Yunnan & Myanmar Photo Tour Jan 2019

The Ultimate Asia Photo Tour :

Photographing the Best of Yunnan & Myanmar

This tour is fully booked.

Photo Tour Summary:

Whether you are landscape shooter or street/portrait lovers, this tour is designed for you. You will embrace both with this tour at their best locations and time. We will first visit the beautiful Yunnan province in the southwest China at its best season, photographing both unique landscape of world's largest rice terraces and beautiful environmental portraits of Yi and Hani people. Then, we will take a short flight from Kunming to neighboring Mandalay, Myanmar, where we will be shooting at prime locations like Ubein bridge, Inle Lake and of course, the renowned Bagan valley, with its iconic temples, monks, and markets. This ultimate Asia tour covers two countries, most excitingly, two most desired photo destinations of the world at their best season.

When: Jan 15 – 29, 2019
Where: 6 nights at Yunnan, China and 7 nights at Myanmar
Group size: 12 maximum
Category: Photography Tour
Tour Leader & Photography Instructor: William Yu
Language spoken: English
Workshop URL: www.williamyuphotoworkshops.com/yunnan-myanmar2019
Contact: william@williamyuphotography.com

Tour Highlights:

Photographing the largest concentration of rice terraces in the world at its best season.
Visiting local villages and markets, taking enviornmental portraits of ethnic Yi and Hani people.
Exploring the unique limestone formations – "Stone forest" near Kunming.
Shooting sunset at the iconic Ubein bridge at Mandalay, Myanmar.
Capturing the famous leg-rowing fishermen on Inle Lake, Myanmar.
Visiting Long Neck Tribe near Inle Lake, Myanmar.
Photographing the world renowned Bagan valley with ts temples, monks and markets.
Balloon flight over Bagan at dawn (optional and USD300 extra).

Yuanyang, Yunnan province, China

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. Overall, Yuanyang offers a great venue for both landscape photography and environmental portraiture. This is one of the most visited areas of our photo tours around the year.

The UNESCO's World Heritage Committee inscribed China's cultural landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces(mainly in Yuanyang) onto the prestigious World Heritage List on Jun 22, 2013

Myanmar

It's the Golden Land of thousand year Buddhism, the history and traidition mark this ancient country. A poet said,"If you would like to understand Myanmar, you must visit and experience at least two places: Bagan with thousand sacred temples, and Inle Lake with its mind-purifying water."

As travel photographers, we will capture images of monks and villagers, bustling markets and shining temples. Embarking on sunrise and sunset photo shoots. Witness the sunrise on the stupa-studded plains of Bagan, and capture fishermen poling past the floating gardens of Inle Lake.

The cost includes:

13 nights (Jan 16 - 28, 2019) of hotels with double occupancy. (Single occupany USD560 extra).
One way airfare from Kunming to Mandalay on Jan 22. Airfare Mandalay-Inle Lake, Inle Lake-Bagan, Bagan-Mandalay.
Transportation: Dedicated bus will be with our group for the entire trip.
Entrance fees of scenic areas, parks.
Local guide throughout the tour.
3 Meals per day in Myanmar.

The cost does NOT include:

Airfare from your home to Kunming(KMG), Yunnan province, China.
Airfare from Mandalay(MDL), Myanmar to your home.
Meals in Yunnan province, China
Hotel on the first night of Jan 15, 2018. You will book it online by yourself. Details at itineary below.
Alcohol, snacks and beverages.
The gratuities for the driver and local guide are not included in the price, it generally cost $8/day/person.

Physical demand:

The entire trip is relatively easy physically, no long or tedious hikes/climbs. Most shooting spots are quite accessible from the road or parking lot.

Important Notes:

Please email william@williamyuphotography.com ASAP if you have any food allergy.
The power voltage in China and Myanmar is 220V. Although most cameras and laptops are made to work from 110V to 240V. Please bring adapter.
The climate in Kunming is mild, and subtropical in Yuanyang even in January. Average daily temperature in Jan: 40F - 70F (4C-21C). However, it can be chilly in the morning and evening. We recommend to bring a lined jacket or fleece hoody. Yunnan’s mountain micro-climate are unpredictable. Fogs or drizzle can come and go any time. Please bring water-repellent/rain clothings for yourself and for your photography equipment.
In Myanmar, the average January temperatures are 72-86F (22-30C). Please bring mosquito repellent.
Please bring US dollars in cash and ATM card. You can exchange the dollars in hotel and/or use your ATM card to get Chinese RMB. ATMs are conveniently available in Kunming, however, not every ATM machine may accept your ATM card. Some of our clients tried couple of different banks ATMs to get cash. ATMs are hard to find in rural areas like Yuanyang and Honghe. Foreign credit card are only accepted in hotels in Kunming, not many businesses in rural areas accept foreign credit cards.
ATMs and credit card machine are very rare in Myanmar, you shall bring new US Dollar bills to exchange Myanmar KATs. Old or wear-out US bills are oftern refused.
Kunming is the provincial capital of Yunnan province, the airport code is KMG, the forth largest airport in China. To get there, you can transit through major Chinese hubs like Beijing(PEK), Shanghai(PVG),Hong Kong(HKG) or direct flights from Singapore, Seoul, and Bangkok.
The tour will end in Mandalay, Myanmar on Jan 28. You will arrange your own flight out of Mandalay.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: Jan 15. ARRIVAL IN KUNMING

Your arrival in Kunming (KMG), the provincial capital of Yunnan province, China. I will greet and meet everyone of this group 7:00pm at the appointed hotel lobby. (The hotel info will be emailed to you upon signup).

