5-Day Guilin Photography Tour
Join our 5-day private photography tour of Guilin to capture its breathtaking landscapes, meet the photogenic cormorant fishermen, and take stunning shots of the rice terraces.
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Take breathtaking photos of mountains and rivers during sunrise and sunset
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Capture the cormorant fishermen from dawn until dusk
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Take landscape panorama shots on mountain tops
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Photograph the beautiful countryside scenery with the locals
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Capture the stunning rice terraces and the unique cultures of the minority tribes
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Take indoor portraits of people
A photo escape like no other
The itinerary has been crafted by a photography specialist to inspire your next escape. You have the flexibility to personalize it according to your preferences and style, allowing you to capture the scenery and locals on your own conditions and departing at your convenience.
Photo Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Guilin Arrival & Sunset
Upon your arrival at Guilin, you will be greeted at the airport or train station and transported directly to Yangshuo.
Later in the day, we will drive for an hour to a mountain location, where you will have an opportunity to capture stunning photographs of the sunset over the traditional karst mountains and rivers from an elevated perspective.
Stay overnight in Yangshuo.
Day 2: Yangshuo
Our day begins with an early morning drive to a hidden spot beside the Li River. We'll have the chance to capture stunning mountain reflections in the river. With one or two cormorant fishermen in the water, we'll photograph the tranquil scene of fishing at dawn and the sunrise above the fishing nets.
Explore the local market to capture street photography and immerse yourself in the local culture.
Afterward, take a break at the hotel to edit your photos during the day.
Finally, we will end our day with a sunset photography session featuring rice fields and karst mountains as the backdrop.
Stay overnight in Yangshuo.
Day 3: Yangshuo
We'll begin our day early with a 4 am departure for Xianggong Hill, a 1.5-hour drive away. Here, we'll capture stunning images of the sunrise and the Li River Bend from one of the best spots in the Guilin area for classic landscapes.
We'll then return to Guilin to explore an ancient town, photographing locals' daily life and capturing portraits of elderly residents inside an old wooden house.
We drive to a village and capture the stunning 'mirror fields' at sunset. These hundreds of fishponds create a beautiful broken glass effect.
Stay overnight in Guilin.
Day 4: Longji Rice Terraces
We'll head to the countryside in the early morning to capture an image of a buffalo farmer on an ancient stone bridge with magnificent mountains in the distance.
Afterward, continue with a scenic drive to Ping'an village, the second-largest minority village in the Longji Rice Terraces. We'll capture stunning views of the terraces and the local minority women dressed in traditional attire as they tend to the fields.
Overnight in the village and capture the nightlife.
Day 5: Longji Rice Terraces & Departure
We will begin our day with a sunrise photography session at a viewpoint near your hotel, where you will capture the flooded rice terraces (March to June) or yellow rice fields (September to October) during sunrise.
Later in the day, we will travel to Dazhai village to visit a local minority family and capture photographs of an elderly couple in their delightful wooden house. This picturesque location offers the potential for some exceptional competition-worthy shots.
In the afternoon, we will return to Guilin and transfer you to the airport or railway station for your next adventure.
Trip Notes
01. The best time for photography
The best time to visit Guilin is from May to October as there is less rainfall and better opportunities to experience stunning sunrises and sunsets.
Although May to June may experience rainstorms, it provides an opportunity to capture the mist and sea of clouds in the karst mountain areas.
For Longji Rice Terraces, the best time to capture the flooded terraced fields is from March to June. The end of September to the middle of October is the peak season and the most photogenic time to capture the yellow rice terraces.
02. How to get to Guilin?
Guilin, a popular tourist destination in China, is easily accessible from both major and minor cities across the country, including gateway cities such as Guangzhou, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and smaller tourist destinations like Huangshan and Zhangjiajie.
Additionally, international flights from Bangkok, KL, Singapore, and other locations are available to reach Guilin.
03. Camera and lens suggestions
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My recommendation to customers is to carry two cameras while photographing, as it saves time in changing lenses, especially during sunrise and sunset when the scenery changes rapidly. This ensures that you don't miss any beautiful moments.
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For landscape photography, it's best to bring a wide-angle and zoom lens, such as 24-70mm and 70-200mm.
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Additionally, a tripod is essential in low-light conditions, such as at dawn and dusk.
04. Drone photography
Drone photography in Yangshuo and Longji rice terraces is a must-try experience as the stunning mountain views are best captured from above. A drone can capture breathtaking aerial shots that are otherwise impossible to reach.
Moreover, there are no special restrictions for drone flying in Guilin and its surrounding areas.
What's Included
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Photography guiding
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All transportation in the itinerary
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Entrance fees
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Expenses of people photography involved
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Accomordation ( local best boutique hotels) for 4 nights
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Personal processing instructions
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Fresh Coffee if outdoor in early morning
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Airport/train station pick up and transfer in Guilin or Yangshuo
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24/7 in-destination support from our local office
