China Workshop 2026
November 9th - 20th 2026
From electric streets to mist-covered granite peaks, ancient villages, and private portrait sessions with locals, this is a once-in-a-lifetime photography journey through China. Perfectly timed sunrise and sunset shoots, rare access and hands-on guidance in a deliberately small group designed for those who want extraordinary images, not rushed sightseeing.
Itinerary
Welcome to China! We will meet you at the airport and head to our hotel via private shuttle.
Optional sunset photography session at The Bund depending on your arrival time
DAY 1 : SHANGHAI
DAY 2 : SHANGHAI & ZHUJIAIJO
Optional sunrise Photography session at The Bund. Watch the city come alive as the first light of the day reflects over the Huangpu river and Shanghai’s iconic skyline. Photograph the locals practicing traditional dragon ribbon dancing.
Visit Yu Garden, a beautiful classical garden hidden among skyscrapers and hear fascinating stories about its former owner and the dragon wall that nearly caused his downfall.
Explore Zhujiajiao Water Town often called the Venice of China. Known for its ancient canals, stone bridges & traditional architecture.
DAY 3 : SHANGHAI→ HUANGSHAN
After breakfast, take an early high speed train to Huangshan.
Spend the rest of day exploring the picturesque streets of Hongcun & Xidi Ancient Villages, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Photograph the traditional Hui-style architecture, local village life and stunning mirror like reflections from village lakes of houses and bridges
DAY 4 & 5 : YELLOW MOUNTAINS
After breakfast we head into the Yellow Mountains and spend 2 days on Yellow Mountains, hiking & photographing the spectacular granite peaks, mountain layers, unique twisted pine trees and mystical sea of clouds.
We are lucky enough to be staying on the mountains in order to have direct access to photograph at sunrise and sunset.
Visiting in November also gives us a better opportunity for weather conditions as well as Autumn foliage.
Sunrise photography session
After sunrise in the Yellow Mountains, we descend the mountain and take a fast train to Fuzhou which is around a 2.5 hour ride.
We will be picked up from Fuzhou train station by our private shuttle and head straight to a mudflat for a sunset photography session.
Sunset photography session on the coast
DAY 6 : HUANGSHAN→XIAPU COUNTY
DAY 7 : XAIPU SEAWEED FARMS & PORTRAIT SESSION
We will head back to the mudflats to capture the sunrise focusing on the seaweed farms and the hill known as Steamed Bun.
After breakfast at the hotel and a short break we visit a nearby village for a private portrait photograph session with locals fixing fishing nets
In the afternoon we drive to a high vantage point to photograph the circle nets at sunset, capturing the transition from high tide to low tide.
DAY 8 : BUFFALO FARMERS
In the morning we photograph Buffalo farmers under a large banyan tree, capturing the sun rays filtering through the tree branches to create a magical atmosphere.
We will then visit the She minority village and take numerous portraits with locals in a private She people's museum.
Our final photography session of the day is back on the water as we capture the floating nets with a fisherman on the boat in a small river.
DAY 9 : XIAPU→ GUILIN → YANGSHUO
We take a morning flight from from Fuzhou to Guilin
After being picked up from the airport by our private shuttle we will drive to our hotel in Yangshuo.
In focus Lightroom and Davinci Resolve editing session with Scott
For Sunset we will capture the breathtaking sunset over the layers karst mountains in Yangshuo. One of the most magical views i’ve seen to this day.
DAY 10 : YANGSHUO
We start the morning early around 4am and get driven to a secret spot along the Li River to capture stunning mountain reflections and private photography session to photograph a cormorant fisherman at dawn.
Later, enjoy a walk along the Yulong River, capturing the picturesque countryside scenery and iconic karst mountains.
Take a short break in the hotel.
Sunset shoot from a mountain view point
Another early start we begin the day with a sunrise photography session at Xianggong Hill. Offering us fantastic views combining of sunrise, karst mountains, and the Li River. A short but steep hike to the top offering serious bang for your buck.
After breakfast we head in to the countryside to for a private photography session with a local buffalo farmer on an picturesque ancient stone bridge in a village, with the stunning backdrop of Karst mountains in the distance.
To end the day we visit a local family in Daxu Ancient Town, where we can capture portraits inside a traditional wooden house, as well as explore and photograph the town's old streets and historic architecture.
DAY 11 : KAST MOUNTAINS & BUFFALO FARMER & ANCIENT TOWN
DAY 12 : DEPARTURE DAY
After a magical adventure though China unfortunately our time comes to and end.
After breakfast we will head to Guillin Airport so you can catch your return flight home. Alternatively if you wish to depart from Guilin or carry on your China adventure you may do so
*Itinerary subject to change based on unforeseen external factors
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11 Nights of single occupancy accommodation
Breakfast
Airport/train station pick-up and drop-off
Road transport within China - Private mini bus (14-17 seater)
2 High-speed trains - Shanghai to Huangshan & Huangshan to Fuzhou - 2nd class seat
1 flight from Fuzhou to Guilin - Economy seat
Entrance fees to national parks including round-tribe cable car ride in Huangshan
Expenses for local people photography in Xiapu and Guilin
English speaking guides
Private and intimate photoshoots at secret locations
Availability to try the latest camera equipment from Sony
Private Facebook group and zoom calls prior to trip
Lightroom & Photoshop editing session with Scott
Photography lessons in the field
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Your Flights to and from China - if you need help arranging flights, I am happy to assist with recommendations and booking guidance.
