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3 Days Charming Hangzhou Photography Tour

Heaven On Earth

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In Yuan Dynasty (1271~1368), the famous world traveler Maco Polo visited Hangzhou and praised “Hangzhou is the most beautiful city in the world”. Moreover, there is a well-known saying in China “In heaven there is paradise, and on earth Suzhou and Hangzhou”. In this city of heaven, you can appreciate its exquisiteness and beauty with your eyes and record it by your camera in this photography tour.

In 3 days, you won’t miss the ever-changing but always elegant West Lake in different season and weather, the hidden Buddha kingdom with grand halls and numerous Buddhist stone carvings in Lingyin Temple and Feilai Peak, the verdurous Longjing tea plantations...When you leave, you will say “the most memorable is Hangzhou”!

This Hangzhou photography tour can be CUSTOMIZED depending on what photos you want to take, and on the weather condition when you go. Feel free to tell your interests and ideas to your personal travel consultants!

Basic Photography Info

Travel Route: Hangzhou

Travel Length: 3 Days

Tour Code: CD-PTHT-03

Tour Type: Private Tour

Departure: You Choose (you may plan it according to the best season and time.)

Itinerary Details Day by Day

Day 1 Hangzhou

In the early morning, your private tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel lobby or railway station, and then set out on today’s photography journey in a comfortable, air-conditioned and private vehicle.

First, you’ll move to Lingyin Temple. With a history of nearly 1700 year, Lingyin Temple is hidden in the luxurious forest, and offers charming and peaceful landscape and impressive Buddhist culture. Next, extend your visit to the adjacent Feilai Peak, also known as Peak Flying from Afar, which flew to China to spread Buddhism from India according to the legend. It features in uncountable Buddhist carvings lining the riverbanks and hillsides and tucked away inside grottoes (highlights for photography: shoot the grand halls in axis, devoted prayers and ancient stone carvings).

Later, drive about 7km to Meijia Dock Dragon Well Tea Village, a picturesque wonderland surrounded by mountains with large area of tea plantations. Guide by the tea farmer to go for a walk among the tea plantations, stand on high to shoot the panoramic view of the whole tea plantations, marvel at the beautiful surrounding sceneries, also sit down to enjoy a cup of the best Dragon Well Tea and listen to the interesting introduction about authentic traditional tea culture.

After that, transfer to the nearby site - “Bamboo-lined Path at Yunqi” to feel the bright sunshine glimmering on the verdurous bamboo leaves and take some amazing photos.

Optional evening activity: 1) watch a magnificent night show - Enduring Memories of Hangzhou, a live performance with changing lights, music and dancing on the West Lake, which usually starts at 7pm; Notice: feast your eyes to enjoy an amazing Music fountain show at Third Park , near the eastern lakeside of West Lake.

Please note:

  • 1. It is not allowed to take photos in Buddhist halls. To shoot the figures of Buddha, photographers should ask for permission of the temple.
  • 2. In spring during late March to May, it is the tea-picking season at Meijiawu that photographers can catch the chance to shoot numerous locals picking tea in their tea plantations.
Lingyin TempleImpression West LakeMeijiawu Longjing Tea Plantation in SpringYunqi Zhujing
Day 2 Hangzhou (B, L)

On this day, try to get up early to catch the elegant sunrise of West Lake. Just as the famous traveler Marco Polo praised: “Hangzhou is the most beautiful city in the world”, you’ll take photos around West Lake with your camera to witness its exquisiteness and beauty. The highlights for your photography cover Broken Bridge (shoot “Lingering Snow over the Broken Bridge in Winter”), Bai Causeway (shoot sakura and peach flowers fully blooming and willows weeping in the wind in spring), lotus in bloom in North Inside Lake and Yue Lake (shoot the famous scene – “Lotus Swaying in the Breeze”), Su Causeway (shoot “Dawn at Su Causeway in Spring”)…enjoy your time for creations.

In this afternoon, go to appreciate Chinese silk by visiting China National Silk Museum to have full knowledge about 5000 years Chinese silk history and the Silk Road, as well as take photos of Chinese and Western fashion and clothing changing over the centuries.

Later, you’ll take a 45-minute leisure cruise to enjoy the tranquil lake view, shoot “Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon” and take excursion to the largest island on West Lake - “Xiao Ling Zhou”. When the gorgeous sunglows shining upon the glittering water, press your shutter to shoot “Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset” at Shuangtou Bridge.

