April 06th - 16th, 2026
SCOUTING CHINA
Contact us above to be 1st on the waiting list
11 DAYS | Price €4947 | COMFORT SERIES | GROUP MAX 8
Including all meals and one high-speed train journey
11 Days | From €4697 Twin Share
Join us in early April 2026 on a brand new TRVL° adventure through China’s Guangxi region and Hunan province.
We will explore and photograph the ethereal karst landscapes of Guilin and Yangshuo, the ancient towns of Daxu and Huangyao, the cormorant fisherman and buffalo farmers of Guangxi, and the stunning rice terraces of Longji at sunrise. We will then take a high-speed train to Zhangjiajie where we will capture the breathtaking misty mountains, sandstone pillars, and lush forests that inspired the floating peaks in Avatar.
Guangxi and Zhangjiajie are a paradise for landscape and travel photographers, offering an ethereal blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. It is going to be awesome! Also, this is a drone paradise trip. If you have a drone, or want to learn how to confidently fly more, this is an adventure for you.
From capturing the surreal beauty of mist-shrouded peaks to the intimate moments of daily life in these historic towns, this brand new TRVL° adventure offers photographers an endless canvas of visual storytelling opportunities. Let’s go!
Costs, Info & Booking
Dates: April 06th – 16th, 2026
Start & End City: Guilin, China (KWL airport) end in Zhangjiajie (Hehua Airport – DYG)
Days: 11
Maximum Group Size: 8
Trip Style: Comfort Series
Fitness Level 2: Moderate, some early morning steep hikes.
Price: €4697 twin share
Deposit (20%): €850
- HIGHLIGHTS:
- Local guided access to unique locations
- Guilin and Yangshuo Karst Mountains
- Rice Terraces of Longji
- Ancient towns of Daxu and Huangyao
- Misty Li River in Xingping
- Local portraits in remote villages
- Private tuition on composition and editing
- Multiple interactive photo & video reviews
- Tianmen Mountain & Tianmen Cave
- Tianzi Mountains and Laowuchang sunrise
** SOLD OUT **
The Scouting China adventure is now sold out. If you’d like to join the waiting list for the trip, please email us at info@trvlphotography.com
Also, be sure to sign up to the mailing list at the bottom of this page. This is where we go first to release all future adventures. It’s also a great place to stay up to date with new changes at TRVL°
Main Image Gallery
TRVL° Trip Style
Comfortable Adventure: The TRVL° Photography Comfort Series blends discovery with ease, offering journeys that immerse photographers in inspiring destinations without sacrificing rest or relaxation. These trips are designed for those who seek meaningful adventure with a gentler edge. Capturing remarkable stories while enjoying comfortable accommodations, smooth travel, and a pace that prioritises both creativity and comfort.
In this case with Scouting China there will be a bit more walking and hiking involved than normal Comfort Adventures. The locations are often rural and we will do a lot of exploring on foot in potentially muddy and grassy areas. We will also be doing some hiking with the most difficult being the sunrise hike to Damian Hill. This hike takes about an hour, with around 1,500 steps. If it’s too challenging for older participants, there is an option to photograph other subjects instead.
Fitness Level 3: Some longer walks, more time on your feet during the day, longer/bumpy drives. Some semi-serious hiking and strenuous activity.
Adventure Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Guilin (April 06th)
Day 2: Sunrise shoot with a local buffalo farmer on an ancient stone bridge. Drive to Dazhai Village visiting a local Yao family, shoot portraits in old wooden house. Then visit the Ping An Village rice terraces for sunset.
Day 3: Sunrise at Ping An Village then drive to Sanjiang to see the Wind and Rain Bridge. Explore the Dong Village. Sunset at the Wind and Rain Bridge.
Day 4: Sunrise in Sanjiang then drive to Daxu Ancient Town. Local portraits in town followed by a drive back to Yangshuo and sunset shoot overlooking the karst mountains.
Day 5: Head to a secret location by the Li River to capture incredible mountain reflections with two cormorant fishermen holding gas-lamps for portraits at dawn. We will stay here to capture the fisherman also casting their nets over sunrise. Midday rest in Yangshuo followed by another secret village location to capture sunset from a mountaintop, photographing the rice fields and karst mountains.
Day 6: Begin the day with a sunrise session at Xianggong Hill. In the afternoon, visit Xingping Ancient Town, then head to another secret location to capture the high-speed train passing through the countryside. End the day with a sunset session over the Yulong River in Yangshuo.
Day 7: Damian Hill at sunrise then drive to Huangyao Ancient Town. Explore the town and photograph sunset at one of many old stone bridges.
Day 8: Sunrise in Huangyao followed by breakfast and then high-speed train ride to Zhangjiajie.
Day 9: After breakfast, head to Tianmen Mountain. Experience the longest cableway in Asia. Capture photos of the Avenue to Heaven.
