Yuanyang Yunnan & Zhangjiajie Hunan

Join Thierry Bornier to embark on your own South west of China to the Hani terraces of Yunnan and discover the splendid Zhangjiajie Sandstone Peak Forest

Itinerary 

Day 1 – March 28,2020 : Shanghai-Kunming

This morning, we fly from Shanghai to Kunming. Upon arrival, you will be transferred from Kunming Airport directly to our hotel and have a look of the green lake with its thousand seagulls.

Day 2 – March 29,2020 : Kunming -Yuanyang

After breakfast, we will take the road to Yuanyang (6-7hr drive). Upon arrival, we will have our first shooting in the afternoon. Check in hotel and dinner to discuss the plan for shooting the rice terraces.

Day 3 to day 6 – March 30 – April 2 2020 : Hani Terraces

The general schedule for the four full days of shooting the Yuanyang Rice Terraces is to wake up early to catch the sunrise lighting up the terrace waters and make the morning mists glow as they drift over the terraces’ rolling hills. Then, the group will visit a local market or another cultural attraction to experience the Hani and Yi ethnic minority cultures. After that, we will go back to the hotel for lunch and a rest before heading out again to shoot at another location for the rest of the day. Then, in the evening, there will be dinner and group discussion to exchange ideas, tips, suggestions and analysis the day’s pictures.

Day 7 -April 3,2020 : Yuanyang to Kunming

After the final morning shoot in Yuanyang, we will drive back to Kunming. Upon arrival we will check in the hotel and have dinner.

 

Day 8 – April 4,2020 : Kunming to Fenghuang Ancient Town

This morning we fly to Fenghuang Airport in Hunan. Upon arrival a car will bring us to our charming hotel with the view of the old city Phoenix Ancient Town to capture the beautiful scenery at night

Day 09 - April 5 ,2020 : Fenghuang - Zhangjiajie National Park

After our morning shooting in fenghuang , we will take a 5.5hr car ride to reach zhangjaijie park and check in our hotel, where we will be based for the next 4 days.

Day 10 to 13: April 6-9,2020 : Zhangjiajie Sandstone Peak Forest

Each of these 4 days starts with a morning photography session to capture Zhangjiajie’s magnificent landscape. We will then return to the hotel for some rest. Later in the day, we will travel to a second location for more photography. Every evening, we will gather for dinner and group discussion. After our last shooting in the afternoon of the 13 of April, we will be back to the Airport to catch our flight back to shanghai and stay in the international Airport hotel and where our workshop will end.

DESTINATION OVERVIEW

Yuanyang Rice Terraces

the Yuanyang Rice Terraces in Yunnan are so magnificent and photogenic that they’ve kept Thierry living in Yunnan for the last eight years. So he has been up and down the terraces a few times, his camera likely has a bit of the land’s dirt in its seams, and he knows the weather and best angles by heart.

Thierry can show you the terraces’ silvery bands of water turning into a collage of colors and reflections in the early morning sunrise, the mists shrouding the hills and bright pools of reflected light in beautiful mystery, and the rustic lives of the local Hani and Yi people, who generations ago built up these terraces in a feat of technological ingenuity.

The Yuanyang Rice Terraces are in the southern mountains of Yunnan province, about 100 kilometers from the Vietnam border. The Terraces are divided into three separate scenic areas, which you will visit: Duoyishu, Bada, and Laohuzui.

Phoenix Ancient Town (Fenghuang)

Phoenix Ancient Town, aka Fenghuang Ancient Town, is situated on the western boundary of Hunan Province in an area of outstanding natural beauty where mountains, water and blue skies prevail. ‘Fenghuang’ is Chinese for ‘Phoenix’, the mythical bird of good omen and longevity that is consumed by fire to be re-born again from the flames. Phoenix Ancient Town is so called as legend has it that two of these fabulous birds flew over it and found the Fenghuang Town so beautiful that they hovered there, reluctant to leave.

 

The Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Zhangjiajie has become famous in recent years as the inspiration for the floating hallelujah mountains in the famous blockbuster movie – Avatar. One of the park’s quartz-sandstone pillars. the 1,080-metre ‘Southern Sky Column’, has been officially renamed ‘Avatar Hallelujah Mountain’ in honor of the film. The magnificent scenery of the park certainly seems like it could be part of a celestial, magical world.

The pillar-like rock formations are the most notable geographic feature of the park. They are the result of many years of erosion, caused by expanding ice in winter and the plentiful foliage, due to the permanent moist weather. These formations are a distinct hallmark of Chinese landscapes and can be found in many ancient Chinese paintings.

ACCOMMODATION

Green lake Kunming

The hotel is ideally located near Cui Lake. The hotel boasts easy access to city center and business circle. Free WiFi and free parking are provided at the hotel. All rooms are equipped with electric kettle, slippers and television. Each unit is fitted with indoor bathroom, indoor washroom and shower. The hotel comes with elevator and 24-hour hot water. Front desk offers baggage storage service for guests’ convenience.

View terraces hotel Yuanyang

Beautiful and  the best hotel who provide a view from your room  in the rice field terraces and you have  a deck  in the roof  to take your  morning  pictures .

Zhangjiajie National Park Hotel

The Mountain Boutique Hotel is a great choice for guests looking for accommodation in Zhangjiajie, having been recently opened in 2017. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available at this property.
The hotel is located approximately 54km from Zhangjiajie Railway Station and 55km from Hehua Airport.
This hotel makes a great place to kick back and relax after a long day of sightseeing. For guests’ convenience, airport pickup can be arranged.
There’s never a dull moment at this hotel, our guests indicate that the facilities are excellent. This hotel is a popular accommodation for guests traveling with families.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Cancellation and Refund Policy

We strongly recommend you get a Trip Cancellation & Travel Insurance after booking your trip. If you cancel and the Workshop is otherwise filled, we will refund you the full amount you have paid towards the tuition, minus a $300 service charge. If you cancel and the Workshop does not fill, then you will be refunded according to the following schedule, based on the full fee of the Workshop:

Greater than 90 days from the start date of the Workshop: full refund minus $300 service fee.

75 days or more: 75% refund
60 days or more: 50% refund
Less than 60 days: no refund

Refunds will be paid by the same method that the original payment was made.