Please note:

  • 1. The above photography sites and scenes are listed for reference. It may do some adjustment based on different season and weather to best shoot “West Lake Ten Scenes” and other scenery.
Hangzhou SunsetWest Lake SummerWest Lake Sunset at Changqiao Park
Day 3 Hangzhou - Wuzhen - Hangzhou Departure (B, L)

Wuzhen with over 6,000 years old is one of the four great water towns at the region south of the Yangtze River and one of the ten most charming famous towns in China. Praised as the “last town resting on water in China” and a land flowing with mink and honey, Wuzhen is the top popular place to see the typical look of water towns in south China.

Upon your arrival, enjoy your time taking amazing photos of the West Scenic Area of Wuzhen, which is most popular among international visitors with over 20 scenic spots telling the culture, history and folk custom of Wuzhen and terrific night lights sightseeing. Stroll leisurely along the well-preserved streets and lanes to visit the remained dyeing workshop with herbs and hanging cloths, “three-inch “golden lotuses” with over 800 pairs of various foot binding shoes, old post office operating for more than 110 years, etc. for beautiful composes. Of course, you will not miss the Bailian Pagoda, Tongji Bridge and Renji Bridge, large classic garden, ancient academy, soy sauce workshop, plentiful of old constructions from Ming and Qing era, and various shops and stores selling local handicrafts and snacks. (Optional activity: you can get on a sculling boat to take photos of the water town sightseeing from a different angle along the little river, which needs extra payment.)

Wuzhen Water Town - Last Town Resting on Water in ChinaWuzhen Water Town West - Bailian Pagoda

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Hangzhou Photography Guide

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Best Sites for West Lake Photography

“One Lake, Two Pagodas, Three Causeway & Three Islands” Photography

West Lake is mainly composed by “One Lake, Two Pagodas, Three Causeways and Three Islands”. The three causeways are like silk ribbons flying over the clear water while the three islands are the fairyland on earth floating on the lake.

One Lake: West Lake is divided into three parts, including Outside Lake (外湖), West Inside Lake (西里湖), North Inside Lake (北里湖), Small South Lake (小南湖) and Yue Lake (岳湖). To best shoot Outside Lake is at the top of Leifeng Pagoda. To best shoot West Inside Lake is at Wangshan Bridge (望山桥) on Su Causeway. To shoot North Inside Lake, photographers can come to Broken Bridge or at Jindai Bridge (锦带桥) in the middle of Bai Causeway, or at Xiling Bridge (西泠桥) which is good to shoot the dawn of North Inside Lake. To best capture the scenery of Small South Lake, you can climb up to Jiuyao Hill (九曜山) for the whole lake view. Photographers head to the first bridge of Su Causeway called Kuahong Bridge (跨虹桥) can shoot the beautiful scenery of Yue Lake.

Two Pagodas: There are two pagodas located around West Lake, one is called Leifeng Pagoda (雷峰塔) at the south side of West Lake and the other is called Baochu Pagoda (保俶塔) at the north side of West Lake. Baochu Pagoda is at 45.3 meters in height, like a slim and elegant lady standing on Baoshi Hill. No matter which season, any time during a day, Baochu Pagoda can be your subject. You can use down-shot from Baoshi Hill or use low angle to shoot from Bai Causeway. If you want to capture Boachu Pagoda at eye level, you can climb to Mantou Hill (馒头山) of Baoshi Hill. Leifeng Pagoda is newly rebuilt in 2002, standing at 71.7 meters. To shoot Leifeng Pagoda, photographers can head to Yuhuang Hill, Jiuyao Hill or at the south side of Su Causeway. To best shoot the well-known scene “Leifeng Pagoda in the Sunset” (雷峰夕照) of “West Lake Ten Scenes”, photographers can reach Shuangtou Bridge (双头桥) to wait for the best dusk light and sunset.

Three Causeways: The three causeways are Su Causeway (苏堤), Bai Causeway (白堤) and Yanggong Causeway (杨公堤). Su Causeway is about 2800 meters linking by six stone arch bridges. The scene “Dawn at the Su Causeway in Spring” (苏堤春晓) is listed as the top 1 scenery of “West Lake Ten Scenes”. To capture the panoramic view of Su Causeway, you can take your camera up to Jiuyao Hill or Yuhuang Hill. Bai Causeway is shorter than Su Causeway, with 987 meters in total, linking Broken Bridge with Solitary Hill. You can stand on the Broken Bridge to shoot Bai Causeway with Outside Lake on the left and North Inside Lake on the right. Yanggong Causeway is covered by numerous green trees which is hard to see the face on high and you can have a try at Jiuyao Hill.

