle river meandering through grasslands dotted with Yak – the Tibetans called this place Shambala, a sacred place, a secret.

Whether Yading is Shambala, or the Anglicised miss-spelling Shangri La is unknown, but surely this secret valley must be a strong contender.

A few years ago, the park was closed for over a year for “improvement”, and when it reopened it had changed, with a new concrete road used to shuttle tourists up to the high yak meadow at around 4200m. This route used to be plied by Tibetans leading horses, a few hours of bumpy riding on a rough trail.

All that is gone now, and the new board walks that cross the fragile wetlands bounding the river do not look so appealing, but they no doubt help protect a very delicate ecosystem. Things change, and although the more accessible parts of the park may have lost some of their charm, there is no shortage of serious wilderness to be found here for those willing to try.

Climbing through the forests at 3am in the cold and dark to be at the Yak Meadow before sunrise is an incredible experience. Plenty of time to contemplate our place in the grand scheme.

Trekking

As eluded to above, it is possible to undertake some serious adventures in the park. Ancient routes bisect the park and you can hike to hidden lakes surrounded by glaciers. As all of the park lies above 4000m, any undertaking here is a serious business requiring proper equipment and outdoor survival skills.

Weather

Yading is a high altitude mountain environment.  The three Holy Peaks that each rise to over 6000m make their own weather. Clear blue skies can turn to storms in moments, sunny weather can turn to freezing in minutes. In summer the southern monsoon influences the area, and any travel to here would be discouraged, as the area is prone to serious landslides that block roads for weeks.

At this time too, the peaks are most often covered in cloud, and indeed, on my first 2 visits I did not see the summits of either of them.

My preference is late winter, March through early May and again in the late Fall from late October through to mid December.

The cold is an obvious feature and suitable mountain gear is essential.

Access

The park entrance is only a few hours south of Daocheng and is an easy drive. The road is pleasant and well-maintained, but travels over some high passes of nearly 5000m. Again, the Tibetan culture, lifestyle and architecture are evident in any settlements we encounter. Once we enter through the park gates, the road climbs steeply through rough agricultural fields and rustic settlements until finally passing through a cleft in the cliffs you finally see the first of the massive peaks.

The views from here in are spectacular. Accommodation is in the Tibetan Yading village, where a range of local houses are available to stay.

Yading Gallery

Associated Locations

Daocheng

Overview

Whether you are looking for a single large print to grace a boardroom, or numerous smaller prints to decorate hotel rooms or offices, Available Light Images has a range of prints suitable for your needs. Printed to the highest standards using the latest archival inks and papers, with a range of mounting options available, including aluminium; they are guaranteed to look amazing.

Contemporary Architecture

Between 2007-8, Alister and Juanli ran the highly successful A3 Gallery in 798 Art District of Beijing. The gallery exhibitions featured the contemporary architectural works of Alister Benn.

These limited Edition Prints are available in sizes up to 3.5m – Mounted on aluminium, they create super depth and ambience to any large space. The images were created from images taken with a Hasselblad H3 with a Phase One P45+ Medium Format Digital Back. The resulting files are full of detail and tonal accuracy. This attention to quality allows these prints to be printed very large without any loss of detail or color.

Motivational & Inspiring

Juanli & Alister spend a significant part of their lives in the mountains or by the ocean; the clean air, isolation and pristine wilderness are like elixirs to the soul. The time spent in these areas is precious. Images of these wild places make excellent prints to grace offices or hotels. Whether to capture the local area in its most impressive, or to inspire and motivate workers, these prints are effective tools for inspiration and/or motivation.

These days, Alister shoots with a Nikon D3x and the files are excellent in both color and detail. The 25megapixel files can also be printed quite large without loss of detail.

Sample Gallery

Overview

Architectural Photography is an exciting and challenging discipline. Working with both Available and artificial light to enhance the beauty and aesthetics designed by the architect.

Alister has been involved with this type of photography since 2003 and has developed a unique and appealing style of his own.

His images are used by various companies worldwide, both as still images and in audiovisual presentations.

Perspective

Alister is skilled when dealing with perspective, either working with converging verticals to create challenging and interesting compositions, or eliminating them to create truly graphic interior images.

Light

Dealing with large spectrums of dynamic range is also a key component of exterior photography, and whether it is using high dynamic range techniques, or manually blending images, Alister has the tools necessary to create a realistic representation of the light occurring at the scene.

Composition

With a long-established background in Nature Photography, Alister brings a fresh look to architectural photography, interpreting the interior as he would a landscape, looking for the key subjects, available light and the holistic quality that brings the images together and to life in three dimensions.

Sample Exterior Gallery

Associated Posts

Interior Photography

Overview

Architectural Photography is an exciting and challenging discipline. Working with both Available and artificial light to enhance the beauty and aesthetics designed by the architect.

Alister has been involved with this type of photography since 2003 and has developed a unique and appealing style of his own.

His images are used by various companies worldwide, both as still images and in audiovisual presentations.

Perspective

Alister is skilled when dealing with perspective, either working with converging verticals to create challenging and interesting compositions, or eliminating them to create truly graphic interior images.

