Can you tell me if it is worthwhile staying in Xingping or traveling from Yangshou to photograph the fisherman at dawn and sunset?
How difficult is it to make arrangements for fisherman as models? With other photographers doing the same thing, how does one make sure that they are not photographing the fisherman that someone else has paid for?
I am sure that there are only so many vantage points to have the right backdrops etc.
Many thanks.
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Hi
Ok, lets share of my travels to Guilin, Li River and Yangshou...
First, let me say I am a very frequent travler and I usually do not stay at five star hotels (although I have done so also). Nor do I normally stay at backpacker places but prefer something more average, as long as clean and safe. On travels I usually prefer a hotel with more local character than the likes of luxury can offer. It is cheaper (of course) and in China you can find many good such. If you are not used to travel and picking hotels, check
www.tripadvisor.com for reviews.
I frequent travel to China and was in China 9 times last year alone. Normally I use
www.ctrip.com to book flights and hotels, but for flights you need to have tickets delivered to your hotel in e.g. Shanghai and pay with Chinese CASH from Your Hand to the person delivering the tickets. Ctrip is very timely if you ask for specific time to deliver tickets and they are fully dependable, but do match their time since they are fast service and busy. They do have service in English (however the person who delivers do not speak English (unless that has changed last year). I also lived in Shanghai before so this is how I know of them. They are one of largest agents for air travel tickets and hotel reservations in China.
I have been to Guilin and Yangshuo two times, first time 2002 then again 2004. First time I booked a Chinese tour at Chinese travel agent at Lu Wo Station when crossing into Shenzhen from Hong Kong. They put me on Chinese cruise boat on Li River, which was great. It does require you to have an open mind to communicate with Chinese who not always speak much English and to share in eating from plates with dishes in Chinese style (this food is good!). I should say I am a bit adventurous and used to travel though. Buying tour in China is normally cheaper than in Hong Kong or other country. Ok, Chinese tour means that tour guide spoke Chinese which did not matter since I wanted to photograph rather than listen to someone speak. Some guides can speak some English also, but not all... but usually some other passengers can speak some English.
Second time to Guilin I booked a hotel in Guilin (Gulin Bravo Hotel or similar name) and in Yangshuo per a search on internet.
Looking at Ctrip now I do not see that they have listings in Yangshuo though. From what I recall I found a local styled hotel on internet that was located on the street that runs alongside where the tourist boats dock in Yangshuo. For a first timer it can be worthwhile to go on the Li River cruise to Yangshuo. However, try to get on a very early one. Normally they seem to run one after each other which on peak hours are a more like an eternal caravan of boats. For best photos it is best to hire a car, taxi or similar, or even bicycles.
If my memory serve me right it is near Xingping that the most striking, famous and beautiful scenery is along the river. In spring and if I remember correct early May there can be beautiful fog in mornings, but this can of course also clear early.
Speaking to a girl at the business center of my hotel in Guilin, she had a friend in Yangshou who was happy to work as a "tour guide" for me and who helped to also book a car with driver in Yangshou. Xingping is around 20 minutes drive from Yangshou. Thus there is no problem to stay in Yangshou over night. I am not sure if there is any hotel in Xing ping but there are some basic resturants. As a photographer I would stay away from normal tour guides, since they just show you famous tour sights and are far more expensive for individual travels than hiring some keen local with local knowledge. The guy I found was a young newly graduate and in fact he said he had as much fun as me when we were saying goodbye so at first he did not want to accept payment! He also took me bicylce to a smaller river where we went on bamboo floats down river for two hours and then on bicyle back Yangshou. It was great fun!
For a first timer I would recommend to also stay a day or so in Guilin since as OP says there are some famous parks there also. Do a search on intrent for info, or simply ask when you arrive to your hotel in Guilin! Guilin is also famous for its art school which can be an excellent place to buy quality paintings since also the teachers sell their work at the school. That is also away from the tourist trail and paintings sold to tourists...
I hope above adds plenty of info on Gulin & Yangshou, and of how you can travel in China. The locals with bamboo floats at the scenic sights? Small money will get them to pose... but please do not pay too much or you make this and more places of travels far too expensive! Kindly pay local levels of amounts. Perhaps have your Chinese guide negotiate price? Else this will become like some other places I have travelled, simply a place that is as expensive or even more expensive than Europe or America to travel in...
Regards
Anders