Three Islands: They refer to “Xiao Ying Zhou”, “Hu Xin Ting” and “Ruan Gong Dun”. It is a good idea to capture the panoramic view on high that photographers can climb to Yuhuang Hill and Baoshi Hill for different angles.

West Lake Four Seasons Photography

Hangzhou West Lake belongs to subtropical monsoon climate with four distinctive seasons. Different season shows you different beauty and no matter you come in spring, summer, autumn or winter, you are guaranteed to capture many gorgeous pictures around this heavenly lake.

Best Sites for Photography in Spring

Hangzhou Photography

The West Lake spring scenery is incomparable which is proved true Marco Polo says “Hangzhou is the most beautiful city in the world”. The reviving Su Causeway and Bai Causeway putting on their colorful dress and stretching their graceful body, the waving willows dancing over the clear water, peach and sakura fully in blossom on the banks of West Lake…When you come in this season, you’ll be full of excitement to get out to shoot the finest scenery.

Sakura: Sakura around West Lake usually is blossom in the early April which lasts for 4 to 5 days. (a) At the north side of Su Causeway, there is a bridge named Kuahong Bridge with several sakura trees under the bridge. Photographers can shoot some pictures using Sakura as foreground, Xiling Bridge and lake view as background. (b) In Prince Bay Park, Sakura are blossom beside the water with green grassland widely spreading on the ground.

Peach Flowers: Photographers can view peach flowers on the banks of Bai Causeway and Su Causeway. Peach flowers are used for ornament when shoot the natural scene of West Lake. You can put peach flowers as foreground and lake view as background. Or, you can make it subjunctive scene.

Weeping Willows: when the willows first burst into buds, they are like the young ladies dancing with graceful figure. The wickers are like the long hair of a lady. Photographers won’t miss the weeping willows all around the West Lake, especially on the banks of Bai Causeway and Su Causeway.

Best Sites for Photography in Summer

Hangzhou Photography

Yang Wanli of the Song Dynasty wrote poem “Lotus leaves grow to sky with endless green, lotus blossom bathed in the sunlight appear especially red”. When summer comes, the boundless lotus in the West Lake slowly opens each beautiful petal to the sun, basking in the worldly beauty surrounding it. They are pure, bright and beautiful. The flowering lasts from early June to late October. In a day, the best time to shoot the lotus is from 06:00 to 09:00 for the soft light shining on their leaves. You’d better use backlight and Rembrandt light to capture pictures with three-dimensional sense. The best sites to shoot lotus are “Lotus Swaying in the Breeze (曲院风荷)” and “North Inside Lake (北里湖)”.

Best Sites for Photography in Autumn

In autumn, the West Lake turns into a colorful world, surrounded by fragrant osmanthus, golden plane trees, red maple trees, withered lotus…Of course, if time is right, don’t miss the moonlight view around West Lake.

Osmanthus: osmanthus is the city flower of Hangzhou. The poet Bai Juyi wrote “look for osmanthus around the temple on hill in the middle of autumn”. Today, photographers can not only enjoy osmanthus on hill, but also appreciate them in parks around West Lake and the best known locations to enjoy are “Sweet Osmanthus Rain Manjulong Village (满陇桂雨)”, one of “New Ten Scenes of West Lake” which is with more than 7000 osmanthus trees along the road and Hangzhou Botanical Garden. West Lake Osmanthus blooming period commences from early September, lasting till early November.

Plane Trees: The best locations to shoot golden plane trees are in Beishan Street or Baoshi Hill. Or, you just stroll along Broken Bridge to shoot the gorgeous view of North Inside Lake and Beishan Street.

Maple Trees: In the late autumn, photographers can come to Longjing Road and Solitary Hill. In a day, the best time to shoot maple trees is during 08:00~11:00 when the leaves in backlight, showing full and bright color.

Hangzhou Photography

Autumn Moon over Calm Lake (平湖秋月): It is located at the west side of Bai Causeway which is famous for the bright and round moon in Mid-Autumn Festival (the fifteenth day of the eight month in lunar calendar). There are two best sites to shoot the moon, one is at the lakeside of south foot of Solitary Hill and the other one is at the lakeside of west side of Bai Causeway with the traditional building of “Autumn Moon over the Calm Lake” as the main scene, while the brilliant moon hanging in the sky.