Light

Dealing with large spectrums of dynamic range is also a key component of interior photography, and whether it is using high dynamic range techniques, or manually blending images, Alister has the tools necessary to create a realistic representation of the light occurring at the scene.

With off camera flash blended with natural light and interior illumination, we can make masterful images to satisfy discerning clients.

Composition

With a long-established background in Nature Photography, Alister brings a fresh look to architectural photography, interpreting the interior as he would a landscape, looking for the key subjects, available light and the holistic quality that brings the images together and to life in three dimensions.

Sample Interior Gallery

Associated Posts

Exterior Photography

Overview

Available Night Light is an ongoing project to create educational material to teach the fascinating discipline of Night Photography. I began to take my first night landscapes (or nightscapes) in September 2004 while visiting Banff National Park in Canada. I had lined up along the banks of Vermilion Lake at sunset with a few dozen other photographers, and were treated to some very fine light. As the light faded, I packed my gear like everyone else and went home.

Around 11:30pm, before turning in to bed, I glanced out the window and saw the surrounding valley illuminated by a full moon – it was simply glorious. Juanli and I packed the gear again and headed back down to Vermilion Lake.

Not surprisingly, we were alone, and we were able to take images in the moonlight unlike any others I had seen of this iconic location.

I was hooked. At the same time, I embarked upon a learning curve to learn what I can achieve with Available Night Light, as there are no constants, few golden rules, but plenty of scope for expression, experimentation and creativity.

It is not just a photography discipline, it is a lifestyle, opening doors to adventures and a unique time to reflect on life, the universe and everything. Many of Juanli and my favorite memories are now associated with taking Night Images together in some remote location.

The Big Wheel

When you look at a Buddhist Mandala, you see something that is full of order, yet each section is separarte and stands on its own as much as it forms the whole concept. Night Photography is the same, you have to learn a variety of disciplines that all come together to create the whole experience. Having a thorough understanding of Exposure is no guarantee to taking great images if you do not understand the importance of Composition or Processing.

M approach to teaching Night Photography is the same as my approach to teaching The Language of Light – it is a holistic experience intended not just to teach skills by repetition, but to understand the Why.

Creative Night Photography is a progressive course allowing impressive results to be achieved quickly, laying foundations of technique and experience that allow for an expansion of your ability to create meaningful, expressive images under any conditions.

Products

1 – An Introduction to taking better Landscape Photographs at Night, is an eBook that gives a taster for the subject. LINK - Price – US$5.00

2 – Seeing the Unseen – How to Photograph Landscapes at Night – eBook was released in March 2012 – 95 pages US$15.00 – an extremely thorough look into all aspects of landscape photography at night, including Single and Multiple Frame Techniques. MORE INFORMATION

Personal Tuition

While eBooks and online courses can go a long way to teaching a subject, there is no substitute to being out in the dark with someone who can teach you face to face. We live in a glorious place with excellent night photography conditions. The thinner air at above 2500m and no light pollution allow for a perfect experience.

For further details and Terms & Conditions, please see the Personal Tuition Section of this site.

Available Night Light Gallery

ALTITUDE – 2400m/8000ft

Overview
The People
Old Town & Lion Hill
Black Dragon Pool & Elephant Hill
Suhe-Baisha
Jade Lake Village
Temples
Lashi Lake
Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park
Weather
Associated Locations

Overview

For over 800 years the Naxi ethnic minority has farmed the fertile valley along the banks of the Jin Sha River. The ancient old town, which forms the heart of the city, is a collection of timber and stone structures that retain much of their original splendour. Development within the old town is strictly controlled, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997.

Lijiang and the surrounding villages are a destination in their own right, with the whole area dominated by the massive Yulong Xue Shan (Jade Dragon Snow Mountain), which at 5596m/18359ft dominates the northern horizon.

Equally, the area also serves as a staging area to acclimatise before venturing further and higher into Shangri La.

The People

The whole Lijiang area is home to the Naxi ethnic minority, although there are also some Han Chinese and Tibetans too. The customs, language and culture are well-preserved here and it is typical to see traditional clothes being worn and the pictographic language decorates murals and artefacts.

The Naxi culture is called the Dongba, and was the subject of extensive research during the 20th century, especially by National Geographic and pioneered by Austro/American botanist and explorer Dr Joseph Rock, who lived in Jade Lake Village 15km north of Lijiang for many years.

Cycling or walking through the villages, far from the modern city, it is easy to slip into a timeless existence, as most of the buildings have remained unchanged for centuries. It is quite normal to see horsemen riding across the grasslands and livestock foraging in the streets, wet markets, wooden ploughs pulled along by oxen or yak.

Old Town & Lion Hill

The old town of Lijiang is a very popular tourist attraction, attracting around 7 million visitors per annum. But, as with most places, they tend to congregate in a few main areas, and it is not too difficult even at the busiest times to find solitude.

We tend to take people through the area early in the morning before sunrise as it is then at its best. The shop/houses still have their shutters closed, the light is soft and it is quiet. Alone Naxi woman may be seen carrying water on a bamboo yoke, or lighting a small charcoal fire at the entrance to her home. The market is coming alive and is an experience to anyone used to a western supermarket and its convenience.