Day 2-6: Jan 16-20 YUANYANG, YUNNAN PROVINCE, CHINA

Our bus will pick up our group in the morning of Jan 16, driving to Yuanyang where the world's largest concentration of rice terraces reside. We will have five very active days of photography there, subjects including: sunrise, sunset, environmental portraits of ethnic villagers, street photography at the local market. We will also photograph a special annual event: Long Table Feast Festival, where a whole village gathers to eat together, the tables lined all along the road. Overnight in Yuanyang.

Day 7: Jan 21 YUANYANG TO KUNMING

Driving back to Kunming, visiting the famous "Stone forest" limestone formations on the way. Overnight in Kunming.

Day 8: Jan 22 KUNMING TO MANDALAY

Taking one and half hour early afternoon flight from Kunming to Mandalay, Myanmar. Check into the hotel. After brief rest, we are heading to the iconic Ubein bridge, photographing sunset.

Day 9: Jan 23 MANDALAY TO INLE LAKE

Flying to Inle Lake after breakfast, passing rice patties, villages... shooting subjects of opportunities on the way. Overnight at Inle Lake.

Day 10: Jan 24 INLE LAKE

Shooting sunrise over the lake, continue to the Ywama village, photographing the long neck Padaung women. After lunch break in the hotel, we are heading to the lake again, shooting the fishing scene, leg-rowing fishermen and sunset. Overnight at Inle Lake.

Day 11: Jan 25 INLE LAKE TO BAGAN

Flying to Bagan after breakfast, shooting villager working scenes on the way. If time allows, we will photograph sunset over thousand temples in the Bagan valley.

Day 12-14: Jan 26-28 BAGAN

Three busy days of photography in Bagan. Including the majestic sunrise and sunset over Bagan valley at different locations; Environmental portraits of monks in several temples; Local markets bustling with people; Farmers working in their villages... Early morning hot air balloon ride is an excellent way to photograph Bagan from above, it's an optional activity, subject to weather and other elements. USD300 extra.

Day 15: Jan 29 DEPARTURE.

After breakfast, we are flying to Mandalay airport, biding farewell to each other, the end of this amazing trip.

NOTE: We reserve the right to adjust/alter the itinerary on location, adapting to local weather, light conditions, or sudden local event/situation to better manage time and/or photo opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What will cover technically for photography?

The main focus of this tour is to open up your mind's eye, keenly identify photographic opportunities and make creative decisions, then properly execute it in terms of exposure and composition. The process will cover all elements of design: line, shape, form, texture, pattern and color, as well as techniques like long exposure, selecting lenses, using of graduated neutral density filter and polarizing filter, etc. During the breaks, I will review post-processing workflows, techniques using photoshop, lightroom and some third party plug-ins.

I will give instructions/recommendations on every photography opportunities. Questions are always welcome and encouraged. I will have group review every couple of days during downtime or at the evening.

What to bring for this trip?

Your camera, tripod, lenses covering the range of wide angle through telephoto(14mm through 300mm), filters including polarizer, graduated neutral density, neutral density.
Be sure to obtain China Visa from your local Chinese embassy or consulate. Most foreign citizens are required to obtain Visa before traveling to China.
Myanmar requires tourist visa too, its eVisa Program allows tourists to apply for a visa online rather than physically applying at an embassy or consulate.

How do I sign up and pay for this tour?

A deposit of $400 is required for this tour to hold your spot, you can pay by Visa, Mastercard or PayPal via PayPal.com or send a check (U.S. residents only). The balance is due Oct 15, 2018. You can send the balance with a check or wire transfer. All participants must sign Liability Waiver Form before the tour starts.

How many participants do you allow?

Photo tour size is limited to 12 attendees, which ensures that every attendee will get full attention.

What photographic skill level is required to benefit from this tour?

Any people who has a basic understanding of exposure all the way to the advanced amateur and professional who is in search of a fresh perspective!

What is your refund or cancellation policy?

No refunds will be given for delays or cancellations due to inclement weather, (which interestingly, can result in some of the most some amazing shots!), either before or during the tour. If the tour is cancelled by the organizer, we will notify you immediately and you will be issued full refund. we are not responsible for any additional costs you may incur due to any delays or cancellations.

No Refunds for USD400 deposit if cancelled.

50% refund of full payment Oct 15 - Nov 1, 2018.

No refund after Nov 1, 2018.

I have some questions, how do I learn more?

Please send email to william@williamyuphotography.com