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John Thomson in China - A Photographic History

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Tour leader
Deborah Ireland
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Dates
11 Oct
26 Oct
2025

John Thomson was a pioneering Scottish photographer, geographer and traveller. He was one of the first photographers to travel to the Far East in the 1860s, documenting the people, landscapes and artefacts of modern-day Singapore, China, Vietnam and Cambodia in a series of extraordinary, high-quality images.

He was the first to instruct the Royal Geographical Society in the art of travel photography and he pioneered social reportage - his work, documenting the lives of the poorest street people in London, formed the basis for photojournalism. He photographed both paupers and princes, charming his way in the homes of the aristocracy and royalty in both Asia and England. The great Isabella Bird followed in his footsteps.

This tour follows in the footsteps of Thomson from Canton (Guangzhou) and up the coast to Beijing (Peking). It visits the places he visited and seeks out the sights he photographed that remain to this day. You will travel through the streets with local historic societies, learning about the society and history of Beijing and Shanghai in the period that Thomson was there.

This tour is led by the accomplished photographic historian, Deborah Ireland, who has lectured widely on Thomson and written about Isabella Bird's travels in China. For more information on Thomson and to see some of his work, please visit https://www.hpcbristol.net/photographer/thomson-john.

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Reference:
CHN1025-1
At a glance
What you need to know
Type of tour
Cultural
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Nights
14
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Countries
1
Tour grade
Active
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Remaining places
0
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Dates and places

Itinerary at a glance

1
Guangzhou
Saturday
,
11
October
Arrive in Guangzhou, which was historic Canton. Visit Culture Park and the city museum. Take the ferry to Whampoa Island, which was the anchorage for Western ships in the 19th century, and see the Pearl River divers.
2
Guangzhou
Sunday
,
12
October
Visit Old Canton and wander down to the Pearl River. On the riverfront see the old Post Office and the old Customs House. Visit historic Shamian Island, which was leased to the British. See the British-built consulate from 1865 and explore the colonial era buildings, many now restored and operating as coffee bars, upmarket tea houses and antique shops. Talk: ‘John Thomson - a short history.'
3
Guangzhou / Xiamen
Monday
,
13
October
Take the high speed train to Xiamen (historic Amoy). Arrive in the afternoon and transfer to the hotel. Take a walking orientation tour of the city. Talk: ‘John Thomson in China.’
4
Xiamen
Tuesday
,
14
October
Take the ferry to Gulangyu Island, the colonial heart of old Amoy, and the location of the international settlement. Explore the settlement, including the US Consulate Building, the former Office of The Great Northern Telegraph Company (Denmark), the Foreigners’ Football Field and the Christian Cemetery.
5
Xiamen
Wednesday
,
15
October
Visit the south of Xiamen Island to see South Putuo Temple. Drive out to the Wanshi Hills east of Xiamen, with its forests, lakes and oddly shaped rocks, and visit the White Deer Grotto
6
Xiamen / Fuzhou
Thursday
,
16
October
Drive via Anxi to visit the famous Oolong Tea plantations. Continue to Quanzhou, one of the first oriental ports and an important point on the ancient Maritime Silk Road. See China’s earliest mosque, Anping Bridge and the old city (all listed as cultural heritage by UNESCO). Take the high-speed train from Quanzhou to Fuzhou (historic Foochow.)
7
Fuzhou
Friday
,
17
October
Explore the old European and Chinese quarters of Fuzhou. Travel out into Drum Hill and visit Yongquan Monastery. Talk: ‘A history of travel photography, Thomson, Isabella Bird and the Royal Geographical Society.’
8
Fuzhou
Saturday
,
18
October
Take a cruise along the Min River before driving into the interior. Continue to see Jinshan Monastery, perched on an island in the river. Return to Fuzhou and at leisure. Visit the night market.
9
Fuzhou / Shanghai
Sunday
,
19
October
Take the high-speed train to Shanghai. Transfer to the hotel on the north Bund.
10
Shanghai
Monday
,
20
October
Explore the historic heart of Shanghai, including the Bund and the French Concession. Take a walking tour of historic Shanghai, looking at the Shanghai of the 1870s. See Longhua Pagoda and temple in south Shanghai. Dinner on the Bund.
11
Shanghai
Tuesday
,
21
October
Full day at leisure with options to explore Shanghai or drive to Suzhou famed for its gardens, silk and traditional architecture. This excursion visits the old city of Suzhou with a history of 800 years old. The visits include the city wall, the canals, the Suzhou Museum, the Master of the Nets Garden and an exploration of Suzhou’s beautiful architecture on a walking tour.
12
Shanghai / Beijing
Wednesday
,
22
October
Take the high-speed train to Beijing. Arrive at your hotel and walk to see the Temple of Heaven. Visit the Courtyard Institute. Talk: ‘Thomson; portraiture and royalty.’
13
Shanghai / Beijing
Thursday
,
23
October
Visit Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Visit Prince Gong’s mansion and the hutongs of old Beijing. Visit the Courtyard Institute and hear a talk on Thomson in Beijing. Take a walking tour looking at the Beijing of the 1870s.
14
Beijing
Friday
,
24
October
Visit the Summer Palace. Visit the Great Wall at Jinshanling and The Ming Tombs.
15
Beijing
Saturday
,
25
October
Visit Peking Observatory. At leisure. Farewell dinner of traditional Peking Roast Duck.
16
Beijing
Sunday
,
26
October
Depart Beijing or take an optional extension to the ancient Silk Road city of Xi’an.
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Plot your journey

Follow in the footsteps of John Thomson and Isabella Bird.

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What to expect

Tour highlights

The Temple of Heaven (then)
Beijing, China

Visit the places John Thomson travelled to and see the sights he photographed that remain to this day.

The Temple of Heaven (now)
Beijing, China

Visit the places John Thomson travelled to and see the sights he photographed that remain to this day.

Peking Observatory (then)
Beijing, China

Visit the places John Thomson travelled to and see the sights he photographed that remain to this day.

Visit Beijing Observatory (now)
Beijing, China

Visit the places John Thomson travelled to and see the sights he photographed that remain to this day.

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Beautiful landscapes

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Extend your travels

Extend in Xi'an

Xi'an
26 – 28 October 2025

Visit the ancient Silk Road hub of Xi’an, which was probably the first truly multicultural city in the world. Walk along its vast medieval city walls and visit atmospheric Calligraphy Street Market. See traditional Tang Dynasty Theatre, with its graceful, colourful performances, and visit the old Muslim quarter, which comes to vibrant life in the evening as the locals throng its many restaurants and food stalls. The high point of any visit to Xi’an is, of course, seeing the extraordinary necropolis of the Terracotta Warriors, which depict the armies of Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China. These life size statues – each with individual expressions and details - were buried with the emperor in 210–209 BCE to protect the emperor in his afterlife.

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Active
Level 4

Longer and fuller days. More walking and longer distances require more energy, good fitness, and mobility.

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If you have some questions about this particular tour, you can contact the Jon Baines Tours team by phone or email.

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