Best Sites for Photography in Winter

Hangzhou Photography

Usually, it is rare to snow in Hangzhou in winter season. If lucky, it may snow around the Chinese Traditional Festival – Spring Festival (usually at the end of January and early February). When snows, the whole West Lake and its surrounding areas are capped with white blanket, beautifully and silently. The most famous site among “West Lake Ten Scenes” is “Lingering Snow over the Broken Bridge in Winter (断桥残雪)”. To capture the fantastic snow scenery, photographers should seize the rare time and you’d better come at the night of the snowing day or come before 07:00 the next day before other travelers reach. Photographers can use wickers and clear lake view as foreground with the snow-capped Broken Bridge scene in the middle of the picture. Besides shooting the snow-capped Broken Bridge, photographers can climb up to a hill, like Yuhuang Hill, Baoshi Hill to shoot the whole lake view.

West Lake Sunrise & Sunset Photography

Best Sites for Shooting Sunrise & Dawn

Hangzhou Photography

Though the sunrise of West Lake is not as magnificent as the sunrise of Yellow Mountain and the sea, it has its own unique beauty with the characteristic of city sunrise and charm of sunrise on the sea. The best place to shoot sunrise is at the Kuahong Bridge of Su Causeway. The sunrise location is between Huxin Pavilion and Ruangong Dun. Photographers should arrive before 05:30 in spring and autumn, 05:00 in summer and 06:30 in winter.

After the sun emerged, you can capture the early morning West Lake scenery, like the rosy clouds spreading all over the sky, the willow weeping on the bank, the wild ducks, mandarin ducks and cormorant swimming on the lake, green hills standing quietly in the distance…But sunrise doesn’t show up every day, the morning may change variously, sometimes the mist making West Lake a mysterious world, sometime the rain turning West Lake a poetic world…

Best Sites for Shooting Sunset, Dusk & Night View

Hangzhou Photography

The scenery before or after sunset is amazing and gorgeous with abundant colors which is the best time in a day to shoot the finest scenery of West Lake. The best sites to capture sunset are Changqiao Park, the Sixth Park and Hubin area to wait for the changes of the light and view. Or, you can take a boat sailing to “Xiao Ying Zhou” to shoot one of the famous scene of “West Lake Ten Scene” – “Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon (三潭印月)”. To capture the sunset in every season, you can have a look at the reference time - 18:00~18:30 in spring and autumn, 18:50~19:05 in summer and 17:00~17:30 in winter. (For exact sunset time of your day, please check the timely weather forecast or ask for the local tour guide.)

As the sun goes down, the dusk of West Lake is as beautiful as the sunset. Photographers can head to Su Causeway to shoot its west side water area scenery. Furthermore, the light around West Lake including Leifeng Pagoda area, Baoshi Hill area, City God Temple area turn at night. Photographers can head to the Third Park to shoot the West Lake musical fountain show or come to Shuangtou Bridge or Yunhuang Hill to shoot Leifeng Pagoda. Or, you can get up of City God Temple, Baoshi Hill to capture the brilliant night view.

Best Sites to Shoot Lingyin Temple

Hangzhou Photography

Lingyin Temple was first built in 326 in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, with a history of 1700 years. Leaned against Beigao Peak and faced with Feilai Peak, Lingyin Temple is with cloud-wrapped mountains, massive trees, the ancient temple, religious grottos, delicate rock carvings. The main halls of Lingyin Temple were built in the axis, including Hall of Heavenly Kings, Grand Hall of Great Sage, Palace of Medicine Buddha, Dharma Hall & Sutra Library and Huayuan Palace. To shoot the panoramic view of Lingyin Temple, photographers should climb up to Feilai Peak that you can take photos of the whole Lingyin Temple and its grand halls in axis. At the foot of Feilai Peak, you won’t miss the hundreds of Buddha stone carvings which can be dated back from the 10th century.

Best Sites to Shoot Longjing Tea Plantation

Hangzhou Photography

The evergreen Longjing tea plantation will please your eyes and fresh your body. Actually, in Hangzhou, Longjing tea planation is everywhere once you travel to the west side of West Lake. You can see them at Longjing Village, Meijiawu Village, Lingyin Temple surrounding area, etc. The most recommended places are at Longjing Village to shoot “Eighteen Emperor Tea Trees”, Meijiawu Village to shoot the tea-picking scene in spring, especially during Pure Brightness Festival (around April 5 every year).

Best Season for Photography

Photographers don’t have to worry about what is the best time to visit Hangzhou. There is no time restriction that you can travel all year round. In spring, you can shoot different kinds flowers (sakura, peach flower, tulip, peony) blossom along Bai Causeway, Su Causeway, Prince Bay Park; in summer, pure, elegant lotus are blossom happily to the sun. When autumn comes, the osmanthus, chrysanthemums, plane trees, maple trees can be your subject. Also, you’ll never get bored in winter, you can shoot wintersweet flowers and the rare-to-see snow scene. Hangzhou shows you more than its beauty, if you listen with your heart, you can touch its inner spirit which can be presented in your amazing photos.

