Light of Secret Realm, Glow Towards YOU [Discover the Hidden Beauty of Youyang Through Your Lens]
From April 7–14, 2025, photographers from across ASEAN will explore Youyang’s rich cultural and natural landscapes. This immersive journey will take participants through historic towns, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant ethnic communities. The tour offers exclusive access to Youyang’s most visually stunning locations, culminating in the prestigious Lens-cape Youyang Cup, where participants will refine their skills under the guidance of industry experts.
Organized in collaboration with Baidu Chongqing Center, Youyang Taohuayuan Culture & Tourism Group, and leading ASEAN photography associations, the event highlights Youyang’s diverse natural beauty and cultural depth. From the misty peaks of Wujiang Gallery to the historic streets of Gongtan Ancient Town, each location offers a distinct perspective, ensuring that every frame tells a story of heritage, resilience, and timeless beauty.
IFBA’s Commitment to Cultural Tourism and Exploration
The International Food & Beverage Association (IFBA) proudly supports this initiative as part of its Discovery Tourism Initiative, reinforcing its commitment to cultural exploration, hospitality excellence, and impactful international collaboration. By fostering a deeper appreciation for traditions, IFBA plays a vital role in preserving, sustaining, and strengthening cross-cultural connections.
The ASEAN Photographers Photography Tour is also well aligned with the Boao Global Conference on Ethnic Culture and Tourism Industry Development, where IFBA is a key partner in advancing cultural exchange and heritage preservation. By ensuring that tourism serves as a bridge for understanding, sustainability, and cross-industry collaboration, IFBA continues to shape cultural tourism as a force for long-term impact and meaningful engagement.
A Photographer’s Journey Through Time and Terrain
Youyang, often described as a ‘hidden pearl’ of China, stands as a realm where time lingers, its landscapes echoing the artistry of both nature and history.
Cradled within the Wujiang Gallery, this secluded gem remains untouched by the relentless march of modernity. Here, mist drapes over ancient villages at dawn, rivers carve their way through dramatic gorges, and the traditions of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups pulse vibrantly through daily life. With towering mountains, ancient architecture, pristine rivers, and a rich tapestry of ethnic traditions, Youyang offers photographers an unparalleled canvas of storytelling through the lens.
The tour is more than just a competition—it is a journey through places that have inspired poets, historians, and travelers for centuries. Participants will have the chance to compete in the prestigious Lens-cape Youyang Cup, showcasing their work while learning from esteemed industry experts, professional judges, and renowned photography influencers. With curated excursions, immersive cultural experiences, and expert-led workshops, this tour is designed to inspire, challenge, and refine each participant’s creative vision.
The 3rd Baidu · Chongqing Sceneries Photography Competition
Spanning eight days, the ASEAN Photographers Photography Tour offers exclusive access to seven iconic photography locations, each offering a distinct and immersive experience.
The Peach Blossom Spring scenic area in Tujia-Miao Autonomous County of Youyang in Chongqing Photos: Courtesy of the culture and tourism development committee in Tujia-Miao Autonomous County of Youyang (Photo: Xinhua)
Tao Hua Yuan & Taigu Cave
A landscape immortalized in classical poetry, Tao Hua Yuan embodies the dream of a secluded utopia. Peach blossoms frame the valley in soft hues, their petals drifting onto winding stone paths. Beneath, the Taigu Cave, formed over 200 million years ago, reveals a subterranean world sculpted by time—stalactites hang like chandeliers, casting shadows that shift with every step.
Layered Stone Flower Valley
Home to an ancient Cambrian layered stone formation, this valley is a geological marvel dating back 500 million years. These intricate stone formations, shaped by the slow dance of water and time, offer photographers a glimpse into nature’s ability to craft its own art.
Changpu Grand Grassland
A stunning landscape known as the ‘Ordos of Jiangnan’ and the ‘Western Sichuan Grassland of Chongqing’. Rolling green expanses stretch endlessly under an open sky, where nomadic traditions persist. Cattle graze beneath vast clouds, and the landscape shifts with the movement of the wind, presenting an ever-changing composition of light and shadow.
Flower Fields Terraced Fields
A spectacular scene of endless terraced fields, resembling a fairytale wonderland, a reflection of agricultural mastery, these terraced fields form a rhythmic pattern across the mountainside. During spring, they fill with water, turning into mirrors that reflect the shifting sky, creating a surreal landscape that photographers can shape into endless visual interpretations.
Phoebe Bay
The famous ‘Millennium No. 1 Golden Phoebe Village’, boasting a sanctuary of golden phoebe trees, some standing for over 3,000 years. Their towering forms whisper stories of resilience, while the Golden Phoebe Cultural Museum reveals the tree’s deep-rooted significance in regional craftsmanship and architecture.
Wujiang Gongtan Ancient Town
At the convergence of the Wujiang and Apeng Rivers, this historical 1,800-year-old town featuring preserved architecture, traditional Tujia and Miao ethnic cultures, and scenic riverside beauty preserves the architectural and cultural footprint of the Tujia and Miao ethnic groups. Narrow alleys, traditional wooden courtyards, and timeworn stone pathways lead photographers into a world suspended between past and present.
Meet the Experts: Key Judges & Photography Celebrities
The competition will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges, bringing decades of professional experience in photography, media, and creative storytelling. The panel includes:
- Ng Kok Leong (Chairman, Panel of Judges) – Photo Editor, The Star Media Group | FSPM, Society of Photographers – Malaysia
- Willy Foo – CEO, Founder, and Chief Photographer of LiveStudios Interactive Photography
- Cheong Hai Poh – President and Founder, International Food & Beverage Association (IFBA)
- Roy Sommer – Chairman, F&B Managers Association of London.