The view from Lion Hill at sunrise is glorious, with the soft light emerging over the layers of traditional architecture below. It is a steep, but short climb to a number of vantage points overlooking the old town, with some of the best views from the massive pagoda that tops the hill.

Black Dragon Pool & Elephant Hill

Another noted tourist attraction, the Black Dragon Pool offers superb views of Jade Dragon Mountain reflected in the calm waters of the lake.  An ancient pagoda and arched bridge complete the scene.

The park is also a great place to witness traditional Naxi dancing, as the locals meet there after sunrise to dance and socialise. Elephant Hill rises directly behind the park, and for those who want some exercise its a great climb to the top, where another pagoda provides a place to sit and contemplate a huge view.

The climb is very steep, and the altitude makes itself known to any who attempt it. For the fit, it should take around 45 minutes, but best to allow a couple of hours. The descent can be just as bad as the ascent, with the many steps playing havoc on the knees. But it is certainly worth it, as the effort and view are equally exhilarating.

Shuhe-Baisha

The village of Suhe is slowly being absorbed by the town of Lijiang, but the northern end and the few kilometres between here and Baisha offer some interesting exploration. Once out the city, rural life takes over, and agriculture dominates daily life. The houses have a less refined look, with the straw and wattle bricks exposed and unclad.

The hillsides, which are covered with diminutive pine trees are liberally punctuated by the tombs of the local Naxi. It is an extremely important part of local culture to honour the departed, and the site of their resting place is of great importance to the families.

The Taoist herbalist Dr Ho still lives in the village, and despite now being in his late 80’s still wecomes people into his home/workshop to explain his medicines, offer free tea and enthuse about the numbers of famous people he has met in Baisha. A truly enigmatic character.

To the east and north of Baisha grasslands stretch towards the mountains and horsemen ply their way across them.

Jade Lake Village

This village, being the furthest from the city retains by far the most original features, architecture and culture. Life goes on here much as it has done for the last 800 years and is an excellent experience. Truly in the shadow of the mountains the landscape turns wild as soon as you leave the perimeter of the village.

Huge limestone cliffs fringe the village to the west, with views straight up to the massif of the Jade Dragon.

Temples

Tibetan Buddhism is the dominant faith in the region, and not surprisingly there are numerous temples surrounding Lijiang that are well worth visiting.

Frequent festivals and celebrations take place, allowing one to watch Tibetan Lamas dance and chant in worship. Colorful spectacles full of vibrant energy, attended by many people from the villages around.

More unusually, there is a traditional Naxi Temple near Jade Lake Village, which offers an excellent contrast. The Naxi do not worship Buddhas, but instead heros or San Duo. The temple also features one of the few remaining Dongba schools, with only 8 pupils, who learn the traditional language, writing and history of the people.

Lashi Lake

This is a large shallow lake to the west of Lijiang on the road to Shangri La. Once again the local agriculture and architecture are well represented and preserved. Flat-bottomed pontoons ply the lake for fish, and take tourists for sight-seeing tours.

In winter, from October to April, it is the haunt of thousands of water birds including Common Cranes, Bar-headed Geese, Ruddy Shelducks, Eagles and duck. Many rare and unusual sightings occur annually, and the area makes an excellent day of Natural History observation.

Jade Dragon Snow Mountain National Park

The park covers a massive area and a thorough exploration of the area can take many days, traveling north from Lijiang towards Daju and the Stone City of Baoshan.

It is possible to ride a cable car to over 4500m, right up to the glacier, which is the furthest south in the northern hemisphere. Down below, still in the Alpine zone between 3000-3500m there are numerous walks through pristine forests, alongside crystal rivers and wilderness is all around.

The western flank of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain is Tiger Leaping Gorge, a world famous trek with canyon walls some 2000m high. The tremendous power of the Yangtze River has carved this massive canyon, over 2000km from the ocean where it ends its journey.

Weather

The Lijiang area lies quite far south, at 27N 100E and would have a hot and humid climate like India were it not for the altitude. Instead, the summers are punctuated with more frequent rain, but rarely all day, and even more rarely two days in a row. The temperatures are never extreme, rising to the high 20C’s in mid summer.

The monsoon lasts from late May through to late September, outside these months rain is infrequent and the terrain feels quite arid.

The winters, which begins in November, is colder, but dry and sunny weather is the norm. Daytime temperatures in December are in the high teens Celsius, but at night it can fall to around -2C.

The air is quite dry and protection against high UV is essential, as is warm weather appropriate for Alpine conditions.

Spring flowers are in profusion between June and August, and the best time for mountain views is from late October throughout the winter until late April.

Access

Lijiang is a growing international destination. There is an airport about 30 minutes south of town into which daily flights from Beijing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Kunming etc arrive.

It is rumoured that 2012 will see the first direct flights from Hong Kong and possibly Bangkok.

Other than flying, Lijiang can be reached by train or bus from Kunming or Dali, about 9 and 4 hours respectively.

Lijiang Area Gallery

Associated Locations

Shiguzhen
Zhongdian