The Best Photography Tours in China
Guided Group Tours, Vacation Packages, or Planned Itineraries through destinations such as Beijing, Shanghai, and the Yangtze River
Are you passionate about capturing moments and exploring the world through the lens of your camera? We've carefully curated a collection of photography tours in China that will unleash your creativity and take your skills to new heights. With our extensive analysis of tours from highly reviewed companies and experienced guides, we've considered essential factors such as price, guest ratings, captivating destinations, and engaging activities. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced photographer, these photo tours in China offer the perfect opportunity to capture stunning images, learn new techniques, and create lifelong memories.
The Best Photography Tours through China
Including guided tours, organized tours, holiday packages, all-inclusive vacations, and guided itineraries.
All tour prices are listed in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically. While we do our best to evaluate all tours to maintain accuracy, always confirm the details directly with TourRadar or the tour company before booking. The information provided on this website is sourced directly from TourRadar and may change at any time.
Why does China appeal to photographers?
China's stunning landscapes, colorful architecture, and vibrant culture make it a photographer's dream. Beijing and Shanghai offer plenty of amazing museums and sights to explore. Shanghai is known for its historical landmarks, local street food, vibrant markets, and waterfront promenade. With golden hour lighting, lively festivals, and historic towns, Portugal offers countless opportunities for capturing unforgettable images.
How much do photography tours in China cost?
The average daily price of Photography Tours in China is $229 per day. Prices can vary widely due to the included amenities, length of the trip, number of guests on the tour, and many other factors. If you want more information about prices, we have put together a complete analysis of the costs of Photography Tours in China here.
We partner with TourRadar because they offer the world's largest selection of multi-day organized tours, offering seamless travel experiences while supporting local businesses. It's the perfect way to explore new destinations with ease and confidence.
Which Tour Companies Offer Photography Tours?
A number of fantastic tour companies offer photography tours in China. These are a few of the best, because they offer the highest rated service, provide the best overall quality, and have the most five-star guest reviews to prove it.
TravelChinaGuide
TravelChinaGuide Tours is a smaller tour company that focuses on China and Nepal. While the prices may be a bit higher than average, the group size is usually small, giving travelers a more personalized experience. The company appeals to travelers of all ages, with many tours focusing on families with children. Many of their tours are priced in the mid-range category.
See All Tours from TravelChinaGuide
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a large international travel company offering tours all over the world. Some of their most popular destinations include Australia, Thailand, Tanzania, and Italy. Many of the tours fall into the mid-range price category. The company's adventures often highlight activities such as camping, wine tasting, snorkelling, kayaking, cooking classes, island hopping, white water rafting, surfing, horse riding, whale watching, and bird watching.
See All Tours from Intrepid Travel
Photography Destinations in China
Wondering where photography tours visit in China? With a variety of stops and destinations along the way, there's something for everyone.
Beijing
Beijing is the capital city of China and it has a long history that dates back thousands of years. It offers a mix of modern and every changing architecture combined with ancient landmarks and historic neighborhoods. Beijing is a world class city that has amazing music, cuisine, culture, and shopping.
The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.
Shanghai
Shanghai is a financial and economic hub in China that brings international tourists, business workers, and backpackers. At the heart of its tourist scene is the Bund, which is a waterfront promenade that has colonial and modern buildings. Shanghai is a foodie destination that has great street food as well as high end restaurants.
Its distinct, futuristic skyline and scenic waterside strolls make this city a beautiful place to explore.
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Other popular destinations for photography tours through China include Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, Zhangjiajie, and Xi'an.
Photography Tours vs. Independent Travel: Pros and Cons
If you're torn between arranging your own trip and booking a guided tour, take a moment to weigh the differences between the two approaches.
Organized Tours
- Photography tours are led by experts who help you improve your skills and techniques.
- Guides take you to the best spots at the perfect times for lighting and composition.
- You can focus entirely on photography without worrying about logistics or planning.
- Traveling with other photography enthusiasts creates a supportive and inspiring group dynamic.
- Tours often include access to locations that are difficult to find or arrange on your own.
- Equipment advice and tips are readily available from experienced guides.
- Scheduled itineraries are designed to maximize photographic opportunities.
- Professional feedback helps you refine your photography throughout the trip.
- Guided tours handle transportation, accommodations, and permits, simplifying travel.
- You may have the chance to participate in workshops or post-processing sessions.
- You have limited flexibility to explore personal interests outside the itinerary.
- The pace of the tour may not align with your preferred style of photography.
- Some tours focus heavily on technique, which might not appeal to all participants.
Independent Travel
- You can tailor your itinerary to focus on the subjects and locations you love most.
- Independent travel allows complete flexibility in timing and pacing.
- You can spend as long as you like at each location to get the perfect shot.
- Traveling alone or with a small group minimizes distractions while shooting.
- Researching and organizing the best photography locations can be time-consuming.
- You need to handle all logistics, including transportation and permits, on your own.
- Lack of local knowledge may result in missing the best times or angles for photos.
- Traveling without expert guidance can limit skill improvement opportunities.
- Managing equipment and its security is entirely your responsibility.
- Remote or hard-to-reach locations may require additional planning and resources.
- Solo photography can feel isolating without a group to share the experience.
Which is cheaper?
Is it cheaper to plan your own trip or join guided photography tours? The answer isn't clear-cut. Tours typically package accommodations, transportation, meals, entry fees, and activities into one price, whereas independent travelers must arrange and pay for these themselves. To understand the cost difference, compare the tour's price with the cost of booking everything individually. Depending on whether you choose budget-friendly options or splurge on certain aspects, the tour might be a better deal—or not. Make sure to check what's included before drawing conclusions.
Also, before booking a tour, make sure you know exactly what is included as tour companies sometimes change their itineraries or included amenities to keep them updated with seasonal changes and customer interests.
More Tour Options
See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in China, The Best Historical Tours in China, The Best 10-Day Tours in China, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in China, The Best 2-Week Tours in China, The Best River Cruises in China, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in China, The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in China, The Best Overlanding Trips in China, The Best Adventure Tours to China, The Best Eco Tours in China, The Best Train & Rail Tours in China, The Best Art History, Museums, and Cultural Tours Tours in China, The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, The Best Cultural Tours in China, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in China, The Best Walking Tours in China, The Best Tours Under $1000 in China, The Best Luxury Tours to China, The Best Budget Tours to China, The Best Tours for Seniors to China, The Best Contiki Tours to China, or The Best G Adventures Tours to China for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.
Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best 3-Day Tours from Shanghai, The Best 3-Day Tours from Chengdu, The Best 3-Day Tours from Guangzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Beijing, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lhasa, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Shanghai, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Kunming, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Lanzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guiyang, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Guangzhou, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Chengdu, The Best 10-Day Tours from Beijing, The Best 10-Day Tours from Shanghai, The Best 10-Day Tours from Chengdu, The Best 10-Day Tours from Kunming, The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best 2-Week Tours from Shanghai, The Best 2-Week Tours from Chengdu, or The Best 2-Week Tours from Lhasa for more package tour options.
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