| 2012 May China Photo Tour: Yuanyang Stair Terraces, Ethnic People, and Dongchuan Red Land, Yunnan Province |
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 Tour InfoFAQ Tour Leaders |
Dates: May 6th - May 13th, 2012 Locations: Yuanyang Stair Terraces and Dongchuan Red Land, Yunnan Province, China Cost: USD1,190 (including photo tour fees, 7 nights hotels, local transportation) Maximum Group Size: 5 Personal Notes: I just came back from Yuanyang at the end of March, we had a very successul photo workshop over there. In order to prepare the workshops for next May in Yuanyang and Dongchuan Red Land, I decide to travel there again in early May. This is a scouting tour, if you are interested to travel and shoot wih me, welcome to sign up. Location Background:
Dongchuan, a rural area in the northeast of Kunming, is believed that it has the world's most imposing red earth, even more magnificent than that in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Because of the warm and humid climate in Yunnan, the Iron oxide in the soil deposited slowly through years and gradually developed an extraodinary reddish brown soil. It is seldom visited by general tourists for its remoteness, however, the land with picturesque scenery is paradise for photograghy fans. Dongchuan Red Land represents Yunnan mountain valley most attractive colors. It is decorated with multi-color crops. Fiery red soil, emerald green barly, golden yellow buckwheat and snow white oil flowers against the floating coulds, ever-changing light and the dramatically blue sky make a marvelous painting, bringing not only the strong visual impact but also the banquet of soul. Tour Itinerary:
Our Tour Guide:
What will we cover technically? In addition to landscape photography, it also presents abundant opportunities to photograph people in their working and living environment with natural light. The Hani and Yi people in Yuanyan, with their colorful ethnic dresses will be our perfect subjects. What is the cost: What will you need: Be sure to obtain China Visa from your local Chinese embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens are required to obtain Visa before traveling to China. Payment: How do I sign up:
Q: How do I sign-up for the tour?
Q: How many group members do you allow?
Q: What skill level is required to benefit from this Tour?
Q: Do you require a deposit to hold my spot?
Q: How do I cancel my spot before Apr 20, 2012?
Q: I have some questions, how do I learn more?
Q: How do I fly to Kunming from USA, the capital city of Yunnan Province?
Tour Leader: William Yu William Yu is a San Francisco based freelance photographer. He frequently travels between USA and China, and makes images of cultural and natural beauties of both countries. He routinely leads photo tours of small group to China. He is also the management member and Chinese course instructor of The Perfect Picture School of Photography(www.ppsop.com) founded by Bryan Peterson. His images have been published in Photographic Travel Magazine in China, as well as Popular Photograhy in USA. Learn more at www.williamyuphotography.com Tour Guide: Liwen Ma Mr. Liwen Ma, our exclusive tour guide, is the most renowned local photographer in Yuanyang, Who has been in photography career for 23 years, published 5 photo books of Yuanyang and adjacent areas. His works has been published on National Geographic and on the 2002 cover of Science Magazine. As a member of local Yi ethnic group, Mr. Ma dedicated his life to capture the very soul of the beauty of Yuanyang and its people. He knows the area(where, when and how)like the back of his hands. With his photography skills, local knowledge and access, We are thrilled to have him as our tour guide. Here are some of his images Images of Liwen Ma:
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Copyright © 2012 William Yu LLC. All Rights Reserved. |
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Yuanyang, Yunnan Province, is a Hani minority ethnic settlement atop a ridge of
the Ailao mountain range at an elevation of around 1570 meters. It is a popular
destination with photographers due to the vast areas of nearby mountains
which have been cultivated into terraced rice paddies for at least the past 1300
years by the Hani people. Despite the overwhelming scenic beauty of its
landscape and colorful local minorities, mass tourism hasn't developed in this
region, mainly due to its remote location, and until fairly recent, relative
inaccessibility.
The terraced areas of interest to visitors are mainly found between 1000 and
2000 metres above sea level. The winter temperatures here, although never
freezing, are such that they only support one rice crop a year. The terraces are
filled with water until May, when planting begins. May is the perfect time to photographing planting activities in the terraces.
If there is one word that best captures Dongchuan Red Land, it must be "palette". It is such an amazing spectacle that you can never imagine if you have never been there. God knocked over his palette, dropping the heaven paint, which makes Dongchuan such a stunning masterpiece. Red, green, white and yellow are matched into rolling rainbow ribbons stretching to sky.
Digital SLR, tripod, wide-angle(12-35mm) and telephoto lenses(70-400mm),
filters including polarizer, graduated neutral density
or any other filters you may have, and of course appropriate clothing
for the weather and location. 
It's easy! Just send an email to 
Q: What is your refund or cancellation policy? 
