Day 1 Various locations → Shanghai ★ Shanghai gathering day
All day
Photographers from all over the world will check in at designated hotels in Shanghai throughout the day (please provide your "China-TravelNote + Name" for check-in). Early arrivals can proceed to Tianzifang on their own to experience Shanghai life. In the evening, you can visit the Bund to photograph the Bund's nightscape, stroll along Nanjing Road Pedestrian Street, and sample some Shanghainese snacks. Alternatively, you can visit the Shanghai Tower's "Top of Shanghai Observation Deck" for a bird's-eye view of the city. Please exercise caution during free time.
Day 2 Shanghai → Oujiang River → Nanxi River
All day
We'll gather at 7:30 AM and depart for Lishui, China's Photography Town. After about four hours, we'll arrive at Lishui's Dagangtou, the Ancient Weir Painting Village, where we'll have lunch. Afterward, we'll stroll through the ancient town, take some photos, and then take a boat to Yantou on the other side for some photography. Yantou is famous for its clusters of ancient camphor trees and a historic overwater bridge, where you can experience the beauty of nature and the wisdom of the ancients. Around 3:30 PM, we'll meet at the dock and continue our boat trip to the other side to capture the stunning sails of the Oujiang River. China-TravelNote will arrange camera positions for you, set off smoke and cast nets. Once you've had your fill of photography, we'll have dinner. That evening, we'll check into our hotel at Nanxi River and prepare to photograph the fishing lights the next morning.
Day 3 Nanxi River → Youshan → Xiapu
All day
We will get up early in the morning and head to the Nanxi River to start photographing the fishing lights on the river before sunrise. We will arrange for the local fishermen to prepare in advance, and all teammates will follow the leader to find a good angle to shoot. The boats, fishermen, ospreys, lights and mountain shadows will all be transformed into a beautiful landscape painting after the shutter is closed. As the sun rises higher, we will continue our journey.
Afterwards, we went to Youshan Suomian Village to take photos of Suomian. The villagers' usual scene of drying noodles was given poetic inspiration. The slender and long Suomian scattered across the village open space became a shot that photographers competed for. You can also go to a local farmhouse to taste the unique flavor of Suomian.
We then headed to Xiapu to photograph workers at work at the Fish Sauce Factory. We chose to create a sense of order by arranging large vats in a repetitive pattern, creating a rhythmic effect with the changing light and the workers at work. We then headed to Dongbi to capture the sunset, the beach illuminated by the setting sun, and fishermen at work. Once the light faded, we finished our shoot and returned to Xiapu to arrange accommodations, have dinner (there are many seafood stalls near the hotel, and you can also order from restaurants), and rest.
Day 4: Kasumigaura Full Day Photography
All day
Rise early to Mantou Mountain to photograph the sunrise over the sea. As the sun rises, return to the hotel for breakfast and rest. In the afternoon, head to Yantian, a small fishing village on the sea, to photograph Hakka customs and oyster-harvesting. Here, we'll capture a series of cultural highlights, capturing the fishermen's work. As the sun sets, we'll capture the seaside sunset, with the fishing village in the foreground. The crimson sun slowly sets in the distance, its reflection reflected on the sea—a truly magnificent sight. Once the light fades, we'll return for breakfast and rest.
Day 5 Xiapu → Yangjiaxi → Mingao
All day
In the morning, we'll head to Beiqi to capture the sunrise over the sea, the tidal flats illuminated by the morning glow, and the fishermen at work. Beiqi is a famous sunrise spot in Xiapu, Fujian, attracting numerous photography enthusiasts. Therefore, China-TravelNote will arrive early to ensure a spot for every tourist. After capturing the sunrise, we'll return to the hotel for breakfast and then head to Yangjia Creek for photography. We'll create a mist scene beneath an ancient banyan tree, with a She ethnic minority woman carrying a load and a grandfather leading a cow. We'll then head to Ming'ao Rice Terraces. After arranging our accommodations, we'll continue our photography journey to Tianzhongtian, then to the observation deck to capture the sunset over the terraces. From our perch, we'll capture the terraces' layered, flowing lines, each a breathtaking sight. After dinner, we'll share our photography and stay at a local farmhouse.
Day 6 Mingao → Linkeng → Xiandu
All day
We'll rise early and head to Point 1 to capture the spectacular sunrise over the Ming'ao Rice Terraces. Nestled in the mountains, Ming'ao boasts abundant moisture and significant temperature fluctuations during spring, creating a perfect backdrop for a sea of clouds to form between the terraces. Our luck was in our hands, and the juxtaposition of light and shadow created a truly spectacular spectacle. After capturing the sunrise, we'll return to the farmhouse for breakfast, then follow our guide into the terraces for close-up photography of the layered lines and light and shadow. We'll descend at an appropriate time, check out, and return. We'll pass by Linkeng Ancient Village, nestled among mountains and shaded by lush bamboo, boasting quaint architecture and unique style. It's a rare and ideal spot for capturing both architecture and culture. After the photoshoot, we'll head to Xiandu Dinghu Peak in Jinyun, Lishui. We'll arrange our accommodations and then follow our guide to familiarize ourselves with the next day's filming location. Dinner will be served at a farmhouse.
Day 7 Xiandu → Heyang Ancient Residence → Hangzhou ★ Disbandment Day
All day
We rose early to photograph Xiandu Dinghu Peak shrouded in the morning mist (with an elderly farmer leading cattle and models posing). The picturesque scenery embodies the essence of Xiandu. Afterward, we enjoyed breakfast and then headed to the thousand-year-old village of Heyang Ancient Residences, featuring charming Hui-style architecture. After lunch, we returned to Hangzhou around 5:30 PM and dispersed at the Wulinmen Civil Aviation Ticket Office (from here, you can catch a bus to the airport or the subway to the East Railway Station). We hope the tourists have had a fruitful few days of travel and photography, and thank you all for your hard work. Don't forget to submit your assignments when you return!
