1. Introduction
Join us on a late autumn photo adventure through Wuyuan and Huangshan, two of China’s most visually stunning destinations. As November fades into December, Wuyuan’s ancient villages glow with the last hues of autumn—amber leaves, red maples, persimmon, and golden ginkgo trees frame white-walled, black-tiled houses in a scene of living heritage. The crisp air and soft morning mist add atmosphere to every frame, perfect for capturing tranquil rural life.
In nearby Huangshan, winter begins to touch the mountain peaks. You may witness the famed granite spires dusted with early snow, cloaked in drifting cloud and lit by the low winter sun. Twisted pine trees, frozen waterfalls, and panoramic sunrises create dramatic compositions that feel almost otherworldly.
This season offers fewer crowds and clearer light, making it ideal for photographers seeking both serenity and inspiration. From village rooftops to mountaintop views, each moment is a chance to capture China’s poetic beauty at the turn of the year.
This photosafari trip is guided by a Chinese Photographer. Photographers and Non- photographers can also join if they want to witness these picturesque scenes and human interest. We have picked one of the best times to visit these two places for photography and culture.
2. How do you get there?
We are recommending to take the AirAsia flights to and from KUL to Shanghai
Leaving Kuala Lumpur on 22nd Nov at 18:50 and arrive in Pudong on 23rd Nov at 0:50
Depart Pudong on 2nd Dec at 1:35 am and arrive in KUL at 7:30am.
3. Chinese Visa
China has given visa free travel with a lot of countries. Malaysians and Singaporeans are offered visa-free travel up to 30 days.
4. Difficulty of the trip
The difficulty level is from easy to moderate.
5. Mode of Travelling
We will travel by High-Speed trains and buses or vans.
6. Accommodation
Some of the accommodation will be in rural China.
6. Itinerary
Day 1 – Sat – 22th Nov – Arrival to Shanghai (no meals)
Participants will take Air Asia flight 18:50 from KUL to Shanghai Pudong T2, landing at 00:20 (23rd Nov), transfer to Mercure Hotel in Pudong (40 minutes drive).
Day 2 – Sun – 23rd Nov – Shanghai-Wuyuan (B,L)
Breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to west of Shanghai to visit Zhujiajiao ancient water town, whose history can be traced back to the Three Kingdom Period（220-280 A.D), market came into being in late Song Dynasty (the late 13th Century). It has become a trade centre at the end of the Qing Dynasty (1910s) due to perfect location and prosperous water transport. Lunch in the old town, finally transfer to Hongqiao Railway station for high-speed train to Wuyuan.
Day 3 – Mon – 24th Nov – Wuyuan (B,L)
Visit Jiangling, Longwei and Huangling.
It is said the most beautiful countryside is Wuyuan, and the most beautiful village in Wuyuan is Jiangling. Tour begins in Jiangling. The layer upon layer of mountains, set off by the morning mist, resemble a richly colored oil painting. Drive to Longwei, shoot red maples leaves in autumn and their reflection, rivers, a fisherman who is casting a net into the river, etc. Lunch in a local farmer house. In the afternoon drive to Huangling, take cable car up and down. Shoot the most typical agricultural phenomenon-Autumn basking (in Chinese Shaiqiu). This is a folk tradition in mountainous areas to preserve food.
Day 4 – Tue – 25th Nov – Wuyuan (B,L)
Visit Shicheng, Yaoli, Porcelain Palace and the Imperial Kiln in Xinping Village, Jingdezhen City.
Morning: Get up early in the morning and drive to Shicheng, shoot sunrise under the morning mist, Hui style buildings, smoke is curling up continuously from the village, The red maple leaves, the white walls and black tiles of the Hui-style architecture are faintly visible in the morning mist, like a landscape painting with a profound artistic conception. Back to the hotel for lunch.
Afternoon: Onward travel to the Yaoli Old Town. Shoot Ming and Qing old buildings, old bridges on Yaohe River, etc. Nearby drive to visit the colorful porcelain palace. It is a building that is entirely inlaid with tens of thousands of pieces of porcelain tiles, vases and plates of various colors. It is said a local old lady who was inspired by the famous porcelain house in northern China’s Tianjin. She had this porcelain palace made. Finally we show you around the Imperial Porcelain Kiln Museum. Finally, drive back to Wuyuan.
Day 5 – Wed 26th Nov – Wuyuan (B,L)
Visit Zhentou, Youshan, the Umbrella workshop and the so-called Moon Bay on a river.(B,L)
Early departure to Zhentou to shoot red maples, Hui folk buildings, a local farmer there will burn some dry grass leaves and even small branches for more smoke. Back to the hotel for breakfast and then drive to the biggest village with original ecology in Wuyuan -Youshan, streams, bridges, and local people who are doing laundry by the river.
After lunch drive to a local umbrella workshop View the making process of local oil-paper umbrellas. The umbrella manufacturing craftsmanship is an intangible cultural heritage in here. Will arrange models for you to take pictures. Finally go to the Moon Bay to see fisherman’s working on bamboo raft, with mountains and sunlight the background. The river meanders and there is a small island whose shape is like a moon.
Day 6 Thu 27th Nov – Wuyuan – She County (B,L)
Breakfast in the hotel, drive to Shexian in the neighboring Anhui Province (2 hours drive), visit the Jigongjian Village. Here let’s shoot local farmers who are drying persimmons. They peel the skin off, basking the flesh and peel separately. After lunch drive to the Xu Village. Visit the corridor bridge, the stone archways and other Ming and Qing architectures.
Stay overnight in local farmer’s hotel.
Day 7 – Fri 28th Nov – Yi County, visit three villages. (B,L)
Early departure to Shitan village. View the undulating and continuous mountain ranges that appear and disappear in the misty clouds on the high mountains, as well as the ancient Huizhou-style villages. Drive back for breakfast. Then drive to Tachuan village to shoot maple trees there, check in the local hotel in the Yi County town. Lunch and a short break in the hotel.
In the afternoon we go to Hongcun Village to shoot the night view there. Finally drive back to the hotel.
Day 8 Sat 29th Nov – Yi County -Huangshan village (hill top) (B,L)
View Sunrise in Lu Village. Back for breakfast in the hotel. Drive to the foot of Huangshan Mountains. Take cable car up and walk for about 40 minutes to the hotel. Will arrange local people to carry bags for the group. We suggest you’d better leave the heavy suitcases in the hotel at the foothill, just bring cameras, outdoor clothes and something light up to the mountain. So that we can save some energy. In the afternoon shoot the view on mountain top, including peaks, pine trees rocks and sunset.
Day 9 – Sun 30th Nov – Huangshan (B,L)
Huangshan is regarded the most extraordinary mountains in China. The highest peak stands at an elevation of 1800 meters above the sea level. It combines the beautiful scenery with rich historical relics.
Today you’ll take pictures on the mountain top: sunrise, sea of clouds, and the famous rock that looks like a monkey watching the sea. We will shoot the sunset here too.
Day 10 – Mon 1st Dec – Huangshan-Shanghai -Departure. (B,L)
Sunrise shoot, sea of clouds and other views on the mountain. Breakfast in the hotel. Take cable car down to the foothill. Finally, you’ll be transferred to the Huangshan North Train Station for high-speed train back to Shanghai. Will book G8324(14:58-18:57) or G7192(15:08-17:54), for you. On arrival to Shanghai, you’ll be transferred to a local restaurant for dinner (at own expense), then you ‘ll be transferred to PVG for home flight. Take AirAsia flight – 2nd December at 1:35.
End of trip.
Photo Gallery