Additionally, prominent photography influencers with millions of followers on platforms such as Weibo, TikTok, and Baijia will be present, offering participants the chance to learn from and engage with some of the most influential visual storytellers in the industry.
Event Highlights & Unique Experiences
- Photography Competition: Participants will compete in the prestigious Lens-cape Youyang Cup, where they can showcase their best captures and win cash prizes, trophies, certificates, and exclusive gifts.
- Cultural Immersion: Experience authentic Tujia ethnic performances, engage in the famous hands-waving dance, and savor Ba-Ba Banquet feasts.
- Expert-Led Workshops: Renowned photographers, including Zhou Neng, Ju Zhiqin, Niu Qiang, and Zhang Kunkun, will provide mentorship, guidance, and insights into professional photography techniques.
- Exclusive Access to Influencers: Get inspired by some of China’s top photography influencers who will provide real-time social media coverage and engagement.
Competition Rules
Equipment & Submission Guidelines
- Allowed Equipment: Participants can use DSLR cameras, mobile phones, drones, and other professional photography tools.
- Submission Requirements: Each participant may submit up to 10 images per theme, focusing on landscapes, portraits, or creative interpretations of Youyang’s culture and beauty.
Award Categories & Prizes
- Gold Award – RMB 10,000 + Trophy + Certificate + Specialty Gift Box
- Silver Award – RMB 5,000 + Certificate
- Bronze Award – RMB 2,000 + Certificate
- Excellence Awards (10 recipients) – RMB 500 + Certificate
Registration Details & Fees
Fees:
- Contestant: SGD 1,500
- Companion: SGD 1,200
- Early Bird Offer (before March 15, 2025): SGD 2,400 for both contestant and companion
What’s Included?
- Luxurious Tour Coach for transportation
- 4-Star Hotel Accommodation (Twin-sharing)
- All meals, including specialty Tujia and local cuisine
- Entrance tickets to all attractions
- Event insurance covering local transport.
Villagers make embroidery of the Miao ethnic group in Huatian Township, Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, on Aug. 20, 2023. Youyang, one of the key beneficiary counties of state assistance for rural revitalization, has been fully availing of its unique advantages in ecological environment and indigenous tradition to promote converged development of agriculture, culture, and tourism.(Photo: Xinhua)
Join the Journey
Why Join?
Photography has long been an instrument for cultural preservation and storytelling, offering viewers a window into places, people, and traditions they might never otherwise encounter.
The ASEAN Photographers Photography Tour is not just about documenting a place, but about uncovering its essence. Participants will not only photograph Youyang’s natural and architectural wonders, but will also immerse themselves in its living traditions. From artisans shaping traditional crafts to farmers tending rice terraces at dawn, every moment reflects a story waiting to be told. Through the interplay of light, movement, and tradition, this event offers a rare opportunity to witness Youyang through multiple lenses—both literal and figurative.
Villagers make embroidery of the Miao ethnic group in Huatian Township, Youyang Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, on Aug. 20, 2023. Youyang, one of the key beneficiary counties of state assistance for rural revitalization, has been fully availing of its unique advantages in ecological environment and indigenous tradition to promote converged development of agriculture, culture, and tourism.(Photo: Xinhua)
A Special Invitation: Creating a Deeper Connection Between Food, Culture, Travel, and Art
Photography and food share a common power—both evoke memory, tell stories, and preserve what might otherwise fade with time. Just as food reflects the history and identity of a people, a photograph captures the essence of a place, ensuring that its landscapes, traditions, and everyday moments endure.
Through this partnership, IFBA reinforces the transformative role of cultural tourism—where traditions are not just preserved, but celebrated, shared, and woven into global narratives. The most lasting impressions of a place are not only those we capture but the stories we carry forward, shaping perspectives, fostering understanding, and enriching the way we connect with the world. It invites professionals to do more than witness culture—it calls them to participate in its ongoing narrative, whether by capturing its nuances through an artistic lens or integrating these experiences into their own fields.
Cheong Hai Poh, President of IFBA , emphasised the importance of this event:
“The ASEAN Photographers Photography Tour is more than a competition; it is a gateway to cultural immersion, storytelling, and global connectivity. IFBA is proud to be actively involved in supporting this upcoming event, as part of our ongoing Discovery Tourism initiative, encouraging professionals and enthusiasts alike to experience the breathtaking landscapes and deep-rooted traditions of Youyang. Through this, we foster a deeper appreciation of heritage, creativity, and hospitality, which are at the core of the F&B and tourism industries.”
Roy Sommer, Chairman of the F&B Managers Association of London and a valued IFBA community member, shared his thoughts on the significance of this initiative:
“Experiencing a place isn’t just about seeing it—it’s about feeling its rhythm, engaging with its people, and understanding its traditions and flavours that define it. Cultural tourism deepens our connection and brings us closer to the essence of a destination, and photography is one of the most powerful ways to capture and share that experience. IFBA’s involvement in this initiative reflects our belief that food, art, and cultural exchange are inseparable—each blending to create meaningful and lasting impressions.”
Sign Up Today!
More than a competition, this event represents a deep engagement with history, tradition, and contemporary visual storytelling, set against the breathtaking backdrop of one of China’s most evocative destinations.
For inquiries and registration, contact:
- Event Enquiries: Marc Goh (+65 9425 2297, WeChat: mg4451168)
- Air Ticketing: Jacqueline Low (+65 9720 7996)
Join us in Youyang, China, for an unforgettable photography adventure!
Fireflies in the Taigu Cave in the Taohuayuan scenic area in Chongqing [Photo/Official WeChat account of the Taohuayuan scenic area]