Travel insurance
Personal Expenses
Lunch & dinner
Gratuity for local guide and driver
Flight from Guilin to Shanghai if deciding to fly home from Shanghai. Tour ends in Guilin.
Items not listed in the itinerary
Pricing
Total Price: $4999USD
Payable today: $1000USD non-refundable deposit to secure your spot.
Remainder Payable: $3999 USD due 60 days before workshop.
*Limited to 6 participants
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
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★★★★★
I recently attended Scott’s winter photography workshop and had an absolutely fantastic experience. The relaxed pace was spot on, giving plenty of time to shoot, learn, and absorb the surroundings without feeling rushed. Scott knew all the best locations and times to visit, and handled all the details, which made it easy to fully switch off and enjoy the process.
Scott is a friendly and down to earth guy, with lots of cool stories about his photography work and travels around NZ and overseas. His professional guidance was excellent, providing practical tips combined with hands-on support (as well as a really useful editing session!). The accommodations booked were convenient and comfortable, and Scott regularly checked in with the group to see if we wanted to adjust the plan in any way or focus on particular skills.
Overall the trip took me to some amazing places and helped me feel more confident with my camera. It was a brilliantly organised workshop, ideal for anyone, from complete beginners to more experienced photographers, who want a supportive and straightforward learning experience in stunning locations, offering huge rewards for a very manageable level of effort. Thanks so much Scott!stunning locations, offering huge rewards for a very manageable level of effort. Thanks so much Scott!
- James Leverett -
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★★★★★
Scott’s South Island Winter Workshop was perfect in every way. Fabulously organised and thoughtfully planned, Scott was so warm and welcoming to everyone in the group that we all quickly settled into the swing of taking stunning photos in the most breathtaking locations. Scott’s incredibly skilled and yet so humble - his passion for helping others grow was a delight to witness and I saw my own photography improve beyond measure by the end of the five days. Just book it! You won’t regret!
- Sam Perrins
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Camera
Lenses - A variety between 16mm-200mm to cover all bases ( I will also have extra Sony gear with me for those of you wanting to try something different :)
Drone (Not necessary but recommended)
Laptop or tablet for editing sessions
Mobile Phone - We will set you up with AliPay and WeChat so you can purchase things.
A good VPN - I can send you my recommendations on what works for me.
Rain Jacket
Down Jacket
Good shoes you are comfortable in for longer periods/hiking etc.
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What level of Photography skills do I need?
This workshop is open to photographers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced shooters. If you have a sense of adventure and a passion for capturing incredible moments, i’d love to have you along on this journey with me. This trip is limited to just 6 participants allowing me to work closely with every participant providing guidance tailored to your experience level.
We will be visiting some magical locations and I will be on hand at every shoot to help you capture the best photos & video possible from every location we visit. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop your skills in the field while experiencing a truly unique and fascinating country.
What flights shall I book?
China is incredibly accessible from all corners of the world. Depending on your availability I would look at booking a multi city flight to Shanghai and out of Guilin. If you have more time and wish to stay in China longer then feel free to fly home from another location.
What Visa do I need?
Please refer to visa information here for your specific visa requirements. Please apply for your visa with enough time before traveling.
How much money shall I bring?
Cash is not really a thing in China as they use digital forms of payment such as AliPay & WeChat which you can link to foreign bank accounts. (We can set this up prior to you landing in China) You’ll need to bring enough money for lunch, dinner, drinks & snacks as well as enough for personal spending.
What will the weather be like?
November in China is one of my favourite months to visit as it brings cooler & milder conditions, Autumn colours with low rainfall. Temperatures can drop from day to night so be sure to bring some layers.
What food will we eat?
Breakfast is included every morning and will be a mix of Chinese and western style food.
Dining in China is a wonderful social experience, where everyone gathers around a large table to share a variety of dishes, much like a family meal. Each province has its own unique specialties, offering a diverse culinary experience. If you have any dietary restrictions or are vegetarian/ vegan, please let me know in advance so we can try our best to accommodate your needs.
What if I need to cancel?
By placing your deposit, you’re confirming your spot on the workshop and agreeing to pay the remaining balance.Please note that the deposit is non-refundable.
If you need to cancel more than 100 days before departure, I will refund any payments made, minus the deposit.
If you need to cancel within 100 days of departure, I am unfortunately unable to offer a refund as accommodation and transportation for the trip will already have been fully paid.
I recommend you purchase travel insurance when you book to help protect you in case of flight cancellations or unexpected events that may prevent you from joining us.
I intend to follow the planned itinerary but we may need to make changes due to weather, safety concerns, or other unforeseen circumstances. In rare cases, I may also need to cancel the trip due to low participant numbers or events beyond our control. If this happens, you’ll receive a full refund of any payments made, which will be the full extent of our responsibility. Please note that I am unable to cover additional expenses such as flights or visas.
A freelance travel & adventure photographer, videographer & visual storyteller from London, England and now based in New Zealand for the last 7 years.
I fell in love with China during my first trip to the country in 2023 and have been lucky to visit serval times since exploring more locations making me fall in love with this fascinating country even more.
From its bustling mega cities, traditional ancient villages and incredible landscapes, China is a magical place that has it all. From Street Photography, portraiture & landscape photography I cant wait to share this journey with you.
Hi, I’m Scott