Day 10: Journey to Yuanjiajie by cable car. Photograph the spectacular mountain peaks, including the famous Hallelujah Mountain. Proceed to Tianzi Mountain for a stunning view of the rising peaks. Sunset at One Step Under the Heaven.
Day 11: Head to Laowuchang for sunrise. Capture the fascinating sight of Fields in the Sky, terraced rice paddies atop the peaks. We drop off at the Zhangjiajie Hehua Airport (DYG) or train station in the late afternoon.
*This itinerary is subject to change.
Accommodations
What’s the accommodation like?
There are many boutique hotels in Guilin and Zhangjiajie. Particularly in Guilin, the scenic Yangshuo area, offers charming traditionally styled rooms with picturesque views of the karst mountains. We will book unique comfortable stays with helpful staff in rustic and immersive accommodations. Also in Yangjiajie we will stay at a local hostel on the mountaintop — the only option for capturing the sunset and sunrise from the summit.
Guilin and Zhangjiajie have diverse options to suit every type of traveler and we will find something great I’m sure. It certainly isn’t luxury, but it’s also not rough and tumble.
What’s Included:
- Twin occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- Private transportation during the tour.
- Airport transfers.
- English-speaking local photo guide.
- Local photography models and cormorant fisherman commissions.
- All permits and entry fees.
- One high-speed train first class ticket
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- All breakfasts
What’s Not Included:
- Airfare to and from Guilin (KWL) and Zhangjiajie (DYG).
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Lunch, snacks, and dinners throughout the trip.
- Any accommodations before or after the tour dates.
- Gratuities for local guides.
Great Wall + Beijing Add On?
Interested in extending this trip to Beijing and the Great Wall of China?
During this time Brendan will be on route to New Zealand and offered to stopover in Beijing leading the extension for anyone interested in a 4 day Great Wall + Beijing Add on.
This mini-adventure will allow those flying home from Beijing an option to stay a few additional days visiting the famed Great Wall and capturing the vibrant cityscape of Beijing. Perfect for blending both history and modern culture.
Day 1: Arrival in Beijing (April 16th)
Day 2: Full day photographing and exploring Beijing with BvS and a Local guide. Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City and the Hutong tour are just a few of the main highlights from this day.
Day 3: Early morning drive (2h) to Jinshanling and Simatai Great Wall. We’ll also visit the Gubei Water Town on this day. Sunset at the Great Wall
Day 4: Sunrise at the Jinshanling Great Wall then head to Simatai Great Wall to photograph the wilder sections and surrounding scenery. Mid to late April is the apricot blooming season, offering beautiful shots of the Great Wall combined with trees and flowers.
Day 5: One more sunrise photography session at Jinshanling Great Wall. After breakfast, transfer to the Beijing international airport for your departure. The drive takes about 1.5 hours, and you’ll need to arrive at the airport 3 hours before your flight. Therefore, we recommend booking a flight departing after 2:00 or 3:00 PM on this day (April 20th).
The cost of this add on adventure is €1400 pp based on twin share.
Beijing & Great Wall Gallery
What is TRVL° All About?
In short, the motto is: “Explore. Adventure. Capture.”
One of our goals is to create beautiful photos, yes. And we will. But our larger goal is to connect with the destination we travel, and to create memories. We want our participants to feel empowered by the experience. We want our participants to walk away feeling like they captured great images, and even better stories.
We work with local tour operators and photographers in order to empower the photography community in the destinations we visit. And in working with these local photographers, we help connect our tour participants with the locals on a way that is so special.
Your Adventure Tour Leader
Greg Snell has worked as a professional travel photographer & adventure tour leader since 2011.
From tour leading with G Adventures in South America to winning Tourism Australia’s “Best Jobs in the World” competition, Greg has spent the last two decades exploring 80+ countries. He documents life-changing experiences through inspiring storytelling on YouTube.
As a trained adventure tour leader he is an expert in operating international travel photography workshops and tours.
Will there be a local photographer?
Yes. We are working with a local company specialising in photography within China’s Guangxi and Zhangjiajie regions. We will be joined by an English speaking local photography guide.
One of the goals of TRVL° is to empower the local photography community. We want them involved in all our trips and will have one of their photo guides as co-leader on this scouting adventure.
How to Book
This adventure is currently SOLD OUT. To join the Scouting China waitlist, please contact us directly.
Please be sure to read the terms and conditions before booking.
The tour price is based on twin share which means that if you book solo, you’ll be matched with a roommate of the same gender. If you wish to have private accommodation throughout the trip, you’ll need to pay a single supplement (available upon request).
Can't Join This Tour?
If you can’t join this tour but you’d like to stay in the loop regarding future photography adventures, please be sure to sign up for our newsletter below.
Moreover, if you’d like to see where else we’re going, you can see our entire adventure schedule here.
