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Destinations > Group Photo Tours > Southern Yunnan
Yuanyang Rice Terraces,
Luoping and Jianshui
8 Days 7 Nights
 
     
 

Not too many general tourists visit these places far off the beaten track in Yunnan, but the Yuan Yang rice terraces are among the world's largest and most spectacular. In late winter and early spring the paddies are flooded, creating a reflecting pool effect. The region's ethnic minority villages and markets also provide wonderful photo opportunities, as locals in colorful traditional costumes go about their business in much the same way they have for the last hundred years.
Even less well known is Luoping; but in February the entire county transforms into an ocean of yellow rape flowers, an extraordinary sight as waves of butterflies and bees flit across the vast flower fields.
Between Luoping and Yuanyang, we stop at the Stone Forest, a well-known site designated a World Heritage by UNESCO; and on the way back to Kunming we stop at Jianshui, a small town but the cultural center of Southern Yunnan. Jianshui's inhabitants were made wealthy by natural tin deposits, creating a lovely city with sprawling houses in typical Chinese style.

 
 
 

Itinerary
25 Feb Arrival Kunming - Luoping

Arrive in Kunming before 1230. Drive to Luoping, 220 km to the east and check-in to the hotel.
 
26 Feb Luoping

We start early to photograph sunrise over the rape flower fields. We also visit the Nine Dragon waterfalls, a magnificent series compacted in a valley.
 
27 Feb Luoping - Stone Forest

After breakfast drive to Shilin, the Stone Forest. A limestone karst formation covering ore than 300 square kilometers, this is a UNESCO World Heritage. We visit Heisongyan Scenic Spot (also known as the Naigu Stone Forest), about 8 km from the heavily-visited main site.
 
28 Feb Stone Forest - Yuanyang

Morning drive to Yuanyang. We visit some of the ethnic Hani villages there and photograph sunset over the terraced fields.
 
01 Mar Yuanyang

Be prepared for a 5 am start to get to the ideal viewpoints for photographing sunrise. After the best light, we visit some of the ethnic Hani villages to photograph the daily lives of the villagers, with traditional clothing, markets and trades still prevalent. Evening will give us another opportunity to photograph the rice fields from another sunset viewpoint.
 
02 Mar Yuanyang - Jianshui

For the determined and dedicated, we make one more early morning stop for sunrise photographs. Later drive to visit the 400 year old Chaoyang Tower, enroute to Jianshui. The old family houses and gardens here rival Suzhou in beauty if not fame. Spend time in the old part of town to photograph and also try the town's famous tofu - grilled with a dash of hot chilli.
 
03 Mar Jianshui - Kunming

Morning drive back to Kunming. Enroute we stop at Fuxian Lake, the second deepest in China, and have a lunch of fresh fish at a local fisherman''s house. Continue to Kunming and check-in to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon is free.
 
04 Mar Departure

Free day, your departure flight can be at anytime today.
 
 
 

Tour Price in Singapore dollars
Per person sharing twin room $1750
Single room supplement $435
 
One-time group tour. Arrive Kunming before 1230 on 25 Feb. Depart Kunming after 1900 on 03 Mar.
 
Min 6 persons
 
Max 12 persons
 
 

Tour Price includes
  • Accomodation in 4-star or best available hotels (ensuite shower and toilet)
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  • All meals
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  • English-speaking photographer guide
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  • All transportation in private vehicle for the group
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  • All entrance fees
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  • Porterage
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    Tour Price excludes
  • International airfare to Kunming
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  • Personal expenses including drinks, telephone, laundry
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  • Visa fees and application
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  • Tips for driver, guide and porter
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