Why should I go Xiapu in these dates? April 17-20, seaweed harvest season, best time for working scene photography. September 11-14, the typhoon season, more chance for amazing lights on mudflat.
Another main reason is to avoid crazy photography peak season - May and October.
Mercier Zeng designed the itinerary based on years experience, he will guide the workshop by himself.
Mercier guided 300+ photographers from all over the world, and got over 100 excellent reviews on Trip Advisor. Some photographers traveled with him 3 even 5 times in Guilin. He helped beginners and pros to get the portfolio shots since 2014.
Mercier traveled many photography destinations overseas, like Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, New Zealand to get to know more about photographers' needs.
Xiapu is praised as the most beautiful mudflat in China, with green sea, sliver beach and charming fishing boats. It's very easy to create Chinese paintings photography here with many layers,. April to May, September to November are the season of seaweed harvesting, best time to photograph the local farmers and fishermen's work scene.
DAY 0
Xiapu Arrival & Welcome Dinner
Xiapu arrival by high speed train from Fuzhou or Xiamen, which are connected by international flights from Singapore, US, Canada and European countries.
You will be picked up from Xiapu train station.
Welcome dinner with Mercier and other participants.
After dinner, Mercier will have a short pre-trip instruction in the local photographer's office, and you can also try local famous tea in the office :)
Accommodations | You will stay all nights in Dijing International Hotel (local 5 star & the best hotel in Xiapu).
DAY 1
Sunrise, Buffalo Farmer Under Sunray and S-Curve
Starting at 3:30am, drive to a high spot by seaside, shoot the sunrise over the ocean and small islands in the water.
Afterwards, head to Yangjiaxi village, which is famous for the giant banyan tree forest, shoot the farmer couple with their buffalo under a big banyan tree, and sunray shinning through the branches and leaves, you will be shocked by every moment.
Back to the hotel for break and take a short break. Download and edit photos, or sleep for a while.
Start again in the late afternoon.
We are going to shoot the S-curve. Photograph S-curved channels which are formed by bamboo poles and crab nets. Coming and leaving boats in seaweed harvest season make the village more interesting. We will shoot the working scene of seaweed drying and harvesting in twilight.
Buffalo farmer couple under sunray
Fishermen Boats Cross S-curve and Bamboo Poles
DAY 2
Sunrise, Seaweed Harvesting and Mudflats in Backlighting
Shoot the sunrise in Mantou (steamed bun) Hill, there is a small coastal rock formation hill in the middle of beach, looks like a steamed bun in a distance.
Photograph the sunrise over golden mudflat and hundreds of bamboo poles with dry seaweed on them. The tides will flood the mudflat and bamboo poles gradually, the views are changing every minute.
Afterwards, photograph the locals' working scene of collecting, hanging and drying seaweed in the Bailu(Egret) Village. Free shooting time.
Breakfast in the hotel and a short break.
Starting around at 2pm. We are going to shoot the floating nets in a low tide area.
These nets were tools for shrimps fishing. The lines of nets in wind and raft man are becoming a popular photography subjects.
Photograph the mudflat over sunset and local farmers' working scene in backlighting at Xiaohao beach. Xiaohao is one of the most popular photo sites. At the sunset glow, the golden mudflat, white surf and returning fishermen are making a great work.
The sunrise over the Mantou Hill and Seaweed Farm
Female fishermen working on mudflat at low tide
DAY 3
Sunrise Over Fish Farms, Circle Nets and Portraits
Another early morning, drive 40 minutes to XIAQINGSHAN bridge. We will shoot the work scenes of local fishermen collecting the fishes and nets which put into the water the day before.
Photograph the sunrise over fish farms and beautiful golden fish nets cables. You may also shoot the fishermen working in oysters farm.
Afterwards, shoot the rounded nets on the mudflat in high tides, the nets are colorful with unique textures. Good for time lapse shooting when tides coming gradually.
In the late afternoon, shoot She minority people portraits in well-preserved ancient houses. Photograph the girl weaving in her family-owned private museum with natural light and 80+ years old grandma cooking on traditional hearth.
Colorful circle nets at high tide
A local lady is fixing the fishing nets
DAY 4
Fishermen in Mangrove, Indoor Portraits and Sunset
No early photo session, a lazy sleeping morning.
Start at 9am, head to the mangrove area, shoot the fishermen couple roaming in between mangrove, and show how they fish before. It is also a perfect place to shoot black and white photographs, simple lines and clean frames.
Drive to a hidden ancestral temple in a village, shoot the lady fixing the nets. Beautiful light thru half-closed doors and shoot the work scenes in natural lighting.
A short break in the hotel before sunset.
Last sunset session will be taken in low tides time. Capture the amazing moment when sunset glow reflects on tide ebbed mudflat, returning fishermen walking on golden mudflat in backlighting is offering the great photography opportunity.
The photo tour will be finished at last departure dinner.
The couple is fishing in mangrove at high tide
The golden mudflat in backlighting at the sunset
Camera Gears Suggestions
Two bodies are very practical, save time to change the lenses. Better to have one full frame body with regular lens, and one half frame for zoom lens.
For sunrise, 24-70 and 70-200 are needed; at sunset, 70-200 is more useful.
Besides, if would be great if you have a primary lens with big aperture (1.4 or 1.8) for low light indoor photography.
Tripod is very necessary of course. We prepare at least 2 tripods for backup, you can bring your ball head only and use it on our tripod if concerning about the weight of your luggages.
I don't think you will use polarizer filters or ND filters in Xiapu.
Besides, it will be great if you can bring a mini tripod for your mobile phone, lots of opportunities to film time-lapse when tide coming.
Deposit: a USD 300 non refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.
Full Payment: is required 40 days prior to the tour starts and is accepted by PayPal.
Refund Policy:
- a full refund if you could find a replacement.
- there will be a 50% refund of balance payment on cancellations made less than 30 days prior to the scheduled date of departure
- a 25% refund between 30 and 15 days prior date of departure
- a 10% refund on cancellations made less than 15 days of departure
- Initial deposit will be retained.
Buffalo farmer couple under sunray 
Fishermen Boats Cross S-curve and Bamboo Poles 
The sunrise over the Mantou Hill and Seaweed Farm 
Female fishermen working on mudflat at low tide 
Colorful circle nets at high tide 
A local lady is fixing the fishing nets 
The couple is fishing in mangrove at high tide 
The golden mudflat in backlighting at the sunset 