Tips from Our Experts

1. Photographic Equipment

You’d better take two kinds of camera lens – 24~70mm and 70~200mm. If you have extra lens, you can take another 12~24mm lens. Though it is a little heavy, try to take a tripod.

2. For Cloudy Weather

The changing clouds in the sky will romance the scene, heighten the theme and atmosphere by contrast. There are three kinds of clouds, including billow clouds, sheet clouds and cumulus clouds. When billow clouds appear, you can make full use of them. If they appear in the early morning or at dusk, you can take photographs of rosy clouds of dawn and sunset glow. The cumulus clouds usually appear after rain in summer, you can shoot in different places in different angles.

3. For Misty Weather

The misty weather takes up one third of a year. The mist can strengthen the main theme and filter out the unimportance. Photographers can take full advantage of the misty weather to shoot poetic pictures. It is a good idea to cover three islands, causeways, pagodas, cruise on the water…

4. For Rainy Weather

It rains a lot in Jiangnan area which takes about 100 days in a year, especially in spring and summer. In spring, it is light misty rain; in summer, it is showery rain and in autumn, it is romantic misty rain. To shoot the rainy weather, you can head to Su Causeway, Bai Causeway, Solitary Hill, Hubin Road, “Curved Yard and Lotus Pool in Summer” and “Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn”, etc.

5. Cruise on West Lake

For photographers who want to take a cruise sailing on West Lake, you can get on your boat at the following piers: King Qian Temple, Huaguang, Hangzhou Hotel, Sun Yat-sen park, “Moon over the Peaceful Lake in Autumn”, the First Park, the Second Park, the Fifth Park, the Sixth Park, Children’s Palace and “Remnant Snow on the Broken Bridge in Winter”. No matter where you take the cruise, you can land on “Xiao Ying Zhou”, the largest island on West Lake to have an in-depth visit and you won’t miss shoot “Three Ponds Mirroring the Moon”.

For more photography advice in Hangzhou, you can feel free to contact us and we are here ready to help!

Wuzhen Water Towns Photography Guide

Wuzhen Water Town Photography Wuzhen Water Town Photography Wuzhen Water Town Photography

Wuzhen, with a history of 1300 years, is one the top 6 water towns in Jiangnan Area. The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal runs across the town, making it the only ancient water town adjacent to the canal. Enter into Wuzhen, you’ll see the ancient stone bridges floating on mild water, stone pathways between the mottled walls, delicate wood carvings...giving you a unique experience through its profound cultural background. It is divided into two scenic areas: Wuzhen East Scenic Area (Dong Zha) and Wuzhen West Scenic Zone (Xi Zha).

Dong Zha: It keeps the traditional cultures and original ancient features. Photographers could wander in the six districts and shoot traditional workshops, local-styled dwelling houses, traditional shops and stores, the Former residence of Mao Dun and more cultural sights. It is recommended to shoot in the early morning and in the afternoon.

Xi Zha: It is quieter than Dong Zha. It consists of 12 small islands, connected each other by more than 70 bridges. Photographers need to take boat to explore Xi Zha. The charming architectural features like colonnades, bridge within a bridge, balconies, piers, wooden windows and doors, and gray stone walls and paving should come into your pictures. It is good to shoot Xi Zha at night which will give you different feeling.

Best Season for Photography

Spring and Autumn are the best seasons to photograph in Jiangnan Water towns. In spring, the flowers are blossom and the trees turn green that add more charm into your pictures. In Autumn, the water towns present another scene which looks more ancient, taking you back to the time of ancient China. The best time to shoot in water towns are in the early morning and in the late afternoon. In the morning, the canals are sometimes foggy and misty like a dreamland. In the late afternoon, when the visitors leave, the ancient Wuzhen presents in front of you.

Tips from Our Experts

1. Photographic equipment

Bring wide angle lens, medium telephoto lens, tripod.

2. Get up early

The water towns is crowded every day. To get the quiet side of the water towns, try to get up early in the morning and you’ll catch the best moment to shoot the peaceful towns and local’s everyday life.

3. Evening shot

Wuzhen is suitable for evening shot. When the light turn on and reflect on the water, everything looks different from the daytime view. It is good to shoot Xi Zha (Wuzhen West Scenic Area).

4. Transportation Info

Wuzhen is located in Jiaxing, about 130km from Shanghai.

For more photography advice in Jiangnan water towns, you can feel free to contact us and we are here ready to help!

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